Read Online When Angels Fall by Meagan McKinney - Free Book Online Page B

things already!” George stomped away and once more took up skipping acorns across the pond. The mastiffs watched the acorns fly, their sad, ugly faces tilted to one side in fascination.
    “Think of your sisters, Alcester. Won’t they be upset to hear that you’re skipping school?”
    George spun around to face Ivan. “How—how did you know who I was?”
    “I know who everyone is in Nodding Knoll.” Now it was Ivan’s turn to skip acorns across the pond. His, of course, went farther and faster. George was visibly impressed.
    “What’s your name?” he finally asked.
    “Ivan.”
    George took in this bit of information, then he became wary. “My sister Lissa knows you.” He put his hands on his hips and brazenly stared up at the dark, awe-inspiring man. “But I don’t think she likes you.”
    “Oh?” Ivan said flatly. “And why is that?”
    “I’m not sure.” George scowled and skipped another acorn. “But I think it’s because she didn’t have any suitors.”
    “Any
what?”
Ivan asked, unable to hide the amusement in his eyes.
    “Any suitors. She said once that if she had some suitors then Ivan Tramore could go to the devil.” George looked hopeful. “Perhaps you aren’t Ivan Tramore?”
    “I’m afraid I am.”
    The boy looked thoroughly disappointed. It was obvious he had begun to like this man who was skipping acorns with him. Reluctantly he said, “I suppose I shouldn’t be speaking with someone my sister wants to go to the devil.”
    “I suppose not.”
    He brightened. “But perhaps it would be all right because she has a suitor now.”
    “She does?” Ivan narrowed his eyes. “And who might that be?”
    “Old Moneybags Billingsworth. I don’t like him very much. He smells kind of musty, but Lissa says we won’t be poor any longer when she marries him.” George turned thoughtful. “I don’t mind being poor though. I’d rather Lissa not marry him, but she says it’s for the best.”
    “Old ‘Moneybags’ eh?” Ivan said, chuckling, and skipped his best acorn yet.
    George looked at how far the acorn went before sinking into the pond. “I think Lissa should marry you,” he said abruptly. “You skip acorns much better than old Mr. Billingsworth ever could, I’m sure.”
    The corner of Ivan’s mouth tipped in a smile. “We shall see, lad, but now you really should return to the schoolroom.” Noting George’s stormy expression, Ivan tempered it by coaxing “If you let me take you back and you promise not to miss school any more, I shall let you come to Powerscourt to visit the pups.”
    “Truly?” George seemed tempted.
    “Truly. You may come to the castle anytime—anytime, that is, when you’re not supposed to be attending class.”
    George thought upon the offer for a moment, then he finally succumbed to the bribe. He went to fetch his dinner pail and his books. As if they were his prize, he covetously patted each dog’s head. “The pups—what are their names?” he asked.
    “Finn and Fenian.”
    “What strange names . . .”
    “Not so strange to the Irish,” Ivan answered. “Finn was a most famous Irish king, and many a story has been told of the Fenians—they were legendary Irish warriors.”
    “And how can you tell them apart?” The boy looked at each dog. They were obviously brothers; even their black and gold fur seemed marked with the exact same pattern.
    “I tell them apart this way.” Ivan commanded, “Finn, down.” One dog immediately lay down. “Now you try.”
    “Fenian, down,” George said, and the other dog went down also.
    “Shall you have them escort you back?”
    George nodded.
    “Come, pups.” The mastiffs immediately went to their master and stood at his side. “Come along, Alcester.” Ivan gave him the reins of his stallion and they started back to Nodding Knoll, but before they left the pond, George couldn’t seem to stop himself from asking one last question.
    “How did you get that scar on your face?”
    The back of