Maeve rose slowly. The girl had the look of him, was all she could think. What kind of penance was it that she had to look into the girl’s face and see Tom Concannon’s eyes?

“The sin’s planted in you, girl. That’s your only legacy from Tom Concannon.” Like the snap of a whip, she shot her gaze to Murphy. “And you, Murphy Muldoon. Standing with her brings shame to your family. You’re showing yourself as weak natured as any man, for you’re thinking she’ll be as free with herself as she was born in sin.”

Murphy’s hand tightened on Shannon’s arm before she could step forward and attack. “Take care, Mrs. Concannon.” His voice was mild, but Shannon could feel the strength of his temper through his tensed fingers. “You’re saying things you’ll need to repent. When you speak of my family, and of Shannon in such a way, the shame is yours.”

Her eyes narrowed so that no one could see the tears swimming behind them. “So you’ll all stand against me. Every one of you.”

“We’re of one mind on this, Maeve.” Subtly Rogan blocked his wife. “When your mind’s calmer, we’ll talk again.”

“There’s nothing to talk of.” She snatched her purse from the table. “You’ve chosen.”

“You have a choice, too,” Gray said quietly. “Holding on to the past or accepting the present. No one here wants to hurt you.”

“I expect nothing but duty, and even that isn’t offered by my own flesh and blood. I’ll not come into this house again while she’s under its roof.” She turned and walked stiffly away.

“I’m sorry.” Lottie gathered her own bag. “She needs time, and talking out.” With an apologetic look at Shannon, she hurried after Maeve.

After one long minute of silence, Gray let out a breath. “Well, that was fun.” Despite the lightness of tone, his arm had gone around his wife and he was rubbing his hand up and down her arm. “What do you say, Shannon. I’ll go out and find a nice pointed stick to jab in your eye.”

“I’d rather have a drink,” she heard herself say, then her gaze focused on Brianna. “Don’t apologize,” she said in a shaky voice. “Don’t you dare apologize.”

“She won’t.” Determined to fight back the one that was looming in her own throat, Maggie gave her sister a nudge toward the table. “Sit down, all of you. We’re having whiskey. Murphy, put on the kettle.”

With his hand still on Shannon’s shoulder, he started to turn. “I thought we were having whiskey.”

“You are. I’ll have tea.” It was a good time, she decided. The perfect time for such news. She looked straight at Rogan, a gleam of unholy amusement in her eyes. “It’s not wise to have spirits when you’re carrying.”

He blinked once, then the grin started, and spread. “You’re pregnant.”

“So the doctor said just this morning.” Planting her hands on her hips, she tilted her head. “Are you just going to stand there, gawking like a fool?”