Star Crossed

by Christine Young

  "Many people like lemons, dear. Florence McAffe will be there. He's asked to court you, and I think this would be a proper way to make an introduction." Lady O'Connell stabbed at her needlework, her brow furrowing in the tiniest of frowns.

  "More like a way to scare him off," Patrick said. "But then Casey will have her wish come true. Are you inviting the Shaunaseys?"

  "Of course not," Lady O'Connell dropped her stitchery, her face turning pale at the mention of the family who had been their sworn enemies for longer than anyone could remember. "Why would you ask such a thing? You know we never mention that--that name in this household."

  Casey rubbed her bare arms, feeling a chill sweep down her spine. She closed her eyes and counted backwards, knowing she might regret the question. "Mother, what was the feud about? Does anyone know?"

  Lady O'Connell paused, letting her needlework slip to her lap and looked out the window for a few long seconds. It seemed as if she was gathering her thoughts or recalling some horrific event in her past. She returned her attention to Casey and Patrick. "I suppose the two of you deserve to know. But I have no idea. I married into the feud. As you all well know, I lived in London, my family coming to Ireland on vacations. I met your father and we fell in love. No one spoke of it and since I didn't know the people, I never asked."

  "So you have no idea or maybe a guess," Casey felt her hopes die but couldn't resist asking the next question. "Was it love at first sight?"

  A whimsical smile crossed Lady O'Connell's face. "I believe it was. Your father was so handsome but as to your other question, no, your father refuses to talk about the feud and so I never pursued the topic."

  "Someone should," Casey said, lifting her shoulders in a shrug and ending in a long sigh. Perhaps she would. Where to start?

  "Leave it be, Casey," her brother warned, his brows furrowing in a sign of disapproval Casey recognized all too well. "You might uncover something you don't want to know," he warned.

  "You do know something."

  "Of course not."

  "Yes, dear, there is no reason to turn over lose stones that might erupt in more fighting. I believe there was quite a lot of it--violence--back in the day. Some things are better off if left alone," Lady O'Connell said, putting down her needlework. She left the room but not without a backward glance to her two children who were still scowling at each other.

  "Patrick O'Connell, what are you thinking?" Casey asked, trying to stare her brother down and wishing she knew what devilry Patrick was scheming. "What do you know that you're not telling? Spit it out."

  "I'm thinking you have bitten off more than you can chew, my little sister. Kelly Shaunasey is not the man for you even if there were no feud." This time it seemed to Casey her brother spoke from the heart.

  "Why?" she demanded.

  "He's dangerous--Protestant--older--a Shaunasey--to name a few things. Casey, he's too much man for you."

  "What is that supposed to mean? Too much man? Patrick O'Connell you should be ashamed of yourself."

  "Leave it be, Casey. I didn't mean anything by it. He's just too old for you."

  "It's the feud," she told herself. She would be stirrin' up a whole passel of trouble if she pursued her interest in this man. And yet she knew deep inside she could not stop herself. If love at first sight were possible, it had bitten her hard. Kelly enchanted her and she couldn't stop thinking about him.

  "Casey, it's more than that and you know it. He would never convert."

  "But I could."

  "That's blasphemy. Never let mother hear you say that. And you know, Casey, you might find an interest in the young man who is coming for your--recital."

  "What young man?"

  "I forgot his name. Ah, let me think, Florence--yes." Patrick sat up straight, a lopsided grin on his devilishly handsome features.

  "He's a fop--a bloody dandy--probably can't be trusted," Casey said, "He makes my insides cringe just thinking about him."

  ~ * ~

  "Well, that much is true," Moya fluttered angry golden wings as she hovered in a corner of the O'Connell home. "And why does her brother think he can threaten her and all I've done just so these two will fall in love," Moya muttered. She tossed her arms in the air and tiny particles of pixie dust scattered around her. "Hachooo!" she sneezed.

  Moya flew around the room, wishing Oran was here. But she knew he was with Kelly. He needed to make sure Liam wasn't able to convince the young man to stay away from Casey.

  Moya thought of Conn, Florence's fairy godfather. The suggestion of his presence made her tremble and more pixie dust flew through the air. Conn was pure evil; a black fairy, pagan, and he'd cursed Florence at his birth. There had been no gifts, nothing for the man and Florence was bad, a very bad boy. He was not right for Casey.

  ~ * ~

  Patrick roared with laughter. "And I suppose thoughts of Kelly Shaunasey does something else entirely. You blush every time someone says his name." Patrick put his hands behind his back and rocked on the back of his heels, gazing out at the summer sky.

  Casey felt heat rush to her cheeks and immediately clamped her hands there. Patrick laughed harder. "I do not ever think of Mr. Shaunasey. It would not be proper," she declared in a rush of heated emotion.

  "Of course not, and you are always the proper little Irish lass." Patrick turned, still laughing but Casey noticed a tender light of concern gracing his handsome features.

  "Of course," she said, walking to the window and staring at a velvet sky twinkling with tiny diamonds. She wasn't ready to acknowledge any type of tenderness with the brother who had tormented her forever.

  Before she could breathe, her brother stood behind her, one hand resting on her shoulder. "If you are worried about my giving you away, you should be. I won't do anything yet, but don't pursue Shaunasey."

  "And if I do?" she asked, ready to do battle even though she acknowledged nothing would come of her feelings for this young man. She knew where the line was drawn, and she would never give up the love of her family or the security they provided.

  "I'll have to tell Dah." His voice held a dangerous tone as well as a promise she'd never heard before.

  "So I'll be needing saving from a man who dallies with every skirt he sees?" she asked, flaunting his wild side to him as if it would change his mind. He would tell on her if she gave into her feelings.

  "If you pursue Shaunasey, you will need saving," Patrick agreed. "And I may be asking a few favors in return for my silence or the savin'."

  ~ * ~

  "Are you out of your mind?" Liam strode toward his brother, his fists clenched at his side and a decidedly grim expression on his face.

  Kelly tossed a pebble at an old oak tree standing sentinel, marking the line of the O'Connell property. "Most likely." If his feelings hadn't been so new, intense and strange, Kelly would have laughed at his brother's concern.

  Leaning against a street lamp, Kelly watched the light in the parlor window. He'd heard about the recital and for some reason he couldn't stay away. Decidedly bad music had filtered from the window, polite applause followed, and now only party voices floated his way. He'd heard a back door open and close and had wondered about that when no one returned. Impulsively, he'd been tempted to follow but knew how unwise it would be to be caught on O'Connell property in the middle of the night. He laughed inside, amazed at his caution when he felt dangerous and very wild.

  "Do I need to drag your sorry butt home?" Liam asked, his stance relaxing somewhat upon hearing his brother's reply.

  Kelly tossed another pebble. "Florence McAffe went in there. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. He'll hurt her and who will pick up the pieces?" I will. But I don't want her to have her heart broken by the likes of him. I don't want him touching her either.

  Leaves whispered with the breeze, music played from the window, and an old bullfrog croaked from somewhere down the lane. Silence lingered and seeped inside Kelly's soul. Liam didn't have a witty answer to his question and neither did he.r />
  "You're drunk," Liam said.

  "Haven't had a drop since last Sunday after I met her," Kelly said too emphatically to convince his brother. He was roaring drunk at the moment and didn't dare push off the lamp pole afraid he'd end up face down on the ground.

  "Let's do something to change that," Liam said. "I'm worried about you."

  Kelly closed his eyes and let his head rest against the lamp pole. Sounds swirled around him. The scent of spring flowers hovered on the breeze and his imagination played havoc with his body.

  "A few of the lads will be there tonight--Black Goat--wanted to know who would join them," Liam said. "You need a night out with the boys. Come on, it'll do you good."

  I need a night out with Casey.

  "I'm not in the mood for brawling and drunkenness." Before he left this spot he wanted a glimpse of Casey. Perhaps if he saw her, he wouldn't feel the same. Perhaps if she wasn't forbidden, the novelty would die.

  "You're a lovesick fool. I'm sure a lusty barmaid will help sway your mind from little Miss O'Connell--a lass you cannot have."

  "I'll be there later." Kelly shrugged off his brother's invitation as well as the arm he'd draped across his shoulder. A lusty barmaid held no appeal to him even though a little over a week ago he would have joined his brother with a grin and high expectations for the evening.

  "You'll be comin' with me," Liam told him with all the assurance of a big brother who believes whole-heartedly he will always get his own way. "I won't be leavin' you here to make a bigger of fool of yourself than you have already."

  "I don't think I can make a bigger fool of myself," Kelly said dryly, wishing he didn't mean his words but knowing the truth. He needed to be with Casey despite her family name. He needed her in ways he didn't understand. Only a week ago he was a carefree and happy man. And now…

  Liam looked to the lighted parlor window and back to his brother. "Believe me, you can," he said as if he was the voice of experience. "But you're playing with fire and that, my lil' brother, is entirely different."

  "What do you propose?" Kelly asked, cocking his head sideways and knowing what his brother had in mind before he spoke.

  "A wild night out with the boys," Liam said again. "Don't think you should be standing here pining away for a lass you cannot have." Liam started to walk away from the O'Connell home. He didn't turn to look back at him, trusting him to follow.

  ~ * ~

  "Florence is meant for the lass," Conn said smugly. "He's Catholic, and he's not involved in the feud," he whispered close to Oran's ear. Conn did a quick little back flip and looked at Oran as he meant to say something else. Instead he fluttered to a nearby bar stool.

  Oran felt his temper rise and wished Moya was here to calm him. He wasn't rational at the moment and he felt his anger soar out of control. Sometimes he did things he regretted later. He'd made a pact with his sister and he intended on keeping it.

  "You won't win this one," Oran said.

  "We'll see," Conn taunted. "Now won't we? You know the bad boy always wins. To humans, there is something primal and intriguing about the bad boy."

  "You have a point. But Casey won't fall for him. The only way you'll win is if Casey's parents arrange the marriage. She's already smitten with Kelly."

  "A spell here and there will change things," Conn said.

  "You mean a curse," Oran said.

  "If necessary."

  ~ * ~

  "I just want to talk to her," Kelly said, tossing another pebble. "You think she'd be in her room by now? It's growing late."

  Liam stopped. "What? You mean to shimmy up the trellis and sneak into her bedroom?" Liam asked a note of incredulity in his tone. "I thought you were the sane one in this family."

  "The thought crossed my mind a couple of times. And I know that would be impossible--stupid. However," he paused, juggling a few pebbles in his hand and looking back to the balcony he was sure led from Casey's bedroom, "perhaps I could get her to come out and talk to me."

  "That only works in love stories," Liam said then stopped, horrified at what he'd said. "You, my little brother, Romeo thou are not. Perhaps you have a death wish. This isn't happening," he muttered.

  "I don't intend this to be a tragedy and I'm not in love--just curious," Kelly said a bit too quickly to be a convincing argument while he went over ways which he could find to meet Casey without anyone being the wiser.

  "Prove it," Liam challenged. "Prove to me you don't care about that girl--that girl you cannot have--that girl who would make our lives and our family's lives a living hell. Come with me to the Black Goat. Have fun tonight and forget about Casey O'Connell."

  "Very well, have it your way," Kelly said, darting a look toward the window in hopes of catching at least one glimpse of Casey. When he did, his heart skipped a beat. She stood framed inside the curtains of the parlor, her forehead resting against the window pane. She seemed incredibly sad and lost. He had an urgent need to enfold her in his arms and whisper close to her ear he would solve all her problems and protect her from whatever or whoever had put that sad forlorn look on her face.

  Liam grabbed his arm and Kelly had to look at the ground in front of his feet. He stumbled anyway and when he peered backward over his shoulder, she had vanished. The two brothers walked in silence toward the little tavern they liked so well.

  Inside it was fairly quiet. The pair sat at a table in the center of the room and ordered ale. "Here's to finding a willing lass to spend the night with," Liam lifted his tankard, searching the smoke-filled room for a diversion for his brother.

  Kelly followed suit, not truly agreeing with his brother. A willing lass would not cure his sickness. No one but Casey appealed to him. It seemed she had become a part of him he could not shake loose.

  Chapter Three

  Casey stared at her reflection in her mirror. She tossed her hair behind her head and grimaced at what she saw. Hair too red, eyes too close together and her little turned up nose made her cringe. She wanted to be beautiful like Meghan O'Cleary or Lizze MacDonald.

  "But…" she sighed. "You are no beauty, Casey O'Connell. You cannot play or sing. You trip over miniscule cracks in the floor. If there is an accident waiting to happen, you will be part of it. Why on earth would you think anyone would fall in love with you?" Especially Kelly Shaunasey--a man who is forbidden.

  Humming off key, Casey wandered to the window overlooking the gardens. She held her lighted candle high, mesmerized by the glow. Flowers were beginning to bloom and the scent of Daphne hung on the air. The night was chilly but not cold. She heard a slight noise and stepped onto her balcony. Another noise peaked her curiosity. Leaning over the railing, she searched through the darkened shadows of the night.

  A pebble fell on the balcony floor by her foot. She held the candle light high above her head. "Who is it? Who is out there?" she asked, wondering if anyone would show themselves. Except for the tiny beam of candle light, darkness surrounded her. A tiny shiver of apprehension drizzled down her spine. Her fingers tightened around the top of the railing and the candle holder.

  "Show yourself," she whispered, afraid yet strangely not afraid even though a shiver slipped down her spine and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. If she stopped to let her thundering heart slow, she imagined Kelly Shaunasey out there somewhere, risking life and limb to walk on O'Connell property let alone stand beneath her bedroom window and talk to her.

  "Either show yourself or go away," she commanded.

  ~ * ~

  "Give the lad a wee bit of courage, Oran. Do it now before he gives up and leaves Casey alone, wondering what unearthly power was teasing her," Moya whispered in her brother's ear.

  Oran stood on the railing to the balcony watching his charge below. Before Oran could cast an enchanting spell on the young man, Conn knocked the pixie dust from his hand. Instead of blessing Kelly with the courage to call out to Casey, Kelly stepped back as if he wondered at his own sanity.

  "Conn, you pagan devil,"
Moya said fluttering her wings so fast they changed from silver to gold in less than a second. "You go on home. Don't you have your own charge to look after?" Moya asked.

  "And that is what I'm doin' here," Conn said. "Florence wants to wed the lass. Even though we all know it will never work out."

  "Go on with you," Oran said, slipping closer to Kelly and blocking Conn from his quest. "Florence will never marry the lass. I can promise you that," Oran growled deep in his throat. Pixie dust shot from his hand. Kelly sneezed and stepped closer, looking toward the balcony.

  "I'll give you this one," Conn said and flew away, vanishing into the velvet blackness of the night.