“Before I answer you, I am imploring you not to let my father or mother know anything I divulge.”
“I’ve always liked you, Liam, and thought your father treated you poorly. You have my word.”
“This is my wife, Dolly Mahan Dady.”
“This is … interesting, Liam. I take it your parents disapprove.” Lord Pirrie looked impressed that Liam had defied his father. He turned his attention to Dolly. “It’s my pleasure, my dear. You’re quite beautiful.” He stood and took Dolly’s shaking hand, kissing it cordially. “Don’t worry Mrs. Dady,” he said quietly. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“I Thank ye, sir,” she responded.
“You look familiar to me,” Lord Pirrie said. He thought for a few moments and then got it. “At the Dady’s—Good God, Liam, it’s your mother’s housekeeper. Good for you. I heard she wanted you to hook up with Mary Tisdale. Frightful girl, very spoiled.” He smiled at Dolly. “You’re most assuredly not meant for servitude, my dear.”
Liam and Dolly stood frozen and crimson-faced at Lord Pirrie’s bluntness and amusement.
“I have a favor to ask of you, Liam.” Lord Pirrie turned to the woman sitting next to him at the table. “This is Miss Daily, my … companion. My wife thinks I’m in Liverpool for two weeks, on business.”
Liam felt an instant odd kindred spirit with Pirrie, not that he would cheat on his wife at any time. “Sir, I appreciate the discretion on your part, and you’ll have mine in return.”
“Thank you. Do have a nice stay, Liam. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Dady.”
Liam nodded his head, and Dolly smiled faintly. They turned to go to their table.
They were seated next to the window where they liked to be, but the mood was spoiled with the meeting of Lord Pirrie.
“I believe I can trust him,” Liam said. “He’s always been kind to me.”
He saw the worry in Dolly’s face and reached out his hand to her. “Dolly, let’s get the enjoyment back for our four days. It’ll be fine. I trust Lord Pirrie.” He repeated himself with confidence and made her look at him, smiling to bring her back. She responded with a small smile as she squeezed his hand.
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “It just scared me, that’s all. Let’s have breakfast. I’m still famished.” Her smile got bigger. “Tomorrow, we’ll go see yer school.”
~~~
Seeing Lord Pirrie that morning put a bit of a pall over Liam and Dolly. They took a long stroll later in the evening, which helped. The sweet fragrance of the sea and the silly antics of the laughing gulls took their mind off the unexpected meeting. It felt good to stretch their muscles. They knew by now, though, that the only thing that would dissolve the dark cloud was to plunge into each other’s souls through their coupling, the ultimate expression of their love for each other. It burned hot and pure. Nothing in their minds could change that knowledge.
Very early that morning, still awake, Liam took a quilt and blanket and led Dolly quietly outside to the water’s edge. He knew no one would be awake at four o’clock. Dolly kept her nightgown on, but Liam pulled it up to her waist, exposing the most essential part of her body. With only the sound of waves in their ears and the cool breeze washing over them, they merged souls and became one flesh in a holy union he knew no other human being could ever break.
“I’ll love ye forever, Liam,” she whispered in his ear.
“I’ll love ye forever, I promise.”
“I know ye will.”
Feeling reborn as one, they went back to their room in good spirits and full of love, and fell asleep until late morning, arms and legs intertwined.
~~~
After a late breakfast of eggs, bacon, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee, Liam took Dolly to his boarding house by cab. Once there, Mrs. Ferguson made them tea and served blueberry scones and whipped cream, to Dolly's delight.
“Mrs. Ferguson, yer scones are heavenly, “Dolly said. “I don’t believe I’ve ever tasted a better one.” She spoke between bites.
“Ye’re too kind, Mrs. Dady. I’m so happy Liam has brought ye here to meet me. Thank ye, dear.” Mrs. Ferguson nodded at Liam. “So, tell me, will ye settle in Belfast?”
“We are planning to immigrate to America, Mrs. Ferguson,” Dolly replied.
“Are ye now? That’s somethin’ that takes a good amount of darin’.”
“Oh, aye, but Liam and I want a whole new life together. His parents—” Dolly stopped short and looked at Liam.
“That’s all right darlin’,” Liam said. “Mrs. Ferguson, what Dolly was going to say was my parents would not approve of this marriage. We’ve gone through with it without their knowledge or consent. So, when I am fully graduated, we are leavin’ Belfast and this part of the world.”
After two hours of good conversation, which included Mrs. Ferguson fawning over the newly-weds, Liam and Dolly bid her goodbye.
As they stood at the door of Liam’s home away from home, Mrs. Ferguson turned to Dolly. “Ye’re such a beauty,” she said. “I wish ye all the best life has for ye.” She gave Dolly a fierce hug. “I’ll take care o’ Liam for ye, count on it.”
“I Thank ye, Mrs. Ferguson.”
~~~
Liam and Dolly headed for the other sites of historic Edinburgh, walking part of the Royal Mile, touring Holyrood and gardens, and visiting The Royal School for Surgeons and its museum of “human bits and pieces,” as Dolly called them.
“I see two things in yer face, Dolly,” Liam said as he watched her in the museum.
“What’s that, Liam?”
“Ye’re completely fascinated by what ye’re seein’, and at the same time it horrifies ye.”
“Oh, aye. I’ve never seen an eyeball, or a two-headed baby,” she said. “It's disgustin’. Is it good or bad, that I’m horrified?”
“Neither. It’s funny,” he answered with a wry smile.
“Shut up,” she whispered grumpily. Their voices echoed in the room. “Just give me yer arm.”
Liam, still amused by her facial expressions, escorted her around the rest of the macabre museum. Her arm remained tightly wrapped around his.
“Do ye take these out of their bottles and study them?” she asked quietly.
“No, we study real bodies, from the morgues and graves,” he whispered near her ear, and then looked at her with a slight smirk.
“It’s more of the ‘job’ ye have,” she whispered back in his ear, still looking both horrified and intrigued.
He nodded.
She shivered. “Let’s go, Liam.”
“Fine.”
~~~
For a bit of lunch, they went to the pub that Liam and Kurt frequented. They had the special of the day, seafood chowder, which was fresh, creamy, hot, and delectable. A shared bottle of white wine took away their desire to walk or go anywhere else but back to Portobello.
Liam leaned close to her at their small table next to the window. “This wine is making me want ye.”
She looked into his eyes, “Me, too.”
“I’ll take care of the bill, then we can go.”
“Let’s hurry.”
They had supper in their suite much later that late evening, brought by room service.
The rest of their time together was spent entirely in bed.
~~~
It was not easy for either of them—the parting. Each one could barely speak.
“It was a beautiful time and I’ll be with you soon,” Liam murmured into Dolly's hair as the steamer in Glasgow signaled the passengers to board. He had ridden the train with her to see her safe. They had spent the entire train ride in silence, holding on to each other. They held on now until the last signal. Then Dolly, with tears rolling down her face, turned to walk up the gangway.
“I’ll see ye soon, Mrs. Dady,” Liam called loudly.
She turned to wave from the main deck railing. They both managed a smile. “I love ye, Mr. Dady. See ye soon.”
“That’s very sweet,” a vo
ice said to Liam. Its owner, Lord Pirrie, passed Liam on his way to the gangway. He stopped momentarily. “Is she traveling alone?” he asked.
“Aye sir, she is.” Liam answered, wishing he were going.
“If you’ll allow me, I will be an escort for her on the ship and make sure she gets a cab at the docks in Belfast.”
“I’d be indebted to ye, Lord Mayor, if ye’d be so kind.”
“Then, consider her safe at home.”
Liam shook his hand. It was a warm and trustworthy grasp. “Thank you.”
As Pirrie caught up with Dolly and informed her of the arrangement, Dolly looked to Liam for reassurance. Liam looked up and gave her a reassuring smile.
Liam watched as Pirrie escorted her inside a door to what Liam assumed would be her room.
Liam remained at the dock, watching the steamer chugging for Belfast, heading west to the North Channel, taking Dolly back. Finally, it disappeared on the horizon.
Disconsolate, he boarded the train bound for Edinburgh feeling quite alone. He found an empty passenger car, sat in a corner, and sobbed. When he had cried himself out, he set a steely resolve to do the work ahead between now and his reunion with his wife in December. I’m full of joy. She’s my wife, he thought. His heartache lessened.
Rocked rhythmically by the train, he fell asleep until the conductor woke him at the main Edinburgh station. It had started to rain. How appropriate, Liam thought. He hailed a cab and went to the boarding house to plan out the rest of his time at the Royal School for Surgeons.
~~~
On the steamer heading west across the North Channel, Lord Pirrie talked Dolly into having a beverage with him in the lounge before she went to her room.
“What would you like, Mrs. Dady?” Pirrie asked cordially. They sat at a small table.
“I would love hot chamomile tea,” she said. She glanced at him and noticed he seemed excited about the casual teatime.
“Nothing stronger?” Pirrie inquired, looking at her with an eyebrow raised.
She looked at him and detected a possible play on her. She remembered what Liam had said to her the night he came back from Shaughnessy’s. “Don’t ever stand down to a man, ever again.”
“No thank you, Lord Pirrie. I’m not in the frame of mind to celebrate. I just left my husband from our honeymoon, and I won’t see him for six months.”
“That’s a long time,” Pirrie pointed out, with his eyebrow still raised.
“Yes, it is,” she said. “Please don’t think that I’m goin’ to be another ‘Miss Daily’ for ye, Lord Pirrie. I love Liam more than anythin’.” She took a sip from her cup, looking directly into his eyes.
“I see, Mrs. Dady. You see, you are so beautiful, and I’ve known you to seem quite vulnerable. I admit I have been attracted to you.”
“And now?”
“And now, I see that you are not interested in any invitation on my part. One can’t blame a man for trying.” Lord Pirrie’s tone changed from enticement to respectful resignation.
“I won’t say anythin’ to Liam, if ye let this go. He has an admiration for ye, Lord Pirrie. He sees ye as a friend. Don’t let him ever think otherwise.”
“Your wisdom and strength have taken me by surprise, Mrs. Dady. Please accept my apologies. I won’t pursue any longer, but I still hold that you are beautiful, and Liam is a lucky man.”
“Well, I can’t tell ye what to think.”
After coming to that crucial understanding, Dolly Mahan Dady and William Pirrie sat chatting as they drank the beverage of their choice. He then politely escorted her to her room.
“I do believe I have a new-found respect and admiration for you, Mrs. Dady. It’s not often that I’m turned down. Most women I approach can’t resist. You are one of the first who has. Goodnight, sweet lady.” He gave a slight bow and took his leave as she entered her room and closed the door.
As she sat in a plush club chair she, too, had a newfound respect and admiration. Not for Lord Pirrie, but for herself.
Chapter 26
It was November, just over a year since Victor had last gone to Rauma. He was making one last trip into town before a harsh winter set in for both families. There were several errands, including a trip to city hall, the purchase of household and farm supplies, and his father needed a new wrought iron door latch for his sauna door. Victor was going alone and this trip meant he had to go to the blacksmith. There was no way around it. There was not a spare door latch to be found at either farm. Everyone else had winter preparation chores to do and could not be spared. Victor would be taking the official paperwork to register his and Eva’s wedding, Yuri and Liisa’s wedding, Olli’s death certificate, and Ellen’s birth certificate.
“Can’t Hannes go?” Eva asked as they were getting ready for bed the night before.
“I have been a coward about running into Salmi for too long. I have to.”
That was a partial truth. In reality, he hadn’t wanted to see Vilho or Olga.
Salmi didn't need to sign off as Pastor, as Pastor Alve of Turku had officiated at the religious events at the Mattson farm. The families had every right, but that wouldn’t stop Salmi from creating trouble.
The next morning, Victor picked up Ellen, who had been tugging at his trousers as he was preparing to leave. He gave her a kiss and a belly raspberry making her giggle. “I’ll see you when I get home, Villi Ruusu.” As Victor put her down, Ellen squealed in mirth.
“Pappa, I go.”
“Not today. It’s getting cold outside and it’s a long ride. In the summer, I will take you. You play with your Karhu and other toys, and be company for Mamma.”
“I go find Karhu,” Ellen said gleefully as she scampered off into the bedroom, reminding Victor of little lambs playing.
“Eva, I will see you later tonight. I don’t know exactly how long I will be,” Victor said. He was still grinning at Ellen.
“I will miss you all day,” Eva whispered. They stood in the enclosed entryway.
“You say that every day,” he teased. “Don’t you have something more to say?”
“I thought I said it in bed this morning.” She hugged him around the waist and nuzzled his neck.
“How could I forget that, and you so giving and accommodating. It’s like getting some sweet candy.” He nuzzled her in kind.
~~~
All the way to Rauma, Victor thought intensely of Olga. He even gave himself orgasms in a kerchief. Much of the drive was desolate this time of year. I cannot go back to see her when I get to the blacksmith, he thought. I have betrayed Eva too often. I love her. She is the mother of my beautiful child. I love coming home to her. I will say “hello” to Vilho, give him my latch order, and be on my way. I told Olga last time I was not coming back.
~~~
As soon as Victor arrived in town, he stopped at the blacksmith. As he walked into the warm shop, Vilho looked up from the anvil. Unreserved and convivial as always, Victor’s friend greeted him warmly. In spite of this, Victor noticed that something was different.
“Victor Mattson, as I live and breathe,” Wilho boomed. His teeth were shining brightly in an ear-to-ear grin. “How the devil are you? And the wife? How’s that little girl of yours? She’s getting big, I’ll bet. My two boys are. The baby, Peter, is four months now.”
Victor laughed at the big man’s unreserved nature. “Ellen is two and a half, and as sassy as her mother.”
Vilho laughed. “What can I do for you?”
“I need a new door latch. Can you have one in an hour? It’s a standard door latch for the sauna entry.”
“I can put you first after this. I may just get that done for you in one hour.”
“Thanks, Vilho. I will see you then.”
“Good. We’ll have vodka before you leave town.” Vilho gathered the material for the latch. “Go and see Olga and the children.”
Victor paused in panic, but tried not to show it. Vilho had that strangely different look on his face again, barely perce
ivable.
“I’ll be back. Count on it. I want a shot of that vodka. And yes, I wasn’t planning on it, but I will go see Olga for a minute. Will you come?”
“No, my friend. I have much to do. And I want to have your latch by the time you want to leave. I’m afraid I cannot join you.” Vilho smiled in his jovial way—and subtly the strangely different look came over him again.
Victor shrugged and smiled as he closed the back door of the smith.
God damn it to hell! God damn it! God, fuck me to hell! Victor screamed inside his head as his feet walked him to the door of Olga’s house. Victor looked up, noticing how dark the sky had become. Snow clouds were coming, accompanied by the bitter wind off the gulf. He was mightily roused and liked it.
~~~
When Victor entered the house, Olga was leaning over the cradle, checking on her baby boy. She looked up, aghast. “I didn’t think you were coming here again. You said you were done.”
“I know what I said, but your husband insisted. He is such a fool.”
Victor took her by the arm and set her on the kitchen table. Olga hiked up her skirt for him. He shoved himself in her and thrust hard less than a dozen times. Knowing it was wrong, he climaxed intensely. He grabbed a towel off the table, quickly ridding him and her of any trace of sex.
“How have you been, Olga?” He kissed her hard. “Let’s see that baby of yours and Vilho’s.”
“Look in the cradle,” she said. She got off the table, smoothed her skirt, and sat on a kitchen chair.
He was puzzled at her paleness and her need to sit. Her face had a strange expression. “What’s the matter with you?” he asked, irritated.
He turned to look into the cradle and stood paralyzed. He felt himself go faint as the blood drained from his head. His belly felt as though an ice ball had formed inside, heavy and cold. He looked at Olga, who could not meet his eyes. Sleeping innocently in the little bed was a four-month-old male version of Ellen.
After a few moments, she spoke. “Vilho has never said anything, except that he will never leave me. He loves this baby,” Olga said. “But, Victor, you can never return to this house. You are finished coming here.” She spoke firmly. “I am choosing to stand by my husband, because he has chosen to stand by me. He loves me, in spite of this baby not being his. And I love him.”
Eva and the Irishman Page 28