She was wishing her relationship with Aiden was in it's new lustful stages, at times, but then again she felt thankful she didn't have to go through all the first time primping and preening. She and Aiden were at a comfortable stage in their relationship. Make no mistake about it, she told herself, We still have a lot of passion. Quinn unconsciously began to fan herself. If they weren't careful, Mick would soon be having a little brother to run circles around instead of that toy horse.
"Quinn... Quinny, did ya hear me about dinner?" Maura's voice broke into Quinn’s daydream.
"Oh surein' that 'twould be just fine." Quinn blushed a bit herself, Maura noticed.
"Those Hargendon boys know how ta bring out the wickedness in a lass, do they not?" Maura playfully squeezed Quinn’s forearm and winked. "Quinn, can I ask ya somthin'?" Maura herded the children out to the courtyard to shield them from hearing their conversation.
"Of course, Maura, what is it?"
"Well I think I'm fallin' for Daniel. Ya know, in love? I'm having all sorts of feelings for him and I'm thinkin' that I want our relationship to be more than just friendship, but I'm scared." Quinn listened intently to her friend.
"The last two encounters we’ve shared alone have gotten, well, quite bawdy.” Maura began to fan herself. "Daniel is such a gentleman that he said he wants me ta be really ready. What think you of that?" Maura swallowed hard.
Both women sat clasping hands together on the divan.
Quinn spoke to Maura as an older sister might, giving her advice. Her voice was calm and soothing. "Look Maura I can only speak for his brother Aiden, but how I feel is that the honor that courses through his veins also courses through Daniel's. Follow ya heart, lass, and ya canna go wrong."
"But what if I give myself ta him and then when he gets what he's after, he leaves me. Where am I then?" Primarily reasoning with herself, it mattered not what anyone else’s advice or opinion would be. She already knew she was going to do whatever her heart told her to do.
"Maura, child, when the time is right you'll be knowin' it." Quinn patted Maura on the back of her hand, and then stood in preparation to leave. “Look, you've got plenty o' plannin' ta do and I've got a dinner ta set out for my family. I'll see ya in the mornin', lass."
Quinn shouted out to the children. The sky had suddenly turned dark gray and the wind whipped up out of nowhere. "Hurray up the both of ya. Looks ta be shapin’ up ta be quite a storm, we may just make it back ta the house before it really hits. Maura are ya sure you'll be alright down here by ya self?" After assuring her she'd be fine, Quinn ran up the wooded pathway to the main house.
They were gone only a few minutes when the storm began to pick up. A strong gust of wind blew hard against the draperies on the French doors. The heavy tiebacks were being strewn about, by the wind, and continued to smash up against the glass with a vengeance. Maura feared the panes of glass would shatter. She motioned toward the French doors.
Just then an immense clap of thunder, followed by an explosive flash of lightening, startled Maura causing her to remain frozen. Maura thought her eyes were playing tricks with her. The lightening seemed to cast down upon a shadowy figure in the archway.
Her breath was caught in her throat and she was unable to move. She let out one shrill scream and scrunched her eyes shut tight.
One at a time she opened her eyes. The figure disappeared from sight. Maura breathed a great sigh of relief. She thought, "Oh you silly fool. It was just the lightening playing tricks with your eyes." Maura hesitantly moved toward the French doors, grabbing at the door knobs, pulling the glass doors shut and fumbled to lock them. She raised her arms to grasp the tabs at the top of the draperies, when a second hard clap of thunder and sharp flash of lightening exposed the same shadowy figure further away from the guest house. Maura was certain there was someone, lurking about, but who? Again, she scrunched her eyes tight. Then clutching the draperies in her fists, she yanked them shut. Her heart pounded with intense fear.
After, what seemed like an eternity, the thunder storm appeared to have passed by to the north.
All Maura heard was the faint rumblings of thunder way off in the distance. She was still grasping tight to the draperies.
She loosened her grip a bit and peeked out through a small opening.
The figure was gone again. Had she imagined she'd seen someone? She stepped away from the doors and slowly backed up until she could feel the edge of the divan against the back of her legs. She lowered herself down to a sitting position with the help of the curved arm of the overstuffed divan and sat down on the edge of the seat and stared pensively at the closed draperies, praying she was just imagining ghosts in a storm.
ξ
Chapter Eighteen
Maura awoke with a thud, finding herself on the floor of the classroom. She pushed herself to a sitting position and rubbed her neck and then her buttocks, where she'd landed.
"Oh, Maura you foolish twit." She chided herself. "You've fallen asleep, again, on the divan." Immediately remembering the shadowy figure she'd thought sure she'd seen against the backdrop of lightening, Maura rose to her feet and cautiously walked towards the French doors. She grasped hold of the thick draperies and yanked them open. She let out a most ghastly scream. "Sweet lord almighty! What the hell are ya doin' here?"
"I'm dreadful sorry Miss." Poor Frederick, the mail carrier, was more frightened than she. "I didna mean ta frighten ya. I was just about ta knock on the window pane, when ya opened the drapes. In truth, I wasn't expectin' anyone ta be up an' about this early. I was just goin' ta leave this letter for ya, is all."
"Oh, that's alright Freddy, I'm the one who should apologize to you. Ya see last evening, when the storm kicked up, I became frightened and thought I saw someone lurkin' about. My eyes were playin' tricks on me, I guess. I think we gave each other a bit of a scare." She was looking past Frederick, over his shoulder. "Ya didna happen ta see anyone around the property, this mornin', did ya?" Her voice a bit shaky.
"No Miss. I did naught. I'll be takin' my leave now, if that be alright with ya?" He politely tipped his cap in her direction and turned to leave.
"Wait Freddy, you said you had a letter for me?" Her hand gripped his forearm, preventing his departure.
"Oh, surein' ma'am." He handed Maura the letter and then hopped upon his horse and galloped up the wooded pathway, towards the main house to deliver the rest of the mail.
Maura turned the letter over and noted the postmarked was from Ireland.
She walked out to her sitting room and over to her writing desk. She grasped the pewter letter opener Quinn had given her as a gift. She was hesitant, at first. She was certain it was news of her Father's death. Maura took in a deep breath, then carved opened the letter.
The date on the letter was from March 31st, of that year. It was now August 1st. Five months had past since it's author had penned this letter.
"My dearest daughter,
By this time I am sure that you've reached America.
Praise God. You made it. I was quite ill, after your departure, but managed with, the grace of our lord, to make it through the winter. I trust that you've met up with the Turlingtons and that Thomas has proven ta be a good husband for ya. I hope ya can see that what I did, was the best for ya, child. I have ta stop now for I tire easily. If I make it through another winter, mayhap I could board passage and come to America.
Good-bye, for now, and I hope we meet again, my lovely daughter.
mu Athair graigh,
Richard McCoveny
Maura dabbed at the corners of her eyes, while reading, what may have been her father’s last written words. In reading the letter a third time she kept rereading the name of Turlington. She thought she remembered the name, but why would she?
“I must've spoken with my father of this pairing before leaving Ireland.” That nagging headache and those flashbacks were happening, again. Maura reached for her temples and applied gentle pressure.
Maura went to he
r bedchamber and sprinkled some of her herbal headache powders into her tea. Sipping on the tea, she walked back out to her sitting room, picked up the letter from her father and again, read the name Turlington. Sitting down in her favorite spot atop the plush cushion in the warm, sunny window seat, she drifted off into what she thought would only be a short catnap. Drifting and drifting... She could feel the warm sun wash over the front of her.
…She was in a ships cabin. She was with Daniel. He was unclothed from the waist up, sipping coffee, rocking back and forth on the hind legs of a wooden dinning chair. They were both smiling and having a pleasant conversation. She was telling him of the reason her father had to sneak her aboard his ship and that she was to meet up with a man by the name of Turlington, and they were to be married. As soon as this man's name was mentioned, Daniel's facial expression hardened and he let himself down on all four legs of the dining chair. He seemed to be very indifferent to this conversation and quickly became agitated.
Leaning forward he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her to him, slamming her hard up against his chest. Their eyes became locked in an intense stare, but to Maura’s amazement she was not frightened.
Daniel loosened his grip slightly, then leaned in for an intensely erotic kiss. His mouth crossed over hers in a forceful manner. Daniel's eyes pierced through hers. He was like an animal staring down his prey. Maura did not look away. Her stare was as intent and penetrating as his own. She saw the corners of his eyes crinkle, ever so slightly. She thought he was in fact smiling into her eyes…
…Maura awoke to the crash of bone china hitting the floor and the front of her dress covered in chamomile. She was instantly aware of her surroundings and realized she had dozed off while reading her father’s letter. She quickly stood, brushing at her skirts and cursing at herself.
While mopping up the chards of glass from the floor, she realized she was not in fact dreaming but experienced an abstraction. She felt as though she were remembering a real event that had taken place between herself and Daniel. But how could this be? She thought. I’ve never been intimate with Daniel. I’ve only just become aquainted with him since meeting him at Hargendon Hills… hadn’t I?
Maura placed her fingertips to her temples and said, “These headaches and memory bursts are beginning to take a toll on me. I will be sure to speak with Daniel about these thoughts, when I see him this evening.” At once she realized Daniel and his family and friends would soon be here and she wasn't nearly ready for her coming out party. “C'mon girl”, she scolded herself. “Get ya head out o’ the clouds and get movin'”.
Maura went strait to her tasks in getting ready. Clothing choices, hair accessories, shoes, scents. She was talking to herself all through her toilette. "I want Daniel to notice me tonight. Tonight I will give myself ta him with sweet abandon." She promised herself.
"I will not allow him to stop...not tonight!"
Quinn knocked on the front door of the guest house. Maura did not answer right away, so Quinn entered and walked to the back of the cottage. She could hear Maura humming to herself. "Maura I knocked but ya did not answer. Hope ya don't mind my just enterin?" Quinn apologized.
"Of course not," She said, still humming her happy tune and smiling at her reflection in the long mirror. "Well, how do I look?" Maura was begging for positive approval.
"Oh my dear lord above! Quinn squealed her endorsement. “You look absolutely scrumptious!” They both broke out into a most boisterous laughter. Grasping each others hands and dancing about the drawing room like complete fools. "But the real question is what will Danny think, eh?" Quinn said as she snickered with all the devilishness of a black widow lying in wait. "Here lass, let me put the finishin' touches on ya hair." Quinn sighed. “I don’t mind tellin’ ya I’m a tad envious of ya. The feelings of excitement ya must be havin’, at the thoughts of being alone with Danny.” Quinn placed one hand over heart and began to fan herself with the other.
"Do you think it's too hot in here, Quinn?' Maura naively remarked as she motioned herself toward the French doors. "I can open up the French doors to let in the cool evening breeze?"
"No, Lass. I'm fine,” she blushed at her own thoughts.
Maura continued innocently chatting away. "I had them closed while I took my bath. I didn't want anyone walkin' in on me. Last night in the storm, the lightening was playing tricks with my eyes. I thought I saw someone lurkin' about. Silly, eh?"
"Hmm, really?" Quinn, from time to time, felt as though she, too, had been being watched from afar, since late spring. She didn't feel this was the right time to bring up the subject, with the party to start any moment, so thought to change the subject. "Maura I came down ta let ya know ya guests are startin' ta arrive and ya should be makin' ya grand entrance." Quinn winked at Maura and squeezed her about the shoulders. They were both looking into the full length mirror. Maura in front and Quinn in tow with her hands resting on Maura's shoulders, their faces side by side. Maura placed her hand atop of Quinn's. “Oh Quinn o’er the past few months ya friendship has come to mean so much ta me. I am thus grateful to have you and Aiden in my life. Thank you friend”
"And I you, child. But enough of this mutual admiration society talk. It's time ta meet the town!"
They started toward the entry way, Maura grabbed her lace shawl off of the divan and off they went to the awaiting carriage. She was a bit shaken to see Mr. Kilern was in the driver's seat waiting to take them up to the main house.
In an instant Quinn watched as Maura's entire demeanor changed the minute she laid eyes on Mr. Kilern. "Maura, child, what ‘tis wrong with ya? Ya look as if ya've seen a ghost, lass." Quinn motioned Maura toward the carriage.
"I...I...hardly know." She stuttered. "I guess ‘tis only now come to me that I'm the guest of honor and ‘tis a bit over whelmin', is all." She lied. Maura reluctantly climbed into the carriage with Quinn, in close proximity. She felt less fearful of Mr. Kilern with Quinn right there with her and later it would be Daniel bringing her back to the cottage...to that, she would see to.
Quinn rapped on the wall of the carriage and the faint crack of a whip to horseflesh, could be heard and they were off.
Ӝ
Chapter Nineteen
When Maura stepped out of the carriage she was disappointed Daniel was not there to greet her. Aiden assisted her down off the running board then escorted both, Maura and Quinn, up the steps and into the main foyer.
"Ya are lovin' every minute of this, aren't ya now? One man escortin' two fine, beautiful young ladies inta the party" Quinn teased her husband.
"Ya had better believe it, woman. This won't happen ta me again for the rest of my days so I had better take advantage of it." Aiden joked and then squeezed both women about their waist.
Maura smiled, but both could determine something was bothering her.
Quinn whispered into Maura's ear. "Don't worry, child, he'll be here."
"It's not that. I know he'll be here. It's all these people. I've never had a party in honor of myself. I'm nervous." She confided to them.
"Don't worry lass, we’ll not leave ya alone too long with any one person. Now come, let us introduce ya around." Aiden took hold of Maura's hand and led her into the drawing room. One by one he and Quinn began introducing Maura to each neighbor and merchant. Everyone was most polite and offered to make her feel ta home.
At last Aiden came to her rescue, breaking into the conversation whisking her away. "Sorry old chap but everyone would like a chance ta meet the guest of honor before the night ends." Taking Maura by her elbow and leading her toward the rose garden.
"Oh Aiden thank goodness you came, I could not take one more story of that man's home and holdings and what a good catch he'd make some lucky lass." I did not want to be rude but..."
Aiden broke in, "Oh don't worry about him, lass, everyone in town knows Turlington is a huge blowhard. No one listens to him." Aiden scanned the great room to be certain everyone's glass was full. He was waiting for his brothe
r to show, before giving the welcome toast for Maura.
"Turlington, did you say?" Maura asked surprised. “Would that be Thomas Turlington?" She questioned Aiden again, but he was not listening to her.
"Where is that blasted brother of mine? Always has ta be fashionably late." He shoots a devilish look to Maura and then another over to his wife, across the room, shrugging his shoulders up and down, in answer to her unasked question. Where's Daniel?
Kilern stood at his post on the porch, just outside the foyer. Where he'd be certain to hear everyone’s conversation as they entered and exited the main house.
"Did Danny say he was goin' ta be this late in gettin' here?" Mary asked Quinn.
"Oh you know Daniel, Mary. He'll show up when he's got a mind ta do so."
Mary wore a worried look upon her face. Quinn decided she'd give in and console her. "’T’will be fine, Mary. You know Danny is crazy for Maura. He'll not miss an opportunity ta be with her. He'll be here." She hugged Mary about the waist.
"I know Quinn, but I'm worried still. He is never this late and they have never caught the scoundrel that murdered that tavern wench or tried ta harm Maura. I'm just afraid they're still lurkin' about, is all”. Mary continued to fidget, tying her handkerchief in knots between her fingers.
Kilern cackled to himself. Your perfect Danny is being drawn inta the black widows web about now, hehe.
Earlier in the day Kilern made a visit to the Gilmore estate. He made certain Mallory was apprised of Daniel's relationship with Maura and how they came to be involved. That she was, in fact, the reason he broke off their engagement. Mallory was furious. She, most ardently, wanted to be a part of the couple’s destruction. This would be her opportunity to exact her revenge onto Daniel and to cause him insurmountable pain over the loss of this common street whore, as she now referred to Maura.
It hadn't phased Mallory one bit that Kilern wanted to trade and sell Maura like a common flesh peddler. All she cared about was the amount of pain and suffering it would cause Daniel once he discovered his precious whore was lost to him forever. They conspired to separate the two. Make it appear as though Daniel was being unfaithful. Mallory vowed he would be, if she had anything to say about the matter.
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