by Amy Lignor
“Hmmm,” Charles muttered. He inhaled the last drag and threw the dying embers into the street. “Maybe…Faith says that you know a great deal about people, and she’s always right,” he said, with a smile. “Or, so she keeps telling me.”
Liz patted his knee. “You’re a good husband.”
“Yes, I’m well trained.”
“Which means Faith is a good wife,” Liz laughed.
“You seem to be quite smart in many areas for a female so young in age.” He sat back against the column and crossed his arms. “You know a great deal about politics, men, women, horses…nightmares.”
Liz sat up straighter against the post, feeling as if her friend in the throes of wedlock had somehow betrayed her. “Excuse me?”
Charles’ face was unreadable. “Jason says you don’t dream when you sleep. He says you lay there like you’re dead. But Faith has told me countless times that she needs to listen for you because you often have bad dreams and might need her in the night. After seeing your faces tonight, thick as thieves, I’m thinking that this was an evening of…pain?”
Liz shuddered and pulled Jason’s coat tighter around her body, wishing that his musical voice would interrupt this now disturbing conversation.
Charles continued, “Don’t worry. You’re like family now. I’m not going to say anything that would ever harm you, or my friend, in any way. I was just curious, is all.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
He grinned. “You should be curious too.”
“About what?”
“About why your bad dreams came back tonight—the one night that Jason wasn’t by your side. Did you think about that at all?”
Liz remained silent, but goosebumps broke out across her flesh.
“It seems, considering how calm Jason was when he woke me up, that he was gone when your nightmare began. Did it occur to you that perhaps he’s your protector, and being gone from your side allowed the dreams to return? You’re a very smart woman, so I’m surprised you haven’t realized that if he knew everything, Jason may have the power to make your nightmares go away forever.”
“Or not,” Liz whispered. “Maybe he could die.”
Charles laughed. “I don’t think so. But I do think the alternative—of not living the rest of his life with you—would be much worse for him than a few scary dreams. He may not be able to describe what’s going on—even Faith can’t pinpoint what it is that wrestles inside your soul—but I believe Jason was brought to you for a reason. I am almost certain that it’s him you love, and if you would just tell him…take the chance…then you’ll be giving him exactly what he asked for.”
“Asked for?”
Charles slid closer to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “Everyone asks for something—prays for something—not someone. No person in the world puts an actual face on his or her wish. They can’t. A world without pain, a life filled with love—those are the big ones. Other people pray for money…longevity…freedom.” He shook his head. “But, not him.”
Liz waited for him to continue his thought.
“Jason’s the one and only human being I’ve ever met who waited for years before asking for anything from life…God…whatever you want to call it. He told me once when we were kids that he wanted to get his request just right. He thought—because of the teachings of our corrupt family priest—he could only ask for one thing in life, and he didn’t want to waste it on something he would ultimately not care about. And then, on a dark and rainy night, he found you.” Charles winked. “That’s when he put a name and a face on his prayer and begged for the good Lord to grant him his one wish. Strange for someone who knew absolutely nothing about you, don’t you think?”
“That’s ridiculous.” She shook her head. “Romantic, but ridiculous.”
Charles laughed. “True—but it’s hard for Jason to be ridiculous since a corpse has a better sense of humor. Which, of course, is why he needs me as his friend.”
Liz raised her eyebrows.
“I provide the comic relief.”
“You speak the truth,” Liz sighed. “But he should’ve waited for someone…whole.”
“I agree. I even tried to talk him out of getting involved with you,” Charles admitted with a chuckle.
Liz could feel anger radiate from her eyes as he continued to laugh. But Charles raised his hand in the air. “You and I seem a lot alike, that’s all. And I felt he’d paid enough already by having to deal with me for so long. I wanted him to have some nice, simple girl who would cook for him—not a philosopher.”
“Spoken like a true philosopher.”
Charles chucked her on the shoulder. “Exactly! But these past few months, I’ve come to realize I was wrong. Without you, he’d never pray again. He’d never believe…in anything. But with you, the world is at his feet.”
“But it’s not.” Her voice came out like a haunted whisper. “He’s not getting what he truly wished for.”
“He’s not? Liz, just because you’ve seen bad things, doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. Come on! You are who you are. You tried to live in isolation but you failed, Liz. You made him love you, in spite of your very best efforts to keep him away.”
Charles took a deep breath and continued, “I’m telling you this for your own good. The world is full of saints and sinners, my dear. You fight to be one or the other, but it’s a losing battle. You’re both—just like the rest of us. You have a chance to sleep at night—one chance to let the demons rest by sleeping in the arms of your protector. You’re a strong girl and I understand that, but hiding the person you really are is breaking him, because the person you are is all that he wanted in the first place.”
“You’ve no idea what you’re asking,” she said, quietly. “I know he’s your friend, but you’re asking for something that may be the end of him.”
Charles kissed her on the forehead and rolled another cigarette. “Let him in. I promise you, it might just be the best life that two people ever had together.”
Liz stared at his profile. Charles inhaled and his eyes closed with contentment. A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and for a brief moment Liz thought she remembered him from a dream. As the smoke drifted around his face, she suddenly felt like she was sitting with an old friend, enjoying the sweet satisfaction of a quiet moment.
He inhaled sharply, opened his eyes, and stared at his mare across the road; her head was poking out from the stable doors. “What are you staring at, lovely?”
“Are you talking to me, or the horse?”
“Angel, of course. I mean you’re a woman and I’m a charming, handsome man, which means I already know what you’re staring at.”
Liz laughed. “You’re so full of yourself. I was actually thinking about what it is that you wished for. Knowledge, I understand, but I have a feeling there’s something else. And believe me,” she continued, holding up her hands in defense, “I’m not trying to find out any information before you’re willing to tell me.”
Charles smiled as her reply.
“But I’ll find out anyway,” she mumbled.
He burst into laughter. “You just don’t stop, do you? It’s like a disease.”
“Well, you seem to be dissecting every part of my life, making suggestions on the most intimate details. I think that gives me the right to find out a little more about you.”
His smile faded. “Dublin’s a bad idea. It’s a snake-infested pit that preys on people—especially someone as open hearted as Faith. They would sooner feed you to the wolves, or hang you in the marketplace, than smile at you in friendship. These people are just waiting to sharpen their fangs on your flesh.” His hands balled into fists. “We were hurt there—both of us. I may have started the avalanche of pain that eventually rained down on our heads, but Jason had to run out of town just as fast as I did. He made his choice. He’s my friend, and I don’t want him to go back there.”
Liz covered his hand with hers.
Char
les sighed and fell back against the brick column. “There’ll be blood if we go. It won’t end well. It can’t. There are no saviors in that world.”
“Wasn’t it you who just told me that everyone dies eventually? That you must share your secrets with the one person who truly loves you, and wishes to protect you from all of life’s travesties before it’s too late? My nightmares happen while I’m sleeping, Charles, but yours can be faced when you’re awake—with the people who love you standing by your side.”
“You say this based on having no knowledge of my past. If I lost Faith…”
“Faith loves you. That’s why she said, ‘I do.’ But whatever you’re hiding will eventually come between you. You know that. You obviously left something back there that you can’t forget. And weren’t you the one who just told me that if you don’t share everything with the one you love, then you’ll end up hurting them in the end?”
Charles stared at her; his face a mask of worry.
Liz continued, “Don’t underestimate the power of a female in love—we are unbeatable.”
“I don’t want her to get hurt.”
Liz’s smile disappeared and her tone grew deadly serious. Her Irish accent seemed to disappear as strange words tumbled from her lips, “I’ll keep her alive, Charles. I can promise you that. You just keep her happy.”
His eyes filled with tears under her gaze, as her honest words seemed to pierce his heart. Standing up, he pulled her into a hug. “Who’s going to keep you alive?”
Liz willed the tears from her eyes and answered the only way she knew how. “I have faith.”
Charles shuddered and walked to the front door, somehow knowing that when Liz said the word it had nothing to do with his wife’s name. “Time to go in.”
She smiled and let go of his hand. “You go, I’m not ready.”
“Please, Liz.”
“I’m not ready.”
Charles let out a sigh. “Liz, I meant what I said earlier. I’m almost completely sure that you’re in love with my best friend. But…if I’m wrong…you settling for him would destroy him more than any nightmare ever could.”
Liz could feel him waiting behind the now-closed door. Maybe he was listening for her tears; the tears of a woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. But she knew the tears wouldn’t come. Not now. The demons of Dublin awaited them, and the protection of her friends came first. Tears would have to wait.
She closed her eyes and willed Charles to return to his room. She used all her power to make Charles march up the stairs and into the arms of the woman who loved him.
The hair on the back of her neck stood at attention as she heard Charles’ heavy footsteps climb the stairs of the inn. She looked around, searching the night for what was making her so uneasy. Her body shook, and she began to wonder if the demons had already arrived.
***
Daniel’s heart hurt. He was enraged yet captivated at the same time. He stared out the window of the inn at Liz sitting on the porch. The need to warn her—to save her—had brought him to this place on this night. He knew that the strong feeling inside his soul would lead him straight to her—he was right.
He had learned a great deal by eavesdropping on their conversation, but he refused to listen to Liz’s heartfelt words about the boy they called Jason. Daniel knew the truth, and he thanked God that no bond had formed between Liz and his rival. If they were still only friends, then the truth wouldn’t destroy the only person he’d ever loved.
He thought of going and telling her everything. But it was too soon. He’d go back and wait for her in Dublin. There, he would stand beside her and prove to Liz how much he cared about her. Hope filled his soul. It wasn’t too late. There was still time to convince Liz that he was the man for her.
He whispered after the man who was marching up the staircase, “Don’t worry, Charles. I’ll keep Liz safe. That’s my job.” Daniel sent his promise out to the girl who owned him body and soul. He turned, walked down the hall, and out the back door of the inn.
As he mounted his waiting horse, the small bag hanging from his saddle let out a mournful cry. Daniel smiled. A wonderful reunion was coming. He patted the head of the black and white kitten resting in the satchel, and rode off into the night.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Morning came fast. Liz woke up on the porch cold but refreshed. Running through the door and up the stairs, she barreled straight into Jason as he rushed from their room.
“I woke up and you weren’t there. Are you all right?”
Liz smiled and went into the room. “I’m just fine. I fell asleep outside in the lovely night air. Just give me a moment and I’ll join the rest of you in a minute.”
Jason pulled her into a hug. “Don’t ever do that again. You scare me when you disappear.”
Liz touched his warm cheek with her lips. “I won’t. I promise. Go on, I’ll join you in a minute.”
They met downstairs in the dining area of the inn. Liz walked into the room and saw her three friends huddled around a table that was piled high with bread, eggs, ham, potatoes and cabbage soup. Everyone was digging in. Charles was shoveling the food into his mouth like he was enjoying his very last meal.
“What’s this? The poor horses will be struggling under the weight of us all,” Liz said with a smile as the gentlemen rose from their chairs.
“They can take it, the mangy beasts,” Charles laughed. “Besides, we need a good breakfast. There’s a full day’s journey ahead of us.”
Liz took a bite of the warm buttered bread and turned to Faith. “Sleep well?”
She purred like Liz’s small black and white kitten. “Yes, thank you.” She winked at Charles. “But I’m so hungry. And, how was your evening?”
“Illuminating,” Liz whispered.
Jason leaned over and stole a kiss. He smiled. “You taste like butter.”
“Have some.” Liz pushed the basket of bread between them.
“Okay.”
In the blink of an eye, Jason pushed back his chair, fell to one knee, and took Liz’s face in his hands. The breath rushed from her lungs as he tasted her lips, moving his tongue over the remnants of butter.
“Maybe you should ask for your room back,” Charles chuckled. He turned around and smiled at the small group of wide-eyed people sitting near them. “Nothing to see here good neighbors, just some newlyweds in our midst, is all.”
“Congratulations!” a young man shouted from the corner by the fireplace.
A chorus of “Here! Here!” went up around them, as the Irish families raised their voices to salute the happy couple.
Liz’s face burned as she pushed Jason roughly into the chair beside her.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” he whispered. “They’re happy for us.”
Charles laughed as morsels of food flew from his mouth.
Liz shot him a furious gaze, and Charles dropped his eyes to the table, focusing on his meal.
Without looking up, he pushed the plate over to Jason. “Eat up, boy. With this fiery temptress on your horse, you’ll need all the strength you can get.”
“Be quiet, Charles,” Liz threatened, as the pats of butter melted on the plate between them.
“Don’t be angry with me. I wasn’t the one practically taking away your innocence in front of all these people.”
Liz threw a slab of ham at him, slapping him on the forehead. He caught the meat then sank his teeth into it like a starving animal.
Faith giggled. “Okay, that’s enough, children. Let’s behave like the adults we are supposed to be.” She wiped Charles’ chin. “Well, perhaps you’re a lost cause.”
Liz watched the soft exchange between husband and wife. “Faith, you should think more carefully before bringing him out in public.”
Faith laughed. “True…I grant you, he needs to be properly trained before being released into polite society.” She aimed her gaze at Jason, who was now sitting quietly enjoying his breakfast. “I must say though, this ne
w Jason needs to stick around. Good for you, my boy,” she said, patting Jason’s hand like a proud mother.
Liz groaned, “I can’t win.”
“Stop trying,” Charles snorted, kicking her beneath the table.
“I said enough, Charles,” Faith’s strict tone flew across the room.
Charles kissed her cheek like a timid schoolboy. “Sorry, Mother.”
“Ew,” Jason remarked.
The rest of the breakfast improved as Faith chattered excitedly about Dublin, laying the groundwork to ensure that they had a good time in the magnificent city—no matter what. She talked of shopping and sightseeing, rambling on about the parks and museums that she’d always wanted to visit. Her excitement was infectious, and soon she pulled Jason into her plans.
Charles and Liz remained quiet. Liz could see the anxiety in his eyes, his worried gaze never left his wife’s happy face. Liz sat back in her chair, waiting for the feeling of dread to pass.
“There are parts that you’ll love, I promise you,” Jason said. “There’s a shop that offers the finest of everything—silks, satins and jewels that come from the Orient.”
Faith’s eyes grew wide. He continued, “You’ll see tools and materials from America—things that are being made in the New World—the likes of which you’ve never seen before. They have unimaginable things.”
Liz stood up suddenly. “Charles, I have to speak to you.”
Faith stopped her conversation, giving her a confused look.
Liz attempted a smile. “I need to ask Charles a silly question, that’s all. Something I want him to buy without you knowing.”
“Something for me?” Faith giggled, like a child seeing her presents on Christmas morning.
“Maybe,” Liz continued. “Charles, would you be kind enough to step outside with me?”
“Of course,” he said, smiling nervously. He stood up to follow her from the room. “Go on, Jason. Tell my lovely wife about the fine things we’ll show to her.”
Walking out of the inn, Liz led him to the stables. Charles picked up a brush and began to groom Angel as she rubbed her soft nose against his cheek. “Hey there, girl.”