The Selkie's Song

by Nancy M Bell

  Barney pulled her hands away. “Show me the evidence of yer shame, girl,” he demanded. “There’s nothin’ there, ye eejit. What’re ye yammerin’ on about?” He turned his wrath on Daniel.

  “I thought I saw a mark … but if ye say there’s nothin’….” Daniel shrugged. He winked at Bella.

  “Now, the first of the banns will be read this Sunday and the weddin’ will be the fourth Saturday following. In the meantime, you will behave yerself and ye’ll see no one except yer betrothed, and if ye don’t anger me, ye can see the Waters girl.”

  “No. I won’t agree to this. I’ll leave right now and stay with the Waters until I figure out where to go.” Bella got to her feet and started toward the door.

  “Well now, I wouldn’t be so hasty if I was you,” Daniel drawled.

  “Belt up, Daniel. You have no hold on me.” Bella kept walking.

  “I think it’s time to call Harley and lay a formal complaint.” Daniel looked at Barney.

  “What do the coppers have to do with anything?” Bella stopped and whirled around.

  Barney cleared his throat. “There’s the little matter of that mare of yours. I’ve turned a blind eye up till now, but yer intended here, has pointed out she’s being held illegally up at the Waters place. Now that little matter could go on as it is, with none being the wiser … but, I could charge them with horse stealin’. Wouldn’t go so well fer the missus, would it?”

  “Raven is mine, she can stay wherever I chose.” Bella planted her hands on her hips and stared the two of them down.

  “That’s not entirely true, girl.” Daniel picked a paper off the counter behind him and shoved it across the table. “Ye might want to look at that.”

  Bella snatched it up and looked it over. “She was a birthday present, Da. Raven is mine.” Her throat contracted in anger and fear. “Your name on this paper means nothing. Everyone knows that horse is mine.”

  “But, legally the beast belongs to Bernard Angarrick. That’s how the law will see it,” Daniel tapped a finger on the table top.

  “Da! How can you do this to me?”

  “It’s sorry I am, daughter. But I see no other way to make you behave. That beast is the only thing you seem to care about. It’s time ye were married and raisin’ a family of yer own.”

  “But, Da! How can you ask me to marry him?” She pointed at Daniel. “He’s … he’s … odious, that’s what he is.”

  “Mind yer tongue, wench. My memory is long, and it’s not long before I’ll have the disciplining’ of ye,” Daniel warned. He smacked a large hand on his thigh.

  “You’re saying if I don’t agree to marry Daniel Treliving, scut that he is, you’re planning to charge Mrs. Waters with horse theft?” Bella could hardly believe the turn of events. “What have they ever done to wrong you? They’ve been nothing but nice to you.”

  “Aye, daughter. That’s what I’m tellin’ ye. I don’t want wish harm on the Waters, not at all. That matter is entirely in your hands. The decision is yours, go or stay, you know the consequences. It’s high time you took responsibility for your actions.”

  “It’s not like I have much of a choice, do I?” She glared at the two men. “If you insist on carrying on with this charade, I’ll make your life a living hell,” she promised her betrothed.

  His laughter followed her into the dark front hall and she climbed the narrow stairs two at a time. Once Da either went to the Arms to celebrate with Daniel, or retired for the night, Bella planned to sneak down stairs and ring Sarie. Maybe they could hide Raven somewhere … no … they’d just say the horse had been sold on somewhere. It wouldn’t help the situation at all. She could bring Raven home, she supposed. But that would put her within Daniel’s grasp. Somehow she had to get Da to sign the horse over to her, or better to Sarie. If she didn’t manage to avoid marrying the Treliving idiot, any property she held would be under his control. He’d hold Raven’s well-being over her head to force her to obey him. Her stomach curled at the thought.

  Presently, the sound of voices and tramp of boots, followed by the slamming of the back door told her the men had left. She peered out the window to be sure Daniel was with Da. She let out her pent up breath at the sight two tall shadows passing under the arch of the back gate. Thank heavens! Wasting no time, Bella ran down the stairs and fumbled for the phone in the dark kitchen. She rang Sarie and waited impatiently for someone to pick up.

  “Sarie, thank God.”

  “Bella, is that you? What’s wrong?” Sarie sounded distracted.

  “What’s going on there? Is Raven alright?”

  “Why do you ask that?” Sarie said sharply.

  “Da and Daniel are threatening to claim your mum stole her. That’s how they’re planning to make me behave and marry Daniel.”

  “Did you agree?”

  “Yes, I don’t want to make trouble for you or your mum,” Bella insisted.

  “That’s interesting, so it is. Harley Pendeen was just here asking questions about the mare. Wanting to know had we any papers or bill of sale to prove she was ours.”

  “Bother and damn! I’m so sorry, Sarie. I never meant for you to get dragged into it like this. What did you tell him?”

  “I told him she was yours and we were only keeping her for you at the moment,” Sarie answered. “Mum is right upset over the whole thing.”

  “I’m so sorry, Sarie. Please tell your mum not to worry. I’ll go along with them until I can figure something out. I’ll even marry the rat if I have to, but he’ll rue the day, let me tell you.”

  “Should we hide the mare, do you think?” Sarie wondered.

  “I think that would just fuel the fire. Get their suspicions up. I need them to think I’ve decided to go along with them,” Bella said.

  “What happens next?”

  “Da has arranged for the first reading of the banns to be delivered this Sunday, the wedding is set for the fourth Saturday after that. So I have a month to come up with an escape plan.”

  “Can you contact your mum, up in London?’ Sarie suggested. “Surely she’ll take you in, if you explain how unreasonable Barney is being.”

  “She wants nothing to do with me. I tried to get in touch with her when Da first came up with this harebrained idea of me and Daniel. Wrote her a letter and everything.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Nothing. The letter came back marked Return to Sender.”

  “Maybe she moved?”

  “No, I actually went to the address I had when I was in London at King’s College. She was still there. I saw her coming and going. She just doesn’t want to see me or have anything to do with me.” Bella breathed deep to stop the hitch in her voice.

  “Well then, what about your grandparents? Won’t Lily’s folks help you? They have no use for Barney,” Sarie persisted.

  “They think I’ve been too friendly with the Treliving bloke, just like the rest of the village, thanks to the bugger’s bragging. They’ve washed their hands of me, just like me mum.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Bella. We’ll keep Raven safe, but I’m worried about you.”

  “I guess I’ll figure something out. I’ve gotta go, just in case Da comes back early. I don’t think I can face him again tonight. Bye, Sarie and thanks.”

  “Night, Bella. Don’t despair, something will come up.”

  She replaced the receiver on the hook and made her way up to her room. Just inside the door, she paused and then went down the short hall to the loo. Once back in the safety of her bedroom, Bella locked the door and then jammed a straight back chair under the handle for good measure. No telling what might happen if Daniel came back with Da all bladdered up. She couldn’t face fighting him off tonight. The room was stuffy so Bella wrestled the sash up and let the night air sweep into the room.

  The events of the day caught up with her. She rested her arms on the window sill and lowered her head to her forearms. So much had happened since the sun came up this morning. Vear’s face
, twisted with pain and sorrow, crossed her inner vision. A sob caught in her throat. Oh, Vear. Will I never see you again? Their lovemaking had been so sweet, she yearned for the feel of his hard body against her. How can I regret any of it? I love you so, even though I know it’s not wise or safe. I can’t help what I feel.

  “Vear Du, I love you. I will love you forever,” she whispered through her tears. She gave into her torment until the slamming of the kitchen door shocked her into silence. Bella held her breath and listened for the sound of voices below her. Nothing except the scrape of a chair and a muffled curse, then Da’s uneven steps as he mounted the stairs. He stopped by her door and she scrubbed the tears from her cheeks, preparing to face him. Instead, he continued along the passageway to his room at the front of the house.

  Bella rested her chin back on the windowsill and looked out over the sleeping house tops to where the sea rose and fell as if it were breathing against the shore. If she were to wade out into the depths would his family come to her? She could sing the Selkie’s Song and try to call them to her. The thought of the mermen and their cruel features chased that thought from her almost as soon as it was born. “Bother and damn,” she muttered.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The following Sunday Bella walked to church beside Da trying to ignore the sideways glances and out right stares of the people she’d know all her life. Now they felt like judgmental enemies waiting for her comeuppance. Da strode along a half-step ahead of her and she hurried to keep pace. As they passed a narrow lane, Daniel fell into step beside her. Bella refused to look at him and pulled her arm away when he attempted to tuck it into his elbow. She bit her lip to stop the quiver that was part anger and part fear.

  “Ye won’t be so high and mighty in a few weeks,” he hissed in her ear. “Once we’re wed, ye’ll do as yer told and tell me how much ye like it.” He pinched her hard in the ribs hidden by the pretence of putting his arm around her.

  Bella pushed him away to the amusement of some blokes coming down the roadway toward them.

  “Ye’re gonna need a hard hand to tame that one,” Riley Martin advised his mate.

  “She’s a toothsome handful, inint she though?” Harry Wilcox eyed her up and down.

  “Mind yer own business,” Daniel snarled.

  Barney kept walking, his head down, paying no heed to the banter behind him. Bella wished he’d at least defend her, even a little bit. But he seemed to have already washed his hands of her and left her fate to Daniel’s whims.

  “Ye’ll not embarrass me again, do ye hear me?” He grabbed her arm and shoved her ahead of him. “Keep walkin’, get yer arse into the pew and shut yer trap.”

  It was useless to defy him here in the street. His pride would only goad him into humiliating her in front of half the village. Gritting her teeth, Bella made her way up the wide stone steps of the church on Rosevean Road.

  “That’s better, wench.” Daniel’s hand squeezed her arse as they jostled their way into the crowded porch and proceeded toward the nave.

  She managed to pretend to stumble and ground her heel into the toe of his Sunday shoes. “So sorry,” she whispered and smiled sweetly for the benefit of the watching congregation.

  “Bitch, ye’ll pay fer that later, mark me words.” Daniel frogmarched her down the aisle to his family’s pew.

  Bella pulled away. “I don’t belong to you, yet. I’ll sit with Da in our pew until I’m forced to sit here.” With her head high, she continued up the aisle and slipped into her place beside Da. He grunted but otherwise didn’t acknowledge her presence. Bella spied Sarie across the church and smiled. Her friend lifted a hand in greeting and then dropped her gaze to the book in her hand.

  The familiar service and the responses soothed Bella’s ragged nerves. Her fragile peace shattered when the priest read the banns. A smothered murmur swept over the congregation. She dropped her gaze and her face heated with embarrassment. Please God, let someone come forward with a reason why this marriage should never take place. Please God, I’ve never asked much of you, but I’m pleading now. She snatched the hymnal from the holder and opened it blindly.

  “There now, Arabella. It’s done. Two more weeks and then you’ll walk down the aisle of this church just as your mother did,” Barney whispered to her.

  “I’ll be as unwilling a bride as she was,” she retorted. Immediately, she regretted the words as an expression of pain crossed Da’s craggy features. She couldn’t find it in her heart to apologize, though. Even when she knew it was the right thing to do. How could he force her into an unholy union with that … that…. Words failed her.

  The rest of the mass passed in a blur and she found herself on the steps of the church in the sunlight. Sarie caught up with her and hugged her. Other parishioners stopped to offer their congratulations to her and Barney. To Bella’s great relief Daniel was pleasantly absent.

  “Where’s the groom?” One of Barney’s mates shook his hand and glanced about.

  “Gone to the Arms to order up some ales for his mates,” Barney answered. “You, girl. Get you straight home. No nonsense or I’ll know about it right off.” He fixed her with a stern glare. “Ye won’t be likin’ the outcome if ye disobey me.”

  Bella dropped her eyes. “Yes, Da. Can Sarie keep me company?”

  “Aye, I suppose no harm can come of that. See she goes straight home.” The last was spoken to Sarie.

  “Of course, Mr. Angarrick,” Sarie replied. “Come, Bella. Let’s be going then.” She took her friend’s hand and pulled her down the remaining steps.

  “Thanks, Sarie. My head’s just swimming. None of this seems real I keep thinking I could just go out to the headland and find Vear.”

  “Bella! You know you can never do that, don’t you. Don’t do something rash, for the love of God.”

  “I know, I know, Sarie. It’s forever and I have to face that. But marryin’ Daniel … I’m not sure I can do that.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “How can something as wonderful as love hurt so damn much? I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. All I can see is his face, everywhere I look.”

  “Look on the bright side, my love. If you can’t eat, you’ll lose some flesh and look absolutely brill in your wedding dress.” Sarie attempted to cheer her.

  “Can you come with me tomorrow? I’ve got to go look at what cursed thing Mary has put together and have the first fitting. Like I care what I look like. That scut is only interested in ripping it off me and claiming his possession.” Bella spat on the pavement. “Maybe I’ll just get so bladdered I won’t have to remember any of it.”

  They reached the Angarrick’s door and stepped inside. Sarie drew her into her arms. “I’m so sorry, Bella. This should be the happiest time of your life, a wedding day is something you should look forward to, not dread.” She stroked her friend’s hair.

  “Like you were looking forward to your big day with Charlie. I’ve never seen you so happy.”

  “The sea is a cruel mistress, she gives and she takes away. Why she had to take Charlie though….” Sarie sniffed and released Bella.

  “Still, you’re seeing Elwyn off and on again, now. You seem to like him well enough. But enough, enough sadness for now. Let’s make some lunch and enjoy what time we have before Da comes home. Hopefully, not with the scut in tow.”

  * * *

  “It’s lovely,” Sarie exclaimed and clapped her hands.

  Bella twisted to look over her shoulder at the back of the gown in the mirror. The dress looked fine, she supposed. She smoothed the satin skirt over her hips, being careful not to catch the fine embroidery with her nails. The dress did fit a treat, though it was hard to appreciate the workmanship when the last thing in the world she wanted was to look well for Daniel Treliving. It should be Vear waiting for me at the altar. She stifled a sob.

  “Here now, no tears, my love,” Mary, the dressmaker, said. “Is something wrong with the dress? Something you’d like to change? There’s nothing a few stitches won’t fix.”

/>   Bella collapsed on the stool beside her. She buried her face in her hands and shook with silent sobs. “I can’t do it … I can’t go through with it … I can’t….”

  “Hush now, lovey. You’re not the first bride to have second thoughts when she sees herself in her gown for the first time. Makes it real, so it does. ‘Twill be the happiest day of your life, wait and see.”

  “I hate him! I hate Daniel Treliving with every ounce of my body.” Bella sobbed harder.

  “Bella, hysterics won’t change anything. No one said it was going to be easy, this path you have to walk. Don’t make it worse by giving the gossips more fuel,” Sarie whispered as she hugged her.

  “Now, now, dearie. You know you don’t really mean that. You must love the bloke, you’ve agreed to marry him, after all. Just pre-wedding jitters, that’s what it is. Don’t you worry, old Mary won’t be repeating anything said in this room. My goodness, don’t I remember making your mother’s dress? Such a pretty little thing she was, Lily Treliving. You’ve her look about you, so you do. Daniel is a very lucky young lad.” The dressmaker bustled about, straightening things and then brought Bella a cup of tea. “Here now, a spot of tea will set you right. Lots of sugar to calm the nerves.”

  The cup rattled in the saucer when Bella accepted the offering. Hot liquid splashed onto her thumb and she welcomed the flash of pain. Raising the cup to her lips she sipped carefully and then set the cup and saucer down on a small occasional table.

  “Come now, let me take a look. I’m sure there’s no harm done.” Mary helped her up and fussed about the dress. “There now, if you’re happy with things as they are, I’ll make those tiny alterations, press it and deliver it to your door early Saturday morning. Then there’s no chance of the bridegroom seeing it afore the wedding and bringing bad luck down on your head.”

  Bella smothered a snort of derision. The marriage was already made in hell, a little bad luck was the least of her worries.