Bertrice Small - Besieged

"Where are Maeve and Aine?" he asked her.

"In the kitchen learning how to make fine soap," Molly answered. "I'll not have them running about the village getting a reputation. There are enough small minds out there who think because I'm not considered respectable, my girls are fair game. My daughters will make respectable marriages, they will!"

"There are few Catholic lads about any longer, Moll," he said quietly. "You may have to settle for a pair of Protestants, or ship the girls to a convent in France, or Spain." He grinned at her.

"A convent?" Molly Fitzgerald snorted. "My girls are meant to be wives and mothers. Protestants, or Catholics, I don't care as long as the banns are read publicly, and the ceremony performed properly before all of Lisnaskea. I want grandchildren from those two!"

"Kieran!" His two half-sisters burst into the salon. They were pretty girls with long dark hair. Maeve had her mother's amber eyes, but Aine, the younger, had their father's bright blue eyes. He kissed them heartily upon the cheeks, and hugged them warmly. Maeve was seventeen now, and a husband should certainly be found for her soon, he thought. She looked ripe for the picking, and he understood Molly's concern. Aine, however, was just fourteen, and only now growing out of her coltishness. She snuggled next to him on the settle.

"They say you have a lover," Aine said.

"Aine!" Her mother was mortified.

"Well, they do, Mam," Aine replied defensively.

"I'm getting married, but you must keep it a secret, Mistress Minx," Kieran said to his youngest sibling.

"Why?" Aine demanded.

"Because I am marrying Lady Fortune Lindley on October fifth, and you shall be invited only if you behave yourself," he told her.

"The lass who was to marry William Devers?" Maeve said, surprised.

"The lass who turned down brother Willy," Kieran said, "but we don't want to spoil his wedding to Emily Anne Elliot; nor do I want him challenging me to some sort of duel because he still secretly harbors feelings for Fortune."

"She's a fickle wench to have toyed with him, and then chosen you," Maeve remarked scathingly.

"She isn't fickle at all," Kieran defended Fortune. "She was brought to Ulster for the purpose of seeing if she and Willy suited each other. She saw they didn't, and told her parents, who immediately spoke with Da and Lady Jane. They took Willy off to England to prevent any scandal arising, for he was ready to make a fool of himself. Fortune did not lead our brother on, or promise him anything. Willy is infatuated with her, and has behaved like a perfect simpleton. The other day out riding we met her, and he declared himself in love with her. She was forced to tell him exactly how she felt, although she had attempted to spare his feelings in the past. Fortune Lindley is everything I could ever want in a woman, and you will like her."

"Kieran is in love!" Aine singsonged. "Kieran is in love!"

He grinned at her, and ruffled her dark hair. "Someday you will be in love, Mistress Minx. I am only sorry I won't be here to see it." He turned to Maeve who stood by the fire. "Well, Maeve-mine?"

"I don't often agree with Aine," came the reply, "but she does seem to be correct. You're in love, Kieran Devers. Never did I think to see the day that would happen."

He chuckled. "Anything is possible, Maeve-mine," he told her. "Why even you might fall in love one day."

"I don't believe I have that luxury, brother," Maeve said seriously. "I must be respectable, and wed a respectable man, or so Mam is constantly telling me, even if she did choose love."

"I was a respectable widow when yer da came to me," Molly said spiritedly. "I was a grown woman who knew exactly what she was doing, and what the consequences of her actions would be. Yer a girl, Maeve, with no experience. You'll do what I tell you, lass, for I'm yer mam, and I'll tolerate no disobedience from you!"

"Now, lasses, now," Kieran interceded. "I came to see you, not to bring discord into the house. Tell me, Molly-O, what will you be giving me for my supper? I'm a big man, and I've ridden a ways in the chill damp." He smiled winningly at the older woman.

"You don't fool me, Kieran Devers," she said. "Yer nothing but a charmer like yer da. God help yer lass. Will you bring her to see us, and meet yer half-sisters?"

"I will," he agreed, "but it can't be until after Willy's wedding. Today I can remain with you just long enough to eat. Then I must get back up to the hall for my stepmother will be wondering where I have gotten to, and why I was not there to be at her beck and call."

" 'Tis to be grand doings, I'm told, by those who have been called into temporary service," Molly said.

"I wish we could go," Aine said wistfully.

"Well, we can't!" Maeve snapped. "The shock would echo around Fermanagh for years should Da's two pretty bastards appear at the wedding of his most legitimate son and heir. Be grateful Lady Jane hasn't had us driven out of Lisnaskea, and our mam with us."

"She wouldn't do that!" Aine cried, distressed.

"She wouldn't? She would if it suited her, just like she convinced Da to disinherit Kieran if he didn't become a Protestant," Maeve said. "She's a devil, that one!"

"Enough," Kieran Devers said quietly. "Maeve-mine, listen to me, for you're old enough to understand. I didn't want Mallow Court. If I had, I would have done what was necessary to keep it. Now set your anger aside, lass, and go see what Biddy is fixing for my supper." He stood, and held out his arms to her.

Maeve flew into them. "Don't go, Kieran! Don't leave Ireland, or if you do, take Aine and me with you! Mam holds her hopes and dreams high, but there are none here who would marry Sir Shane's bastard lasses. We need to make a new life every bit as much as you do!"

Kieran held his half-sister tightly in his embrace, looking over her dark head to Molly. "She could be right, Molly-O," he said quietly. "If this colony is indeed a safe place, it might be a better place for your two lasses."

Tears began to roll down Molly Fitzgerald's face. She nodded slowly. "I have always known that I would end my days alone," she said to him. "You could be right, Kieran, but would you be willing to take on the responsibility of these two, and what will yer Fortune think?"

"We won't know until we ask her," he replied, "but she's a practical lass, and has a good heart. Let her meet you first, Molly-O, and then we'll see, eh?"

“Madame, you look lovely," the duke of Glenkirk complimented Lady Jane Devers. "What a happy day this is for you, and Sir Shane. I regret my wife canna be wi us, but at this time her condition forbids even a short journey, you understand." He bowed, and kissed her hand.

How handsome he was, Jane Devers thought. And so very elegant and distinguished in his bejeweled doublet and black velvet breeches. The tops of his boots were turned down to reveal the broad lace fold of his boot hose. He would add such prestige to the wedding gathering. She smiled, and then her eye swung to his companion.

Fortune curtsied. "What a fine day for a wedding," she said sweetly. "It was kind of you to include me, madame."

"How could we not?" Jane Devers said in return, her eye sharply assessing the girl.

She was beautifully garbed in deep purple velvet; the gown was cut very wide on the shoulder with a low neckline and an exquisite broad draped lace collar that extended low on the shoulder. Her sleeves were divided by lavender ribbons into two paned puffs. Fortune's skirt fell to the floor in loose folds, its fullness towards the back, the skirt open to display a cream-colored petticoat delicately embroidered with gold-thread butterflies and daisies. Her red hair was coiled into a knot at the nape of her neck, a single lovelock tied with a lavender silk ribbon. She wore a long rope of perfectly matched pearls and pear-shaped amethyst earbobs. She was supremely fashionable, certainly more so than any other woman guest; and yet her garb was not ostentatious, nor was it so splendid that it would draw attention away from the bride.

Lady Jane Devers had to admit that it would appear young Lady Lindley had dressed with utmost propriety. And, her manner was most discreet. Her hand rested upon her stepfather's arm, her eyes modestly lowered. In a way it galled Jane Devers that Fortune would appear so perfect to their guests. She had hoped people would not wonder why such a paragon had turned her son's proposal of marriage down. It could reflect badly on them all, but there was nothing she could do about it now, worse luck! She smiled as the duke and Fortune moved on, and turned to greet the next guests.

The wedding itself was to be held in the main salon of Mallow Court as the church at Lisnaskea was too small to contain all the guests who had been invited. The bride was lovely in her rose satin, taffeta, and lace gown. Her head was topped with a wreath of delicate Michaelmas daisies. The groom was somber in his sky blue velvet suit. There was an almost sullen look upon his handsome face although the bride smiled constantly, obviously unable to contain herself. Her responses were clear. His, muttered and low. When the couple were finally pronounced man and wife, the guests cheered. William Devers dutifully kissed his new wife.

Fortune felt absolutely no regret at the union. Her eyes were fixed upon Kieran, elegant in forest green velvet that matched his eyes. She could barely wait until they could be alone. It had been so long. She sighed aloud, and then blushed at James Leslie's chuckle.

"Easy, lassie," he cautioned her, having noted the direction her gaze was taking. "You've managed to be circumspect for weeks now. Dinna gie the game up now when the finish line is so near."

"Papa!" Her cheeks felt so warm.

"Discretion, my lady Lindley," he said softly. "We hae to remain here until next summer. I want nae feuds between our families."

"And you don't think our marriage will cause ill will?" she asked him, almost mockingly.

"They'll nae be happy at first, I agree, but we'll work around them, lassie, especially as yer husband will nae hae Maguire's Ford," the duke responded. "You know the truth of what Lady D. really wanted."

The wedding feast had been set up in Mallow Court's grand dining room, which had once been the house's Great Hall. Servants hurried to and fro carrying platters of salmon, beef, capons, ducks, and small game birds. There were hams, and plates of lamb chops; artichokes swimming in white wine, braised lettuces, bowls of peas with shredded mint, breads, sweet crocks of butter, fine English cheddar, and soft French cheeses. The goblets were kept filled with the best wine that the Deverses had been able to import. Some of the men grumbled that there was no ale, but Lady Devers did not consider ale a refined beverage.

The guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and toast after toast was raised to the newlyweds. A bridal cake, decorated in spun sugar, was carried in to much cheering. This was quite an unusual luxury, but Lady Devers had learned while in England that it was the latest and most fashionable extravagance at important weddings. It was therefore imperative that such a cake be served at her only son's marriage feast.

Now the guests were invited to partake in the dancing in the large salon where the marriage ceremony had been celebrated. The furniture had been cleared from the room while they ate, and a dais for the musicians had been set up at one end of the room. In the corners at the opposite end of the chamber were painted screens behind which the guests would find the necessary chairs and chamber pots for their convenience. The dances at first were mostly country style; the dancers executed the steps either holding hands in a circle, or in a line. Lady Devers, frowning, spoke with the musicians, and they began to play a spritely galliard.

Kieran Devers led Fortune out onto the floor. His hand was warm in hers, and their eyes met in silent passion. The music for the galliard was bright and quick. Only the young people danced. All but the bride and groom. Williams Devers glared at his brother and Fortune. He had not been forced to notice her until now. But as she flaunted herself before him with his brother, he could not help but stare. Her bosom was so white against the purple and lace of her gown. How he desired her!