"It's a start," Molly Fitzgerald replied with a smile. "I hear the duchess is expecting another child."
"Aye, and quite a surprise it was to her, I can tell you," he answered with a chuckle. "They plan to remain in Ireland until next summer when the child will have been long born, and ready to travel."
"Will you and Fortune remain with them?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't been able to go over to Erne Rock and discuss the matter since the family returned home from England. They'll do whatever needs to be done, Moll, and I'll have to be satisfied with that for now. It's rather odd, for I'm used to running my own life."
"You will again, Kieran. Now, tell me how your da is. I haven't seen him since he returned. 'Tis the wedding preparations that keep him away, I know. Tell him I miss seeing him, as do the girls."
"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?"
Chapter 9
“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.