Kilpara (31 page)

Morrigan turned back toward the carriage,
stopping after a few steps to pause next to water cascading noisily
over stones. “I shall be going now, Mr. O’Donovan,” she said
softly.

“
Don’t call me Mr. O’Donovan,” I
whispered moving behind her and stroking her long hair. She didn’t
move away.

“
Come with me to America,” I heard
my voice plea.

She whirled around to look at me, her gaze
stunned with disbelief. “What obtuse insinuation are you making
now, Mr. O’Donovan?”

“
I—umm—I didn’t mean anything
improper.”

“
What do you mean? Haven’t you done
enough damage? Is there no end to you deviousness?”

“
I—umm—” I couldn’t tell her that I
didn’t want her to walk away. And I sure as hell didn’t want her to
marry Sloane. I longed for her warmth, her touch. But too much
damage had been done. She hated me now.

She looked at me fully. “You are despicable,
Ellis O’Donovan. I would never go to America. This is my home,
Galway, Lough Corrib, Kilpara.”

I turned away and leaned against a chestnut
tree. It was quiet for a moment and then I heard the sound of her
footsteps leaving. I wanted to go after her but couldn’t move. How
certain she was about what she wanted; she wouldn’t change her
mind. Yet life back home without her would seem empty. Hadn’t
countless sleepless nights already proven that? I couldn’t bear the
thought of her marrying Sloane. In that moment, I realized I was
willing to give up Baltimore, my career, my life, Astelle. I was
willing to stay here in Ireland. But in her present state of mind,
she would never believe me. Yet if I didn’t stop her now, she would
walk out of my life forever.

I began running. When I caught up to her, I
moved in front of her. She stopped and I placed my hands on her
shoulders. “What if I stay in Ireland? What if I were to come
courting?”

She looked at me bewildered.
“What?”

I kissed her, stopping her protest.

She didn’t resist. She just remained stoic.
Gradually, despite herself, her lips responded soft and
warm.

I let her go and she looked at me
confused.

“
Must you continue to humiliate
me?” she said.

“
Marry me? I’ll stay in Ireland. I
must be near you.”

She spoke with caution. “You don’t belong
here. You belong in America.”

In response, I took her back in my arms,
wondering if I truly understood the decision that I had no
intention of making before this very moment.

After I released her she said, “You’re
behaving recklessly, Ellis. You’re breaking all conventions and
causing me embarrassment.”

I smiled.

“
Why are you smiling?”

“
You called me Ellis. Will you
consider my proposal?”

She appeared puzzled, but she was no longer
angry. “If you mean what you say, you should take your proposal to
my father and seek his permission to come courting.”

“
Your father won’t receive me,
remember?”

She stared at me for a long moment, and then
seemed to make up her mind. “Come back with me to Kilpara right
now. I’ll talk to him.”

“
Is that wise?”

“
If you mean what you
say.”

“
He'll never accept me.“

She laughed softly, and I began to feel a
faint surge of optimism. “We must begin to set things right, if I’m
to believe and trust in you.”

I nodded, and we walked together to the
carriage. My rash decision that should have weighed so heavily
began to feel lighter than air.

I paced downstairs while Morrigan talked with
her father upstairs. Eventually she came down and guided me toward
Purcenell’s bedroom. He sat in a large armchair in his smoking
jacket.

He scowled when I entered the room. “You must
know, Ellis O'Donovan, I don’t agree with my daughter letting you
into this house, so I don't. You’re not welcome here. You tricked
me to get Kilpara. You're an imposter and I don't trust you. But
she pointed out because I made a wager, which I’ve no intention of
honoring because you’re an O’Donovan, that I should listen to you.
I’ll give you one minute to explain yourself. After that I want you
gone for good.”

“
I've already told Morrigan that I
don’t intend to keep Kilpara,” I said firmly.

Purcenell glowered. “It was never yours to
own.”

I ignored his remark. “All I ask is that my
mother and father be buried in the O'Donovan graveyard.”

He regarded me warily. “So my daughter says.
But you’re a deceiving scoundrel. Pretending to be American when
you’re Irish through and through. I’ll do anything to get rid of
you; so if burying your parents on Kilpara soil will settle this
affair, I’ll grant it. Nothing more.”

“
That’s all I want,” I said.
“Except, I do have one more request. My mother has asked to visit
Kilpara, to see the home again where her married life began with my
father.”

Purcenell glared then turned away leaving the
air filled with tension. He looked toward his daughter, regarding
her for some seconds before finally speaking. “You’re asking a lot,
O’Donovan,” he said, his voice thin. “This is as far as I go. If
your mother is as ill as you claim, then she shall have her
visit.”

“
We'll be happy to receive your
mother and your aunt, you too, of course,” Morrigan
agreed.

Her father frowned, but she continued to smile
benevolently at him.

“
Thank you, sir,” I
said.

Afterward, Morrigan walked with me to the
gatehouse. She smiled at me as I prepared to mount Brazonhead,
happiness lighting up her face at the outcome of the meeting with
her father. It had been a major achievement to get Purcenell to
invite my mother to Kilpara. Despite his outward disagreeability,
it was apparent I had backed him into a corner. Refuse me the
question of my parents’ resting place and I might pursue ownership
of Kilpara. Grant me my request and I would go away leaving
everything as it was. He could stand tall, claiming he had been
duped by an imposter, an Irish emigrant at that. Having had a
glimpse of how landowners viewed the Irish, he would receive the
sympathy of his peers. What he didn’t know yet was that I intended
to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage.

Purcenell remained true to his word. He sent
an invitation to Mother. Aunt Sadie and I worried about how the
visit might affect her, especially after what happened at the Burke
home and its ensuing consequences. For all our concern, it turned
out more successful than we could have imagined. Mother appeared
contented during the drive, a look of euphoria spreading across her
face when she saw the house. Unlike facing the difficult past of
her family home, her reaction to Kilpara was a joyous one. She
announced it looked so much like Stonebridge; the only thing
missing was Eileen at the front door to greet us.

“
Your father and I carried this
picture in our minds for years before we built Stonebridge,” Mother
said. “If only he could be here with me to see it
again.”

Purcenell made an effort to be a gracious
host. His welcome was amiable but forced. His gaze lingered on
Mother, seemingly hopeful to detect some underlying evidence her
condition was deceptive, proving his suspicion that O’Donovans were
nothing more than Irish thieves. He viewed Aunt Sadie no better,
consciously holding back grimaces that threatened his composure.
His barely concealed resentment appeared to escape the notice of
Mother and Aunt Sadie who pleasantly accepted their host’s
hospitality.

Lunch had been arranged in the garden.
Throughout the meal of watercress sandwiches, fruit and goat’s
cheese, I wanted to reach over and touch Morrigan's hand. It took
all my willpower to resist the temptation. We had agreed to keep
the details behind Purcenell’s invitation from Mother and we
pretended not to be acquainted to avoid rousing her suspicions. I
managed to convince Morrigan the truth would only worry Mother and
we couldn’t afford that risk with her health. So everything was
made to appear as if Purcenell had agreed to this courtesy visit.
Mother and Aunt Sadie looked curious, however, when I asked
Morrigan to show me around the grounds.

Mother sighed when we excused ourselves. “To
be that young again,” she observed. Purcennell surprised everyone
by promptly responding. He had been restrained throughout the meal,
providing only meager conversation. “Yes,” he agreed now, “I lost
my beautiful wife years ago. Morrigan was her gift to me. Seems
like it was only yesterday.”

“
It must’ve been difficult raising
a daughter alone,” Mother sympathized.

“
My sister helped, and I’m grateful
to her. But it wasn’t the same. The girl needed her
mother.”

“
Of course she did,” Mother
said.

“
I never got over losing my
precious wife, so I didn't...”

The conversation faded as we moved out of
earshot. We walked leisurely away from the large stonewall
structure venturing far enough to view Lough Corrib and its dotted
islands. On our return, we stepped inside the gazebo that stood out
on the lawn and overlooked the grounds. Our parents were visible
through the wooden lattices; we watched them nod conversationally
toward one another. Mother had somehow managed to strike the right
accord with Purcenell, frail as she was and only a shadow of
herself. Sadly, I thought, if circumstances were different, these
two archenemies might have grown to like each other.

“
Your mother is an extraordinary
woman,” Morrigan said, with obvious admiration in her
voice.

“
Yes,” I agreed. “And so are
you.”

“
I never could’ve done what she
did. Learn to live in a rugged country like America and make a life
for her family there.”

Determined not to spoil this moment with heavy
thoughts I said lightly, “She’s a strong woman, adaptable to
change.”

Morrigan looked at me intently. “Will you be
happy here, Ellis? Won't you miss your home back in
America?”

“
I’m sure I will at times. But I’ve
made my choice. The right one, to spend my life with
you.”

Morrigan squeezed my hand and smiled up at
me.

Tearing my gaze away from her face, I nodded
toward our parents. “Do you suppose if this visit goes well, I can
approach your father?”

“
I’ve been pointing out your finer
qualities to him,” Morrigan said easily.

“
He’ll never believe you. Just days
ago you hated me. It was only when Gully Joyce delivered my letter
that you acknowledged me. You didn’t respond to any of my
correspondence or requests.

Morrigan looked down at our entwined hands.
“Gully convinced me I should meet with you even if it was only to
tell you how I felt.”

“
You talked to Gully Joyce yet
ignored my attempts to contact you. Why?”

“
You remember when Daphne’s horse
took fright and nearly ran me down and I told you I was almost
thrown from a horse when I was a child. Well, Gully was the jockey
who saved me that day. He has a special place in my heart. He
persuaded me to talk to you, to hear what you had to say. But I
felt so betrayed. He said I should face you or such feelings would
fester if I didn’t.” She looked at me directly. “But I never
expected things to turn out like this.”

Privately, I praised Gully Joyce and felt
indebted to him. I let my eyes wander away from Morrigan in the
direction of Purcenell. “Your father is a stubborn man. He won’t
accept an O’Donovan for a son-in-law.”

“
He will come around,” she said
with determination. “You’ll see. Look at him now.” Purcenell sat
relaxed, looking amused at something Mother said. “See,” she said
grinning, “He’s already changing his mind.”

I had my doubts that Purcenell would ever
change his mind. But then I had seen how Morrigan could persuade
him. When we rejoined the trio, Aunt Sadie and Mother smiled
benevolently, but Purcenell drew a resigned breath.

That was one of Mother’s better days. A week
later, she had a bad spell. This one left her weaker than before. I
spent time quietly at her bedside while she rested. She struggled
to recover. Her eyes were closed, but she wasn’t asleep. She
squeezed my hand instead of trying to speak.

“
I’ve something to tell you,
Mother,” I whispered. Her eyes fluttered open and she attempted to
smile. “You remember Morrigan—Purcenell’s daughter? You met her at
Kilpara?” She looked at me quizzically. “I’m going to ask her
father's permission to court her.” Mother tried to speak then, but
I put my finger against her lips. “Save your strength,” I said,
smiling at the question in her eyes. “I know we’ve just met, but
I’m completely taken with her. She’s beautiful, she’s
perfect.”

Mother sighed and closed her eyes.

That very night I feared the end had come. I
was awakened by Trista's pounding on my bedroom door. “Ellis,
Ellis, wake up please—hurry—” Shrugging off the yoke of sleep, I
jumped out of bed and pulled my robe on over my pajamas.