O'er The River Liffey (Power of the Matchmaker) by Heidi Ashworth

Author:Heidi Ashworth [Ashworth, Heidi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: traditional regency romance, clean romance, Irish romance, sweet romance, clean and wholesome (though I do have this as a category so maybe that’s overkill) Irish folklore, Irish fairytales, choice and accountability, virtue, The Children of Lir, Connla, Celtic mythology, St. Brigid, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, Abigail Tara-Lilly Kent, Power of the Matchmaker, Miss Pearl, Ha’Penny Bridge, divine nature, individual worth
Publisher: Dunhaven Place Publishing
Published: 2016-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Mr. Doherty sat back in his chair as the spell the story wove dissolved into the air.

Caroline heaved a sigh of pleasure. “That was a most captivating tale. Why is it, I wonder, that the women of Irish mythology are all so gifted and strong?”

“Do you?” He searched her face. “I have yet to meet one who was otherwise.”

Blushing, she looked away; she knew his words for the compliment he intended. “You are speaking of Miss O’Sullivan. Lady Bissell, as well.”

He said nothing in reply as he leaned forward and possessed himself of Caroline’s hand. “Tell me, Miss Fulton. Once you are the baron’s wife, do you see yourself sitting here, with me in the nursery, listening to stories as you are tonight?”

“That would most likely be impossible,” she said, tears starting in her eyes.

“And what of singing by the pianoforte after dinner?” He stroked the back of her hand with this thumb.

She shook her head. “I don’t know.” It was the truth; she could think of little but the tingling of her skin beneath his.

He brushed his finger along her cheek, and held it up against the light of the fire. Caroline turned away from the sight; she already knew that his finger shone with her tears.

“I cannot stay,” she said, rising to her feet. “I must go.”

He rose as well. “Wait,” he said, refusing to release her hand. “I will light a candle in the case the fire in your room has been allowed to die down.”

“Thank you, but there is no need.” She hurried to the door, but he followed.

“Miss Fulton, please, I must beg of you a boon.”

She turned to look at him over her shoulder. The pain in his eyes prompted in her an emotion far deeper than compassion or even pity; she felt faint with the weight of his woe. “Very well,” she whispered, so he would not hear the tears in her voice.

“I must ask you to meet me; at the brook, early; before breakfast. I shall not beguile from you too much of your time; the lads shall be looking for me directly after breakfast.”

She could do no such thing, and yet she felt her head bob up and down in agreement. Quickly, before she did aught else she might regret, she opened the door and fled down the passage. She descended the stairs as quietly as she was able, and felt herself safe once she turned into the passageway that led to her room. Leaning against the wall, she waited until her heart regained its former pace and her breathing quieted. To her relief, the wall sconces had been lit since she had gone to the school room and she was soon safe in her own chamber.

The fire had indeed been stoked whilst she was out, and it burned merrily in the grate. There was nothing left for her to do but burst into tears and throw herself onto the bed. It lurched noisily against the wall, but she knew the other guests would still be in the drawing room and would not be disturbed by her actions.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.