The Land of Women by Regina McBride

Author:Regina McBride
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Published by Simon & Schuster
Published: 2003-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

The next morning when Fiona got out of bed and walked into the kitchen, Jane stared at the hem of her nightgown. Fiona looked down and saw that it was caked with dried mud. She met her mother’s eyes.

“What were you doing last night?” Jane asked in a single breath.

When Fiona did not answer, Jane said, “Oh, God. What are the two of you up to?”

They heard the bell for the cream lorry at the bottom of the hill and, running to the window, saw Michael just coming out of his cottage, hurriedly buttoning his shirt. He hadn’t gotten up early enough to do the milking.

Jane stepped outside, gesturing at him, and screamed, “That’s another day before I can collect any money on the milk. I hope you’re good at starching sheets, Michael, because you’ll soon have me taking in laundry.”

“I’m sorry, missus,” he called out.

“Ye’ll stop making yourself at home in this house altogether, Michael!” Jane screamed. “Ye can cook from now on in your own cottage! And I want you to stay clear away from Fiona! Clear away from her! I know a blackguard when I see one!”

Fiona turned a wild circle behind her and screamed, “Stop it!”

Jane slammed the door and turned in a rage on Fiona.

“I’m not having that one take advantage of you, for the love of Christ!” Jane cried. “I can spot a rake when I see one. He’s looking to try and get a leg over you, Fiona!” Jane paused, a dark thought coming to her. “If he hasn’t already!”

Fiona looked into her face, breathing hard, her hands in fists. “Maybe he has and maybe he hasn’t!”

Jane grabbed her cup from the sideboard and smashed it to the floor. She covered her face with her hands.

After a long pause she said, “Fiona, don’t give yourself and your heart so easily. There’s something of the rogue about Michael. He’d leave you saddled with a child and disappear himself to the four winds.”

“I ruined your life, then. Didn’t I?”

“No, no, Fiona. It’s not what I’m saying.”

“If you hadn’t had me, you’d have gotten over your wild intrigue with my father, the rogue, and you’d be married now to your beloved Ned McGinty, wouldn’t you?”

Jane was still, watching Fiona. “Hold on to your virginity, Fiona. It’ll be a great asset to you.”

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