Cailín (Lass) (Anam Céile Chronicles) by Rosalind Scarlett Page B

me mouth, me stomach distorting into
aching knots.  Aggravated, me father glanced over at me, obviously unaffected
by the look of betrayal and anguish plastered across me face.  ‘Twas then that
it became utterly clear to me that no amount of reasoning or pleading would
influence him, as only his own interests did he bear in mind. 
    All of
a sudden ‘twas as though forcefully he compressed a wide girdle about me. 
Breathing eluded me, me throat narrowing, me chest rapidly constricting, me
back tight not able to expand to supply me lungs with the required air I would
need now more than ever.  Reaching fer me fiddle, I darted from the cottage
howling hysterically, falling repeatedly. 
    Into
the twilight I ran interminably, the tears streaming down me face as I
attempted to grasp the painful reality of this and the difficult choices with
which I now faced.  I only knew I could not turn me back on Donovan. 
    That
not be a fragment of likelihood!  Not when he had come to me, at last!
    And
then, I understood all too well that there not be a chance in hell me father
would rescind his decision.  Me time be up and he wanted me out of his house,
lured by the promise of a handsome dowry as compensation fer his troubles in
coping with me these sixteen years. 
    I kept
running ‘til ‘twas so dark I could scarcely see ahead of me.  At first, to
where I be going I did not know.  But when I stopped to rest later that night,
I had time to ponder.  Hid away I did in the cattle barn of our neighbours
several kilometres west of me father’s land.  And do let me be the one to
inform you, bovine smell far worse than do sheep!
    During
the course of that lengthy, foul-smelling and uncomfortable night, I resolved that
which never any true deliberation there need be in the first place. 
    To
Donovan I now belong, as truly I have just as precisely fer the past several
years, and there be nothing that will keep me from him.  Only it has become
much more complex than ever I had intended! 
    I snuck
out early enough in the morning to avoid confrontation and headed out on the
road continuing west.  An old man in a cart, whom I be most fortunate did not recognise
me as the MacAuliffe lass, stopped and extended to me the invitation of a ride
into the town of Ballyvaughan.  Quite relieved I be, as me energy rapidly be diminishing,
from the lack of sleep and the empty belly I towed. 
    I
determined to find Donovan and tell him of that which had occurred. 
    Surely,
he’ll whisk me away, understanding there be no choice but to flee with each
other if we’re to be together.  But then, what if there be a chance me father
was precise in his uncouth presumptions of him?  No, I must not allow meself to
consider such thoughts.  I know that not be the truth of the matter.
    I
thanked the old man kindly as I hopped out of the cart upon arriving in
Ballyvaughan.  I hoped it still be early enough that Donovan and the tréidlia would still be in town.  I headed in the direction I thought I recollected
Riordan once pointing out to me as Dr. O’Connor’s home.  Relieved I be to reach
it just as Donovan be climbing into the cart to depart with Dr. O’Connor and set
out on their calls of the day. 
    So
‘twas disillusioned I be when Donovan did not react precisely as I had predicted. 
    “Donovan!” 
I called weakly, scurrying over to him.
    “Aislinn?”
he asked, justifiably stunned to see me there.  His face baffled as his eyes
quickly scanned me.  Immediately I realised what a fright I must appear!
    With
nary a second thought of Dr. O’Connor’s presence, I poured forth the story of that
which had transpired the preceding night since last he had seen me.
    “Just what
precisely is it you be contemplating, Aislinn?” his voice solemn as he
attempted reasoning with me.
    I
nearly feared he was about to suggest that I return and marry Aengus!  But,
gratefully he did not. 
    “I
refuse to become the mate of that appalling man, solely