Cailín (Lass) (Anam Céile Chronicles) Page 5

  Sure enough, that provoked me father to butt in. “Aislinn! Now, don’t you go deliberately ailing our sheep in yer scheming to bring this young lad scuttlin’ back here!”

  Never did he miss a chance to demean me.

  Still, I did not allow his chastening to shake me glee. Gratefully, Donovan responded quickly, overlooking me father’s remark. “Indeed, with a flock the size of yours, there’ll surely be need fer a visit again soon, and look forward to it I will.” His sincere smile shot a beam of hope directly into me.

  “Good day, all!” called the tréidlia, trying to wrap things up so they may move along.

  Donovan waved back in accordance and I fought meself rigidly the urge to dash up and squeeze him.

  Instead, somehow I managed to answer maturely, “Farewell, Dr. O’Connor, Donovan. So pleased I be to have met you,” surprising meself at me eloquent vernacular.

  After he left, later that day, the dreamlike happenings of that afternoon danced through me mind over and over again. Amazed I be at how, just when me faith be failing me, he had come to light before me in all his beautiful radiance. The warmth from his smile that had penetrated me solid shell proved him to be very real.

  ‘Twas then I knew there would be no turning back; me existence had acquired a newly dedicated significance. I drifted to sleep reflecting upon his soothing voice, as its echo resonated to the core of me being.

  Now that I have seen him, I cannot believe that I ever be satisfied with life as ‘twas, to have considered the possibility of shunning the idea of love. I cannot fathom how I have lived this long deprived of his light in me life, fer all at once it feels as though naught else matters!

  Chapter Six

  Over the subsequent years, nary a moment would go by that me thoughts were not inspired by Donovan. Me habitually dreaded domestic chores faded into the background as me relentless daydreaming of him offered a pleasant diversion from the tediousness they did affect upon me spirit. Though still I begrudged the constraints of those female tasks and handcrafts, at last I could tolerate them as me musings of him dazzled me mind.

  One day, whilst leisurely observing the sheep in the pasture— yet again immersed in me thoughts of Donovan— me older brother, Riordan, approached to retrieve me. Our father be urgently in need of some goods fer the farm and we were being sent to procure them directly.

  Welcomed the prospect I did to escape from there fer a spell. We harnessed up Morrissey to our old cart and headed straightaway fer the nearby village of Ballyvaughan. Being we were in the midst of working when he bade us leave immediately, no time had I to see to tidy meself properly.

  Shortly after we arrived in the village in our cart, we were walking toward the mercantile just as Donovan be coming out. The splendid sentiments flashing through me at seeing him once again were virtually instantly displaced with indignity at me bedraggled appearance. The disgrace I felt seeped into the abysmal pit of me belly, engulfing me in its queasiness. I felt me smile fade away as I sulked.

  As of yet, each time we have met, me appearance has been such the frightful manner that surprised I be that he does not turn the other direction and bolt! Whatever must he think of me? Here I be adorned in rags the colour of the rind of a potatoe, me hair most unkempt, and grinning from beneath a dirtied face! More than likely he dismisses me as a mere cailín feirme, to whom he is obligated to show politeness due to his association to us.

  And still, he be friendly and polite as ever. Me brother he did address first. “Good day, Riordan! Too long a time ‘tis been not seein’ you! How be you?”

  What’ ‘tis this?! Me brother knows him? I shall persuade him to tell me every single detail he knows about him!

  Remained there standing dumbfounded, me head swimming amidst me thoughts as he and me brother carried on with their chitchat. I be pulled out of it when I heard Donovan’s voice in reply to me brother’s polite query.

  “. . . just grand with me!” momentarily he glanced me way with a simple smile.

  Be that smile intended fer me, or be he just courteously trying to include me in the conversation?

  “. . . slight more than a year now with me apprenticeship, and I be enjoying each day of it!”

  “Wonderful that be fer you, Donovan!” me brother remarked considerately. “’Tis glad I be to hear of it!”

  I stared at him persistently, too bemused to utter a single word, even though I wished I were the one he carried on with. After what seemed a gazillion seconds, he turned to me smiling and said, “And it certainly be me pleasure seein’ you again, Aislinn.”

  I gasped silently.

  He remembered me name! Odd ‘tis though, how his eyes keep drifting down when he speaks to me. Perhaps he may be shy. Just another thing which makes him all the more irresistible!

  “Supposin’ I shall be comin’ to your farm more frequently now that the lambs be droppin’ as the rain!” he continued on.

  I had to think hard to compel me mouth to speak without uttering some downright foolhardy gibberish like always I be managing to! Striving to focus upon the proper words fer a polite discourse such as this, I said, “That be true. And it be me favourite time of year, too!”

  “I have a feeling all the more so this year . . . be keeping me eyes peeled fer you, Donovan!” I be doing quite well so far! Wonder whether he caught me flirtation?

  So utterly transparent I feel when near him! Not possible it be that he be so oblivious to me desire fer him. The depths of me feelings must surely be engraved all over me face, carved out in me eyes. Blind he would have to be not to see, not to feel the heat emanating from me, reaching out to him. Surely, even an ordinary lass as I must appear lovelier saturated with this much love and desire.

  As we parted ways, me eyes were glued to every move his body made. I be engulfed in an onslaught of indescribable feelings and sensations that never before had I felt!

  When he no longer be in sight, I turned to me brother and bombarded him with a barrage of questions. “Riordan! Not aware I be that you have acquaintance with Donovan! You must tell me all you know of him!”

  He looked at with me surprise, as this be the first he had seen this side of his younger sister.

  Without allowing him the chance to reply, I continued on me quizzing fervidly. “How long you be knowin’ him? Be he a decent lad? Be he courtin’ a lass? From which family does he come?”

  With so many things I aspired to know, all the enquiries I ejected at once.

  Upon the last question exiting me lips, Riordan briskly turned his head to me. He appeared somewhat stunned. “You don’t know?”

  “Know what?”

  The next summer, an extended visit I had at the home of me cousin, Deirdre. ‘Twas she who had more than a year past, persuaded me to dream of this lad I now adored, and the consequential demise of the stalwart girl I once be so sure of.

  Yet now, I looked at her differently, through the glossed over eyes of a dreamy young lass, a girl trying clumsily to find her way to the world of womanhood. As we sat there upon a stone wall bordering her family’s pasture chatting, I observed her, in a naïve attempt to identify what ‘twas made her so charming and eye-catching to the lads.

  But, having long vowed to never care fer things of that nature, oblivious I be to it. I struggled to figure out what ‘twas about her that gave her that charismatic appeal. Studying her, the most strikingly obvious feature be the lush blonde hair that swept past her shoulder blades. I knew the lads nary did fail to take notice of it, and never did she miss a chance to work her magic in flaunting it.

  I suppose it does have some sort of appeal to it. Oh, who I be kidding? ‘Tis gorgeous! And far removed from me scarcely shoulder-length unruly mass of carroty frizz! Oh, if only I should be so blessed, to have comely locks! No doubt, Donovan would look twice at me then! Golden it never will be, but perhaps she knows of some tricks to tame it, and whatever ‘tis a lass is supposed to do with her mane!

  Looking further, I noticed her pretty face,
with its manicured brows, and full lips and delicate neck. Her well-formed figure clad in close-fitting attire, hinting at her blossoming womanhood. One could easily see she took care in her appearance, though without having to make much effort.

  “Deirdre, how is it you make yer hair behave so?” I enquired hesitantly.

  “Well, never do I retire to bed with it wet from the bath. I brush through it, until it is dry, and that helps it to shine,” she answered proudly. Suddenly remembering who had made this unusual query, she declared bafflingly, “Hold! Since when do you have concern for such things?”

  Not entirely certain just how much I should divulge, I spoke in me most nonchalant manner. “Oh, still I do not,” I fibbed, tossing me hand toward me hair casually, “’tis only that I be weary of battling its muddle.” I smiled to meself, thinking I sounded sufficiently convincing. Unfortunately, though, fool her I did not.

  A skeptical look she cast toward me. “That I do not believe. For I know you would just as soon as hack it all off than to be troubled in dealing with it,” Deirdre rationalized. “Thus, pray tell, cousin, why the sudden interest?”

  I contemplated fer a moment, whether I divulge me kept secret, or tell another fib to keep her at bay? Hastily, I decided to keep her in the dark, at least fer the time being.

  “Fine. Really, Ma said I must begin to have a care fer me appearance as I be the age of a young lady since this past year. And if I do not take it upon meself, she shall, and God knows how outlandish that could turn out to be!” I pleaded to her, “So, I thought to come to you, the most álainn lass I know!”

  Naturally, upon hearing this, she did not balk!

  Without effort to conceal her smug grin, Deirdre spoke eagerly, “Of course I shall help you! Oh, this shall be absolutely sensational! I have waited purely forever to get my hands upon you!” Then, with a thoughtful expression, “Better we start off straightaway. ‘Tis oodles of work we have to do!” her voice surged with its fervor.

  Oh no, what ordeal have I gotten meself into? She’ll probably torment me whilst determinedly fraught to completely transmute me into something never I shall be! I hope she does not hold extraordinary expectations. Never will I be as beautiful as she. Yet, if only I could hold some measure of beauty, just enough to capture his favour …

  “Ready?”

  “I suppose. Tell me what it is you’ll do to me?”

  “First, we shall wash your hair, so I can work it fresh, and show you what you should be doing to manage it nicely.”

  “Fine then, let’s be on with it so we may be over with it all the sooner,” I said, making no pretense as to how I truly felt about it all.

  Deirdre seemed disappointed at me blatant absence of enthusiasm fer her generous assistance and perhaps, even a bit wounded. “Well, for me to truly accomplish something with you, a hurried task it will not be, that I can tell you. It will entail the whole of the day for this undertaking. Yet, I assure you, you will be speechless at your transformation. So, are you willing or not, Aislinn?”

  “Oh I be, most willing, Deirdre. I know if anybody can succeed in doing whatever is earthly possible to be done with me, it be you.” I assumed me nicest face, and vowed to keep me displeasure with this endeavour to meself. I truly be grateful to have her expertise in this area. I reminded meself of the very reason that led me to ask this of her and motioned her to proceed.

  She brought me to the wash basin and poured pails of cool water over me bent head. Seemingly, utterly unsuspecting I be as to me lot, fer she whipped an egg in a wooden bowl and commenced to rub it into me hair! Feeling its slimy goo running into me ears and down me neck, I grimaced, silently swearing there be no way I was ever going to subject meself to this by me own hands!

  “And why ever be it necessary to put that monstrosity in me hair?”

  “Egg is absolutely splendid for adding lustre to hair!” Deirdre beamed. “You should do this weekly if you are able. I do.” She seemed far too honoured by the use of this repelling tactic.

  “And how on earth did you ever look at the thing that came from a chicken’s arse and think, ‘Hmm, I bet if I rubbed that into me hair, it would become more gorgeous than already ‘tis.’” I mimicked her in a higher tone than me own.

  Me taunting did not please her. Nevertheless, she continued on, disregarding me. “Come, you will need to go sit in the sun for an hour now, to stimulate it to work its magic.”

  “Delightful! So now you are baking me. Will you be trying to eat me next, then?”

  “Don’t be daft!” Deirdre scolded. “Now, Aislinn, you must be earnest in this!”

  “Oh…,” I said, whispering in me most concerned tone. “Might I insult the egg if I do not?” I tittered. Making fun be the only way I could possibly enjoy doing something such as this.

  She only frowned at me.

  I suppose I had better mind meself if I wanted her help. Otherwise, it promised to be an uncomfortably long day!

  We remained there, waiting fer that goo to bake into me hair, in indefinite silence thereafter. The minutes seemed to lag as I be forced to inhale the putrid stench of the egg roasting into me hair, contradicting and twisting me perpetually hungry belly.

  When, at last, I could bear no more, I appealed to her vanity once again. “Deirdre,” I started carefully, “may I ask in what manner you conduct yerself when wishing to spur the interest of a fella?”

  Her eyes instantaneously revitalized. “I knew it! You have been rapt by someone special!” Deirdre jumped up, clapping her hands together excitedly. “Oh, Aislinn, please tell me of him! Do share everything with me!”

  Glued to the wall where I sat, I simply gaped at her, marveling how she be able to see right through me so easily. Or, perhaps, ‘twas just that which she wanted to see. But then, ‘twas not as if it were not true. Only, I not be set to disclose me precious secret just yet.

  Then again, it had been more than a year I had kept it all to meself. Perhaps it be time to finally share me secret with someone. And who better than me experienced and love obsessed elder cousin? After all, if I was to elicit her help, I may as well actually absorb all Deirdre had to offer.

  Me newly defeated expression betrayed me. Whether prepared I be or not, there be no turning back now, fer persist she would with her probing until she wrung every last bit of information out of me! I attempted to organise me thoughts on how to convey all that had happened with me since the night he first had floated his way into me head through me dreams, and then revealed the reality of his presence in all unlikely places as me father’s barn.

  Glancing her way, I saw her face fixed in anticipation as she held her hands tightly clasped together, impatiently awaiting the salacious account she so craved. Undoubtedly she would be disappointed with me lacklustre childish infatuation. Thinking back then, there really not be much to tell, or at least not anything of substance that had actually happened, aside from me perpetual obsessions.

  However, I fully intended to amend that shortly. Not that I knew how. Which be exactly why I needed to be having this exchange with her!

  “Recollect the night of the full moon when we recited the old love charm?” I began prudently. Her eyes grew wide as Deirdre shook her head. “Well, in the morning so agitated you were over yer dream about Fergus, I did not want to upset you further with me own.”

  Looking befuddled, Deirdre spoke slowly, “So, you dreamt of someone after all?”

  “I did.” I answered cautiously, unsure of what her reaction meant.

  “Aislinn!” she chided. “Dismay me you do! You should have known I would have still fancied hearing of your divine dream!” She affected yet another injured look.

  “’Tis truly sorry I be, Deirdre. I did it only fer want of sparing you further anguish,” I spoke gently. She feigned a slight sniffle, and then gestured fer me to continue. “Anyhow, that night, believe in any of it I did not. I thought it all utter nonsense. Accordingly, you cannot fathom me astonishment when I awoke the next morn’ at having dr
eamt of someone precisely as you said!” Reverting to her usual animated self, Deirdre gazed at me keenly, eager to receive it all.

  At last, ‘twas time to wash that nauseating brew from me hair. This time, I did welcome the chilled water running through me hair. Once ‘twas rinsed clean, she then grabbed yet another vessel to dispense into me hair. But, this time, ‘twas a mixture of herbs crushed fer their oils. A conditioning treatment, Deirdre told me, which would also work miracles in taming me frizz. ‘Twas left in me hair fer one half of an hour more.

  Once I dismissed me guardedness to free me confession, I chattered on joyfully nearly every last second of that day, divulging everything that had occurred over the past year and six months. Whilst me hair soaked in the concoction of herbal oils, I described to her the prophetic dream, me pleasant surprise at it, as well as me instant enchantment with him from that first vision. Deirdre swooned as I presented a vivid portrayal of Donovan’s fetching features.

  After she rinsed me hair once more, she meticulously combed through me tresses with zealous perseverance as I relayed me reflective times wandering in the valleys of the Boireann and the all-consuming thoughts of him whilst obsessing by the brook.

  Recounting the day first I did encounter him in the barn amidst me insufferable father, be a welcome diversion while Deirdre plucked me shaggy brows into two manicured feminine arches. ‘Twas difficult to believe how that single miniscule thing essentially transformed me entire face, setting me eyes off beautifully!

  As she continued her incessant preening of me, I disclosed to her the endless thoughts I had delighted in ever since, the envisioning of every infinitesimal detail he possessed, bumping into him in town with me brother, the dreams, the thoughts, the hopes, the doubts, as well as the fears …

  When at last Deirdre did finally reveal this fresh version of me, I be absolutely stupefied! Me own self I did not even recognise! Me hair now be soft waves, with a sheen that even made me colour appear more spectacular.