I'm sorry this is a terrible chapter but it wasn't going anywhere so I decide to just stop and post it as it is and write the next chapter a lot better. Thanks for the reviews and sorry it's taken so long to update the next chapter should be out sooner than this one was.
"Are we there yet?" -It was the classic phrase to use when travelling, guaranteed to drive even the most patient of people into madness if asked enough times.
"Almost" Kyna answered Anna as tolerantly as she could manage. Anna sighed once again, Grace felt her own feelings of frustration expressed in that sigh as well, Being cooped up in a small, crowded carriage wasn't her idea of fun either.
When Grace was younger she would sometimes dream of what it would be like to be a regal woman from long ago, after all what 5 year old girl didn't? But now she knew the truth of it; she felt it with every bump in the road and the uncomfortable dress she was wearing and the feeling of being crushed in the overcrowded coach. Life of the rich and privileged was so overrated.
Grace sat wedged between the carriage door and Clare who had been squished in the middle of her and Josephine. Opposite them were Catalina, Anna and Kyna. It was a tight squeeze but they managed it. Grace was just grateful she was sitting near the open window where she didn't have to breathe in the warm, stuffy air in the carriage. Through the widow she could hear Lorcan and Fiach were talking about the man who had been murdered while driving the carriage. Grace wasn't even surprised when she learnt that Lorcan was able to drive this dreadful contraption, he hadn't told her a lot of things, what was one more?
"You look like you just swallowed a bottle of vinegar, Grace." Josephine said looking at her. She said it kindly enough but Grace was sure she could here a bit of curiosity and distrust in their as well, although it might have just been paranoia. "I'm fine, I guess I just miss home, that's all." Kyna ran her hands through her younger son's long black hair, who was sitting on her lap, "Don't worry, dear, I'm sure your brother will arrive in Dublin and send word for you to come and join him as soon as he get's there. Grace smiled, pretending to be reassured.
"How much longer until we get their?" Anna asked once again, "I don't like it in here, it's to stuffy"
"Oh, do be quite, child!" Catalina snapped exasperated.
Anna looked taken aback for a moment before folding her arms crossly while pouting her lip, an exact copy of her sister-in-law-to-be. Clare stifled a giggle and Grace couldn't help buy laugh out loud, earning her a glare from Catalina.
"Try to behave, Anna, We're almost there now." Kyna sighed. Grace instantly felt guilty, she felt bad for Kyna; a widowed mother looking after 5 children who had still taken her in. She could tell Kyna wasn't even happy to be going on this trip.
The coach came to a sudden halt and a few seconds the door was swung open to revel a grinning Lorcan. He reached out a hand to help out Catalina first, and then Grace. She couldn't help but smile as he clasped her hand and helped her down, followed by his family. Fiach scrambled on top of the roof of the carriage and un-strapped a two large hampers of food, blankets, parasols, hats, fans, coats and whatever else seemed necessary for a trip to the beech in the 19th century. Grace's first reaction was to tell him to get down or at least be careful.
"It's a lovely day for the beech," Catalina commented all the bitterness from her voice gone as she directed the remark at Lorcan, who agreed with her instantly.
Grace glanced up at the grey, overcast sky; it was hardly what she'd call a 'lovely day' although, luckily, it wasn't raining. "Come on, children" Kyna said with a sign, heading towards the beech followed by Anna, Catalina, Clare and Josephine who had decided to look after Davin for her mother. "Lord Furey" Fiach said scrambling down from the coach, "May I speak with you?" Lorcan smiled, "Of course"
"I just wanted to make sure if it's okay for Anna to have one of the kittens"
"Yes, it's fine, It was very kind of you to give her one."
"I have to get rid of them one way or another" he sad shrugging, "I don't suppose your Clare would want one? Or maybe Miss. Grace?" Fiach said glancing at her. Grace found herself blushing as the two boys looked at her, while everyone else had gone on without him, she had decided to wait for Lorcan. "Oh, no I couldn't…"
Fiach looked slightly sad for a moment reminding Grace of his age, she had forgotten how young he was when he talked so seriously, unlike he had the previous evening, "I'm not allowed to keep any, they're much better off with you than they are at the bottom of the river."
"I couldn't, I…" Grace glanced at Lorcan, for help who shrugged "Well, I suppose..." Grace said uncertainly. Fiach broke into a wide grin. Lorcan ruffled his hair affectionately, "Good work, with the horses by the way,"
Fiach's grin grew wider, "My Lord…My Lady.." he said bowing in mockery before heading back towards the coach.
"Shall we join the others Miss. Tempest" Lorcan said holding out his arm to escort her.