Chapter Seven
"Can I get ye anything else, Lord Cassidy?" Elizabeth Brady asked her employer.
"Nae, thank ye, Elizabeth." Sean Cassidy replied with a warm smile. "However what ye can do is call me Sean. 'Lord Cassidy' makes me sound ancient when I'm barely a year older than ye."
"O-okay." Elizabeth agreed with a hesitant smile.
Sean's eyes flickered over the girl's figure. At fifteen, her curves had only recently begun to form. Her small, rounded breasts pressed against the fabric of her blue cotton dress. She had a small waist and gently rounded hips. He was amazed that she was the same Elizabeth he'd known as a child. She had certainly done some growing since he had last seen her. She was no longer a child.
He tore his eyes away from her and admonished himself for looking at a maid in such an improper way. He glanced back at Elizabeth. "I apologize."
"For what?"
{She didn't notice,} he realized with a rush of relief. "Nothing." He looked back into her large, innocent blue eyes. She wasn't a child, but she wasn't yet a woman either. The realization filled him with desire for the girl, which he quickly squashed. She was young, innocent, and he.was not. He shook his head in annoyance with himself. {She's your maid, Sean. Hands off.}
Sean noticed Elizabeth standing nervously by his side. Poor girl, she still wasn't quite sure of her duties. "Elizabeth, would ye care to join me for supper? Rhianna's been working late nights lately, and I don't like to eat alone. Besides," he added with a roguish wink, "Ye cooked this fabulous dinner, ye should enjoy some of it."
Elizabeth plopped into a chair moaning gratefully as she rested her aching feet. "Oh, it feels so good to sit down. I have muscles hurting I didn't know I had." She was used to working hard at home, but that was nothing compared to the work at the castle. Even though the Cassidys only used a small portion of the castle, it was still a large space that required diligent cleaning to maintain it. She wondered how they got by with so few servants.
Sean smiled at her exuberance. "Aye, I'm afraid there's quite a work to be done here," he agreed kindly.
Elizabeth remembered her brother's warning. She blushed as she realized she had complained in front of her employer. "I'm sorry. It's not that bad really and I'm grateful for the opportunity you've given me."
Sean smiled in understanding. He enjoyed her refreshing honesty. "Tis quite all right. Took me a while to get used to the workload here. And I'm very grateful that ye came to fill in for your mother."
Elizabeth brightened. "Really?"
"Aye, ye saved me from having to eat my sister's cooking."
Sean sipped at the hearty lamb stew. "Speaking of cooking, this is really quite good, Elizabeth." He complimented her.
She blushed as she took a sip of the soup. "Och, thank ye. It's me mum's recipe. Everything I learned about cooking, and housekeeping in general, I learned from her." she stated wistfully, thinking of her sick mother.
"And how is she doing?"
"She's still pretty much the same." She replied somberly. "Sometimes, it seems as if she's getting better, but then it gets worse again. I just don't know."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Sean said sincerely. He recognized the sad pain in her blue eyes. It was something he was all-too familiar with. He gently placed his hand over hers, squeezing her small hand with his. "If there's anything I can do for ye, or your family, please let me know." He told her, his warm brown eyes staring into hers.
"Thank ye, Lord Cass. I mean, Sean." She said shyly. She was taken aback by the easy, caring manner with which he treated her. She had expected from her brother's ill opinion of the Cassidys, that Sean would be difficult and proud. Instead he had gone out of his way to make her feel at ease in his castle. And when he smiled at her, his large brown eyes shining, he made her feel.special. It was a nice feeling.
She looked up from her soup to find Sean gazing at her thoughtfully. "So Elizabeth, tell me about the rest of your family."
"Well, it's just me, Mum, and Sheamus. Ye know Da died when I was eight."
"Aye, I remember. Your mum wore black for a long time. She was so sad. I'm sorry for your loss."
Her bright blue eyes dimmed for a moment as remembered pain washed over her. "Thank ye. It was hard for a while but Sheamus just took over for Da. He works so hard, and now I rarely see him anymore. I miss him."
"Ye really think a lot of your brother, don't ye?"
"Aye. He's my hero, always has been. He's so strong and brave, especially now with Mum sick. He holds our family together. I know he's not perfect, but he very nearly is."
Sean chuckled. The adoration on Elizabeth's face was plain to see. "I'm afraid my sister doesn't share your high opinion of him." He had been forced to listen to many of Rhianna's tirades against "that Sheamus Brady" since she went to work at the factory.
"Well, she doesn't know him," Elizabeth stated matter of factly.
They continued their conversation; food growing cold as it sat forgotten on the table. Sean was really enjoying her company. She was so unlike any other girl he'd ever met. She was genuine, natural, and honest. She had cares and worries beyond 'what am I going to wear today.' She was real.
As they talked, more and more of Elizabeth's personality came out. She felt comfortable in Sean's presence and she was able to forget that he was her employer. Her face shone and her eyes lit up as they talked and laughed. They shared stories and memories from when they were kids. They joked about the weather and what Farmer Brown had said in church the other Sunday. They talked about acquaintances and mutual friends, and before they knew it, hours had passed.
Elizabeth noticed the late hour and jumped to her feet. "Oh no, I've got to get home to care for Mum!"
Sean stood up. "Don't worry about clearing the dishes. I'll take care of it. Give your mother our greetings."
He walked her to the door. "I'm glad you're here, Elizabeth. I'll see ye tomorrow." As he watched her leave he found himself hoping that she would be working there for a while.
His rich voice filled the night air. He sang a jaunty tune as he strolled through Banshee Forest on his way to Cassidy Keep.
"What do you think I've been doing all day? Boozing, bloody well boozing! And how do you think I've been spending my pay? Boozing, bloody well boozing! Don't argue the point, 'cause you know I'm not right. Don't tell me I'm wrong, 'cause you know I can't fight. Where would you like me to take you tonight? Boozing, bloody well boozing!"
He laughed as he jumped into the chorus of the silly drinking song. He had stopped by the pub for his usual after work beer before making his trip to Cassidy's to pick up his sister.
"And what are the joys of the laboring man? Boozing, bloody well." He trailed off then as a sudden noise caught his attention. It sounded like a human cry, high pitched, suddenly hushed. Sheamus frowned as he looked around him. It was late in the evening, in the middle of Banshee Forest. Who else could be around? Who else would be walking this way except.
"Rhianna" he breathed. He broke into a run toward the noise and soon came to a small clearing. Muffled sounds came to his ear and directed his attention to the base of a tree a few feet away. He found the source of the noises and his blood froze in fear only to be sent boiling in anger. He could now clearly see a man lying on top of a girl. {Rhianna.} She was struggling uselessly.
"Get off of me!" she screamed.
That did it. Sheamus ran to the man and picked him bodily off of the frantic girl. "Bastard!" he cried and prepared to ram his fist down the man's throat.
"Don't hit him!" a feminine voice cried.
He looked in surprise at Rhianna. "What? He tried to attack you!"
"No he didn't. Although I'm sure that was his intent."
Sheamus looked at her in puzzled confusion.
"Look at him." She said in explanation.
Sheamus looked at the man closely and saw that he was unconscious.
"He passed out before he could carry out his plans. Only he passed out on top of me. I was trying to get him off when you arrived." She explained.
"Oh." Sheamus said, feeling slightly foolish for his earlier display. He realized he was still holding the man up in the air and dropped him to land in a heap on the ground.
"So, what should we do with our friend here?" he asked to recover his injured pride
"I don't know. I don't think we can carry him far and I don't want to leave him here. He did try to attack me."
"I wonder who he is." Sheamus knelt and began pawing through the old man's clothing, looking for identification of some kind. "Ah, here we go. Well, tomorrow morning I'll just go to the police and tell him about Mr. Thomas here. They can decide what to do with him."
Rhianna nodded at his suggestion. It was the best option.
The two stood for a moment in awkward silence.
"Well, I guess I'll just be going then." Rhianna spoke up.
"Aye, me too. By the way, ye're welcome."
Rhianna stopped short. "For what?"
"Saving you."
"Aye. Thank ye MR. Brady. It takes a great deal of bravery to beat senseless an unconscious foe."
"Aye well, ye were lucky. And what the hell were ye doing walking through the forest at night by yourself? Are ye trying to get yourself killed?" 'Not that I'd mind.' He muttered under his breath.
"I can take care of myself." Rhianna stated coolly.
"Really. What would ye have done if he hadn't passed out and if I hadn't come by? Hmm?"
She looked at him for a long moment as she fought to control her temper. Why did he have to be the one to save her? He was so.infuriating. She knew she was never going to hear the end of it. She placed her hands on her hips. "I'll have you know that I would have kicked. His. Butt."
Sheamus just looked at her incredulously.
"And what are you doing here? Are you following me?" Rhianna asked, her eyes narrowing.
"As it happens.yes. But I didn't know it. I'm on my way to your castle to pick up my sister Elizabeth. She knows better than to walk through the forest alone at night." He mocked.
"I'm glad someone in your family has brains." Rhianna countered.
"Look, LADY Cassidy, we're both heading to the castle which is still some distance away. The walk is not going to get any shorter while we stand here trading insults. I suggest we get moving and we can insult each other on the way."
"Fine." She replied coolly.
They walked in silence for many minutes. Rhianna softly broke the silence, her voice barely audible.
"Thank ye."
Sheamus shook himself out of his thoughts. He looked over at the girl beside him. "For what?"
She kept her face downcast, staring at the ground in front of her. "For saving me."
"Um.ye're welcome."
"I don't know what I would've done if ye hadn't come along."
"Aye well, try to be safer from now on. I don't want anything to happen to ye."
Rhianna looked up at Sheamus and stared into his blue eyes. "Really?" She replied, taken aback by his words.
"Aye." He replied sincerely. "If ye die, then who will sign my paychecks?" He cracked with a wide grin.
Rhianna recognized his joke and laughed. Sheamus joined in, enjoying the melodic sound of her laughter. He realized suddenly that he had never heard her laugh before, had never seen her face glow like it was at that moment. He remembered her father's funeral. {I guess she hasn't had much to laugh about of late. Not that I care.} he reminded himself firmly.
"So um, why are you walking?" He asked. "Don't tell me the Great Lady Cassidy doesn't have a carriage." He mocked.
"Of course we do! We have several, thank ye." she replied haughtily. Then softer, "Just no one to drive them."
"Isn't that what servants are for?"
"How many servants do ye think we have?"
"Ten, twenty?"
Rhianna laughed harshly. "Try three." She continued, her eyes taking on a sad, faraway look. "Once we had many servants. All of them were like family and your mother managed all of them. I can just barely remember those times, when Mum was still alive. There were balls, and parties, and the castle was always filled with laughter."
She sighed heavily and put the memories behind her. "But those times are gone. But it doesn't mean they can't come again."
Sheamus listened to her story intently, and found himself interested in her history despite himself. "There's something I've been wondering. Why did ye take over your father's business? Why not your brother?"
"Well, I took over because the business belongs to me. It's my inheritance. See, Sean gets the estate, and I get the factory. It's my dowry." She added softly.
Sheamus cocked a blond eyebrow. "Dowry? So the man who marries you." he trailed off in thought.
"Gets the factory, aye." She finished.
"That's no small prize." He murmured as the wheels in his brain began to turn. "Ye must have suitors lined up through the next town."
Rhianna looked down at the ground. "Only one."
He glanced at her speculatively. "Only one?"
She sighed then, remembering her impending marriage to Alexander Dimera. "Only one." She looked over at Sheamus and saw the devious grin that crept over his features. "What are ye thinking, Mr. Brady?"
His smile widened. "Nothing."
"Can I get ye anything else, Lord Cassidy?" Elizabeth Brady asked her employer.
"Nae, thank ye, Elizabeth." Sean Cassidy replied with a warm smile. "However what ye can do is call me Sean. 'Lord Cassidy' makes me sound ancient when I'm barely a year older than ye."
"O-okay." Elizabeth agreed with a hesitant smile.
Sean's eyes flickered over the girl's figure. At fifteen, her curves had only recently begun to form. Her small, rounded breasts pressed against the fabric of her blue cotton dress. She had a small waist and gently rounded hips. He was amazed that she was the same Elizabeth he'd known as a child. She had certainly done some growing since he had last seen her. She was no longer a child.
He tore his eyes away from her and admonished himself for looking at a maid in such an improper way. He glanced back at Elizabeth. "I apologize."
"For what?"
{She didn't notice,} he realized with a rush of relief. "Nothing." He looked back into her large, innocent blue eyes. She wasn't a child, but she wasn't yet a woman either. The realization filled him with desire for the girl, which he quickly squashed. She was young, innocent, and he.was not. He shook his head in annoyance with himself. {She's your maid, Sean. Hands off.}
Sean noticed Elizabeth standing nervously by his side. Poor girl, she still wasn't quite sure of her duties. "Elizabeth, would ye care to join me for supper? Rhianna's been working late nights lately, and I don't like to eat alone. Besides," he added with a roguish wink, "Ye cooked this fabulous dinner, ye should enjoy some of it."
Elizabeth plopped into a chair moaning gratefully as she rested her aching feet. "Oh, it feels so good to sit down. I have muscles hurting I didn't know I had." She was used to working hard at home, but that was nothing compared to the work at the castle. Even though the Cassidys only used a small portion of the castle, it was still a large space that required diligent cleaning to maintain it. She wondered how they got by with so few servants.
Sean smiled at her exuberance. "Aye, I'm afraid there's quite a work to be done here," he agreed kindly.
Elizabeth remembered her brother's warning. She blushed as she realized she had complained in front of her employer. "I'm sorry. It's not that bad really and I'm grateful for the opportunity you've given me."
Sean smiled in understanding. He enjoyed her refreshing honesty. "Tis quite all right. Took me a while to get used to the workload here. And I'm very grateful that ye came to fill in for your mother."
Elizabeth brightened. "Really?"
"Aye, ye saved me from having to eat my sister's cooking."
Sean sipped at the hearty lamb stew. "Speaking of cooking, this is really quite good, Elizabeth." He complimented her.
She blushed as she took a sip of the soup. "Och, thank ye. It's me mum's recipe. Everything I learned about cooking, and housekeeping in general, I learned from her." she stated wistfully, thinking of her sick mother.
"And how is she doing?"
"She's still pretty much the same." She replied somberly. "Sometimes, it seems as if she's getting better, but then it gets worse again. I just don't know."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Sean said sincerely. He recognized the sad pain in her blue eyes. It was something he was all-too familiar with. He gently placed his hand over hers, squeezing her small hand with his. "If there's anything I can do for ye, or your family, please let me know." He told her, his warm brown eyes staring into hers.
"Thank ye, Lord Cass. I mean, Sean." She said shyly. She was taken aback by the easy, caring manner with which he treated her. She had expected from her brother's ill opinion of the Cassidys, that Sean would be difficult and proud. Instead he had gone out of his way to make her feel at ease in his castle. And when he smiled at her, his large brown eyes shining, he made her feel.special. It was a nice feeling.
She looked up from her soup to find Sean gazing at her thoughtfully. "So Elizabeth, tell me about the rest of your family."
"Well, it's just me, Mum, and Sheamus. Ye know Da died when I was eight."
"Aye, I remember. Your mum wore black for a long time. She was so sad. I'm sorry for your loss."
Her bright blue eyes dimmed for a moment as remembered pain washed over her. "Thank ye. It was hard for a while but Sheamus just took over for Da. He works so hard, and now I rarely see him anymore. I miss him."
"Ye really think a lot of your brother, don't ye?"
"Aye. He's my hero, always has been. He's so strong and brave, especially now with Mum sick. He holds our family together. I know he's not perfect, but he very nearly is."
Sean chuckled. The adoration on Elizabeth's face was plain to see. "I'm afraid my sister doesn't share your high opinion of him." He had been forced to listen to many of Rhianna's tirades against "that Sheamus Brady" since she went to work at the factory.
"Well, she doesn't know him," Elizabeth stated matter of factly.
They continued their conversation; food growing cold as it sat forgotten on the table. Sean was really enjoying her company. She was so unlike any other girl he'd ever met. She was genuine, natural, and honest. She had cares and worries beyond 'what am I going to wear today.' She was real.
As they talked, more and more of Elizabeth's personality came out. She felt comfortable in Sean's presence and she was able to forget that he was her employer. Her face shone and her eyes lit up as they talked and laughed. They shared stories and memories from when they were kids. They joked about the weather and what Farmer Brown had said in church the other Sunday. They talked about acquaintances and mutual friends, and before they knew it, hours had passed.
Elizabeth noticed the late hour and jumped to her feet. "Oh no, I've got to get home to care for Mum!"
Sean stood up. "Don't worry about clearing the dishes. I'll take care of it. Give your mother our greetings."
He walked her to the door. "I'm glad you're here, Elizabeth. I'll see ye tomorrow." As he watched her leave he found himself hoping that she would be working there for a while.
His rich voice filled the night air. He sang a jaunty tune as he strolled through Banshee Forest on his way to Cassidy Keep.
"What do you think I've been doing all day? Boozing, bloody well boozing! And how do you think I've been spending my pay? Boozing, bloody well boozing! Don't argue the point, 'cause you know I'm not right. Don't tell me I'm wrong, 'cause you know I can't fight. Where would you like me to take you tonight? Boozing, bloody well boozing!"
He laughed as he jumped into the chorus of the silly drinking song. He had stopped by the pub for his usual after work beer before making his trip to Cassidy's to pick up his sister.
"And what are the joys of the laboring man? Boozing, bloody well." He trailed off then as a sudden noise caught his attention. It sounded like a human cry, high pitched, suddenly hushed. Sheamus frowned as he looked around him. It was late in the evening, in the middle of Banshee Forest. Who else could be around? Who else would be walking this way except.
"Rhianna" he breathed. He broke into a run toward the noise and soon came to a small clearing. Muffled sounds came to his ear and directed his attention to the base of a tree a few feet away. He found the source of the noises and his blood froze in fear only to be sent boiling in anger. He could now clearly see a man lying on top of a girl. {Rhianna.} She was struggling uselessly.
"Get off of me!" she screamed.
That did it. Sheamus ran to the man and picked him bodily off of the frantic girl. "Bastard!" he cried and prepared to ram his fist down the man's throat.
"Don't hit him!" a feminine voice cried.
He looked in surprise at Rhianna. "What? He tried to attack you!"
"No he didn't. Although I'm sure that was his intent."
Sheamus looked at her in puzzled confusion.
"Look at him." She said in explanation.
Sheamus looked at the man closely and saw that he was unconscious.
"He passed out before he could carry out his plans. Only he passed out on top of me. I was trying to get him off when you arrived." She explained.
"Oh." Sheamus said, feeling slightly foolish for his earlier display. He realized he was still holding the man up in the air and dropped him to land in a heap on the ground.
"So, what should we do with our friend here?" he asked to recover his injured pride
"I don't know. I don't think we can carry him far and I don't want to leave him here. He did try to attack me."
"I wonder who he is." Sheamus knelt and began pawing through the old man's clothing, looking for identification of some kind. "Ah, here we go. Well, tomorrow morning I'll just go to the police and tell him about Mr. Thomas here. They can decide what to do with him."
Rhianna nodded at his suggestion. It was the best option.
The two stood for a moment in awkward silence.
"Well, I guess I'll just be going then." Rhianna spoke up.
"Aye, me too. By the way, ye're welcome."
Rhianna stopped short. "For what?"
"Saving you."
"Aye. Thank ye MR. Brady. It takes a great deal of bravery to beat senseless an unconscious foe."
"Aye well, ye were lucky. And what the hell were ye doing walking through the forest at night by yourself? Are ye trying to get yourself killed?" 'Not that I'd mind.' He muttered under his breath.
"I can take care of myself." Rhianna stated coolly.
"Really. What would ye have done if he hadn't passed out and if I hadn't come by? Hmm?"
She looked at him for a long moment as she fought to control her temper. Why did he have to be the one to save her? He was so.infuriating. She knew she was never going to hear the end of it. She placed her hands on her hips. "I'll have you know that I would have kicked. His. Butt."
Sheamus just looked at her incredulously.
"And what are you doing here? Are you following me?" Rhianna asked, her eyes narrowing.
"As it happens.yes. But I didn't know it. I'm on my way to your castle to pick up my sister Elizabeth. She knows better than to walk through the forest alone at night." He mocked.
"I'm glad someone in your family has brains." Rhianna countered.
"Look, LADY Cassidy, we're both heading to the castle which is still some distance away. The walk is not going to get any shorter while we stand here trading insults. I suggest we get moving and we can insult each other on the way."
"Fine." She replied coolly.
They walked in silence for many minutes. Rhianna softly broke the silence, her voice barely audible.
"Thank ye."
Sheamus shook himself out of his thoughts. He looked over at the girl beside him. "For what?"
She kept her face downcast, staring at the ground in front of her. "For saving me."
"Um.ye're welcome."
"I don't know what I would've done if ye hadn't come along."
"Aye well, try to be safer from now on. I don't want anything to happen to ye."
Rhianna looked up at Sheamus and stared into his blue eyes. "Really?" She replied, taken aback by his words.
"Aye." He replied sincerely. "If ye die, then who will sign my paychecks?" He cracked with a wide grin.
Rhianna recognized his joke and laughed. Sheamus joined in, enjoying the melodic sound of her laughter. He realized suddenly that he had never heard her laugh before, had never seen her face glow like it was at that moment. He remembered her father's funeral. {I guess she hasn't had much to laugh about of late. Not that I care.} he reminded himself firmly.
"So um, why are you walking?" He asked. "Don't tell me the Great Lady Cassidy doesn't have a carriage." He mocked.
"Of course we do! We have several, thank ye." she replied haughtily. Then softer, "Just no one to drive them."
"Isn't that what servants are for?"
"How many servants do ye think we have?"
"Ten, twenty?"
Rhianna laughed harshly. "Try three." She continued, her eyes taking on a sad, faraway look. "Once we had many servants. All of them were like family and your mother managed all of them. I can just barely remember those times, when Mum was still alive. There were balls, and parties, and the castle was always filled with laughter."
She sighed heavily and put the memories behind her. "But those times are gone. But it doesn't mean they can't come again."
Sheamus listened to her story intently, and found himself interested in her history despite himself. "There's something I've been wondering. Why did ye take over your father's business? Why not your brother?"
"Well, I took over because the business belongs to me. It's my inheritance. See, Sean gets the estate, and I get the factory. It's my dowry." She added softly.
Sheamus cocked a blond eyebrow. "Dowry? So the man who marries you." he trailed off in thought.
"Gets the factory, aye." She finished.
"That's no small prize." He murmured as the wheels in his brain began to turn. "Ye must have suitors lined up through the next town."
Rhianna looked down at the ground. "Only one."
He glanced at her speculatively. "Only one?"
She sighed then, remembering her impending marriage to Alexander Dimera. "Only one." She looked over at Sheamus and saw the devious grin that crept over his features. "What are ye thinking, Mr. Brady?"
His smile widened. "Nothing."
