A/N: Here we go again. Thanks for all the reviews (and the suggestions).
And, without further delay, let's get to it.
Pat's eyes closed almost as soon as her head hit the pillow that night. It had been a long day, culminating in an anniversary feast that Pat felt sure had blown her up to at least twice the size she had been that morning. As she drifted off to sleep, she heard a voice singing in the room next door. Even in her semi-conscious state, she realized it was Katie singing to her children and also thought it was a beautiful melody. Though she couldn't hear the words, the soft sound soon whisked her off to dreamland.
She woke the next morning to a fabulous smell and, though at first disoriented, soon remembered where she was. Hilary was not in the room and, judging by the sunlight streaming through the windows, Pat had slept much later than usual. She jumped out of the bed, dressed quickly, and ran a brush through her hair, leaving it completely loose. Hilary liked it that way.
Once downstairs, she was greeted by Katie and her children, Taryn and her children, and Maeve. All were finishing breakfast. Pat flushed guiltily. Judy's relatives must think her terribly lazy. But Katie merely smiled at Pat and, rising from her place at the table, went to fix her a plate.
"Go ahead and sit down, Patsy," she said. Pat did just that, not minding in the slightest that Katie called her by the nickname Judy had given her. It sounded right, coming from Katie. After exchanging smiles with Taryn and Maeve, she realized the house was unoccupied except for them. Where was Hilary?
"Hilary and Parker went to Eamon's this morning. Something about the new horse Eamon has. He's eager to show it off. Don't worry, Pat. He said goodbye to you before he left. None av us were surprised that you slept right through it, though. You had a long, hard day yesterday."
Again, the flush crept up on Pat's face. She was unaccustomed to being idle. It didn't suit her at all, really. This was the first morning since her marriage that she had slept in. Well, the second anyway. Pat tried to stop the flush from deepening as she recalled that other morning, but only succeeded in averting her eyes. Katie smiled, as if she could read Pat's thoughts. She set a plate down on the table in front of Pat and returned to her own seat.
Pat's eyes widened at the sight of all the food in front of her. She couldn't possibly eat all this! She was still full from last night! Rather than risk insult to her newfound friends, however, she began to take little bites. The food was delicious and Pat soon forgot that she wasn't hungry.
"When will Hilary be back?" she asked Katie.
"Oh, he and Parker should be back any moment. That is, unless they find a house that catches their attention."
Pat smiled and looked at Taryn, who was watching Katie with amusement.
"Sure and aren't ye the proper one?" she asked her sister. Pat was confused, though Katie didn't seem to be. Taryn went on.
"Ye're in Ireland now, Katherine Tierney Bowen. Don't be coverin' up yer accent."
Katie blushed a little, but could see that her sister was teasing her. Pat had noticed last night that Katie's voice contained a soft lilt, while the rest of her family's accents were much stronger.
"Sure and I suppose ye'll be wantin' me to spake the auld Irish, too, Taryn Fiona."
The complete change in her friend made Pat want to laugh out loud. The urge only increased at Taryn's reply.
"No, thank you. I believe speaking in your own voice will be quite satisfactory for me."
She spoke in perfect English. Not one syllable contained a lilt and Pat decided right away that she liked Taryn's normal voice much better.
Maeve had watched all this in silence, as if removed from the group. Pat had learned last night that Maeve was the quietest of Sean and Keelin Plum's children. Eamon was his father over in looks, but had his mother's personality. Breena, a mirror image of her mother physically, was a mixture of her parents. And Taryn? Taryn was one that Pat was still struggling to understand. One minute she was teasing and laughing, like right now. The next minute, she was guarded and very quiet. Of course, Pat knew the reason for all this now, but she didn't give up hope that she would have Taryn's friendship by the time they left Ireland.
Pat was jolted out of her thoughts by a sticky little hand on hers. Bryson had gotten out of his seat, unnoticed by his mother, and was now looking up at Pat with pleading eyes. He had red jam all around his mouth, on his hand, and, Pat realized, now on her dress. Katie saw it, too, and immediately went for her son, who cried when Pat was suddenly out of his reach.
"Pat, I'm so sorry about your dress."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Katie. It will come out alright, I think. And, if it doesn't, I'll have a new work dress when I get home. Poor little angel," she said, getting up and kissing Bryson on the top of his head. "He didn't mean any harm."
"Is minic cuma aingeal ar an Diabhal fein," muttered Taryn mischievously. Katie burst out laughing and Maeve smiled. Pat was perplexed. And delighted at the same time. What a beautiful language!
"Oh, what's that mean? Someone tell me, please," she entreated. Katie swallowed her laughter and tried to give her sister a stern glare, though she didn't quite succeed.
"It's ashamed ye should be, Taryn. Insultin' your own nephew."
Taryn didn't show a bit of shame, just as Katie knew she wouldn't. It was meant in a teasing way and was taken as such.
"Pat, my poor little boy has been insulted. His aunt just compared him to the devil."
"I did not! 'Tis an old sayin', Katie, and well you know it."
"What did she say?" Pat asked again.
"She said, 'There is often the look of an angel on the devil himself.' Oh, my poor little one."
Katie pretended to shield her youngest child from his supposedly heartless aunt. But Bryson struggled in her arms and, when she set him down, he went straight to Taryn, who laughed. It was the first time Pat had really heard her laugh. She had a very pretty laugh, a bit like Rae's. Taryn took Bryson to get him cleaned up, while Katie grabbed Pat and took her up to change into a different dress. Maeve was left with the other children, but Keelin was a great help to her aunt.
Upstairs, Pat realized she had no more dresses. They had only planned to stay the one night, but she scolded herself for not having foreseen something like this. Katie solved the problem quick enough and Pat soon found herself in an old dress of Katie's. It fit Pat perfectly, though it was a bit long, and the two women made their way back to the kitchen, where Hilary and Parker had decided they could do with a bit more breakfast.
After the men ate a little more, the whole group decided to go to the Castle McDermott. Even Maeve agreed to their little jaunt and Taryn, to Pat's surprise, seemed rather excited about it. Katie had wanted to wait for her parents, but they had gone into town that morning and had left no word of when they would be back. And so, the group set off. Pat clung tightly to Hilary's arm, excitement and, oddly enough, nervousness being her main emotions. All the stories Judy had ever told about Castle McDermott were coming back to both of them. When they caught their first view of the castle, Pat had the oddest sensation that she and Hilary and Bets and Sid were all sitting in the Silver Bush kitchen, listening to Judy spin tales about the ghosts and other unfortunate inhabitants of the castle. Come to think of it, Pat couldn't remember one story about a happy resident of Castle McDermott.
It was everything Judy had said. Memories washed over Pat as she walked around the castle. Memories so real, it was as if she were living her life over again. At one point, Pat could have sworn she even saw Judy, a very young Judy, disappearing around one corner just as they had rounded another. Pat was thoroughly entranced by this place, by this country. Was everything in Ireland this beautiful, this full of magic? She could see why Judy had missed it so. And Pat felt guilty all over again that Judy had never been able to come back to her homeland.
"Sure, now, and wasn't my home with you, darlint?" said the unmistakable voice in her head. Pat tried to ignore it. But the voice continued.
"Patsy, ye always did be falin' things a bit too much for yer own good. Don't go falin' guilty jist because a foolish auld woman cudn't bring herself to lave the people she loved. 'Twas my decision, Patsy. You and Cuddles encouraged me to go."
"But we didn't want you to. Not really," replied Pat mentally.
"Oh, oh, but ye didn't be sayin' that, did ye? 'Twas unselfish av ye to let me go, aven whin ye wanted me to stay. That's what love is, darlint."
Pat did not argue further and the voice subsided. She was silent all the way back to the Plum house and Hilary began to worry about her. He voiced his concern and Pat merely laughed at him, kissed him on the cheek, and mentally resolved to not be so moody all the time.
The afternoon was full of activity. The whole group went into town after lunch to look for Sean and Keelin and found them quick enough, but stayed for most of the afternoon. Pat bought even more gifts for her family, much to Hilary's amusement. And Hilary, unbeknownst to Pat, bought something as well. He stuffed it in his pocket, deciding to give it to his wife when they were home, in their own house.
It was soon decided that Katie, Parker, Pat, and Hilary would stay one more night. Pat and Hilary's ship was scheduled to leave late the next afternoon. They could hop back over to England the next morning and get their things ready. Pat was secretly glad she had one more night with the Plums. She and Taryn were warming up to a friendship and Katie, well, that was a friendship Pat was sure would last a lifetime.
After dinner, the Plums entertained Hilary and Pat with several stories. Eamon, who had come over for dinner, told several Irish fairy tales and wove his stories in a manner that would have made Judy proud. Sean Plum, at the pleading request of his wife and children, sang a few songs in a rich baritone. Some were a bit rowdy, though very funny, and some were sad love ballads. He had an expressive voice and Pat was thoroughly captivated. As the evening wound down, she suddenly remembered the song she had heard Katie singing the night before and asked her to sing it again, but Katie refused.
"No, no. I'm ashamed that the first time you heard it was from me. Only one person in this family can do justice to that song."
Pat's eyes went to Sean immediately, but she was surprised when it wasn't his voice that answered Katie's hidden challenge.
"Only if ye play the piano, Katie. That's the only way I'll be singin' that song."
Katie nodded and went to the piano, which stood in the corner of the room. Taryn went and stood beside it and, after Katie played a short introduction, began to sing in a soft, low voice.
You may travel far far from your own native land Far away o'er the mountains, far away o'er the foam But of all the fine places that I've ever been Sure there's none can compare with the cliffs of Doneen.
Her voice was soothing and Pat closed her eyes, letting the sound wash over her as Katie joined Taryn and sang in harmony.
Take a view o'er the mountains, fine sights you'll see there You'll see the high rocky mountains o'er the west coast of Clare Oh the town of Kilkee and Kilrush can be seen From the high rocky slopes round the cliffs of Doneen.
It's a nice place to be on a fine summer's day Watching all the wild flowers that ne'er do decay Oh the hares and lofty pheasants are plain to be seen Making homes for their young round the cliffs of Doneen.
Katie stopped singing as Taryn finished the song, her voice tinged with sorrow. Pat felt her head fall back against Hilary as Taryn lulled her to sleep.
Fare thee well to Doneen, fare thee well for a while And to all the kind people I'm leaving behind To the streams and the meadows where late I have been And the high rocky slopes round the cliffs of Doneen.
Taryn's voice faded away and Pat never knew it when Hilary gathered her in his arms as if she were a child and carried her up to their room.
A/N: Next chapter, Hilary and Pat return home (after saying goodbye of course). What surprises are in store for them there? Will the firm take Hilary's recommendation to hire Parker, or are Pat and Katie destined to be long distance friends?
Thanks to all my kind reviewers. Silverfish, I'm glad you liked the mention of Johnny Cash and John Ritter in my last post. Their deaths just affected me so much, I had to put something in about them. Please review! And I need suggestions about a name for Hilary and Pat's kitten. I want to put it in the next chapter, but I can't come up with anything. Thought about using my own cat's name, but her name is Pepper and L.M. Montgomery already used that name in 'Pat of Silver Bush'. Please help!
Pat's eyes closed almost as soon as her head hit the pillow that night. It had been a long day, culminating in an anniversary feast that Pat felt sure had blown her up to at least twice the size she had been that morning. As she drifted off to sleep, she heard a voice singing in the room next door. Even in her semi-conscious state, she realized it was Katie singing to her children and also thought it was a beautiful melody. Though she couldn't hear the words, the soft sound soon whisked her off to dreamland.
She woke the next morning to a fabulous smell and, though at first disoriented, soon remembered where she was. Hilary was not in the room and, judging by the sunlight streaming through the windows, Pat had slept much later than usual. She jumped out of the bed, dressed quickly, and ran a brush through her hair, leaving it completely loose. Hilary liked it that way.
Once downstairs, she was greeted by Katie and her children, Taryn and her children, and Maeve. All were finishing breakfast. Pat flushed guiltily. Judy's relatives must think her terribly lazy. But Katie merely smiled at Pat and, rising from her place at the table, went to fix her a plate.
"Go ahead and sit down, Patsy," she said. Pat did just that, not minding in the slightest that Katie called her by the nickname Judy had given her. It sounded right, coming from Katie. After exchanging smiles with Taryn and Maeve, she realized the house was unoccupied except for them. Where was Hilary?
"Hilary and Parker went to Eamon's this morning. Something about the new horse Eamon has. He's eager to show it off. Don't worry, Pat. He said goodbye to you before he left. None av us were surprised that you slept right through it, though. You had a long, hard day yesterday."
Again, the flush crept up on Pat's face. She was unaccustomed to being idle. It didn't suit her at all, really. This was the first morning since her marriage that she had slept in. Well, the second anyway. Pat tried to stop the flush from deepening as she recalled that other morning, but only succeeded in averting her eyes. Katie smiled, as if she could read Pat's thoughts. She set a plate down on the table in front of Pat and returned to her own seat.
Pat's eyes widened at the sight of all the food in front of her. She couldn't possibly eat all this! She was still full from last night! Rather than risk insult to her newfound friends, however, she began to take little bites. The food was delicious and Pat soon forgot that she wasn't hungry.
"When will Hilary be back?" she asked Katie.
"Oh, he and Parker should be back any moment. That is, unless they find a house that catches their attention."
Pat smiled and looked at Taryn, who was watching Katie with amusement.
"Sure and aren't ye the proper one?" she asked her sister. Pat was confused, though Katie didn't seem to be. Taryn went on.
"Ye're in Ireland now, Katherine Tierney Bowen. Don't be coverin' up yer accent."
Katie blushed a little, but could see that her sister was teasing her. Pat had noticed last night that Katie's voice contained a soft lilt, while the rest of her family's accents were much stronger.
"Sure and I suppose ye'll be wantin' me to spake the auld Irish, too, Taryn Fiona."
The complete change in her friend made Pat want to laugh out loud. The urge only increased at Taryn's reply.
"No, thank you. I believe speaking in your own voice will be quite satisfactory for me."
She spoke in perfect English. Not one syllable contained a lilt and Pat decided right away that she liked Taryn's normal voice much better.
Maeve had watched all this in silence, as if removed from the group. Pat had learned last night that Maeve was the quietest of Sean and Keelin Plum's children. Eamon was his father over in looks, but had his mother's personality. Breena, a mirror image of her mother physically, was a mixture of her parents. And Taryn? Taryn was one that Pat was still struggling to understand. One minute she was teasing and laughing, like right now. The next minute, she was guarded and very quiet. Of course, Pat knew the reason for all this now, but she didn't give up hope that she would have Taryn's friendship by the time they left Ireland.
Pat was jolted out of her thoughts by a sticky little hand on hers. Bryson had gotten out of his seat, unnoticed by his mother, and was now looking up at Pat with pleading eyes. He had red jam all around his mouth, on his hand, and, Pat realized, now on her dress. Katie saw it, too, and immediately went for her son, who cried when Pat was suddenly out of his reach.
"Pat, I'm so sorry about your dress."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Katie. It will come out alright, I think. And, if it doesn't, I'll have a new work dress when I get home. Poor little angel," she said, getting up and kissing Bryson on the top of his head. "He didn't mean any harm."
"Is minic cuma aingeal ar an Diabhal fein," muttered Taryn mischievously. Katie burst out laughing and Maeve smiled. Pat was perplexed. And delighted at the same time. What a beautiful language!
"Oh, what's that mean? Someone tell me, please," she entreated. Katie swallowed her laughter and tried to give her sister a stern glare, though she didn't quite succeed.
"It's ashamed ye should be, Taryn. Insultin' your own nephew."
Taryn didn't show a bit of shame, just as Katie knew she wouldn't. It was meant in a teasing way and was taken as such.
"Pat, my poor little boy has been insulted. His aunt just compared him to the devil."
"I did not! 'Tis an old sayin', Katie, and well you know it."
"What did she say?" Pat asked again.
"She said, 'There is often the look of an angel on the devil himself.' Oh, my poor little one."
Katie pretended to shield her youngest child from his supposedly heartless aunt. But Bryson struggled in her arms and, when she set him down, he went straight to Taryn, who laughed. It was the first time Pat had really heard her laugh. She had a very pretty laugh, a bit like Rae's. Taryn took Bryson to get him cleaned up, while Katie grabbed Pat and took her up to change into a different dress. Maeve was left with the other children, but Keelin was a great help to her aunt.
Upstairs, Pat realized she had no more dresses. They had only planned to stay the one night, but she scolded herself for not having foreseen something like this. Katie solved the problem quick enough and Pat soon found herself in an old dress of Katie's. It fit Pat perfectly, though it was a bit long, and the two women made their way back to the kitchen, where Hilary and Parker had decided they could do with a bit more breakfast.
After the men ate a little more, the whole group decided to go to the Castle McDermott. Even Maeve agreed to their little jaunt and Taryn, to Pat's surprise, seemed rather excited about it. Katie had wanted to wait for her parents, but they had gone into town that morning and had left no word of when they would be back. And so, the group set off. Pat clung tightly to Hilary's arm, excitement and, oddly enough, nervousness being her main emotions. All the stories Judy had ever told about Castle McDermott were coming back to both of them. When they caught their first view of the castle, Pat had the oddest sensation that she and Hilary and Bets and Sid were all sitting in the Silver Bush kitchen, listening to Judy spin tales about the ghosts and other unfortunate inhabitants of the castle. Come to think of it, Pat couldn't remember one story about a happy resident of Castle McDermott.
It was everything Judy had said. Memories washed over Pat as she walked around the castle. Memories so real, it was as if she were living her life over again. At one point, Pat could have sworn she even saw Judy, a very young Judy, disappearing around one corner just as they had rounded another. Pat was thoroughly entranced by this place, by this country. Was everything in Ireland this beautiful, this full of magic? She could see why Judy had missed it so. And Pat felt guilty all over again that Judy had never been able to come back to her homeland.
"Sure, now, and wasn't my home with you, darlint?" said the unmistakable voice in her head. Pat tried to ignore it. But the voice continued.
"Patsy, ye always did be falin' things a bit too much for yer own good. Don't go falin' guilty jist because a foolish auld woman cudn't bring herself to lave the people she loved. 'Twas my decision, Patsy. You and Cuddles encouraged me to go."
"But we didn't want you to. Not really," replied Pat mentally.
"Oh, oh, but ye didn't be sayin' that, did ye? 'Twas unselfish av ye to let me go, aven whin ye wanted me to stay. That's what love is, darlint."
Pat did not argue further and the voice subsided. She was silent all the way back to the Plum house and Hilary began to worry about her. He voiced his concern and Pat merely laughed at him, kissed him on the cheek, and mentally resolved to not be so moody all the time.
The afternoon was full of activity. The whole group went into town after lunch to look for Sean and Keelin and found them quick enough, but stayed for most of the afternoon. Pat bought even more gifts for her family, much to Hilary's amusement. And Hilary, unbeknownst to Pat, bought something as well. He stuffed it in his pocket, deciding to give it to his wife when they were home, in their own house.
It was soon decided that Katie, Parker, Pat, and Hilary would stay one more night. Pat and Hilary's ship was scheduled to leave late the next afternoon. They could hop back over to England the next morning and get their things ready. Pat was secretly glad she had one more night with the Plums. She and Taryn were warming up to a friendship and Katie, well, that was a friendship Pat was sure would last a lifetime.
After dinner, the Plums entertained Hilary and Pat with several stories. Eamon, who had come over for dinner, told several Irish fairy tales and wove his stories in a manner that would have made Judy proud. Sean Plum, at the pleading request of his wife and children, sang a few songs in a rich baritone. Some were a bit rowdy, though very funny, and some were sad love ballads. He had an expressive voice and Pat was thoroughly captivated. As the evening wound down, she suddenly remembered the song she had heard Katie singing the night before and asked her to sing it again, but Katie refused.
"No, no. I'm ashamed that the first time you heard it was from me. Only one person in this family can do justice to that song."
Pat's eyes went to Sean immediately, but she was surprised when it wasn't his voice that answered Katie's hidden challenge.
"Only if ye play the piano, Katie. That's the only way I'll be singin' that song."
Katie nodded and went to the piano, which stood in the corner of the room. Taryn went and stood beside it and, after Katie played a short introduction, began to sing in a soft, low voice.
You may travel far far from your own native land Far away o'er the mountains, far away o'er the foam But of all the fine places that I've ever been Sure there's none can compare with the cliffs of Doneen.
Her voice was soothing and Pat closed her eyes, letting the sound wash over her as Katie joined Taryn and sang in harmony.
Take a view o'er the mountains, fine sights you'll see there You'll see the high rocky mountains o'er the west coast of Clare Oh the town of Kilkee and Kilrush can be seen From the high rocky slopes round the cliffs of Doneen.
It's a nice place to be on a fine summer's day Watching all the wild flowers that ne'er do decay Oh the hares and lofty pheasants are plain to be seen Making homes for their young round the cliffs of Doneen.
Katie stopped singing as Taryn finished the song, her voice tinged with sorrow. Pat felt her head fall back against Hilary as Taryn lulled her to sleep.
Fare thee well to Doneen, fare thee well for a while And to all the kind people I'm leaving behind To the streams and the meadows where late I have been And the high rocky slopes round the cliffs of Doneen.
Taryn's voice faded away and Pat never knew it when Hilary gathered her in his arms as if she were a child and carried her up to their room.
A/N: Next chapter, Hilary and Pat return home (after saying goodbye of course). What surprises are in store for them there? Will the firm take Hilary's recommendation to hire Parker, or are Pat and Katie destined to be long distance friends?
Thanks to all my kind reviewers. Silverfish, I'm glad you liked the mention of Johnny Cash and John Ritter in my last post. Their deaths just affected me so much, I had to put something in about them. Please review! And I need suggestions about a name for Hilary and Pat's kitten. I want to put it in the next chapter, but I can't come up with anything. Thought about using my own cat's name, but her name is Pepper and L.M. Montgomery already used that name in 'Pat of Silver Bush'. Please help!