Chapter Sixty
Castle Blunden, County Kilkenny, Ireland 1873
Seventeen-year-old Sharon Callahan raced down the back stairs, the fabric of her black polished cotton housemaid's dress rustling. When she had first entered service, she had been in awe of how soft the fabric was, the pretty lace on the white apron, and the undergarments including fluffy petticoats. Everything was so much nicer than the homespun linen dress and wool shawl that she had normally worn.
Now, after three years in service as a Ladies Maid – a junior but nonetheless – she understood how simple and plain the black dresses were. However, Sharon loved her job, her young mistress, and how the family had been so good to her. She was always clean, well-fed, and getting an education that she had never imagined she would have.
Sharon crossed the courtyard, heading to the stable, looking around cautiously. It was race week in Kilkenny, and every grand house had lots of visitors. The older housemaids always warned the younger ones about the visiting gentry, and men who could be badly behaved.
However, Lady Emily had pleaded with her, asking her to go get her gloves and whip that she had left in the stables. Lady Emily was her mother's favorite, but even so the Duchess ran a tight ship. Her Grace would not be pleased that personal items had been left in the stable. When the Duchess had hired Sharon, the older woman had made it clear the standards she expected her children to uphold.
Entering the stable she paused for a moment and enjoyed the smell and sounds of horses. The horses had all been fed and were settled into their quarters. As she walked towards the tack room, she stopped to stroke several noses, as well as hand out some sugar cubes she had pocketed at tea.
That was the other thing she enjoyed about her job – she was able to ride several times a week. Yes, it was side saddle, but Lady Emily had gifted her one of her old riding habits, in a chestnut brown woven fabric. There had also been riding boots and gloves – slightly worn but Sharon appreciated them, glad that Lady Emily and she were close to the same size.
Sharon walked into the tack room and saw the gloves and whip – fine brown leather with a medallion of the family's coat of arms. She picked them up and left the tack room, trying to move as quickly as possible to the courtyard.
"Well now, m..dear aren't you a fetching thing." Sharon's path was blocked by a tall, overweight gentleman, who was clearly in his cups. She noted that his clothes were top notch, and he was clearly someone important.
"Excuse me Sir, my lady is waiting for me." Sharon stood up as tall as she could, starting to feel scared.
"There is only one a reason a housemaid is in the stables at this time of night, you are looking for some fun!" The man, who was probably in his late forties, lunged at Sharon. Before she knew what was happening Sharon was pinned against the barn door. The man pushed hard against her, his sour breath almost over coming her.
Sharon froze for a moment, then realized she had a weapon at her disposal. She made it a point to pretend to give into the man; that gave her some room to act. The gloves were already in her pocket, but the whip was close to her body. Sharon recalled the horsemanship lessons she had learned and lunged the handle of the whip at the man.
The handle was solid silver, in the shape of a buck with sharp pointed antlers – it was part of the family crest. Without hesitation she shoved the whip into the man's groin. He fell rapidly and moaned with great pain before he passed out. Sharon was suddenly scared that she had wounded an important man.
"Well now, I was all set to come to your rescue, but clearly you had the situation in hand." She turned to see a tall young man, with blonde hair and blue eyes; he was dressed in good quality country clothes. He moved next to her and she was overwhelmed with his masculinity and good looks.
Oh, ah oh" Sharon looked up at the young man with wide eyes, startled by his presence. She then was distracted by her attacker lying at her feet not moving. "Mother, Mary, Jesus – have I killed him?" As she articulated the declaration, she crossed herself. Sharon was shaking with fear, until she looked over at the young man, who was regarding her with cool amusement.
"No, you have not killed him – even though it would be deserved." The man's blue eyes danced, as he went on "however, I do not think he will be enjoying any nighttime pleasures. We need to get out of here before he comes around." The young man took her by the hand and led her outside away from the barn.
"I have to get back to the Castle, my Lady is expecting me." Sharon was suddenly very afraid – she realized how close she had come to being comprised. There were also the intentions of the young man in front of her, holding her hand. He was well dressed, well spoken, but Sharon knew that could mean nothing.
"Do not worry, I am planning on escorting you back to the Castle. Not sure why your Lady sent you to the stables by yourself. You should have had a footman carry out the request." There was a note of authority in the man's voice, in spite of his young age. He released her hand and took a step back.
"Well you see, there is the grand ball tonight, and all the staff is busy. My Lady did not want to cause more work." Sharon temporized, not wanting to get her mistress in trouble. As she was talking, she noticed the young man looking at the whip he had picked up inside the barn.
"I think we need to introduce ourselves – I am Eamonn Burke." The young man announced with twinkling eyes and nice smile.
"Your Lordship" Sharon recognized the name right away and chided herself for not seeing the resemblance between the young man, her mistress, and the Duchess.
"Oh please – considering what we have been through that all seems too formal." Eamonn stated, as he gave the whip back to her. "Now that I have introduced myself, may I know who you are? Just to hazard a guess, you are lady's maid to my sister Emily?"
"Sharon Callahan, and yes I am lady's maid to Lady Emily." Sharon inclined her head, being careful to stay as formal as possible. Eamonn might talk a good game, but he was an English Lord, and the son of a Duke.
"Glad that Em is being well looked after!" Eamonn chuckled as he tilted his head. "She is the baby of the family and is in equal amounts spoiled and neglected."
Sharon burst out with laughter before she could stop herself. In truth that was her opinion of Lady Emily's parents. She had everything material she could ever want, but on more than one occasion Sharon and the Governess had been more maternal than the Duchess.
"Please, ignore that, your Lordship – I did not mean – ah" Sharon wished she could take back her laughter.
"If I may give you a piece of advice Sharon, besides do not go to the stables by yourself" Eamonn gave her an admiring glance, which she noticed. "Do not apologize for your opinion. There are too many women who simper and agree to everything. That is one thing I give my mother credit for is she has brought all of us to speak our mind."
"Well that is fine if you are an English aristocrat, but for the rest of us we do not have that freedom." Sharon made a point to stand up very tall, suddenly wanting to be done with the conversation. "Will you please escort me back to the castle?"
"Of course; follow me." Eamonn gave her an amused glance, which Sharon was not sure was flattering or insulting. "Just so you know, based on your actions, I have no doubt that you would be better company than ladies I will be sitting with tonight at the dinner party."
Eamonn bowed and indicated the path across the courtyard. Sharon noted that he was careful to stay several paces behind her, in the shadows of the setting sun. She appreciated that he understood the ramifications if he had escorted her to the back door of the kitchen.
By the time she was at the door, he had melted into an alcove that led to a storeroom door. Sharon turned to look at him one last time and saw laughter and admiration in his eyes. Before she could stop herself, she winked at him, and then headed upstairs.
That evening she and Lady Emily were getting ready for bed. They had had early tea in the nursery, followed by a small meal of roasted chicken, potatoes, and green beans. The Governess, a Frenchwoman, had dined with them, but then excused herself.
When the woman had left Lady Emily had told her that she was carrying on with the Head Footman. They had giggled, even as they wondered when Her Grace would take the situation in hand. The Duchess was not to be trifled with! She was a Lennox- her ancestor had been the illegitimate son of King Charles II and his French mistress.
"Let's give it another ten minutes and then we head to the minstrel's gallery." Lady Emily announced once they were alone. Privately Sharon rather thought that Lady Emily was at times fifteen going on twenty-one.
The minstrel's gallery was their favorite place when there was a party in the castle. It overlooked the grand dining room, and the girls always enjoyed seeing the guests with the dresses and jewels. They made it in time to see all the people sitting at the dinner table. The formal attire of the men and women glittered under the chandeliers.
"There is my brother Eamonn – is he not so good looking?" Lady Emily pointed out a tall, fair haired young man in evening dress. Sharon recognized him right away and privately agreed with her mistress.
"Mmm, how old is he?" Sharon did not want to seem too interested in the young man.
"He is nineteen and at the Naval College. Eamonn is going to be a naval officer. He has told be about all the places he will see once he is commissioned." Lady Emily enthused, as she looked down the room.
Lady Emily continued to talk but Sharon was not paying attention; instead, she was looking at Lord Burke's dining companions. On his left was an older woman, while on his right was a young lady who was a beauty. Her hair was a golden halo under the chandeliers, her eyes were large and blue, her skin looked like porcelain. Her dress was a confection of white satin, ruffles, lace, and pink flowers.
Sharon wondered what it would be like to wear a dress that fancy, and to sit next to the handsome young man. She recalled Eamonn's comment about being a better dinner company, and mentally sniffed. As if she could offer anything compared to the aristocratic and well-dressed lady.
"Your Ladyship, we should be retiring" Sharon did not know how long she had been thinking. Now she looked over at the girl and saw how tired she looked. Lady Emily agreed, and they made their way back upstairs to her room.
Author's note: for a visual of Lord Eamonn Burke, I picture a cross between Nigel Havers (Chariots of Fire) and Adam Campbell (young Ducky on NCIS). The dashing good looks, sophistication, and exuberance are hallmarks of Eamonn.
