Chapter 6 #2
Maeve swung around and picked up her pace. He saw the fire in her eyes and waited for it to flash.
“I don’t think I’m one to be under a man’s authority,” she finally blurted out.
“Darlin’, we’re all under someone’s authority for most of our lives. When we’re children ’tis our parents and teachers, later ’tis our supervisors at work and, of course, there’s always the Lord. In truth, we all have rules we live by.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” she growled, walking fast as though the devil himself were chasing her.
“Aye, you meant under my authority as your husband. The Bible says ‘women obey your husbands’ doesn’t it?”
“You know it does.”
“What do you think that means? Sometimes? When you feel like it?”
“No, but—”
“There are no ‘buts’, darlin’. If you love me enough to marry me, you must trust me enough to believe I always have your best interests at heart.”
“Is holdin’ me over you lap while you slap my bottom havin’ my best interests at heart?” she demanded.
“Aye, and at times it will come to that if you don’t mind my words,” he replied, taking her arm to slow her down.
“I don’t like it,” she wailed.
“You’re not supposed to; although I’m told some women take to it. I guess we’ll find out won’t we?” he teased.
“You’re lyin’. No woman in her right mind would like that,” she said with a shiver. “’Tis so degradin’.”
“I’m tellin’ the truth.”
“No, some man made that up to try and justify his deplorable behavior.”
“As I said, we’ll see. If you’re constantly defyin’ me and puttin’ yourself at risk, I’m afraid I’ll have to assume you do like gettin’ your tail spanked. On the other hand, if you behave yourself and act in a responsible way, I’ll know you’re tellin’ the truth and you hate it.”
“I don’t know if I can live that way, Sean. It’s not how I was raised,” she said, turning to look at him with very serious eyes.
“No, ’tis not,” he agreed. “Your ma rules the roost and has as long as I’ve known your family. She intimidates your da, belittles you and generally causes mischief, if she wants to, with no one to tell her nay. If she’s angry, she can go for weeks without speakin’ to either one of you.
“Your da would like to take a stick to her behind, but hasn’t the nerve. It’s been too many years he’s been worn down by her temper tantrums and domineerin’ ways. Do you think she’s happy?”
“I know she isn’t,” Maeve replied sadly.
“Is your da?” he asked, taking her by the shoulders.
“I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about whether he’s happy or not. He’s just da, goin’ to work, comin’ home for dinner and readin’ the paper.”
“Do they talk, do they laugh, do they play?”
“No.”
“Is that the life you want? Do you want to be married to a man who doesn’t care? A man who takes more pleasure from a good meal and some readin’ material than he does from spendin’ time with his wife?
“Do you want to be a woman who does whatever she wants, whenever she wants with no thought to who she’s hurtin’? Is a little deference and obedience too high a price for a happy home?”
“You’re confusin’ me,” she cried, running a hand through her hair. “Does your da…you know?”
Sean laughed. “Does he spank my ma? Aye, when the need arises.”
“She’s not a very nice woman,” Maeve said with feeling.
“She has her moments,” he agreed, “but when she steps over the line, he takes her in hand and quickly sets things to rights. It’s his duty.
Lord knows if he set her loose, she’d be a terror, a demandin’, overbearin’ mess, so bossy she’d have the ladies of the Altar Guild draggin’ her before Father Fitzgerald for some kind of divine intervention. ”
Maeve smiled.
Sean felt his heart lighten and cupped her cheek.
“This afternoon was horrible,” she scowled.
“Not for me,” he chuckled.
Pulling away, she started walking again and elbowed him in the side when he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“So right now, this minute, we’re even?” she asked. “I have a fresh start and as long as I’m good…”
He watched her closely. She almost choked on the words and it amused him. Taking her hand, he swung it up and kissed it. He refused to let go.
“Aye,” he said. “You’re perfect, adorable and the sweetest little thing I’ve ever seen. Do you still want to move the weddin’ up?”
“Aye.”
“You do realize that by doin’ so, the ones who think so little of you will be convinced we’re doin’ it because we’ve jumped the gun.”
“Shit!”
Sean pulled her to a stop and shook his head.
“Damn?” she asked, chewing her lower lip.
Again his head shook in the negative, a scowl beginning between his eyes.
“How about crap?” she asked, trying to stare him down.
His scowl deepened.
“What, I’m not allowed to express myself?” she demanded. “Just what the hell can I say?”
“Not that, I don’t like that kind of language comin’ from your mouth.”
“Then you’re not goin’ to like this any better. I’m not goin’ back to school,” she said quickly.
“Oh, you’re not goin’ to finish school? Is that what you said or are my ears deceivin’ me?”
“That’s what I said,” she said firmly. “I’ve had enough of those bitchy girls. I’m quittin’. I’ll get a job. I suppose you have somethin’ to say about that too!”
“Aye, I’ve got plenty.”
“Well, I’m not your wife yet, O’Malley, so you can keep your opinions to yourself. As you said, it’s not open to discussion.”
“Oh, we’re goin’ to have a discussion, lassie. A long hard one, but I don’t have time for it now. I’ve been meanin’ to tell you I have to go away for a week or so.”
“Where?” she asked with a pout.
They’d arrived at her house, and he lifted her up two steps so they could be eye to eye.
“My professor arranged an interview for me with a major employer, in New York, to be specific. He’s been a longtime friend with this fellow and it looks good.
What would you think about movin’ to New York once we’re married?
” he asked. “I won’t go if you don’t want to leave Ireland. ”
“Oh, Sean, I’d love it,” she squealed, leaping into his arms. “I’ve dreamed of travelin’ there for years.”
“It won’t be just travelin’, love. We’d be livin’ there and we’d have to become citizens, eventually.”
“Would we have to give up our Irish citizenship?” “
I don’t know. Some people have dual citizenship.”
“I’m so excited,” she laughed hugging him. “Call me as soon as you know, and I’ll start packing.”
“Not so fast, sweetheart. I don’t even have the job yet. Even if I get it, I’ll have to get settled in and find us a house. It may take months before I can come and collect you. In the meantime, I want you to finish school and get your certificate,” he said, setting her back on her feet.
Maeve hesitated and he could almost see the wheels turning. She smoothed her hand up his chest and slipped it behind his head, pulling him down to her.
“I’ll think about it while you’re away,” she whispered against his lips.
“No, you will not. You will attend your classes and we’ll discuss it further when I return,” he replied, breathing against hers.
“Okay, O’Malley,” she sighed. “Now stick your tongue down my throat. I see Mrs. Riley peekin’ out of her curtains.”
Sean laughed and gave her what she asked for. By the time he set her free, she was weaving and short of breath.
“When are you leavin’?” she asked weakly.
“Saturday. My interview is Tuesday and I don’t want to have jet lag. We still have a few days, love. Do you want to go to a movie tomorrow night? On Friday I’ll want an early night, but we can do whatever you want between now and then.”
“I don’t know. Right now the idea of sittin’ for two hours isn’t very appealin’,” she said sourly. “We could go skatin’?”
“What if you fall on your butt?” he teased.
“At least I’ll be sittin’ on ice,” she pointed out, sticking out her tongue.
Sean kissed her once more, quite sedately before shooing her up the steps.
He had a funny feeling creeping up the back of his neck as he turned toward home, walking quickly in the cold night air.
He’d always had a sixth sense when it came to Maeve.
It had saved her hide many times and he trusted it.
He made a mental note to ask his brother to keep an eye on her while he was away.