Chapter 11 #2
“I can think of ten reasons why he’ll refuse off the top of my head,” Da said with a sigh.
“You feckin’ gowl!” Michael exclaimed, slamming a fist against the tabletop. A thin wail sounded from my parents’ bedroom, and Mam hopped to attention.
“That’ll be the babe,” she whispered, bobbing a curtsy to excuse herself. I watched her go and caught her pressing the back of her hand over her mouth.
Tears pricked behind my eyelids. I’d disappointed her greatly, I knew it in my heart and soul. But once the banns were called and the ring was placed on my finger, I’d make sure she’d want for nothing. I owed her that much.
“Michael,” Da warned, as Teddy cleared his throat.
“I-I understand th-this has all come as a shock, but I assure you: once Papa learns of the babe, he’ll c-come around to it,” Teddy continued, dismissing Michael’s anger with a flippant wave. “It was the route of least resistance.”
“Wait,” said Michael, leaning over the table. “I knew ye were meeting and such, and there was feeling between ye. But are ye really saying ye thought to defile my sister as some sort of way to strongarm your father to agree to this?”
“I-I … I … y-yes?” Teddy’s brows drew together, and I winced.
“Stop. Breathe. Think,” I whispered. He glanced at me and nodded.
“There’s something wrong with him,” Michael scoffed, turning to Da in disbelief.
Da held up a hand, briefly closing his eyes before giving his full attention to Teddy.
“I can’t approve of this tonight,” he said, and Teddy’s confidence wavered.
I could see it in the slight slump of his shoulders.
“Return to me after speaking with your father. Then I will go to him, and he and I will discuss next steps. I will only offer approval if his lordship consents, and I will only speak with his lordship after you’ve confessed what you’ve done. ”
“Mr. O’Shaughnessy, I can assure—” Teddy began again, but Da was having none of it.
“If you are so certain, Young Master, then I wonder why you didn’t speak with your father first,” he snapped, rising from his stool.
“If you think me fool enough to take this matter up with his lordship myself, out of the blue, then you are sadly mistaken. Our family’s standing and survival relies solely on your father’s good humor.
And if you think I will overlook the gross imbalance of power you used to extort my daughter, you are very mistaken. ”
“Da!” I protested, eyes wide as Teddy uncrossed his arms.
“Ex-extort?” Teddy exclaimed, rising in a fury.
“Teddy, no!” I warned, but he did not listen.
“Have you forgotten to whom you speak, sir?” Teddy demanded.
My Da smiled, but that smile was not filled with happiness and hope.
“Oh, I assure you, Young Master, I have not now, nor ever, forgotten to whom I speak. But for one so certain his parents will pay no mind in this matter, you are very quick to remind me—the father of the precious woman you promised the world to—of who your illustrious father is, and the connections that make you our master.”
Tears sprang to my eyes, and I rose to my feet as Teddy jerked back, my father’s words a slap to the face.
I reached for Teddy, lacing my fingers through his, and he turned. That beautiful face—the one I held so dear—was twisted with such rage that for a moment, a breath, I thought it possible that he was the elemental, the spirit that plagued the land.
Hard, cool eyes stared into mine, but in a blink, it was gone—the elemental, and the fury—replaced with something akin to resignation.
Drawing my hand to his lips, he gently kissed my knuckles, and turned toward Da once more.
“My sincerest apologies, Mr. O’Shaughnessy.
I can assure you that Maggie is as precious to me as she is to you, and I will follow your instructions to the letter.
I shall seek an audience with Papa first thing in the morning.
” Teddy bowed, and Michael scoffed. “A child is the surest way to his heart. And Father’s fondness for my own mother—your own people—will guarantee success in this matter. ”
Da, on the other hand, nodded. “In the event that yer cast off as a result, our home is open to ye. I’ll welcome ye warmly as a son of this house. Have ye savings to get ye by in Dublin? This is yer final year of study, is it not?”
All the blood drained from Teddy’s face as Da’s words sank in. “Cast off?”
“Yes,” Da said. “Surely ye thought it a possibility? That his lordship would cut ye loose?”
He certainly had, for I’d brought it up in the past. Sometimes, during those conversations, I wondered if Teddy would hold true—could hold true—if that were to happen.
But he had to, for I was his strength, and I would be his pillar.
What may have begun as a calculated dance was now so much more …
and I wasn’t sure if I could go on without him by my side.
“That won’t happen,” I said, squeezing Teddy’s hand. “All will be well.”
“As ye say,” Da continued. “But if it does, I assume ye’ll both settle in Limerick. Join a practice there after graduation?”
“I-I hadn’t thought about it,” Teddy stammered.
“Maggie will be a great help to ye, thanks to yer stepmother. She has the learning to keep the books in good order and won’t be a burden to ye in society.” Da nodded and held out a hand for Teddy to shake. “I look forward to hearing how the meeting goes.”
Teddy stared at Da’s hand for the space of two breaths, then shook it. “I won’t let you down, Mr. O’Shaughnessy.”
“Oh, it’s not me ye’d be letting down. It’s that woman standing next to ye.”