Chapter 11 MacNamara/Donnely
Michan looked lost as he watched Almaith and the horse drawn cart disappear over the hill. They had just had their tearful goodbye before she left for the school that was at least two days travel away.
A New Concept (ch44)
Chapter 43 de Clare/O’Flattery/Donnely
Lord Ennis O’Flattery had received the final word from Father Flanagan about the school that had been established on the west coast at an old monastery. It had been financed by the English Normans and they had informed the priests of each village and kingdom to let it be known of its existence. The priests were instructed to persuade all Noble families and wealthy merchants to send not only their older sons but also their older daughters as well. The English were trying to encourage higher learning for everyone in Ireland, for if their new country had an abundance of knowledgeable citizens it was sure to flourish. Starting with the affluent young men and women seemed to be the most sensible place to start.
The Verdict (ch10)
Chapter 10 MacNamara/Donnely
Lord O’Flattery’s steward summoned Michan to meet with him at the manorial court the next morning. The village doctor had reported Eamon’s death to the steward and explained the circumstances of the fight between the two men which resulted in his accidental demise. This suited the steward for he also knew of Michan and his excellent reputation.
A Clean Conscience (ch9)
Chapter 9 Donnely/MacNamara
As Michan stared with an open mouth at Eamon’s body lying on the ground, he began to feel sick to his stomach. He glanced at Ryanne and saw the horrified look on her face. Looks of confusion occupied both of their eyes.
“Hello Michan” The doctor said sadly as he walked towards him. “I didn’t know you knew Eamon. I’m sorry you walked in on this. Perhaps you should take Ryanne outside. Would you like me to send for your father Ryanne? I have just sent for the priest.”
The doctor was being very kind and sympathetic, not realizing that a fight had ensued here last night with Michan causing Eamon to hit his head. Michan couldn’t answer the doctor for he couldn’t yet speak. Ryanne managed a few words.
A Grim Discovery (ch8)
Chapter 8 MacNamara/Donnely
When Ryanne awoke the next morning her first sensation was the smell of a delicious food being prepared. She sat up slightly and with a rub of her eyes her vision became clearer. Her daughter Cieran was still sleeping so she peered over into the cooking area and saw Almaith anxiously preparing the morning meal.
The Admission (ch7)
Chapter 7 MacNamara/Donnely
It was a long ride to Michan and Almaith’s cottage. By the time they reached their home it was dark. Ryanne had never been there so she didn’t quite know what to expect.
Eamon’s Wrath (ch.6)
Chapter 6 MacNamara/Donnely
As Michan peered away from Almaith and Patrick’s intimate moment, their smile turned to a giggle.
“I guess you were right Ryanne.” Michan said with a smile. A smile he wasn’t sure should be coming so freely. He never knew how he would feel once this day came, and as he watched Almaith being affectionate with a boy she obviously cared about, a sense of calmness came over him. Maybe a little sadness too, for he wished for a moment that Almaith’s mother could be here to see her daughter so happy. He also felt that sharing this moment with Rhyanne, especially after she was the one to recognize it in the first place, made it all the more easy to accept. Her insight might have kept him from being blindsided and reacting negatively.
Almaith and Patrick’s Future (ch5)
Chapter 5 MacNamara/Donnely
One early spring evening Ryanne had invited Michan, Almaith (his daughter) and her good friend Patrick over for supper. This was the first time Ryanne would meet Patrick, so she made a special meal of fish and late winter vegetables from her garden. She was especially delighted about this get together for she looked forward to meeting the boy Almaith had talked to her so much about. She and Almaith had become rather close and had created quite a bond throughout all of the months she had spent with her and Michan. After knowing her so well she could tell that Patrick meant more to her than she was letting on.
Ryanne and Michan ch.4
Chapter 4 MacNamara/Donnelly
Two years had passed since Cieran’s birth. Ryanne had gone into early labor one evening while discovering her husband with another woman. It was decided that her mental state may have been the cause. However, the baby girl was born healthy and Eamon only had to deal with Ryanne’s silent treatment for a few days. He did feel somewhat guilty knowing full well that the shock she experienced caused the early birth. When Cieran was three days old he had had enough of Ryanne’s silent punishment and decided to let it be known that she had no right to reprimand his behaviors, and that she should resolve herself to accept his way of life. This sudden proclamation did not upset Ryanne in the least for she had also decided that she would no longer expect or desire to have a loving relationship with Eamon. At one point she may have been hopeful, but her strong will and idealistic views had made her decision for her.
Weeks turned into months and Ryanne found that motherhood suited her. She was very content taking care of her daughter and cherished every moment. She had also cut back her hours working in Eamon’s shop to spend more time with Cieran, and also because Eamon refused to fire the young girl she had seen him with that fateful evening. She had always let it be known that what he did when he was outside the home was his business, but she wouldn’t tolerate his philandering right under her nose, which was a common occurrence in the shop.
The business was becoming very profitable due to the influx of English Normans moving to Ireland. More and more came each day and the demand for wares became very high. Eamon hired more workers to fill in for Ryanne’s absence and to take his place while he traveled to buy the imports he sold. He was gone more often and this gave Ryanne more time for herself and Cieran, and less time trying to avoid him. He even knew better than to insist they share a bed. This wasn’t an issue with him for his needs were being met by the young girls of the village. It was rumored that one girl, the daughter of the village public house, had become pregnant. Her family had insisted that he provide a home for her and the newborn, and to pay her living expenses. He felt obligated to provide this since her father was a prominent member of the village and could possible hurt Eamon’s business reputation. When Ryanne’s family informed her of this latest news she felt detached and didn’t give it much thought. She could only nod, sigh and change the subject.
Her life wasn’t all disappointment and bitterness for she had become very friendly with Michan Donnelly, the stranger she had noticed staring at her from across the pond years ago. There had always been something comforting about him whenever their paths had crossed, she felt a sense of calmness exuding from his being. Her life took a turn for the better the day they finally spoke for the first time.
Michan had been hired by Eamon to maintain the land around their home. He spent many hours weeding, raking and repairing what needed fixing. One of his other duties was to fish from the pond daily so that Eamon could sell fresh fish to his customers. One afternoon as Michan stood in the blazing sun, fishing for what seemed like hours without a bite, Ryanne found the courage to approach him. She had noticed how overheated he was and decided to offer him a cup of juice. She knew he couldn’t break for the day until he had reached his quota of fish. They had been watching each other from afar for months and this was the first time either one felt brave enough to meet.
“Thank you miss.” He said as he took the cup from her hand. This was the first time he had seen her up close so he took in all of her features and was enamored by her long, flowing red hair.
“You’re welcome Mr. Donnelly. I noticed how warm you looked and thought this might help.” Ryanne answered, unable to break her stare. Their eyes were meeting for the first time and they both felt a mutual attraction.
Not wanting her to leave, he proposed that she stay with him. “Sit with me for a while, the fish can wait.” He helped her to the ground and noticed that her hands were the softest he had ever felt before. This of course was due to the fact that she was a merchant and had never known hard work.
As they made small talk about the weather and other such trivial things, Michan reminded himself that she was married to his employer, and even though he knew of their tumultuous marriage and Eamon’s string of other women, he thought it best to keep the conversation light and to mask any sign of the attraction he felt for her. For the last few months he had been thinking of her, and for him to have been so grievous for so long over his late wife, he was delighted to be feeling something finally. However, he knew it wouldn’t be anything he could pursue so he resigned himself to only befriending her. He had noticed how lonely she looked whenever he saw her in her garden or sitting on a patch of grass alone. She looked like she needed a friend. Maybe in his subconscious mind this was about all he was ready for.
“So how old is your daughter?” Michan asked curiously.
“She will be just a year soon. Time is going so quickly, she is already taking her first steps.” She answered happily.
“I remember when my daughter walked for the first time. I was feeding our pigs while she sat outside the pen. She must have really wanted to play with the pigs because she picked herself up and walked all the way into the pigpen, landing in a heap in a puddle of mud.” As he told the story they both laughed and Ryanne noticed that his eyes lit up when he spoke of his daughter. “Her mother had to soak her for quite a long time to get rid of the mud.”
“How old is your daughter?” She asked realizing that he must be married as well. “She is fifteen and her name is Almaith.”
“My, you certainly have been married for a quite a while then. You don’t look like the father of a fifteen year old.” She replied looking suprised.
“I was young when she was born, and I suppose hard work keeps you young.” He said with a smile. “We were actually married for only nine years, my wife died a few years back.”
“Oh I am sorry.” She said covering her mouth with her hand. She could hear the pain in his voice when he spoke of it. “I had no idea.”
“It is fine. It has been many years. It is my daughter I worry about, she has been affected most I am afraid. She has had to take care of the cottage and the land while I work ever since.” He said as he shook his head.
“Yes, that is young to have so much responsibility. But still, she is fifteen and the experience will help her when she is to marry. I am not too much older than her and I had to learn quickly. But then again, I also have the help of a servant.”
“I haven’t given much thought to her marrying.” He answered sheepishly. “I suppose the time is getting close.”
“Well at least she isn’t betrothed to someone horrible, that is how I came to be here.” She replied as she realized that she may have revealed a little too much about her personal life.
“I know, I have heard about your situation. You may be surprised to know that most marriages are similar to yours.”
“My father was faithful to my mother. It can be done.” She answered quickly.
“I suppose it depends on the man. I never felt the need for it, but I feel that if a man truly loves his wife, he wouldn’t need anyone but her.”
To hear him talk this way validated her initial feeling that he was a good man. He was easy to talk to as well, which is something Ryanne needed in her life. When they began meeting regularly, she really looked forward to his visits.
After a year of talking, playing and spending quality time together, they had become very close and learned much about one another. She missed him when he was gone, and when they were together they both felt the need to restrain taking their friendship to the next level. They both knew what was right, so this was a task they mentally prepared for. Michan had even begun bringing his daughter over for supper frequently. Ryanne’s loneliness was a thing of the past.
Eamon was never home at night and Ryanne had heard that he was spending much of his time at the home he provided for the mistress who had birthed his child. This didn’t trouble Ryanne in the slightest. She had found her soul mate, and if it were meant to be that they would remain only friends, then she would be happy with at least that.
Intrigue and Betrayal (ch 3)
Chapter 3 MacNamara/Donnely
The first 6 months of marriage for Ryanne MacNamara was mostly what she had expected. Lonely days turning into lonely nights. Her husband Eamon was decent to her as long as she completed the work around the cottage and pulled her weight at the shop he ran in the front room of their house, but for the most part he simply ignored her existence. She enjoyed dealing with the customers though, they consisted of mostly the people she knew who lived in Leinster. She enjoyed being sociable and partaking in interesting conversation, a need that was void in her marriage.
Very often they would have buyers who would travel a great distance to have a chance to buy the beautiful wares Eamon acquired. Their merchandise consisted of imported rugs from the Far East, beautiful tapestries and paintings, and fine cookware. The patrons were of the upper class, typically wealthy merchants and Nobility, and Eamon wielded a good profit for he was a gifted salesman.
However, much of it went into the pockets of the village public house proprietors. Eamon desired his ale most nights, not in the comfort of his own home, but in the public house amongst the regulars. Ryanne was used to this ritual. He would leave after supper and stagger back to the cottage after one too many mugs of ale. Ryanne would make sure she was in bed, hoping he would just fall asleep without bothering her. This was usually the case.
Ryanne resolved to keep herself busy. The first day she spent in the cottage she saw a much neglected croft in the back of the house that she promised herself she would revive. She spent many days planting her favorite vegetables, grains and herbs and now her croft was an abundant patch of produce waiting to be picked everyday.
She was proud of her work and spent many evenings enjoying the fresh air and the quiet in her garden. She only had the evenings to herself since the shop was open most days and Eamon was usually there, unless he was traveling to buy goods for the shop. These were the days she looked forward to. Eamon would be gone for a week or two and she would be free to unwind and to enjoy herself. Typically she would visit her family, invite a friend over for supper or just sit quietly by the pond with a book. The few weeks he was gone was just the reprieve she needed. It was during one such week that she was walking in her garden and noticed that one of the laborers Eamon had hired kept glancing at her.
Oddly, this didn’t make her uncomfortable as he gave the impression that he was a kind man. She didn’t know why she thought that, maybe it was the look in his eyes, but something told her not to be apprehensive. As the day progressed she found herself watching him as well. She was quite intrigued by this man she had never met.
After a few months of marriage, Ryanne found herself to be with child. It was inevitable she thought, but for the most part she was happy. She had always known that children would be a blessing for her. She was very maternal and now had something else to look forward to. When she told Eamon the news, he wasn’t overjoyed but she could tell he was pleased.
“Eamon I have to talk with you. Please sit down for a few minutes before you leave for the evening.” Ryanne asked Eamon as looked for his woolen bratt. It was the fall season and a heavy cloak was necessary when walking in the damp night air.
“What is it now?” He asked with an exasperated sigh. Ryanne had voiced her opinion of her dissatisfaction for their lifestyle in the beginning, but when no changes occurred she grew tired of trying to talk with him.
“You needn’t worry, I am not troubled. I am however carrying your child.” Ryanne said hoping for a positive reaction.
“Well done Ryanne. I must celebrate the coming of my first son.” He replied with a smile.
“It may very well be a girl Eamon, you must be content if that does occur.” She added as she waited for a response.
“I will present a son Ryanne, you will see.” Eamon replied as he cheerfully walked through the door letting in the light of the evening sun.
“Well that was expected,” she thought. Ryanne foolishly reasoned that maybe becoming a father would keep him home more so they could develop a relationship, then perhaps he might stay away from the pub owners’ daughter. She had heard some ramblings about town of some flirtatious behaviors, but wasn’t completely sure of the authenticity. It wouldn’t surprise her though, she thought. Ryanne was not pleased with her husband’s conduct, but she entered this marriage not expecting much, as long as his philandering didn’t occur where she could witness it, she wouldn’t confront him with it she decided. Unfortunately that very stipulation was challenged very soon before the babys’ birth. Eamon had hired extra help for the shop since Ryanne was very pregnant and was slow to help the customers. It wasn’t a coincidence that the girl he chose was young and very attractive. She had often noticed him paying extra special attention to her, the attention he should have been showing his wife in these last few critical months for a woman about to give birth, Ryanne thought.
One evening just after they closed the shop, Ryanne went to lie down and rest. Eamon told her he would finish up. As she lay there she heard soft laughter being carried from the other room. She quietly walked to the door and expected the worst. Her longtime suspicions had been realized when she saw Eamon and the new shop girl engaged in inappropriate amorous play. Ryanne felt a fluttering in her stomach that was not related to the baby inside, and she felt a sick sensation creeping into her insides. She couldn’t comprehend the reason for the way she felt, she had no love for Eamon. As the two of them walked outside, Ryanne had to know more. She walked slowly to the window as the sickness inside her increased with every step. She reluctantly peered through to find out how far Eamon had taken this deceitful endeavor.
She saw this young peasant girl looking at Eamon with adoring eyes and Ryanne knew he was going to take full advantage of her youthful naivety. As Eamon held her close, he leaned in to kiss her and the girl eagerly reciprocated. Ryanne immediately knew that this was not their first encounter.
Her sick stomach was worsened by the rage she felt. At that moment she realized where the anger was coming from, she felt deceived and humiliated. She was risking her life by carrying his child and all the while the people she knew from the village that she saw daily knew of his philandering, she felt shamed.
As she furiously walked to the door to confront the pair, she felt sharp pains in her abdomen. Her nausea subsided but the pains worsened. Ryanne made her way to a bench and reluctantly screamed for Eamon.
