Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry by Amanda Hughes

food saying, "If you can't come to the celebration, it will come to you. One of fiddlers stepped into the cottage and started to play a tune.
     
      Michael grabbed Bridget and swung her into a dance inside the cottage while others kept time clapping. It had been a long time since Father Etienne had felt this light-hearted. He marveled at how good life can feel.
     
    The afternoon grew warmer, and after everyone had filled their bellies they drowsed in the warm sunshine. Some of the more ambitious male villagers organized footraces and wrestling matches in the meadow as the women watched.
     
    Darcy and Teila walked over to snicker at them, as they heatedly tried to outdo each another.
     
    They watched for a long time laughing and cheering when Teila said suddenly, "Darcy, there will never be a husband for you in Kilkerry."
     
    Darcy looked at Tiela surprised. “Yes there is, he is coming home from the Americas any day now."
     
    Teila shook her head. "When are you going to give up, girl? He's not coming back. Darcy, I think you should leave Kilkerry."
     
    "What!” said Darcy, stiffening her back. “What are you saying? You want me to leave?"
     
    "I would keep you here with me forever, if you would be happy, but you need something that we don’t have here."
     
    Darcy jerked her chin and said, "I will decide what is best for me.”
     
    The women were silent for a moment, pretending to watch the wrestlers. Suddenly, Darcy grabbed Teila's hand and pulled her toward the green. "Look! The sun is setting and the dance will start soon."
     
    Several torches were set up around and five musicians stationed themselves in front of the town well under the large stone cross rose. There were three fiddlers and two tin whistlers. Once the music started, Keenan swept Teila into a jig, and John Kinsale dashed over and held out his hands to Darcy. She flashed him a smile and accepted. Everyone cheered, and clapped after the first song then scattered back to the edges of the square to catch their breath. By the time the sun set everyone was gathered on the green or crowded around the casks of brandy. The musicians started a new song, a contra dance called the Childgrove . This was different from the jig, and Darcy was anxious to give it a try. As she turned to join the line of dancers, Liam stepped in her path and startled her. He was drunk again and smelled foul. He was covered with grime and sweat.
     
    Darcy stepped back and asked, "What do you want?"
     
    "I have a surprise for you, little sister," he said thickly.
     
    Darcy’s throat tightened, and her heart began to pound. A man stood behind Liam, and when he stepped forward the light from a torch flooded his face. He was large and raw-boned, his blond hair falling loosely around his shoulders. Bran Moynahan was living proof that the Norsemen had once inhabited their land.
     
    "You don't know who I am, do you?" Bran asked with a crooked smile.
     
    Darcy was stunned. "Bran, I--"
     
    Liam pushed the two of them together and slurred, "Why don't you kiss or something?"   
     
    Darcy stepped back, and Bran chuckled. "I expect she'll be giving kisses free enough before long."
     
    He looked her up and down lustily, and Darcy's heart raced. She couldn't believe it. Bran was back. She blushed and dropped her eyes.
     
    Bran said to Liam, "Go and find something to do. I have a lot of catching up to do with your sister."
     
    Bran took Darcy's elbow, and escorted her toward the brandy. "You look like you could use a drink."
     
    The men eyed Bran suspiciously and fell back, allowing him to make his way to the cask, intimidated by his size. She said when he returned with her drink, "They don't recognize you. You left a boy and returned a man."
     
    "I don't recognize most of them. A lot has changed," admitted Bran as he took her arm.
     
    They found a bench in the shadows of an oak tree where Darcy sat down. Bran preferred to stand, placing one foot on the bench alongside Darcy. He