Cailín (Lass) (Anam Céile Chronicles) by Rosalind Scarlett Page B

touch of his hand upon mine nearly set me afire! 
I reveled in the fleeting seconds that his hand be delicately enveloping me
fingers, subtly fondling them as he deliberately raised it to his face, brought
it to his mouth and slowly bestowed a tender kiss upon the back of me hand.  Me
eyelids fluttered as the sensation of his luscious lips touching me skin sent a
current of delight through me as liquid lightning! 
    “G’day
Aislinn,” Donovan said sweetly as he lowered me now limp hand.  “’Tis been me
pleasure.  I do hope to see you again soon .”  He smiled as he looked
directly into me eyes.
    I could
only nod me head, still tingly from that kiss.  I watched him as he walked
away.  When he reached his mount, Donovan looked back and smiled warmly at me
before mounting and riding off.
    Me
family they were all amazed that I be accurate, and marveled at how ‘twas I
could have foretold Morrissey’s imminent illness.  Of course, me Mama bestowed
me with a proud knowing smile.  Conversely, me father just eyed me
suspiciously.  

Chapter Eight
     

     
    T hat next
summer I did not pass at Deirdre’s house as customarily I had.  Happily, she
and Fergus wed at the end of May and were on honeymoon while a house be erected
fer them.  The knowledge that I be doomed to be confined here at me father’s
was grim; yet, I expected that meant I would have the prospect of seeing Donovan
on more frequent the occasion.
    Lamentably,
I did not see him again fer the rest of the summer of me sixteenth year.  ‘Twas
long and arduous not knowing when I might lay eyes upon him or be in the warmth
of his presence again.  Me hope was beginning to dwindle.  Even still, me
continuous thoughts of him never faded.   I began to feel as though me restlessness
surely would drive me mad!
    ‘Twas
the end of that summer when one day me mama came home from a trip to town and
caught me whilst I be in the yard tending me chores to share the good news! 
    “Aislinn!”
she called to me excitedly.  “Come here, Daughter!” 
    Curious,
I finished what I be doing presently and walked over to her.  She grasped both
of me hands.  I looked at her questioningly.
    “Whilst
in Lisdoonvarna today, I crossed paths with Maureen MacDougal!” Mama announced,
clearly elated.
    “Oh.” I
replied, a bit perplexed.  “Well, that be simply grand, Ma.  How be Maureen,
then?” 
    “Never
mind that , silly lass!” she chortled reproaching.
    Now I
surely be beyond a little perplexed.
    “ She be the entertainment coordinator fer the Matchmaking Festival this year.  And she enquired whether you still play yer fiddle.  Naturally, I told her you play
as an outright angel!”
    Well,
she had gripped me attention now!
    “Consequently
. . .” Mama said drawing out the words, “she asked if you wouldn’t mind
performing in their first Saturday lineup next month in September,” she finally
declared, her hands gripping mine so hard I thought the bones in me hands would
surely compress under the pressure!
    Me eyes
expanded and me mouth gaped as I struggled to the fathom the truth of this what
she told me. 
    “’Tis
true?”  I questioned skeptically.  “Please do not say this all be in jest!” 
    “Oh,
Aislinn, jest you of something such as this, I would never!” Mama encouraged,
leaning in to squeeze me.  I exhaled, most thankful she had finally let go of
me hands!
    I could
scarcely believe it as I hugged her back. 
    Then I
had a sudden realization.
    “But,
what of Father?” I asked, fearing none of it would matter anyway.
    “Not to
worry about him, Daughter,” she told me reassuringly.  “He and I disputed
nearly the entirety of this trip home.  I made it clear you would be going if
that be what you wanted.  He’ll not be the one to stop you, I promise you that!”
    “Essentially,
agreed to it merely conditionally did he,” Ma informed me grudgingly.
    “Oh?” I
enquired uneasily when I considered the possibilities of his