LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter 9

      The distance between Dublin and Carlow was about fifty-five miles and by train would take one and a half hours. They wanted to catch the first train out, since that was at 8:30 a.m., and because they’d stayed out rather late the evening before taking in some musical theater, there was no time to have breakfast at the hotel. As it was, they barely had time for the carriage attendant to heave their trunks to the train platform and load them while Myles bought two one-way tickets to Carlow. Driver duly tipped, they squeezed on board just as the train whistle was sounding departure.

      The train was about half occupied, so it wasn’t difficult to find seats together, and once outside Dublin, Cresta marveled how fresh, clean, and green everything was. As soon as she and Myles knew each other better, she intended to see if she could find out just why he wanted to spend his life in the plains of the United States where it was dry, dusty, and contained hostile Indians looking to lift scalps…when he could be enjoying life as a gentleman here. She remembered he’d said there was something missing in his life, but this country would be awfully difficult to turn away from.

      As the train progressed toward Carlow, Myles began pointing out various locations to her that played a part in his life. The hill in the distance where he and his brothers staged pony races when young. The tranquil River Barrow. The lane where he once kissed Mathilda O’Dell. Then as they came into Carlow, there was the Browneshill Dolmen, which is a megalithic portal tomb, the remains of Carlow Castle built in the early thirteenth century by William Marshall, and the magnificent Carlow Cathedral which was much more recent, having been built in 1833. Cresta especially wanted to see the dolmen as well as the castle ruins, and Myles promised faithfully he would bring her back for a personal tour. He also mentioned his college, St. Mary’s Knockbeg, was just to the north of Carlow and he wanted her to see it as well. Frankly, Cresta wanted to know more about Miss Mathilda O’Dell but did not ask.

      At the Carlow train station was a big bear of a man waiting to hug his brother and then catch Cresta up in his arms and smack her soundly on the cheek. Myles laughed and said, “Cresta, this friendly rascal is my brother, Tom. Tom, may I present Missus Cresta Leigh?”

      When she could draw breath, Cresta laughed. Tom was a good bit heavier than his brother, but they clearly had the same eyes.

      “I’m very pleased to meet you. I must apologize in advance for intruding on you with no warning. I planned to visit relatives in Dublin, only to find they are no longer there. I do not know how I would have managed without the assistance of your brother.”

      “Ah, my little brother has always had an eye for a pretty lady! Did I hear aright you are a Missus?”

      “Guilty. But I’m a widow.”

      “You are not intruding in the least. Let us get your trunks loaded in the carriage. I’m thinking you will be hungry, and my Alice is making a big lunch.”

      The carriage was more like a box wagon with two bench seats in the front and a cargo area to the rear which is where the trunks were stowed. But rather than climbing up beside his brother in the front seat, Myles helped Cresta into the second seat and then seated himself beside her. As the horses drew the carriage through Carlow and out into the countryside, Myles absentmindedly put his arm around her as he pointed out the places where he’d grown up. This part of Ireland was so idyllic, and every time she exclaimed over a landmark, Myles promised they would come back later and he would show it all to her, one attraction at a time.

      Reached by a long, winding drive, Orchard House was a large, sturdy manor built out of stone and then plastered and painted white. Utilitarian in nature on the outside, there was a large wooden front door with windows on each side. It was a two-story building as was the barn and both were surrounded by smaller buildings, a little graveled courtyard, and a lush green lawn running from the house down to the main roadway.

      As soon as the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves on gravel was heard, the door flew open and two women ran out. One was a healthy handful of a woman with thick brown hair; the other was younger and still had her slender waist and willowy body. Cresta could have guessed the ample lady with twinkling eyes was Tom’s wife, Alice.

      Of course, both ladies immediately threw their collective arms around Myles, squealing and crying. After they had turned him around a few times to make sure he was all in one piece and had not been wounded, they turned their attentions to the young lady.

      Myles took Cresta’s hand. “Cresta? This lady is my dear sister-in-law, Alice Keogh, who does a fantastic job keeping track of my big brother. The colleen here is my sister Margaret. Dear family? This is Missus Cresta Leigh from Virginia. We met on the ship coming over.”

      Cresta held out her hands to the women. “I’m so glad to meet you. Myles has told me so much about you. I’m grateful you were willing to have me as a guest with no notice. I know how much you look forward to visits from your brother and do not wish to intrude.”

      Assuring her she would be no trouble at all, the family called over some farm hands to wrestle the trunks up to the bedrooms. Tom would organize the effort. Myles and Cresta must be tired and needed to freshen up. Lunch was nearly ready. Go on now, shoo.

      Once Alice and Margaret were alone, they made their observations.

      “Did you hear Myles introduce her as a missus? That means she’s married. Or she’s a widow. We’ll find out. She’s quite pretty but not very sturdy-looking. If he marries her, she may not be able to have healthy sons. Hips are too narrow. Did you see the color of her eyes? How odd. She must have money if she can travel all over the place. Do you think they’re serious? He did take her hand. He’s never brought any women here before. Oh, we can’t wait to tell Ell and Fan!”

      Once

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