Seacrets (22 page)

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Chapter Eighteen

Maura awoke with a thud, finding herself on the floor of the classroom. She pushed herself to a sitting position and rubbed her neck and then her buttocks, where she'd landed.

"Oh
, Maura you foolish twit." She chided herself. "You've fallen asleep, again, on the divan."  Immediately remembering the shadowy figure she'd thought sure she'd seen against the backdrop of lightening, Maura rose to her feet and cautiously walked towards the French doors. She grasped hold of the thick draperies and yanked them open. She let out a most ghastly scream. "Sweet lord almighty! What the hell are ya doin' here?"

"I'm dreadful sorry Miss." Poor Frederick, the mail carrier, was more frightened than she.
"I didna mean ta frighten ya. I was just about ta knock on the window pane, when ya opened the drapes. In truth, I wasn't expectin' anyone ta be up an' about this early. I was just goin' ta leave this letter for ya, is all."

"Oh, that's alright Freddy, I'm the one
who should apologize to you. Ya see last evening, when the storm kicked up, I became frightened and thought I saw someone lurkin' about. My eyes were playin' tricks on me, I guess. I think we gave each other a bit of a scare." She was looking past Frederick, over his shoulder. "Ya didna happen ta see anyone around the property, this mornin', did ya?" Her voice a bit shaky.

"No Miss. I did naught. I'll be takin' my leave now, if that be alright with ya?"  He politely tipped his cap in her direction and turned to leave.

"Wait Freddy, you said you had a letter for me?" Her hand gripped his forearm, preventing his departure.

"Oh, surein' ma'am." He handed Maura the letter and then hopped upon his horse and galloped up the wooded pathway, towards the main house to deliver the rest of the mail.

Maura turned the letter over and noted the postmarked was from Ireland.

She walked out to her sitting room and over to her writing desk
. She grasped the pewter letter opener Quinn had given her as a gift. She was hesitant, at first. She was certain it was news of her Father's death. Maura took in a deep breath, then carved opened the letter.

The date on the letter was from March 31st, of that year. It was now August 1st. Five months had past since it's author had penned this letter.

"My dearest daughter,

By this time I am sure that you've reached America.

Praise God. You made it. I was quite ill, after your departure, but managed with, the grace of our lord, to make it through the winter. I trust that you've met up with the Turlingtons and that Thomas has proven ta be a good husband for ya. I hope ya can see that what I did, was the best for ya, child. I have ta stop now for I tire easily. If I make it through another winter, mayhap I could board passage and come to America.

Good-bye, for now, and I hope we meet again, my lovely daughter
.

mu Athair graigh
,

R
ichard McCoveny

Maura dabbed at the corners of her eyes, while reading, what may have been her father’s last written words.
In reading the letter a third time she kept rereading the name of Turlington. She thought she remembered the name, but why would she?

“I
must've spoken with my father of this pairing before leaving Ireland.” That nagging headache and those flashbacks were happening, again. Maura reached for her temples and applied gentle pressure.

Maura went to her bedchamber and sprinkled some of her herbal headache powders into her tea.
Sipping on the tea, she walked back out to her sitting room, picked up the letter from her father and again, read the name Turlington. Sitting down in her favorite spot atop the plush cushion in the warm, sunny window seat, she drifted off into what she thought would only be a short catnap. Drifting and drifting... She could feel the warm sun wash over the front of her.

…
She was in a ships cabin. She was with Daniel. He was unclothed from the waist up, sipping coffee, rocking back and forth on the hind legs of a wooden dinning chair. They were both smiling and having a pleasant conversation. She was telling him of the reason her father had to sneak her aboard his ship and that she was to meet up with a man by the name of Turlington, and they were to be married. As soon as this man's name was mentioned, Daniel's facial expression hardened and he let himself down on all four legs of the dining chair. He seemed to be very indifferent to this conversation and quickly became agitated.

Leaning forward he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her to him, slamming her hard up against his chest.
Their eyes became locked in an intense stare, but to Maura’s amazement she was not frightened.

Daniel loosened his grip slightly
, then leaned in for an intensely erotic kiss. His mouth crossed over hers in a forceful manner. Daniel's eyes pierced through hers. He was like an animal staring down his prey. Maura did not look away. Her stare was as intent and penetrating as his own. She saw the corners of his eyes crinkle, ever so slightly. She thought he was in fact smiling into her eyes… 

…
Maura awoke to the crash of bone china hitting the floor and the front of her dress covered in chamomile. She was instantly aware of her surroundings and realized she had dozed off while reading her father’s letter. She quickly stood, brushing at her skirts and cursing at herself.

While mopping up the
chards of glass from the floor, she realized she was not in fact dreaming but experienced an abstraction. She felt as though she were remembering a real event that had taken place between herself and Daniel.
But how could this be
? She thought
. I’ve never been intimate with Daniel. I’ve only just become aquainted with him since meeting him at Hargendon Hills… hadn’t I?

Maura placed her fingertips to her temples and said,
“These headaches and memory bursts are beginning to take a toll on me. I will be sure to speak with Daniel about these thoughts, when I see him this evening.” At once she realized Daniel and his family and friends would soon be here and she wasn't nearly ready for her coming out party. “C'mon girl”, she scolded herself. “Get ya head out o’ the clouds and get movin'”.

Maura went strait to her tasks
in getting ready. Clothing choices, hair accessories, shoes, scents. She was talking to herself all through her toilette. "I want Daniel to notice me tonight. Tonight I
will
give myself ta him with sweet abandon." She promised herself.

"I will not allow him to stop...not tonight!"

Quinn knocked on the front door of the guest house. Maura did not answer right away, so Quinn entered and walked to the back of the cottage. She could hear Maura humming to herself. "Maura I knocked but ya did not answer. Hope ya don't mind my just enterin?" Quinn apologized.

"Of course not
," She said, still humming her happy tune and smiling at her reflection in the long mirror. "Well, how do I look?" Maura was begging for positive approval.

"Oh my dear lord above! Quinn squealed her
endorsement. “You look absolutely scrumptious!” They both broke out into a most boisterous laughter. Grasping each others hands and dancing about the drawing room like complete fools. "But the real question is what will Danny think, eh?" Quinn said as she snickered with all the devilishness of a black widow lying in wait. "Here lass, let me put the finishin' touches on ya hair." Quinn sighed. “I don’t mind tellin’ ya I’m a tad envious of ya. The feelings of excitement ya must be havin’, at the thoughts of being alone with Danny.” Quinn placed one hand over heart and began to fan herself with the other.

"Do you think it's too hot in here, Quinn?' Maura naively remarked as she motioned herself toward the French doors.
"I can open up the French doors to let in the cool evening breeze?"

"No, Lass. I'm fine,
” she blushed at her own thoughts.

Maura continued innocently chatting away. "I had them closed while I took my bath.
I didn't want anyone walkin' in on me. Last night in the storm, the lightening was playing tricks with my eyes. I thought I saw someone lurkin' about. Silly, eh?"

"
Hmm, really?" Quinn, from time to time, felt as though she, too, had been being watched from afar, since late spring. She didn't feel this was the right time to bring up the subject, with the party to start any moment, so thought to change the subject. "Maura I came down ta let ya know ya guests are startin' ta arrive and ya should be makin' ya grand entrance." Quinn winked at Maura and squeezed her about the shoulders. They were both looking into the full length mirror. Maura in front and Quinn in tow with her hands resting on Maura's shoulders, their faces side by side. Maura placed her hand atop of Quinn's. “Oh Quinn o’er the past few months ya friendship has come to mean so much ta me. I am thus grateful to have you and Aiden in my life. Thank you friend”

"
And I you, child. But enough of this mutual admiration society talk. It's time ta meet the town!"

They started toward the entry way, Maura grabbed her lace shawl off of the divan and off they went to the awaiting carriage.
She was a bit shaken to see Mr. Kilern was in the driver's seat waiting to take them up to the main house.

In an instant
Quinn watched as Maura's entire demeanor changed the minute she laid eyes on Mr. Kilern. "Maura, child, what ‘tis wrong with ya? Ya look as if ya've seen a ghost, lass." Quinn motioned Maura toward the carriage.

"I...I.
..hardly know." She stuttered. "I guess ‘tis only now come to me that I'm the guest of honor and ‘tis a bit over whelmin', is all." She lied. Maura reluctantly climbed into the carriage with Quinn, in close proximity. She felt less fearful of Mr. Kilern with Quinn right there with her and later it would be Daniel bringing her back to the cottage...to that, she would see to.

Quinn rapped on the wall of the carriage
and the faint crack of a whip to horseflesh, could be heard and they were off.

Ӝ

Chapter
Nineteen

When Maura stepped out of the carriage she was disappointed Daniel was not there to greet her. Aiden assisted her down off the running board then escorted both, Maura and Quinn, up the steps and into the main foyer.

"Ya are lovin' eve
ry minute of this, aren't ya now? One man escortin' two fine, beautiful young ladies inta the party" Quinn teased her husband.

"Y
a had better believe it, woman. This won't happen ta me again for the rest of my days so I had better take advantage of it." Aiden joked and then squeezed both women about their waist.

Maura smiled, but
both could determine something was bothering her.

Quinn whispered into Maura's ear. "Don't worry, child, he'll be here."

"It's not that. I know he'll be here. It's all these people. I've never had a party in honor of myself. I'm nervous." She confided to them.

"Don't worry
lass, we’ll not leave ya alone too long with any one person. Now come, let us introduce ya around." Aiden took hold of Maura's hand and led her into the drawing room. One by one he and Quinn began introducing Maura to each neighbor and merchant. Everyone was most polite and offered to make her feel
ta home
. 

At last
Aiden came to her rescue, breaking into the conversation whisking her away. "Sorry old chap but everyone would like a chance ta meet the guest of honor before the night ends." Taking Maura by her elbow and leading her toward the rose garden.

"Oh Aiden thank goodness you came, I could not take one more story of that man's home and holdings and what a good catch he'd make some lucky lass."  I did not want to be rude but..."

Aiden broke in, "Oh don't worry about him, lass, everyone in town knows Turlington is a huge blowhard. No one listens to him." Aiden scanned the great room to be certain everyone's glass was full. He was waiting for his brother to show, before giving the welcome toast for Maura.

"Turlington, did you say?" Maura
asked surprised. “Would that be Thomas Turlington?" She questioned Aiden again, but he was not listening to her.

"Where is that blasted brother of mine? Always has ta be fashionably late." He shoots a devilish look to Maura and then
another over to his wife, across the room, shrugging his shoulders up and down, in answer to her unasked question. Where's Daniel?

Kilern
stood at his post on the porch, just outside the foyer. Where he'd be certain to hear everyone’s conversation as they entered and exited the main house.

"Did Danny say he was goin' ta be this late in gettin' here?"
Mary asked Quinn.

"Oh you know Daniel, Mary. He'll show up when he's got a mind ta do so."

Mary wore a worried look upon her face. Quinn decided she'd give in and console her. "’T’will be fine, Mary. You know Danny is crazy for Maura. He'll not miss an opportunity ta be with her. He'll be here." She hugged Mary about the waist.

"I know Quinn, but I'm worried still. He is never this late and they have never caught the scoundrel that murdered that tavern wench or tried ta harm Maura. I'm just afraid they're still lurkin' about, is all”. Mary continued
to fidget, tying her handkerchief in knots between her fingers.

Kilern cackled to himself.
Your perfect Danny is being drawn inta the black widows web about now, hehe.

Earlier in the day
Kilern made a visit to the Gilmore estate. He made certain Mallory was apprised of Daniel's relationship with Maura and how they came to be involved. That she was, in fact, the reason he broke off their engagement. Mallory was furious. She, most ardently, wanted to be a part of the couple’s destruction. This would be her opportunity to exact her revenge onto Daniel and to cause him insurmountable pain over the loss of this common street whore, as she now referred to Maura.

It
hadn't phased Mallory one bit that Kilern wanted to trade and sell Maura like a common flesh peddler. All she cared about was the amount of pain and suffering it would cause Daniel once he discovered his precious whore was lost to him forever. They conspired to separate the two. Make it appear as though Daniel was being unfaithful. Mallory vowed he would be, if she had anything to say about the matter.

“
When Maura happens upon you both in an indiscrete moment, she will become thus insensed and not allow the Captain to escort her back ta her quarters and that will be my chance to make away with her.” He vowed to Mallory. “I will make certain my prize will not be stolen from me again.” He slammed his fist into the palm of his hand.

Mallory yawned, while pulling at the lace of her bodice. “Whatever you say Kilern.”

Kilern's eyes traveled to Mallory's exquisite breast line with his usual brand of salaciousness.  When Mallory caught him looking at her breasts she burst out into an unruly laughter. "Ya've got ta be kiddin' me, Mr. Kilern. There's not a chance in hell that ya are ever goin' ta taste these beauties. So just ya be gettin' that idea right out of ya vile, disgustin' mind." She did, however, extend her hand to seal their devilish pact to ruin Daniel Hargendon once and for all.

§

Impatient for answers, Maura decided to do a bit of investigating of her own into the dowry monies her father had sent on ahead to the Turlingtons. "Aiden, Aiden!" Maura was tugging on Aiden's jacket sleeve, to get his attention.

"What? What is it?" He finally looked in Maura's direction.

"Tell me more about this Turlington gentleman." Maura's tone was direct and demanding.

"What's ta tell
? He's one of the wealthiest merchantiles in town, knows it and never misses an opportunity ta shove it down everyone's throat." He was still looking about the room for his brother. "Why so interested in him, anyway?"

"Because I seem ta remember my father speakin' of that name and I also had a dream I was supposed ta meet up with a man by that name, when I reached Boston. I
know it sounds crazy but I feel I'm connected to this man, somehow."

Maura
glanced in Turlington's direction, then wandered from Aiden's side. "Excuse me. Mr. Turlington, is it?" Maura interrupted his conversation with another uninterested, bored female. The minute she stepped to the couple, the other female immediately made her escape.

Thomas Turlington turned to face Maura
once more, this time with a slight leer to his expression. He was a moderately tall man, possibly six foot, but still a good three inches shorter than Daniel, by her measure. He was not hard to look at. Though his looks were starkly different from Daniel’s. Thomas was thin and lanky in the legs, with wavy strawberry blonde hair. His skin was light, not tanned and weathered, like Daniel's.

His eyes were grey and he sported a wide, thick mustache. His lips were thin and
when he spoke he salivated slightly. "Yes Miss McCoveny? May I interest you in a brandy and perhaps a walk in the garden?" He slid his arm beneath Maura's, so her hand rested atop his and he preceded to walk her towards the garden entryway. He took hold of her hand and bent to kiss  gently the posterior portion, never taking his gaze from her. "Wait here for me, will you, Miss McCoveny? I'll bring the drinks, and then we can go for a stroll out into the garden." He backed away from Maura turning toward the refreshment area.

Maura breathed in deep. The air
in the garden was warm and there was a wonderful breeze coming in off of the pond, just beyond the hedges. Her thoughts were turning to Daniel and how she wished he'd arrive soon so they could share this wonderful warm heady night together.

"Miss McCoveny?" Thomas' voice broke
into her thoughts of Daniel.

"Y-Yes, Mr. Turlington, I'm sorry. You caught me daydreaming. I didna mean ta be rude ta ya, sir."
She apologized.

"Let's see
, where were we before Hargendon tore you from me, earlier?"

S
tarting to sound as if he were going to drone on again, Maura broke in.

"Mr. Turlington, I was wonderin' if ya ever knew of my father? Richard McCoveny? Does that name sound familiar to ya?
Ya see, sir, before leaving for Boston I seem ta remember my father speakin' of a woman by the name of Mary Turlington. He said she had a son. I thought he said his name was Thomas. Would that be you, sir?" Maura begged for an aye, in reply.

Thomas did not answer
immediately, but then said, " Aye. My mother's name was Mary." His reply was cold. His face became hardened. "My mother serviced half the sailors in this county. If you understand my meaning?" He turned his back to her, now.

"Please Mr. Turlington, I meant no disrespect of your mother." Her voice was
a soft whisper.

Thomas
carried a black heart, where his mother was concerned. He'd grown cold over the years due to all the ribbing he took as a young lad about his mother being a tavern wench. He felt he’d worked hard to overcome the shame his mother brought to his name and did not appreciate having it thrown up in his face. And even though his mother had saved every cent of what she earned, laying down for her son's benefit. He hated her still.

When
he realized Maura sympathized with him, a snide grin crossed his lips. He turned to face her once again. "How is it, you suppose, your father came to know my mother? As if I did not know." His voice turned hard and cold.

"He told me she was a good friend to him when he was away and that she used to do some laundry for him when he was in port. That's all I know."

"Laundry. Is that what their calling it, now?" He replied sharp.

"Please, Mr. Turlington. He may have sent my dowry money to your mother for her to keep for my arrival. Would ya know anything about that?" she questioned him further.

"If ya could see ya way clear ta look inta your mother's affairs, mayhap she placed it in safe keepin'? If so, perhaps I could have the funds returned ta me so I could send for my father's passage ta America ta be with me before he passes on. That's all I'm after, sir." She grasped onto his forearm, preventing him from walking away from her.

Thomas looked down at her hand
, firmly grasping his forearm and realized he may have a bargaining chip of which to use to ensnare her to him at a later date. "Unhand my arm Madame. Were I to manhandle you this way I should be thought to be ill treating you."

Maura immediately released her grip on his arm and stepped away from him, stunned she had been so bold.

"I will look into the matter and get back to you." All the while knowing full well he was in possession of the funds and had no intention of returning them to her. Perhaps she would consider coupling with him in exchange for the funds. That, he thought, would be delicious. “I’ll send for you the beginning of next week, my dear. We can have dinner and discuss the matter further.” He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, chuckled to himself then turned to enter

t
he main ballroom then began a conversation with another female guest as though he had not been speaking with her at all.

Maura was dumfounded
. “He certainly is an odd sort of person.” She said aloud. “However he does know something about my father and my money…” She turned toward the garden entryway and began to walk outside, while sipping on her brandy. It was warm and sweet on her lips. It also invoked thoughts of a romantic kiss with Daniel, aboard a ship. Maura immediately wondered why she would have such thoughts, as she had no memory of being on a ship with Daniel, let alone kissing him.

“
These are just dreams I am havin’ about him. They’re not real.” She kept telling herself. “Get a hold of yourself and stop all this fantasizing about times and things that have never taken place.” 

But
this
memory is so real…so vivid in my mind
. She thought while sipping her brandy. As the warm liquid trailed down her throat the memories came faster and began to wash over her like an ocean wave. She began to feel faint and sat down on a stone garden bench, over by a thick hedge. She closed her eyes in hopes the dizziness would subside and she could collect herself and return to the party.

Maura could hear the
cellists and the woodwinds from across the garden. She heard, as well, the muffled sound of a familiar voice over the music. One she’d been waiting to hear all evening.

"You are as beautiful as ever." Daniel's voice was a wonderful melody to Maura’s ears.

"Of course I am as beautiful as ever."

Maura’s eyes flew open as she s
uddenly realized the voices were coming from beyond the hedge. She continued to listen with great intent.

"Mallory, I never meant ya any disrespect, luv." Daniel's voice was soft and apologetic.

"Well you did disrespect me. But I could be persuaded to forgive you." Mallory's tone was seductive. She moved closer to Daniel, running her fingers up the front of his white linen shirt, toying with his cravat. "I've missed you so much Danny... and our hot lustful times together. Ooh, makes my blood boil just thinking about what it would be like to be with you right now." Mallory dropped her hand to the front of Daniel’s trousers in the blink of an eye. " Mmm, Mmm, Mmm. There’s no shortage of manhood here." She wet her lips, while tracing her fingers over the area just above the junction of his thighs. She leaned in to claim his mouth with a hot, wet seductive kiss.