reaches Liam O’Reagan’s ears. He is in the next room discussing my upcoming wedding to his son.
My excitement sends the notes out too fast, and Breda releases the chair and takes a step towards me, but I reel in my excitement quickly and slow my pace. She nods her head in approval and circles me as I play. I’m watching that ruler as I play the hauntingly beautiful melody.
The day I have been trained for my whole life is finally here. Everything I’ve been taught was all about being the perfect wife for Jack O’Reagan. I will be free. At last. My mind bubbles and bounces through all the possibilities of what I could do with my freedom. I’m picturing parties, shopping, holidays.
The song ends, and the door opens like they were waiting for me to finish. Breda is alert when James, the second eldest boy in our family, looks directly at me.
“Dad will see you now.” James doesn’t look like me. He has Dad’s features, dark brown eyes, and his skin takes well to the sun. I just blister, peel, and turn back white. It’s another enchanting Irish trait that I have inherited.
Nervous butterflies erupt in my stomach as I step towards the small round table and place my tin whistle on it. I pause, not ready to leave all of a sudden, and look back to Breda. She’s all I have ever known; now I wonder if I’ll ever see her again. Will I be shipped off today? Will I have time to pack?
She gives me a nod of approval, and I see a glimmer of moisture in her eyes before she turns away from me.
The navy swing dress I wear skims my knees and hugs my small waist. I feel pretty as I follow James down the large open hallway. My heels click click on the tiles, and I have this image in my head of being the lady of a grand house, much grander than this, where I will host parties. I keep the smile at bay as James leads me to the large kitchen.
Dad is there and gives me a reassuring smile. My youngest brother is sitting at the table. He averts his gaze from me. The eldest, and the one I thought would be lifting me into the air, already has his back to me; his large frame heaves. The kitchen grows smaller the longer I stand in it. There is no sign of Liam O’Reagan.
Noel’s wide back is heaving and has me worried. I want to call out to Noel and ask him what’s wrong, but my father speaks.
“The marriage will be in four weeks.”
My heart pumps blood so fast around my body that I want to reach out and grip something. I hold still, but I can’t stop the smile that consumes my face and showcases my teeth.
“You will be leaving tomorrow.”
I’m ready to pass out with excitement, but each time my gaze travels to Noel’s back, worry starts to lace its way through my excitement, dismantling the happiness inch by inch.
“We can’t.” Noel’s voice is low.
I’m taking a step towards him.
“She is.” My dad’s angry voice would normally recapture my attention, but I’m taking another step towards Noel.
“What’s happening?” I’m asking him, and once Noel stands to his full six-foot height and turns to me, my stomach swells with all the worries that course through my system.
Noel’s dark green eyes pin my dad to the spot. “This goes against everything we stand for, everything you taught us.”
“This is a small sacrifice for the greater good.” My dad hasn’t looked at me. His hands curl into fists. Fists that I’ve seen do a lot of damage over the years to Noel. He had shaped him into a man with his fists. At least that was his own explanation for each thump.
“I’ll take his place.” Mark, the youngest, steps up beside me as he speaks to our dad. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. Large muscles flex from his hours at the gym.
My father dismisses Mark’s words with a slight wave of his fisted hand, and I’m back to looking at Noel.
“What’s happening?” I bark loudly.
“Tomorrow, you’re leaving, and that’s final.” My dad’s words are heavy with something that leaves me unsettled.
Noel finally looks at me fully, and everything in me stands to attention. I’m proud of the man he has always been. Noel would walk through fire to protect me, he’s my best friend, and I know nothing bad will