I Am Jessamine
Chapter 21

The entire household was prepared and the guests with their entourages had been settled. Genevieve had arrived but she had not joined the family or guests at breakfast, dinner, or even supper. The crotchety bitch had gone and checked out the preparation and decorating of the dining hall and ballroom. When she had asked the staff who arranged it all and was told that it had been Jessie she had immediately lifted her nose and called it, ‘commun et collant’. Jessie would show her how ‘common and tacky’ she was by showing her best side!

Genevieve had sent a message excusing herself from socializing saying the preparations for the guests and ball had fatigued her, but she would be rested by the time the banquet and the ball were due to start. Rourke had spent some time with Genevieve and together they had sent out notices to other guests they felt would empower and strengthen their cause. Jess had noticed that Gibbs was not waiting on her hand and foot and admired the man for his fortitude and loyalty to her father. Little Gem was coming along remarkably well and Jess had him moved into her bedroom with Lizzy which was on the family side of the mansion and could not be accessed by a ‘lost’ guest. Jess had made it clear that Constance stayed with the boy while Lizzy worked her shift in the kitchen. Jess said she would make sure food was delivered for both of them so that Gem was never left alone and that no one enter the room apart from trusted staff members.

Gray and her father had spent a lot of time together and Jess felt a pang of jealousy as they had not been able to spend any alone time together. She longed for the days on the O’Murchadha where there were no social rules and old-fashioned decorum, but remembering where she was, Jess reigned herself in.

Jess had finally cornered Beatrice and thanked her profusely for the beautiful wardrobe she had arranged for her and much to Jess’ surprise Beatrice said, “Oh, those are nothing! Wait ’til you see what I have for the ball for you.” And she giggled and bounced off to check on something or other. The staff was amazing, Jess had thought. They all wore their uniforms now, which were white stockings, black shoes with large silver buckles, white powdered wigs, and the most dazzling yellow gold livery. The ladies wore dresses of similar material, as well as bonnets and starched white aprons. They all looked so dashing and made the house of O’Cleirigh the talk of society.

The day of the banquet and ball had arrived and everyone had their own personal thing to do and maids were scurrying from room to room with little requests from the guests; a needle here, a thread to be snipped there, shoes to be polished, oils and perfumes to be smelled and tested, hair to be styled, and it was all done with great efficiency that made Jess very happy.

After checking, for the last time, on the kitchen staff, and making sure the duty roster was being followed to the letter Jess was gently pushed towards the stairs by Beatrice and decided to happily give it all up and thought that what will be will be, she had done all she could with the help of the amazing staff.

Walking into her room she was met by a beautiful smile from Gem. Willy had, just that morning, removed the two stitches from his throat and Gem had whispered his first words, thank you. Jess had told him to take it slow, but of course, Gem being Gem he wanted to chat up a storm and ask how Benjamin and Marie-Louise were, so Jess had allowed her brother and sister to visit for a little while and true to her word, Marie-Louise had given him the handkerchief with his name embroidered in a burgundy thread across the one side. Gem was thrilled with the gift and of course the horse he had received from Benjamin.

Now, however, a screen had been set up in front of the fire where the bathtub was sitting. Water was heating on the fire and Jess could hardly believe she would be getting dressed to attend a ball in the eighteen hundreds. Constance retrieved everything she may need for Jessie’s hair and she poured oils into the water bubbling on the fire and the whole room smelled like white sage and lemongrass. It was simply beautiful and refreshing. Little Gem had commented softly that the smell suited Jessie and she had kissed him on his nose and ruffled his already crazy hair.

There was a knock at the door and Constance ran to it before Jess could move. As she opened the door her face lit up and she giggled and bobbed up and down as she took something in her arms. “Mrs. Beatrice has just dropped this off for you, Mistress Jessie.” Constance was positively beaming and Jess smiled at her and raised her eyebrow.

It was obviously the dress Beatrice had mentioned, but it was covered in some sort of cloth. Beside the wardrobe was a large frock stand and Constance slipped the hanger over the hook and began untying the cloth and finally pulled the cloth aside to reveal the dress, shoes, petticoats, stockings, and a bag of tiny hair slides and ribbons. Jessie and Constance gasped out loud and Jess had to actually touch the dress to believe something so beautiful existed.

It was a sapphire blue in the middle and part of the bodice and the bottom half was violet as was the top half. The sleeves were tiny off-the-shoulder straps, but the most alluring part was the various sizes of the diamante stones that had been embroidered into the material on the bodice and speckled here and there throughout the skirt of the dress. There were different shapes and sizes of diamantes and silver thread connecting one to the other here and there. It was a truly magnificent dress and Jessie couldn’t believe she would be the one wearing it. “How on earth did Beatrice get her hands on this dress?” asked Jess out loud.

“Oh, she makes them, Mistress.” Jessie looked at Constance with an utterly shocked expression.

“Then why is she not a dressmaker? She could make a name for herself with dresses like this.” Jess asked still fingering the dress and admiring the work.

“Maybe you can ask her, Mistress,” Constance said also still looking at the beautiful dress.

“Oh my goodness! Best we get started then.” Said Jessie with the beginning pangs of nervousness.

Jess scrubbed herself from head to toe, knowing she was dressing up for Gray as well as herself and she wanted him to be proud of her and how she presented herself. Constance helped rub her down vigorously so that her skin had a lovely healthy glow. Gem passed comments every now and then and Jess would respond from behind the screen and they would all laugh at some inane joke or comment. Constance thoroughly enjoyed the banter and told Gem it was his turn next in the tub and he would smell just as lovely as Jessie. Gem said he didn’t mind because he thought Jess always smelled good.

After dressing in all the petticoats, thigh-high stockings which were sheer and lacy and held with blue ribbon, and the corset that Jess was grateful for if only for pushing up her barely-there breasts, came the dress. Constance carried it so gently and lifted it and Jess sat on the small chair with her arms up as it was slowly lowered over her head. She slipped her arms through the little sleeves and stood up and Constance pulled the dress gently down. Jess stood still as the silky blue ribbons were pulled tight and then tied fast at the base of her spine.

“Oh Mistress Jess, you look like you are floating on a midnight ocean and the stars are glittering on the surface. You look so beautiful.” Constance had tears in her eyes as she led Jess to the chair in front of the dresser and began styling her hair. Taking advantage of the curls she piled them atop Jessie’s head and allowed a few tendrils to cascade down her neck, covering her fairy wings, and the sides of her face. Using the little hair slides that were encrusted in diamantes and looked like shooting stars, Constance placed them in appropriate places and Jess thanked her for her efforts as she was perfectly satisfied with the end result.

Taking a tiny jar from her apron pocket Constance asked Jess if she wanted to put a small amount of concealer over her scar. Not to hide it, but to dull the pink skin just a little. Jess nodded and said that was a fine idea. Jess was not ashamed of her scar, but she did not want people staring at it all night either. The very light powder, finely dusted on her face, managed to have the desired effect.

She took the vial of perfume Constance handed her and sniffed it and was pleasantly surprised to replace it smelled like the oil she had bathed in and dabbed a small amount on her wrists, behind her ears, and between her breasts. Those were the places she wanted Grays’ lips, she thought.

Just then there was a knock at the door and Jess was about to get up when Constance put her hand on her shoulder restraining her slightly and went to the door and answered. Opening the door further Jess saw her father and he walked in staring at his daughter. “You look like a dream, my darling girl.” He whispered and held his hand out to Jess and she stood up and he twirled her around. “Dear god, you’re a tiny little thing, but there is a fire in you, Jessie, make no error. Gray is going to have his hands full this evening keeping admirers at bay, that’s for sure. You are a vision.” And Jess saw tears in his eyes.

“She looks like a fairie dancing on the ocean on a clear night.” Whispered Gem and they all stared at him and Rourke said his description was most accurate.

Shaking his head to bring himself back to the present Rourke said, “I have brought you something that I am so very happy I chose. I was a bit worried I may have the color wrong, but I see now Beatrice’s advice was quite correct.” He opened the velvet box he had brought in with him and nestled in the black satin was a pair of drop earrings and the most beautifully designed necklace. Sapphire and diamonds the earrings appeared to each be one-half of a butterflies wings with tiny sapphire chips embedded within and hanging on tiny silver chains within silver diamond encrusted claws were teardrop-shaped sapphires. The necklace was a delicate representation of waves and splashes of water and droplets encrusted in diamonds and sapphires. It was the most delicate, yet hardy-looking, necklace Jess had ever seen. It was beautiful and looked as though it had been made specifically for the dress.

Setting the box down Rourke removed the necklace and placed it around Jessie’s neck and the cresting wave-like jewels nestled on her small pushed-up breasts and lay flat against her skin. It moved with her every breath and glistened and glittered in the candlelight. Taking the earrings he placed them in her already pierced ears and the drops hung just below her jaw. The stones were blue but blazed with the warmth of the fire in the hearth. “There, that is perfect, my beautiful fairy child,” Rourke said and kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Jessie, for everything and more. I am proud to be your father.”

Jessie felt a little choked up, but held back and simply wrapped her arms around her father and he held her close. Constance stood to one side with tears in her eyes and felt privileged to witness this intimate moment between father and daughter.

They were drawn apart by another knock on the door and Constance rushed over and opened the door slightly and then went as red as a beet and let her eyes fall to the floor and pushed the door all the way open so Gray stood watching the love of his life in the arms of her father and his heart nearly exploded. Turning together Rourke and Jess looked at him and he was struck speechless at how much Jessie resembled her father.

Bowing gallantly in his full Captain’s attire Gray raised his eyes to Jessie, “You are a vision, love of my life.” Preening and smiling under his praise Jessie gave a very low curtsey and Gray laughed.

“I shall hand you over to your Captain and then see you both downstairs shortly,” Rourke said shaking Grays’ hand and leaving the room.

“You make the perfect couple.” Whispered Gem softly and Gray went to the boy and kissed his head and thanked him.

Holding out his arm to Jessie he asked, “Are you ready to blow everyone away, M’Lady?”

“I don’t much care about blowing anyone else away but you.” She beamed up at Gray and his eyes were so full of passion and unsaid words that Jess felt weak at the knees. She turned slightly and blew a kiss to Gem and smiled and winked at Constance.

Constance watched them with her hands over her mouth and tears spilling freely down her cheeks praying that the fairies protect them both.

Gray and Jess walked arm in arm down the long flight of stairs towards the entrance area where everyone was gathering. They were whispering to each other and having private little laughs at their own conversation that they did not notice heads turn or hear the gasps from the crowd below. What brought their attention to the crowd below was the silence and they both glanced down and stopped together on the stairs.

Rourke stepped forward and raised his hand to the couple three-quarters of the way down the stairs and said loudly and proudly, “May I introduce to you my daughter, Jessamine Aine Kellie O’Cleirigh, and her partner Captain Grayson Iain Murphy.” And there were murmurs and gasps and Rourke raised his voice again, “And behind them is one of my closest friends and my daughter’s godfather, Master William James MacLeod.”

Both Jess and Gray turned to see Willy on the stairs behind them and Jess smiled a very wide smile. “Willy you look so handsome! Come, take my other arm and we will all go down together.” And she held out her arm and Willy took it with a proud smile and a raised chin “Jessie, you are a vision, my girl.” And in a louder whisper, he said, “Gray you are going to have your hands full tonight, my friend.” Grays’ response was a crooked grin and a grunt.

Stepping off the last step Rourke began the introductions of guests moving in closer, obviously curious about the daughter no one knew he had but was clearly Rourke’s child.

There were many comments such as, “You look just like Deaglan”, “You are your father’s image”, and “You have your mother’s eyes.” Jess looked around for Genevieve and finally found her surrounded by several older women and a few gentlemen. They all appeared to be hanging on her every word and Jess wondered what bullshit story she was coming up with this time.

Willy was inundated with matrons and women who clearly were drawn to his handsomeness and Jess giggled as she heard ladies hinting that they wanted dances with him later. She was reminded how he and Ben had taught her and Nick how to dance the waltz, the Schottische, the Valse a Deux Temps, Varsouvienne, plus the Five-Step Waltz and the Mazurka and Galop. They had covered all the bases, she mused wryly.

Gray never left her side and often she found their hands touching or he would be close enough to run his fingers unobtrusively down her arm sending her tummy into spasms of wanting. Her thighs quaked and her knees felt like jelly, not to mention her private bits tingling raunchily. When that happened Jess would flush furiously and he would give her his famous crooked smile as though he knew exactly what she was feeling.

They were politely walking the room chatting amiably when Jess felt a light touch on her arm and she turned and saw Genevieve at her elbow. As much as Jessie hated admitting it she had to be fair and acknowledge that her mother looked simply beautiful. Her brown hair was up and decorated with gold chains and yellow flowers and her amber-colored, figure-hugging dress was absolutely stunning. She wore amber and diamond jewelry that dominated her look, but it suited her.

They stared at each other for a short while and it was Genevieve who spoke first, “You look gorgeous, Jessie.” The way she said Jessie made the double ‘s’ sound like double ‘z’s’ and it sounded rather charming, thought Jess.

“Thank you, mother. I must admit that you look radiantly beautiful tonight.” Said Jess with open frankness and honesty and Gray bowed to Genevieve and complimented her as well.

“Thank you, both, I value your compliments. Grayson, may I have a moment with my daughter, if you please? I will not keep her from you for too long.” And she smiled a very knowing smile that made her face appear soft and gentle. Jess glanced at Gray and saw him looking at her and they grinned at each other. They could not hide how they felt for one another and they both didn’t really care what anyone thought besides. Gray stepped aside and stood with Rourke and was introduced to some or other fellow who was close friends with old King George III.

“Jessie, I just wanted to compliment you on all you have done to prepare for this evening. I should have been here to help you but I wasn’t because of my own selfishness and stupidity, and for that, I am so sorry. I have not been a very good mother to you and I cannot change that, but I can apologize and try to make amends as best I can.” Looking around them she moved closer to Jess and said, “I have heard from Nick and he has information for us. I have shared this news with your father.” As Genevieve was talking the gong was struck for everyone to start heading into the dining hall. “We need to take our places. We will talk some more in a little while.” And Genevieve moved in closer and kissed Jess on the cheek just above her scar and squeezed her arm. Looking around Jess saw her father and Gray heading towards them and Genevieve went to Rourke and let him take her arm. Gray put his arm around Jess’s waist and led her into the dining hall where they heard murmurs of approval. Jessie felt incredibly proud of herself seeing the guests’ faces and hearing the positive comments. Gray leaned closer, “I had no idea you were so talented, my love.” His breath brushed against her ear and Jess very nearly lost her composure. She whispered back close to his ear, “I had a lot of help, my darling.” And Grays’ eyes bore into hers and she saw what she needed to see. Untamed passion and fire burning deep within matched her own and they knew that the world could stop right now, but they would go on. “God knows, I want to kiss you right now.” He said huskily and she all but fainted. Instead, she whispered back, “God knows, I wouldn’t be much of a lady if I told you what I wanted to do to you right now!” she gave him the sexiest smile ever, raised her chin, and walked to where she knew her and Gray were seated.

Finding their seats the guests got down to the business of deciding what to drink and glasses were filled and table talk got underway. The tables were set out in a three-sided square with a single table down the center and Jess had placed her father at the head of that table with her mother at the bottom end. The guests at their table included both Governors and the friend of the old king as well as old school friends and their wives. Gray and Jess sat side by side in the middle of the table that made up the bottom of the square so she could see her mother’s back and her father’s face in the distance. Willy was three places down from her between two very attractive and vivacious sisters who had connections in parliament thanks to their father and late husbands. Jessie noticed the ladies vying for his attention and Willy happily shared attention with both ladies.

Along the center of the tables were platters with assorted meats, vegetables, fruits, pies, and various gravies and sauces. In between these were the desserts and cakes and pastries and tarts. Jessie had never seen so much food, but she had also never been a part of such a large gathering. There must be at least a hundred and fifty people in the dining hall, she mused.

Jessie was chatting with a sweet old man who was a physician and he had said his name, but Jess couldn’t remember what it was when Rourke stood up and rang a crystal bell. The chatter in the hall fell to a murmur as he began his speech. “I would like to welcome one and all to my humble home. To old friends and new, to my familiar friends and my family, and to those who are my dearest loved ones. I raise a toast to you all and honor you with my sincerest thanks and gratitude for joining us and choosing to be here on this wonderful evening. It is high time I got to see you all again and my wish for you all is everything you wish for yourselves and more. To my beautiful wife, I thank you for gracing my table with your beauty, and to my daughter, Jessamine, no father could be prouder of their offspring as I am of you, my darling girl. Your presence brightens my life.” Raising his glass everyone else raised their drink of choice and he said loudly, “Gairdeachas ri do shlainte mhath!” All of the guests repeated the toast and drank and the conversations picked up again as everyone dug into the food in front of them and platters were passed up and down the tables.

Jessie had her head bent and was listening to the lady beside her who was the wife of her father’s lawyer. The woman was an epic storyteller and she was regaling Jess with titbits from a soirée she had attended in London where the new King George IV had arrived with his entourage and two of his so-called lady friends wore really beautiful dresses that did not have room for their ample bosoms. Jess nearly choked when the woman said, “The one woman turned too quickly and her bosom got trapped under her arm such were the size of her ample wares! I tell you, it was a sight! I imagine eating a hot meal in that dress could be quite disastrous!” Jessie and the woman nearly keeled over laughing at the image and others at the table wished to know what was so hysterically funny because they also wanted to join in with the laughter. Jess thought the lady would prefer not to repeat the story, but no, she told it exactly as she had told it to Jess and the table roared and Gray had to wipe his eyes at the image conjured of a woman’s breasts flopping in her supper. After that anecdote others shared their odd tales of the goings on in London and especially those where the King attended or where they had attended balls at the palace.

Jess had no idea that referring to the toilet as a throne was derived from the British monarchy. Their royal thrones were oftentimes actual toilets. She was, at first, disbelieving until she asked Gray and he confirmed what he himself had always thought of as nonsense but found out to be quite true.

The dinner was progressing spectacularly and she looked up several times to check on her father. A few times he caught her eye and winked and she winked back. Just as more wine was being brought in there was a bit of a commotion outside the dining hall doors and some of the men stood up and the chatter died down. Jessie looked at her father and saw him nod to Gray and Willy and they excused themselves and walked over to Rourke who also stood and turned with the two men who were on either side of him as a show not of force, but as a defiant stand, and faced the doors.

Gibbs entered and bowed, “I apologize for the intrusion sir, but Colonel Daniels has just arrived uninvited, sir.” The meaning was not lost on any of the family and there were hidden grins all around.

“Did he say what his reason was for arriving so late, Gibbs?” Rourke asked with a feigned frown.

“No sir, he simply said it was a social call.” Gibbs stood with his hands behind his back.

Looking around Rourke said loudly, “A very late hour for a social visit. Show him in Gibbs, my good man.” Another very obvious statement was brought to everyone’s attention and crowd curiosity was raised.

“Yes sir.” Bowing Gibbs went to open the doors and admitted the Colonel.

Walking in with fake bluster and fanfare Daniels pretended to be so surprised that Rourke was entertaining guests, “My good man, I do apologize for the intrusion. I was merely riding past and saw the lights blazing and thought to pop by for a social visit and lo-and-behold you are having a fine soirée. Please forgive the intrusion?” He bowed low but glared at Gray with his little piggy eyes and Jessie’s blood ran cold.

“Yes, well, seeing as you’re here do join us.” And making a show of looking about Rourke gestured to a space, “There appears to be a bit of space alongside Governor Trent and Lady Brandish if M’Lord and Lady do not mind?” The Governor looked down his nose at Daniels and muttered a soft comment that had everyone snickering at the table, and so with a dramatic flourish of his arm, the staff put together the Colonel’s placings in no time.

“Thank you ever so much, my good fellow. Ah, some familiar faces. How very opportune?” Brushing past Gray he went and sat down without greeting any of the other guests nearby and poured himself a full measure of wine.

The men returned to their seats and the guests began their chatting and partaking of the festivities once more, but Daniels’s eyes followed Grayson and the look of utter hatred on his face was undisguised. He watched Gray take his seat and then his eyes became as large as they could when he saw who was sitting beside Gray.

Jessie felt his eyes on her but she refused to look in his direction and Gray leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear, “Part one has begun, my love. Are you sure about this?” Smiling up at him Jessie assured him that this was the only way with such short notice and they chatted amiably with their table guests and the mood returned to one of relaxed camaraderie.

It had been planned, by Beatrice, that Willy would bring up the story of the Fairie Child, but somehow Jessie’s comical Lady, who Jess had discovered was a Lady Bolger, who was born MacDonnell. She had married the love of her life instead of a preferred suitor of her father, but alas he passed on several years ago. “But, my dear, I choose not to wallow in my grief. I choose, rather, to live my life and poke my nose in where it doesn’t belong!” She grinned at Jess and raised her glass to her lips.

“Oh, by the way, seeing as you are from the colony, you probably are unaware that the Irish are a superstitious lot? Between us and the Scots, we could fill volumes filled with our superstitious beliefs that are, to this day, still seen as truth.” She said with a twinkle in her eye and Jess noticed her cheeks had grown quite rosy.

“Truthfully I have not really paid that much attention to superstitions, but please, delight me with any tales and foibles you feel I ought to know from around these parts,” Jess said kindly.

Dropping his hand discreetly Gray squeezed Jessie’s leg and she knew that it meant he was listening to their conversation while seemingly paying attention to their other table guests. Jess felt like melting into a puddle under the table such was the effect of his touch even through her dress and petticoats. He drove her to the brink of madness and she vowed to drive him just as crazy.

Lady Bolger took a breath and began to speak, “Well, from this specific area there is one tale that is so believed to be true it quite literally has people looking for proof of its truth. You see, it goes like this; over a thousand years ago, somewhere around these parts, there was a dispute about the boundaries of some land that went through the most beautiful glade in all of Ireland. There was a natural spring, beautiful plants and flowers of every conceivable color, and various trees that were so unusual some people say had golden fruit, glass-like flowers, and silver sap that ran from some of these unusual plants. It was said that this sap had magical properties. The sight of this glade was something to behold, but nary could a human enter. They would most assuredly be struck down with an ailment of sorts and die.” There was a smattering of murmurs and nods from those who were listening and so intent was everyone that no one noticed other guests listening in.

Lady Bolger continued, “The one family said that the glade ought to be left out of the borderline, but the dispute was as to which side the glade would fall into, so on one very cold, yet clear, evening the one landowner and a few of his workers walked in and struck down and burnt the beautiful glade. Trees toppled, plants ripped out at their roots, flowers crushed underfoot and Lyme was thrown upon everything. It was said that the workers were deathly afraid as they heard the plants and trees crying out and when the Lyme was thrown down everything sizzled like sausages in a pan. It was a shame, to be sure. The following morning the landowner who wanted to save the glade saw what had been done and how the greenery had turned brown and had rotted overnight and the spring turned foul and was slimy and green. He kneeled beside the destruction and cried like a man forlorn.” Everyone at the table, and those listening in, sat in rapt silence as Lady Bolger took a sip of wine and then continued. “It is said that the Fairie Queen appeared before the sobbing and saddened man and told him of how angry she was at what had been done to the home of the Fairies and that her wrath will be deadly upon the two families for their greed and inability to compromise, but she said, she would spare them all if he fulfilled one wish of hers and that was that she wanted a new born child from either one of the landowners to appease her anger. She said she would keep this child among the Daoine sidhe for a thousand years and when the thousand and first year came along, the child would be returned by being born back into the bloodline from whence it came and, shockingly, unite the two families with a love that would carry through time, over time, never-ending.” Everyone was watching Lady Bolger and their listening crowd had grown. Rourke and Genevieve were standing behind Gray and Jessie while others were standing behind yet other guests and even more were perched on chairs.

“But that was not all the Fairie Queen had said. She said that in the year that the child was born back to the bloodline from whence it came the spring would begin to flow again and beneath this spring the stairs to the destroyed Fairie kingdom would be seen as a reminder of how human greed had disrupted and ruined the beauty that surrounded them. She also said that the child would return carrying the mark of the Fairies in plain sight, but only visible to those who were meant to see it, and that the child would be a balanced mixture of fire and ice and the child would look weak, but be incredibly strong in spirit, mind, and body and would be eternally protected by the magick of the Fairies and should any human try to hurt or inflict deathly pain upon this child, the Fairies would intervene.”

A young man interrupted and asked, “So when are the thousand years up? Or is it already up and when? How would anyone know when to expect this child again?” Jess was amused to see how seriously everyone was taking this little story and she smiled and gently shook her head, but then felt her mother’s hand on her shoulder give a gentle squeeze. Jess glanced up at her and was surprised to see the clear concern in her eyes and Jess frowned slightly.

Chatter around the table got underway, but Lady Bolger silenced everyone when she said quite loudly, “According to the timeline in the story the thousand years was up just over twenty-five years ago, so the child is among the living already.” And she glanced at Jess but laughed and everyone gave muted nervous laughs.

“We don’t even know the names of the two opposing families in the story, do we?” asked a robust-looking lady who was pressing herself up against a very uncomfortable-looking Willy.

“Well, I don’t know the names of the families, but it is said that the land would never change hands and would still be in the bloodlines of the families, but their differences would be long since resolved.” Willy stared at Jess and she began to feel a tickle like the tips of fingers down her spine that she had never experienced before, but she quickly shook it off.

The young man who had previously had questions had a final one that brought everyone’s attention back to Lady Bolger. “Where did the child come from?”

Lady Bolger looked incredibly happy at this question and brightened considerably, “Excellent question, young man!” and she clapped her hands. “It is said that the poor man who had cried over the destruction of the glade had a wife who was with child and the child was due to be born at any moment. This landowner had only sons, about seven of them it is said, and he and his wife had been praying that this child would be their little girl. The other landowner had sons too, but his wife had passed and the sons had not yet taken wives, so the child would have to come from the poor fellow who felt so bereaved over the destruction. He had to tell his wife what had happened and what the Faerie Queen had said so that they could save their sons and perhaps one day they would have that little girl they wanted so badly. Obviously, his wife had railed and cried and said that under no certain circumstances would she ever give up her baby. But their crops started rotting overnight and their farm animals became sick and their milking cow was struck with a sickness that soured her milk. It was just terrible for the mother, so she finally capitulated and on the day she gave her word to her husband she gave birth to the bonniest little lass either of them had ever laid eyes on. Dark curly hair and eyes so vibrantly blue they appeared as violet sapphires and skin that glowed like that of a freshwater pearl. The little girl was, by all accounts, a vision, but they had given their oath and the couple took their newborn wrapped in the softest, whitest blanket within a white fur blanket and left her at the destroyed glade exactly where the Faerie Queen had said and they walked away. Very early the next morning the mother ran to the glade but stopped in her tracks when she saw the rotting glade had turned green and lush once more, but there were no flowers or fruit and the spring was still foul, but most of all, her baby girl was gone. The Faerie Queen had kept her word and the husband and wife believed that their baby girl had saved them all and would one day return to the roots of her ancestors.”

Absolute silence followed the ending of this story and everyone was lost in their own thoughts when it was broken by the most irritating voice Jess could ever remember hearing. “So, you are saying that by these people sacrificing their baby girl it saved their land and animals and ultimately their lives from destruction?” Daniels laughed out loud, “Hardly! They probably murdered their child because they had too many mouths to feed and came up with this cockamamie story to cover it all up! Superstitious nonsense!” he walked away laughing and Rourke said, “Obviously not a true Irishman! The English are a rather boring lot, aren’t they?” and everyone within earshot laughed and Daniels gave them all a sidelong glare.

Jess stood and walked through to the ballroom and spoke to the orchestra and they began playing gentle music to bring guests through to the ballroom so that they may all dance off the copious amounts of food and liquor that they had all consumed. Quickly walking over to one of the maids Jess arranged a platter of food to be taken to Constance and Gem as she had promised, “Just make sure there is nothing in there with strawberries or has touched strawberries.” Jess said with a concerned expression and the maid curtseyed and said, “Aye Mistress, I will make absolutely sure.” And she looked up and behind Jess and her eyes grew large, she ducked her head down and quickly went about doing what Jess asked.

Jessie turned around with a lifted chin and ice in her eyes, unsurprised to see a leering Daniels behind her. “It appears the myth may have some truth to it after all.”

Jess stared coldly at him, lifted her skirts gently, and walked past him without a word. She felt his eyes on her as the hairs on the back of her neck rose and that strange tickle ran down her spine.