Ben shook his head. “He was taught commands in Gaelic. Sit is suigh.” The dog sat, now looking up at Ben. “You try it.”
“Sig?” she said as a question, holding the biscuit up again.
The wolfhound thumped his tail, his head moving back and forth between the humans asking him to perform a task he was already doing.
Kitty broke off a piece and held it on her palm. The dog gingerly took it from her hand. “He’s so gentle.”
“He’s an ancient breed, used for hunting and guarding. The motto is ‘gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked.’ Aonarach is a good representation of the breed.”
“I have half a biscuit left. What else shall I have him do?” she asked.
“Tell him to lie down again but in Gaelic. I’ll say it in parts, so he doesn’t put them together. Lee… she… uss.”
“Luigh síos!” Kitty cooed to the dog when he obeyed and gave him the rest of the treat. “You could eat my Terry for a snack!”
Once they were settled in the parlor, Kitty once again giving Aonarach the command to lie down, Ben sipped the sherry and listened as his sister and Kitty chatted. Nora had warmed to Kitty with the first compliment, sensing it was sincere. She told several amusing stories about various productions she’d been a part of.
“I tried to talk Da into letting me bring the beast for a performance, but he refused. I was in a comedy and wanted to dress him up, have him howl along with the chorus.” Nora grinned. “Did you know the dog can sing?”
Kitty shook her head, anticipation shining in her violet eyes. “I have a penny whistle if you’d need accompaniment.”
“Yes!”
Kitty hurried to her room and took her seat again. “What are we playing?”
“‘Comin’ Through the Rye.’ Do you know it?”
“Of course.” She put the whistle to her lips and blew the first notes as Nora began to sing.
If a body meet a body,
Comin' thro the rye,
If a body kiss a body,
Need a body cryyyyyy?
Aonarach raised his head and gave a mournful howl along with “cry.” Nora’s clear voice continued,
Ev'ry lassie has her laddie,
Nane, they say, ha'e I,
Yet a' the lads they smile on me,
When comin' thro' the ryyyyye.
This time Ben added his wail to the dog’s, pleased that Kitty could barely suppress her laughter and keep up the tune.
“So, what’s your opinion? Should he have a debut on the stage?” asked Nora.
“Aonarach, yes. Ben, absolutely not,” said Kitty, breaking into a gale of laughter.
Yes, he thought, this is just what she needed. A feeling of contentment spread over him as he watched his sister patter with the woman he lov?—
His mouth went dry. Blast and perdition! Did he love her? He’d only known her a month. He was attracted to her, considered her a good match, enjoyed her company… but love so soon?
Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.
