* * *
“What frightened you?” Sean asked gently as they moved around a part of the floor that had been cleared for dancing.
“I’m not sure. I suddenly doubted the wisdom of marryin’ you,” Maeve replied honestly as she looked up into his eyes.
“I see.”
“Do you?” Sean nodded.
“Have I hurt you?” she asked. “Your feelin’s, or perhaps your pride?” He smiled and brought his fingers up to brush the soft skin on her cheek.
“I’ll admit I had a moment,” he breathed against her hair, “but I know you, darlin’. I know how your mind works.”
“Oh you think so, do you?” she replied with a grin.
“Aye, better than you imagine. I know you’re stubborn and prideful. I know you’re smart with a wickedly sharp tongue on occasion. You’re sassy and outspoken, opinionated and bossy, impulsive and?—”
“Do go on listin’ my charms, O’Malley,” she drawled sarcastically. “’Tis a wonder you wanted to marry me at all.”
“Let me finish,” he ordered, smiling when she clamped her lips together.
“You’re also tender-hearted, kind to those who need it and worried about missin’ your ma and da and whether they will be all right once we’ve gone.”
Maeve looked away.
“You’re curious and slightly eager about the marriage bed, but frightened as well. ’Tis natural, darlin’, but I’ll soon set all your fears to rest,” he whispered in her ear.
“If you think I’m frightened of you, Sean O’Malley,” she hissed, “you have another think comin’.”
Sean laughed and ignored her as he continued.
“I know you’re thinkin’ you’ll be able to get your way around me when you misbehave, in fact, you’re countin’ on it. I’ll try not to let that happen. A man should be consistent, but you are so very lovely,” he sighed. “I’ll do my best to be the man you need, strong, protective and tolerant to a point, but, my little Irish whirlwind, I’ll always take you to task when you don’t mind me.”
Maeve snorted indelicately and he chuckled.
“We’ll make a good life together, darlin’,” he promised. “A happy life. You’ll come to know how far you can push me, and I’ll learn when to draw in the reins and when to let you take the bit between your teeth and run.”
“O’Malley, you make me sound like a piece of horseflesh,” she said in outrage.
“Oh no, not horseflesh,” he replied with a grimace. “Your flesh is soft and fragrant. I’m longin’ to stroke and caress it in the most intimate ways,” he informed her. “I’ll also redden it when necessary, but you’re not to worry about that.”
“Aye, of course not,” she cooed back. “That’s just one of the many ways in which you’ll care for me.”
“Exactly, darlin’,” he replied.
“Horseshit!” she said, smiling as the song ended and she made to move away from him. Sean reeled her back into his arms and kissed her to the delight of the guests.
“’Tis time to cut the cake, Maeve,” her mother said, coming up beside her. “Then you’ll have to change or you’ll miss your plane. John has to make his toast as well.”
Sean placed his big hand over Maeve’s and they cut into the cake. One of the ladies of the Alter Guild began slicing small pieces and others passed them out. The champagne was opened, glasses passed round and John rose.
“If you lie, may you lie only to keep a friend, If you cheat, may you cheat only death, If you steal, may you steal your lover's heart, If you drink, may you drink deeply of the joy of your new life together,” he began offering a classic Irish toast. Everyone raised their glasses, but before they drank, he continued with a wink and a grin. “And may all your ups and downs be under the sheets.
“Sláinte,” he said raising his glass in the direction of Sean and Maeve and ignoring his mother’s gasp of indignation.
For a moment there was dead silence in the hall. Then Father Fitzpatrick chuckled and a collective sigh moved round the room. Soon the glasses were drained and conversations began again.
“Lord, I can’t believe I won’t be seein’ you for who knows how long,” Margaret said, her eyes tearing up.
