Free Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry by Amanda Hughes Page A

water and dried herself. Looking up, she could see the day was going to be mild and cloudless.
     
    For over a week, Darcy had been collecting petals from the roses which grew wild in the meadow, and she rubbed them onto her skin, capturing their scent. After scrubbing her teeth with a small frayed sapling branch, she combed through her long, dark hair and caught up only the tresses around her face, leaving the rest to tumble down loosely over her shoulders. Darcy slipped a red gown over her head, and although it fit tightly over her round breasts, it fell all the way to her ankles and molded to her figure gracefully. The gown had been her mother's best dress, and she ran her hands over the fabric lovingly. To complete her ensemble, she put on her only pair of shoes, soft black slippers which had also belonged to her mother.
     
    Darcy gathered her things and returned to the Mullin cottage. Teila would need plenty of help cooking and getting the children ready before the wedding. There was an air of excitement when Darcy walked through the door, and she could see everyone busy with preparations. Teila was frantically packing food in tin pails while Keenan struggled with his buttons in front of the mirror. "I can't do this!" he burst out, still holding his pipe between his teeth.
     
    Two of the children wrestled on the floor while Brianna, the toddler, was climbing onto the cupboard looking for food. It was chaos, but it was good-natured excitement. It had been a long time since Kilkerry had anything to celebrate, and a wedding on a sunny afternoon made spirits high.
     
    Keenan bellowed, "Why, Darcy McBride! You're a sight for sore eyes. I'm betting that you'll be married yourself before the day is over."
     
      Teila looked up, and said, "You look beautiful today, Darcy. It seems like only yesterday your mother was wearing that dress."
     
    Keenan grabbed Teila around the waist and roared, "Speaking of beauties, just look at me bride!"
     
    He gave Teila a squeeze, and she snapped a towel at him laughing, "Settle down, you old fool. That sort of attitude is why I'm the size of a cow today!"
     
    Teila was dressed in a soft yellow gown, which draped loosely over her generous belly, and her light hair was gathered into a knot at the back of her head with a green ribbon.
     
    Darcy opened a basket and double-checked the number of bowls. Everyone attending the wedding was expected to provide their own eating utensils as well as food to share. There was no one wealthy enough in these parts to provide a feast for an entire village, so it was expected that everyone bring enough food to feed the number of family members they brought to the celebration.
     
    Darcy packed several stews, puddings and breads into baskets, as Teila finished dressing the last child. In a flurry they set out for the wedding on the village green. The ceremony would be performed at the O'Hearn family cottage by Father Etienne then the feasting and celebration would begin.
     
    Those who were aware of the priest's presence in Kilkerry knew of this arrangement, but those who could not be trusted were told the bride and groom had taken their vows earlier in the week by an existing priest in Granager.
     
    The green was alive with activity when they arrived. Tables were being arranged and carts were beginning to pull up, filled with excited guests. Everyone commented on the beautiful sunshine, and spirits were running high.
     
    The interior of the O'Hearn home resembled most cottages, but today it had a look of celebration. It had been recently scrubbed and whitewashed, and it sparkled with the nervous excitement of its inhabitants. Michael and Bridget stood by the fireplace, anxiously watching Father Etienne place an altar cloth over the kitchen table. He winked at them to put them at ease.
     
    Michael was dressed in a newly woven white smock with dark breeches. Everyone marveled at his black boots, which he had borrowed from Casey Mulligan. Many a