Pretentious Hearts

by M J Schlotter

  ​“Come now lass, it will be alright. Mr. Riley told me he’s hope’in to help ya save your estate.” Mrs. Finnegan comforted.

  ​“I know,” Katie forced a smiled, “But it’s horrible know’in that if our plan fails, I’ll never get to set foot in Kerney Hall again.”

  “I know lass,” Mrs. Finnegan spoke, her hazel eyes fighting back tears. Then giving Katie’s hands a motherly squeeze she spoke, “How’s about I get ya something to take your mind off it?” she smiled then left returning with a plate full of oatmeal cookies.

  ​“Mrs. Finnegan,” Katie beamed, “You’re too good to me ya know that?”

  ​“Aye, if anyone deserves it me dear it’s ya.” The older woman smiled. “On a different note,” Mrs. Finnegan beamed, “I have some good news.”

  ​Katie smiled, “Oh, Mrs. Finnegan, please do share.” Talking about anything besides Kerney Hall would be a nice change of topic. Besides, she thought, she had not really been a good friend. She had been dominating the conversation by talking all about her troubles and not even asked Mrs. Finnegan how she was doing.

  “Well lass, ya know my sister Maggie moved to England years ago, and I haven’t seen me dear nephew Michael since he was a wee thing. Well,” she smiled almost unable to contain her excitement, “Michael is come’in for a visit in a few weeks!”

  Katie swallowed the bite she had taken from her cookie.“Why Mrs. Finnegan, that is wonderful news!” She beamed taking her friends hands in hers and giving them a warm squeeze.

  “I know,” Mrs. Finnegan continued, “he’s apparently work’in for some big bank in London and they are think’in of expand’in. He was such a nice young lad, I’m sure he is just a wonderful gentleman now. Say,” she paused her eyes growing big with thought, “Katie, ya shall have to meet him! Then ya can get that cad McAllen from try’in to change your fancy.”

  “I’d love to meet him,” Katie spoke, “but just so ya know, I have no intention of court’in. I’ve got enough troubles take’in care of my dad right now.”

  Mrs. Finnegan nodded, “Well, at least you’ve agreed to meet him.”

  Katie smiled, shaking her head, “Mrs. Finnegan, you’re a dear friend who always has the best intentions for others in her heart.”

  The baker smiled back at her, a motherly gaze passing between them. “You’re like me own daughter, Katie, I hope ya know that. Now, how about we finish get’in your order ready.” She added patting Katie’s hand.

  ​Leaving the bakery, her basket full of bread, Katie decided to walk around town a bit before she began the long trek back to Kerney Hall. She was admiring a display of hats, when she heard a voice that made her skin crawl. She turned away from the shop’s window, and saw that Ian McAllen was across the street engaging in a loud monologue while his admirers stood captivated and in awe. What it was he was spouting, Katie did not care. Hoping he had not yet noticed her, she quickly ducked into the bookshop next door. With various volumes to peruse, she knew she could easily occupy her time until Ian vacated the street. It was after she had finished reading a collection of poetry, that she observed to her relief, Ian and his posse were nowhere to be seen. Mr. Riley should be finished showing the hall by now she thought, and if I do not head back to learn the news, I may never be ready to hear it. Leaving the bookshop, she took off her shoes and holding them in her free hand, slowly made her way down the dirt road leading out into the countryside.

  Chapter 4

  ​“Well, what do ya think?” Mr. Riley beamed stepping out of the car.

  ​Staring up at the old stone manor Robert was surprised. Kerney Hall was not what he had expected. Instead, what lay before him was like something out of a dream, no rather something out of a tale full of enchantment. The two story stone hall looked like a cross between a castle and an English cottage. Ancient trees were dotted around the manor, and sprawling around it were lush green fields enclosed by stone fences which were dwarfed by the majestic mountains towering in the distance.

  ​It’s beautiful...There is still something in this world that is beautiful, Robert mused unable to suppress his thoughts as he got out of the car.

  ​“Shall we go inside then?” Mr. Riley asked, a twinkle in his eye as he watched Lord Clifton’s dull face begin to show the slight signs of expression. It was the first time he had seen the gentleman display any sign of genuine emotion. Could it be he was intrigued? Or was it amused? Mr. Riley thought.

  ​As they walked towards the door, Robert breathed in the fresh country air filling his lungs. Fresh, clean, and not full of the suffocating reminders that had plagued him in England. Here at last, he thought, I might find peace...enough! He chided himself, you are moving to America regardless. But as he inhaled the Irish air, its fragrant magic began working to mend his broken soul. For the first time since the war, he felt a slight spring in his walk as he followed Mr. Riley up the old stone steps and onto the porch.

  Once inside, Robert found himself staring at a massive staircase above which a chandelier softly glowed sending warm light dancing upon the mahogany banister. The wooden floors creaked with age, softly echoing the men's footsteps, as they walked throughout the manor surveying the warm and inviting kitchen, parlor, bed chambers and various other rooms within the manor. On the second floor, they peered into the master suite, and then opened the door into a bright cream bedroom trimmed with delicate periwinkle flowers. Stepping towards the window seat, Robert stared transfixed gazing at the vibrant green peaks. The view was indeed spectacular, and as much as he wanted to he could not deny it.

  “Yes,” Mr. Riley spoke beaming with pride as he observed Robert’s gaze, “There is nothing more beautiful than the Irish countryside.”

  ​Indeed, Robert thought as he watched a flock of sheep grazing in the distance. Everything about this place was tranquil, inviting, and seemed to be calling to his very soul. A flash of red caught his attention, and he noticed a young woman climbing over one of the low stone fences holding her shoes up in the air. He chuckled to himself. It had been so long since he had found something to be amusing. At this very moment it was settled he decided. He didn’t care about the cost, he would rent this place for as long as he was forced to stay in Ireland.

  ​After touring the interior, Robert and Mr. Riley walked the grounds. With each step he took, Robert grew more sure of his decision that Kerney Hall would provide him exactly what he was looking for, he thought feeling a bit deceitful, the perfect cover Wesley had insisted. The stables were a bit rundown, and the grounds a tad overgrown, but in all that mattered little. What mattered most was that the Irish landscape was something that one could not look at without feeling, dare he admit it...peaceful?

  ​“I will be renting Kerney Hall for the remainder of the summer.” Robert asserted once he and Mr. Riley were standing by the car, “Till October. And I will have the option to buy or there shall be no deal.” He found himself demanding. What in the hell had he just said? He wanted to be able to buy the bloody place? What was wrong with him?

  ​“I’ll check with the owners, but I’m sure they will agree.” Mr. Riley forced a smile. He did not much like the thought of this aristocratic snob having the potential to buy...but Katie and her father needed the money...if he did not accept this offer... there did not appear to be any other option...the bankers were already circling like vultures...

  ​“Inform them,” Robert spoke seeing Mr. Riley’s conflicted expression, “I will pay them whatever they like, and extra if they can be out in a week. Money is no option.” He added making it clear he would get what he wanted and there would be no further discussion. In a week, he might actually not despise Europe entirely, he thought astounded by such a realization.

  ​“I shall tell them,” Mr. Riley mumbled, as Lord Clifton climbed into the automobile and waited once again stoic for him to commence driving.

  Mr. Riley had never been a servant, but he was pretty sure that was how Lord Clifton perceived him. Agitated with this realization, he did not tr
y and make small talk like he had on the drive out to the hall. Even if he had, he thought with chagrin, it would not have made a difference, for as they they drove down the long drive and turned on to the dirt road heading back towards town, Lord Clifton’s eyes remained straight ahead and his lips pursed.

  Chapter 5

  ​When Kerney Hall was in sight, Katie lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the sun and saw that despite her loitering in town, Mr. Riley’s car was still parked out front. I would have thought they’d be gone by now for sure she thought, climbing over one of the stone fences, her shoes waving in the air. Walking along the fence line, her basket swinging back and forth, she made her way towards the creek that ran through the property about a half a mile from the hall. Beneath a tree at the edge of the water, she sat down and dipped her dirt caked feet into the clear stream.

  “Ah!” she exclaimed as the cool water washed the grime from her toes. “Now this is more like it.” Leaning back in the grass, she folded her arms behind her head and closed her eyes listening to the gentle cascade of water splashing against the rocks.

  ​She must have drifted off to sleep, because her eyes flashed open and heart felt as though it would leap out of her chest at the sound of a motor-car barreling past. Leaping to her feet, she managed to glimpse Mr. Riley’s car before it turned around the bend.

  Well, Katie smiled to herself as she slipped on her shoes, it seems like whoever was touring Kerney Hall spent a lot of time looking! That has to be a good sign! Once she had brushed the dust from her skirt, she grabbed her basket and made her way back home, her heart pounding with delight.

  ​It was a little after six when she heard the front door bang open. Untying her apron, she left the kitchen and went out into the front hall.

  ​“Da,” she smiled.

  ​“Eve’nin,” her father replied his face haggard and eyes red and puffy from lack of sleep.

  ​“Supper’s almost ready if you’re hungry.” Katie tried to keep her voice from showing too much concern at her father’s disheveled appearance. She had learned the less concern she exhibited the more civility and tolerance he extended towards her.

  ​“That’s nice,” Mr. O'Connor replied pulling a pipe from his tweed jacket and striking a match against the sole of his shoe. “Make sure ya set two extra seats,” he added puffing a cloud of smoke.

  ​Katie’s eyes widened in surprise, “I didn’t know we were expect’in company.”

  ​“Mr. Riley’s come’in by with some paperwork,” Mr. O’Connor puffed, “and I’ve invited young Ian McAllen over as well.” He spoke, his voice lacking any expression.

  ​Katie reddened. Ian McAllen had been trying to court her for the past two months. And now, after she had turned him down making it blatantly clear that even if he were the last man in Ireland she would never go steady with him, he’d managed to get himself invited to dinner! It wasn’t that Ian was not good looking, for he was rather handsome. He was tall, broad shouldered, had dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes; a physique that would surely make any young woman’s heart swoon, but he was narcissistic and had a temper, making him in her opinion, a conceited hot head. Katie shivered. Now that Ian was running around with the I.R.A., there seemed to be an even more dangerous side lurking within him that she did not like.

  ​“Da,” Katie stammered, trying to keep her voice level. “I’m not quite sure we have enough food for two guests. How about invite’in Mr. McAllen over some other time?”

  ​“Nonsense,” Mr. O'Connor declared, his voice unfeeling and blunt. “I know how ya cook, so I know we’ve got plenty. Now be a good lass and try and be nice to Ian. He fancy’s ya, ya know and I’m quite fond of him.” Turning to leave he added, “I’ll be in the parlor wait’in for them to arrive.”

  ​Left standing in the hall, Katie fumed as she thought about having to spend the evening with Ian McAllen and remain civil. Huffing back to the kitchen, she threw the corned beef and cabbage back into the oven. Setting a cutting board on the counter, she roughly began slicing a loaf of bread.

  “I may have a temper, but at least I’m not plot’in violence instead of diplomacy!” She muttered.

  ​At seven, much to her annoyance, Katie found herself seated next to Ian who kept putting his hand on her knee underneath the table. Every time she tried to push his hand away, he would grab hold of it and give her fingers a small squeeze, then furthering her chagrin would turn and smirk. Digging her fingernails into his palm she glared at him. But this only caused him to look more smug and slide his hand further past her knee and onto her thigh.

  ​“So Mr. O'Connor,” Mr. Riley spoke placing a few papers on the table, “I’ve got all the paperwork ready, all ya have to do is sign.”

  ​“And this gentleman is not interested in buy’in?” Mr. O'Connor grunted through mouthfuls of cabbage.

  ​“No, he merely wants to rent the property till October and is will’in to pay ya extra if ya can move out by next week.” Mr. Riley continued. “He does, however, want the option to buy,” he added hesitantly seeing Mr. O’Connor’s eyes narrow, “but I do not believe he will act upon it,” he continued quickly. “If you ask me, I think he was just trying to flaunt his money and notion of superiority.”

  ​“Superiority?” Ian scoffed, “Who is rent’in this place anyway Riley?”

  ​Mr. Riley caught Katie’s eye. He knew as well as she of Ian McAllen’s bigotry towards the English Crown and those who served it. Knowledge of Lord Clifton’s presence would not be something he would take kindly. Mr. O’Connor’s association with McAllen had been what had prompted him to leave Lord Clifton’s title off of the paperwork.

  “Some expat,” Mr. Riley spoke, “American I think.”

  “At least it’s not some priggish Brit,” Ian nodded returning his attention to his plate.

  “Alright, I’ll agree.” Mr. O'Connor grunted, “That’ll allow us to pay off some of our debts.” He muttered stabbing his beef with his knife.

  ​“Excellent!” Mr. Riley beamed, “Would ya and Katie like to stay with my wife and I while your property is be’in rented?”

  ​“That won’t be necessary,” Mr. O'Connor grunted, “We’ll be stay’in with Mr. McAllen.”

  ​Kicking Ian in the shin, Katie smiled when she saw him wince in pain and release her leg. “I’ll be stay’in with Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan,” she lied standing up and clearing the plates, “Mrs. Finnegan asked if I’d help her out for a couple of months at the bakery.”

  ​“Fine,” Mr. O'Connor grumbled, “but I don’t want ya work’in there for long.”

  ​“Agreed,” Katie nodded leaving for the kitchen.

  ​“Well men,” Mr. O'Connor spoke walking over to the mantle and opening a wooden box, “let’s head out to the veranda,” he continued handing his companions each a cigar.

  ​Taking a box of matches from his pocket, Ian lit his smoke and stayed reclined at the table. “Ya two probably have a lot of business to take care of,” he spoke apparently getting over his bruised shin and ego, “I’ll just stay here for a while if ya don’t mind.”

  ​Mr. O'Connor nodded then left with Mr. Riley. When they were gone, Ian poured and downed himself a shot of whiskey, then taking a long draw on his cigar stood up and headed towards the kitchen.

  ​ Katie was furiously scrubbing the dishes and did not hear the kitchen door swing open. Why her father was so fond of Ian McAllen she did not know. Just thinking about him made her skin crawl! Ian was nothing but a narcissist, and shuddering she knew he was just the type of person who could become dangerous.

  ​“Are ya plan’in on ignore’in me the rest of the even’in?” Ian spoke grabbing the sponge from her hand.

  ​Katie stared at him, a sense of uneasiness sweeping over her as she realized how quietly he had snuck up on her. “Mr. McAllen, if ya will kindly give me back the sponge and then be on your way, I would greatly appreciate it.” she remarked stepping away from the sink.

  ​Ian smiled, “Ya are so c
ute when ya get angry,” he chuckled moving closer to her. Katie smelt the alcohol on his breath and again tried to create distance between them hoping to mask her building discomfort but Ian, quickly guessing what she was doing, pinned her against the wall.

  “Why won’t ya go out with me? Ya know we’re perfect for each other.” He smiled twirling one of her long red curls between his fingers. “My family has enough money to pay off your father’s debts,” he spoke running the tips of his fingers across her cheek, “And ya’d be a lovely Mrs. McAllen.” He added cupping her cheek in his palm while his eyes lingered on her face then roved across the rest of her features.

  ​Katie’s skin crawled as she held Ian’s gaze, there was no love in his eyes, only a greedy hunger of that like a predator sizing up its prey. As Ian leaned in closer, Katie felt his breath inches from her lips. Placing her hands on his chest, she shoved him backwards causing him to stumble before he regained his balance with a calculating grin.

  “If ya come near me again,” Katie fumed, “It won’t be your shins I’ll be kick’in!”

  ​“When ya finally figure out you're in love with me, I’ll be here.” Ian snickered, “See ya around Katie,” he smirked, taking a draw from his cigar then walking out the kitchen door.

  ​Picking up the sponge, her hands shaking in anger, Katie returned to the dishes smarting at the arrogance of Ian McAllen, and swearing that the next time he tried to make a move she would slap him clear across his odious face!

  Chapter 6

  ​The next morning Katie got up early. She had not slept well. Her thoughts, a swirling vortex of Ian McAllen’s smug face and visions of packing and leaving Kerney Hall for the next few months, had filled her brain making it nearly impossible to slumber. Rising from her bed, she quickly dressed in a light blue frock and brown work boots and hurried down the stairs and out the door. She did not bother telling her father she was on her way to town, because she knew all too well that he had headed to the pub with Ian and was probably still sleeping it off at the McAllen’s. There was no way on earth she was going to stay at the McAllen’s till October! As she started her long trek to town, she prayed that Mrs. Finnegan would indeed be willing to take her on at the bakery for the next few months. If she was unable to, Katie dreaded to think, she had no idea what she was going to do.