Pretentious Hearts

by M J Schlotter

  ​The early morning air was damp and cool as Katie walked along the road, and the sun was just beginning to rise. This was her favorite part of the day, there was nothing more beautiful than a sunrise. It was moments like this that made her feel alive, awake, and full of love and awe despite the fact that her father made her feel worthless in his eyes. It was the beauty of early mornings and Kerney Hall that kept her going, kept her feeling cognizant of who she was, she thought, and this her father could never take from her heart.

  Breathing deeply, she filled her lungs with the fresh morning air and continued walking lost in thought. So Robert Clifton, whoever he was, she thought recalling the paperwork her father had signed, had agreed to rent Kerney Hall. That was wonderful! Yet why did he merely want to rent it? Would he indeed want to buy it after he stayed for a few months? The prospect of this caused her heart to ache. No, she must not think like that, whomever Mr. Clifton was, he was renting Kerney Hall, just renting it, plain and simple, nothing more. She would refuse to think otherwise, at least for the time being, and be thankful that she would again be back at her beloved home in October. She did not like that the renter had the ability to purchase the property if he desired, but Mr. Riley’s words at dinner had given her hope that he would not act upon this power. Feeling on top of the world with this last thought, she arrived in town just as Mrs. Finnegan was opening up shop.

  ​“Katie me dear,” Mrs. Finnegan beamed, “What on earth are ya doing in town so early? Come in, come in.”

  ​“I’ve come to ask a rather large favor,” Katie replied stepping into the bakery and hearing the chime softly twinkle as the door closed behind her.

  ​“Aye,” Mrs. Finnegan remarked, “Whatever it is the answer’s yes.”

  ​“Kerney Hall did not sell yesterday,” Katie smiled, “It’s only going to be rented until October!”

  ​“That is wonderful!” Mrs. Finnegan exclaimed.

  ​“Yes, but that means that my da and I have to find another residence till then and,” Katie felt the rest of her words tumble forth from her mouth in panic, “and he wants me to stay with him at Ian McAllen’s!”

  ​“Live with that vile slime! I do not think so, you’ll be stay’in with me.” Mrs. Finnegan declared as if anything other than that was out of the question.

  ​“Mrs. Finnegan!” Katie exclaimed hugging the older woman, “I was hope’in ya would say that. You’re a saint, a real saint!” She felt the relief coursing through her limbs.

  ​“Oh stop that,” Mrs. Finnegan blushed, “I’m just do’in what any decent folk would do. Now that’s all settled,” she continued business like in hopes to get the look of adoration off of Katie’s face, “can I get ya anything today?”

  ​Grabbing an apron off the wall, Katie tied it around her waist, “No, but in thanks, let me help ya out from this moment forth for your generosity,” she smiled causing Mrs. Finnegan to shake her head but consent.

  ​For the next four hours Katie mixed and molded muffins, scones, and soda bread. With flour smudging her face, she was thankful when Mrs. Finnegan told her to take a break for lunch.

  ​“Take whatever ya want, I’ve got apples and cheese in the back so help yourself.” Mrs. Finnegan smiled, “And take a long break lass, you’ve worked extremely hard.”

  ​Outside, with a cheese sandwich and apple in hand, Katie strolled through town looking in the windows of shops admiring the clothing displays, jewelry, dishes and whatever else caught her eye. Walking past Mr. Riley’s mercantile, she stopped dead in her tracks. There, posted on the window next to the list of this week’s specials was a hiring advertisement. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? Was it possible that she would be qualified and would not have to leave Kerney Hall after all? Pushing open the door, she walked inside determined to get the job.

  ​“Out of the question!” Mr. Riley exclaimed standing up from his stool behind the counter.

  ​“But Mr. Riley, ya know I’m a great cook, and ya know my dad needs the extra money.” Katie added trying to keep her voice level.

  The older man furrowed his brows holding her gaze. Katie knew that what she was asking was a bit unpractical, but then again it also made perfect sense. Who else knew Kerney Hall’s kitchen as well as she?

  “Alright.” Mr. Riley finally spoke breaking the silence. He had thought it over and continued to arrive at the same conclusion, but still could not believe what he was about to say. “The job is yours.”

  Katie ran forward forgetting all social pretences and threw her arms around him.

  “Ya won’t regret this, I promise.” She exclaimed, unable to hide the joy and relief from her voice.

  “But, if ya speak one word of who ya are to Lord Clifton or his English housemaid and butler, I”ll swear I didn’t know and ya must have applied under a pseudonym.” Mr. Riley scolded.

  “I won’t. As long as there are still stars in the sky, on my honor I shan’t breathe a word.” Katie declared heartily shaking his hand and smiling from ear to ear as she made her way to the door. “Ya have been such a wonderful friend, Mr. Riley, and I will never forget all you’ve done for my dad and me.”

  Mr. Riley stood shaking his head, still in disbelief at what he had just agreed to, as Katie departed from his shop. Lord Clifton had no idea of the force he would soon be reckoning with within the kitchen. His lordship’s assuming attitude and obstinateness was surely going to be tested, Mr. Riley chuckled, for Katie, though kind and good intentioned, might be even more stubborn than Lord Clifton.

  ​“You're positively glow’in!” Mrs. Finnegan remarked as Katie returned to the bakery.

  ​“You’ll never believe it,” Katie beamed, “I’m so grateful for your hospitality, please don’t think me ungracious.”

  ​“Out with it lass, I won’t think ya ungrateful,” Mrs. Finnegan chuckled.

  ​“I was walk’in through town when I happened upon an advertisement posted at Mr. Riley’s shop,” Katie bubbled with excitement. “It read that Kerney Hall’s renter was look’in for a cook! I went inside, and Mr. Riley at first was hesitant to hire me, but when he heard me out and knew that Lord Clifton, oh that’s the renter’s name,” Katie added catching sight of Mrs. Finnegan’s puzzled expression, “was bring’in his own housekeeper and butler from England, he must have figured no one would know I was the current resident. I get to stay at Kerney Hall!” Katie exclaimed unable to hide her joy.

  ​Mrs. Finnegan cleared her throat, “I’m happy for ya lass, but won’t it be hard to stay there and work as the hired help when a total stranger is live’in in your home?”

  ​“Yes,” Katie remarked, “I thought about that, but I feel it would be harder not live’in there and know’in that a stranger was.”

  ​“Well then,” Mrs. Finnegan smiled, “I think it is a splendid idea!”

  ​“Oh,” Katie remembered, “Of course if ya still need me to help out here I will.”

  ​“Nonsense,” Mrs. Finnegan shook her head, “You’ll have your hands full enough be’in a hired cook.”

  ​“Mrs. Finnegan I love ya as if ya were my own mother,” Katie spoke, her green eyes twinkling at which the baker’s own eyes began to fill with tears.

  ​After a long day at the bakery, Katie waved goodbye to Mrs. Finnegan then started again for Kerney Hall. Yes, it was going to be awkward being the hired help in her own home but at least, she smiled, she would still be living in her house. When she arrived home, she found that her father had finally returned.

  ​“Where have ya been?” he inquired catching sight of her flour soiled clothing.

  ​“I’ve been help’in Mrs. Finnegan at the bakery.” She replied taking her boots off and setting them by the door.

  ​“I’m still not sure I like the idea of ya work’in in a shop.” Mr. O'Connor grunted.

  ​“Well, ya don’t have to worry about that,” Katie replied brightly, “because I will not be work’in at the bakery. Instead,” she continued, “I shall be stay’in at Ker
ney Hall as the cook for the renter.”

  ​“Ya will be do’in what!” Mr. O'Connor bellowed. “No daughter of mine is go’in to lower herself to a hired cook for the wealthy!”

  ​“There is no difference between cook’in at Kerney Hall and work’in in Mrs. Finnegan’s bakery!” Katie retorted, “Besides, I will be get’in paid nicely and not put’in Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan in any inconvenience.”

  ​Mr. O'Connor ran his fingers threw his thin red hair. “Think what the rest of the town will say when they hear me daughter is a servant in her own house!” he yelled.

  ​“Oh, and the town isn’t already talk’in about how Mr. O'Connor, Master of Kerney Hall, gets drunk every night and is on the verge of total bankruptcy!” Katie yelled back, “I am go’in to be the cook at Kerney Hall and that is final!”

  ​“You’ve got the same damn temper as your mother!” Mr. O'Connor yelled pulling out his flask and storming out of the room. Katie knew that although he was angry, he would let her be the cook; for he had compared her to the woman he had loved, the woman he had always let have her way.

  Chapter 7

  ​A week ago, Robert had visited Kerney Hall and despite him wanting to loathe everything about Ireland, he had found the ancient manor to be far from detestable. Regardless of this slight alteration to his plans, he was still determined not to enjoy any moment of his confinement here by Captain Wesley. His mind was already a ruddy prison so his life might as well be too. As the ship began docking at the Port of Warrenpoint, he caught sight of Mr. Riley and braced himself for the cheerful Irishman's incessant need for small talk.

  ​“Hello, Lord Clifton, how was your travel?” Mr. Riley beamed shaking Robert’s hand despite his lordship’s lack of enthusiasm.

  ​“Fine.” Robert replied his white button down shirt catching in the breeze. “This is Mr. Dearing and Mrs. Sparrow. My staff,” he gestured towards his two companions.

  ​“It’s a pleasure to meet ya both,” Mr. Riley replied at which Mr. Dearing gave a curt nod and Mrs. Sparrow smiled. More stuffed shirts I see, he mused. Thank goodness Katie shall only have to put up with them until October.

  ​“Lord Clifton,” Mr. Dearing spoke with great formality, “Mrs. Sparrow and I shall go and gather the luggage. We will meet you at the car.”

  ​“Thank you Dearing,” Robert replied curtly as the butler and housekeeper returned to the ferry.

  ​“They’re a bit stuffy aren’t they?” Mr. Riley remarked when Mr. Dearing and Mrs. Sparrow were out of earshot.

  ​“They have been instructed on the proper etiquette by their staffing agency in London.” Robert replied squashing his dark brown curls with his bowler, “They know their place and how to behave in civilized society, unlike others.”

  Mr. Riley understood he had been cut, and it took all his strength to remain composed. Just who did this Lord Clifton think he was anyway? The blooming King of England! He’d show him he was civilized, not that he needed to prove anything, for unlike Lord Clifton he was a gentleman!

  ​When they arrived at the car, they found Mr. Dearing and Mrs. Sparrow waiting with the trunks. As they left the dock, Robert took in the sights and smells of the town, and as they neared the outskirts, he became aware of the fresh fragrance of the pure unspoiled country air. Yes, he thought, despite Captain Wesley’s agenda he had indeed made the right decision in leaving England.

  Robert conveyed no emotion when Mr. Riley pulled into the long drive leading to Kerney Hall, but Mrs. Sparrow’s and Mr. Dearing’s gasps caused a slight twinge to awaken within his heart. Although Kerney Hall was indeed magnificent, its setting was even grander; and Robert now knew he was not alone with this thought. Maybe, he pondered, it was not impossible. Could he once again connect with the human race?

  ​Once inside after Mr. Dearing and Mr. Riley had deposited the luggage, Robert tread throughout the various rooms reacquainting himself with the layout. Walking out onto the veranda, he stood breathing in the summer breeze that wafted through the fields. He took a seat on one of the iron garden chairs that circled the table and decided he would remain here until Mr. Dearing and Mrs. Sparrow had finished settling them in. Mr. Riley could come find him when everything was in order. Out here, he thought, he could be alone and would not have to be under his employees’ depressing gazes. He knew despite their efforts to hide their thoughts, Mr. Dearing and Mrs. Sparrow both pitied him, and pity was neither something he wanted nor deserved.

  As Mrs. Sparrow went throughout the hall opening windows to let in more light, a sense of hope filled her. Evanshire had become so somber after his lordship’s return. If not for her loyalty and admiration for her employer, she was not sure how much more she could have taken. Here though, things could be different. Lord Clifton had left the veranda door open, and as a soft breeze wafted throughout the main level catching her hair and skirt, she felt optimistic. Lord Clifton was outside and appeared to be enjoying sitting outdoors! Since his return to Evanshire, she had not once seen him frequent the grounds. Rubbing her hands together, she smiled. There were numerous volumes in the library he could peruse at his leisure, expansive grounds to explore, and wonderful fresh country air that was not English for him to breath. Perhaps in time he could become alive again!

  ​“Well, everything should be in order,” Mr. Riley beamed wiping his brow as he and Robert made their way to the car. “Here’s the key.” He added placing a small iron key in Robert’s palm.

  ​“Thank you Mr. Riley,” Robert uttered pulling out a wad of bills.

  ​“This is way too much Lord Clifton!” Mr. Riley exclaimed.

  ​“Take it, and see to it that I am not disturbed. ” Robert ordered.

  ​Mr. Riley smiled, “Of course,” he remarked opening the car door. “Oh, I almost forget!” He exclaimed turning around, “I forgot to introduce ya to your cook!”

  ​Back inside, the two men made their way towards the kitchen were Robert noticed, as they drew nearer, an extremely appetizing aroma was wafting. Pushing open the old oak kitchen door, Robert’s eyes were not drawn to the crackling brick oven or the magnificent stone arches vaulting the kitchen ceiling, but instead to the petite young women leaning over the counter. Her fiery long curls, which seemed to be hastily pulled back by a handkerchief, held him but momentarily transfixed, for as she turned to face him, Robert found himself staring into the greenest eyes he had ever seen! Smiling, the girl stepped forward wiping her hands on her apron.

  ​“This,” Mr. Riley smiled, “is Katie, the best cook you’ll find in all of Ireland.”

  ​ Offering her a slight nod, Robert remained silent unable to take his gaze from her eyes. Was this the young woman he had seen climbing the stone fence when he had toured the hall last week? As she smiled, Robert, still holding her gaze, noticed how brightly her eyes twinkled; they sparkled like the sea, no like an...emerald. Was that even possible?

  ​“I think Mr. Riley has over estimated my cook’in,” Katie remarked brightly.

  ​“Nonsense!” Mr. Riley praised, “It tastes as good as it smells, and is the best on our fair island.”

  Robert watched her cheeks blush at Mr. Riley’s words. “Whether or not you are indeed a good cook is still yet to be determined.” He remarked tersely. “Whatever ingredients you need for the week, make a list and Mrs. Sparrow will have them delivered. Is that understood?” He had to get out of this room and leave that penetrating gaze of hers!

  ​“Yes...yes I understand,” Katie stammered taken aback by his tone, “I’ll...I’ll get started on it right away.”

  ​“Good.” Robert remarked turning towards the door.

  ​Mr. Riley gave Katie a sympathetic smile, hoping it conveyed his apologies for allowing such a discourteous man to rent her home before following Lord Clifton out of the kitchen. As the two men left, Robert thought back on his encounter with Katie. This was not going to work. He did not need another person’s gaze trying to read him and discern what pains his soul had seen. No! He had eno
ugh bloody people doing that already! Unlike Mr. Dearing and Mrs. Sparrow, he was sure his cook would be unable to even feign the hiding of her pity from her gaze. There was nothing else to do, he would fire her after dinner!

  ​The nerve of him! Katie fumed as she resumed her work on her boiled potato casserole. She felt like she had been scrutinized from head to toe. She was familiar with formality, but Lord Clifton had taken it to a new level! Not only was he rigid, but his superior view of himself was unmistakable in his rudeness! He had insulted her without merit! She had never been so humiliated in her own home in her entire life! Slamming the oven door, she grabbed a slip of paper and though still feeling frustrated, considered what she would need to get from town. She’d definitely have to have eggs, milk, and flour. Oats, cream and vanilla were a must, and sausage, lamb, chicken, and some fresh vegetables would be nice as well. Yes, she thought, that would do it. She’d show Lord Clifton she could cook! Moving to start the dessert, she allowed her mind to continue dwelling on her new employer. He was most certainly not what she had expected, but then again she did not really know what she had expected. Lord Clifton was completely uncordial, his voice and tone were sharp; and although his face was indeed handsome, she had glimpsed reservation and disapproval within its contours. Was his arrogance and pride merely a facade masking pain, or was he truly an imperious man? His eyes seemed to see right through her, as if he knew her thoughts. How was that possible?

  She shook her head, trying in vain to get Lord Clifton’s gaze out of her mind. What on earth was an English lord thinking about coming to Ireland right now? Only a few months ago the Irish War of Independence had begun, and she had heard rumors of Michael Collin’s plan of creating a frightful group called the Twelve Apostles whose mission was to quell English intelligence by targeting British agents! Although she doubted Lord Clifton was a British agent dedicated to squashing what the English dubbed an Irish uprising, the fact that he was British not only caused her to worry for his safety, since there were hotheads like Ian McAllen running around, but also confirmed to her that only a person with a cavalier nature would do such a thing. Lord Clifton was then without a doubt a self-important fool!