Pretentious Hearts

by M J Schlotter

  ​“I…I thought ya had gone back to England,” Katie choked in disbelief, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.

  ​“How could you think I would leave you?” Robert asked touching her cheek, “Don’t you know I am completely in love with you? I’ve been in love with you from the moment I saw you wearing that daisy wreath upon your head.” He smiled. “I’ve been so blind until now. It did not seem right for me to hope you loved me too.”

  “But the sonnet,” Katie sputtered, “I read your words profess’in your love for your lady fair, Lady Shelby, and I saw the kiss ya shared.”

  “You, are my lady fair.” Robert spoke, his words honest and not refrained. “You and I shared a kiss. I am sorry you saw Lady Shelby kiss me, for I did not kiss her back. It was your kiss that sent my heart fluttering.” Robert professed.

  ​As Katie held his gaze, Robert watched as the tears continued to swell within her emerald eyes.

  ​“I love ya too,” Katie smiled, but then suddenly dropped her gaze she continued, “But Robert, I have been such a fool. I…I am not good enough for ya.”

  ​“No,” Robert whispered lifting up her chin, “I am the one who is not good enough for you.”

  Then pulling her close, they shared a kiss, a kiss so loving, a kiss so true. As their lips moved against one another's everything around them seemed to vanish. They were Romeo and Juliet...Tristan and Isolde...and all other literary heroes and heroines throughout the ages who the fates had sought to separate yet now remained immortal in their tales. Yet unlike these tragic couples, Robert thought, the tragic fates would not succeed! For they were love itself!

  He pulled Katie closer to him, feeling her warmth against his body as he deepened their kiss. He and Katie were destined for a happier tale, one more along the likes of the beloved Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet he declared. For if it had not been for his pride or hers, he thought, they might have professed their feelings for one another weeks ago, and spared each other the anguish and pain of the feeling of unrequited love.

  Katie could not think, she was lost in Robert’s arms. She felt his fingers sliding through her hair, and his other hand softly against the small of her back pulling her closer towards him. His breath, his very life she tasted in his lips, and pressing closer against him, she felt a longing for everything he was.

  ​He must release her, or he would lose control. He must not let them get lost in the moment, he must do what is right. As Robert forced himself to release Katie from his embrace, knowing that he could indeed release her and she would not vanish, Katie knew she did not want to be parted from him for long. Ever since their kiss in the barn, she had longed to be again in his embrace, and now she knew in his arms was where she belonged. Taking Katie’s hand in his, Robert kissed it lightly and smiled.

  “Well, my darling,” Robert spoke resting her hand in the crook of his arm, “shall we pack up my luggage and gather any belongings from the hall you wish to take?”

  Katie nodded. Then arm in arm, the pair made their way up the steps and back inside the hall. Once inside, Robert and Katie hurriedly began packing. It was too late Robert knew to send for a car or coach, so they would have to wait till morning. But even so, he wanted to have everything ready to go just in case they had any trouble.

  ​“I cannot believe you thought I was engaged to Lady Shelby,” Robert chuckled shoving a stack of shirts into a trunk.

  ​“Yes, well ya thought I was head over heels for Mr. Shannon remember?” Katie teased.

  ​Yes, Robert thought, Shannon’s name still causing anger to simmer within him, he remembered all too well. He remembered how he had felt as though someone had punched him in the gut, and been overwhelmed by anger and jealousy. It was certainly not one of his proudest moments.

  ​“To think we could have avoided all this confusion by just speak’in to one another instead of just judge’in and avoid’in,” Katie spoke shaking her head.

  ​“Yes,” Robert agreed, “but I somehow remember a certain person telling me off as well,” he grinned, his eyes sparkling.

  ​Katie chucked one of his shirts at him, “Well, I was only try’in to do what was proper.” She smiled.

  ​“As you should have,” Robert replied. “I was the one who was not acting proper; making accusations of you and allowing my jealousy to get the better of me.” He scolded himself.

  “We both acted poorly on various occasions.” Katie’s voice softened as she extended a hand and touched Robert’s arm. He looked up and held her gaze.

  “Well,” Robert continued brushing a curl from Katie’s face, “we no longer have to dwell upon our mistakes. When we get to England we can make a fresh start of everything.”

  “Yes,” Katie mused, her eyes Robert noticed were hopeful yet somewhat sad, “That would be lovely.”

  Robert grabbed Katie’s hands as she moved to put a pair of pants in the trunk. “I know you are going to miss Kerney Hall,” he spoke, his voice full of earnest. “I tried to buy it for you.” He added causing Katie to smile.

  “I think though,” Robert continued, “that you will like my estate, Evanshire. It’s away from London, a sanctuary in Norfolk. If I had not been trying to escape England, I would never have even contemplated selling it.”

  Katie listened as Robert continued.

  “It’s similar to Kerney Hall actually, at least in respect that both estates are constructed of stone. The manor is nestled on acres of wooded lands and pastures with several ponds. There is even a beautiful Elizabethan garden planted by some of my ancestors. If you indeed are willing to take this leap of faith, I hope that you will grow to see it as your home too.” Robert breathed lightly squeezing Katie’s fingers, “I promise you, I will make Evanshire and your life with me your home, your sanctuary, and your new Kerney Hall.”

  Katie blushed as she gazed at Robert and saw the love flowing sure and true from his gaze. “Lord Clifton, are ya ask’in me to be your wife?”

  Robert replied, his voice full of sincerity, as he got down on his knee and raised one of Katie’s hands up to his lips, “Yes, if it is a role you desire to be.”

  He watched as Katie, her eyes dancing brightly as she wiped tears of joy from beneath them, smiled and nodded in response. “Of course I will take the leap of faith, my heart has known it was yours for so long.”

  Pulling her once again into his embrace, Robert kissed her as Katie, sobbing tears of joy, felt for the first time since her mother’s death that she was truly loved and would be loved for the rest of her life. It was with smiles and glances of affection, that they continued packing until Robert suddenly froze. The distinct rumbling of an engine could be heard approaching. He walked swiftly to the window, there advancing up the drive were two automobiles packed with men. Turning quickly towards Katie, he forced his expression to remain calm, but Katie would not be fooled.

  ​“Ian?” She breathed, her eyes filled with worry.

  ​Robert nodded. McAllen it appeared was not a man to be trifled with or a man of empty threats. His life he knew was in danger, and glancing at Katie, Robert felt certain that McAllen would not refrain from harming those he perceived to be English fraternisers.

  ​“You’ve got to get out of here!” Robert exclaimed anxiously moving towards Katie.

  ​Katie ignored him, “I’ll talk to Ian… I’ll tell him you’ve left.”

  ​Robert grabbed hold of her hands, “Please,” he implored his expression grave, “you must leave.”

  ​Staring into Robert’s eyes, Katie glimpsed the fear he tried to conceal, but more importantly saw his love. Feeling the tenderness of his gaze, she knew what she must do. With a final embrace, she glanced back at Robert then hastily left the room before his fear or her second guessing could stop her.

  As Robert listened to Katie’s fading footsteps rushing down the stairs, he felt a weight lift from his chest, Katie would be safe, she would soon depart out the back door and leave him to handle McAllen. His momentary relief, however,
was shattered when he heard an all too familiar voice. Rushing to the window, Robert gazed in horror as speaking to the men Katie walked hurriedly towards the cars.

  ​“Well, if it isn’t Katie O’Connor,” Ian scoffed jumping out of the car, “To what do we owe the honor?” His hazel eyes glinted as he watched Katie draw near, her long red curls blowing in the breeze.

  ​Mustering her courage, Katie replied icily, her hands gesturing towards the road. “Ya have exactly one minute to get off me property!”

  ​Ian smirked, “Your property? I was under the impression Kerney Hall belonged to Mr. O’Connor,” The men with him snickered. “Isn’t that right Patrick?” he added.

  ​Katie turned towards the cars scanning the faces of their occupants. She saw the Fitzpatrick brothers Collin and Shane, Brennan and Brady Kelly who owned the local taylors, the barber Michael Flynn, Aengus Ryan who owned the pub, Mr. Riley’s son Shamus, and then…“Da!”

  ​“As the owner of Kerney Hall,” Mr. O’Connor slurred waving a bottle of whiskey, “I can invite whomever I want ta me property! Now step outta the way so we can remove the English scoundrel!” He bellowed, downing the contents of his bottle and sending shards of glass flying as it fell smashing to the ground.

  “Lord Clifton,” Katie asserted blocking Ian’s path as he took a step to move around her, “left on the even’in ferry with the rest of his house guests.”

  “If he left,” Ian sneered, “Then why are ya block’in me path?”

  “Because ya all have been drink’in and aren’t think’in straight, and I don’t want to have to clean up after ya.” Katie remarked standing her ground, “Now why don’t ya go back to the pub and come back in the morn’in when you’ve regained your senses and cooled your tempers?”

  Mr. O’Connor grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the hand of the man beside him, then taking a swig, staggered out of the car. “Get outta the way ya treacherous girl! Go’in against your own blood, ya’ll be sorry!”

  “We’ll just have a quick look around, ya don’t mind do ya?” Ian persisted brushing past Katie.

  Just before Ian reached the front steps, Katie caught up with him and grabbed his arm, “I do mind.” She breathed.

  Ian glowered, “Ya filthy English lover!” he spat pushing her out of the way. “To think I ever fancied the likes of ya!” Catching her balance, Katie rushed past him, and racing up the stairs slammed the door in his face.

  “Kathleen Farran O’Connor!” Mr. O’Connor bellowed, “Ya open up that door!

  Katie felt her heart pounding within her chest. The voice she heard was not her father’s, it was a voice void of compassion, a voice deranged and lacking reason.

  “Me hands are washed of ya! Ya are no daughter of mine!” Mr. O’Connor yelled, “You’re fate is what you’ve chosen!” He slumped to the ground cursing and demanding more whiskey.

  Behind the door, Katie shuddered. What tears she had once shed for her father were now dry and void of pity. The notion of a man disowning his own flesh and blood for a murderous vendetta masquerading as patriotism was unforgivable. Her father would never love her again. Maybe, Katie thought in frustration, he had never loved her, but only her mother Brighid, his high goddess. His heart had only room enough for one love and now was full and cursed with hate. She would love him for the man he once was, remembering the father he had been before her mother’s death; for after today, Katie knew she would never lay eyes upon him again and his love would never be hers. She was jolted from her thoughts by the sound of Ian’s voice.

  “Come on boys!” Ian exclaimed, his hatred piercing like poisonous venom. “Let’s teach the English spy a lesson!”

  Quickly double checking that the door was indeed bolted, Katie turned ready to race up the stairs, she had to get Robert out of the house! But before she had taken a step, she found that Robert had already descended the staircase and was now standing in the foyer staring at her with a mixture of dread and fury.

  “Why didn’t you leave? You could have slipped out the kitchen door undetected.” Robert spoke shaking his head in dismay. “Don’t you know, if anything happens to you...I cannot let…please.” He stammered, his words ending in an urgent last appeal.

  “I couldn’t leave ya,” Katie’s voice broke as she rushed into his arms. “Ya know that, ya have to know that.” She continued burying her head in his chest.

  Robert’s expression softened. “I know,” he remarked finding his voice, “I only hoped you would heed my request.” He held Katie’s gaze as he pulled her closer in his arms. The sound of car doors slamming and footsteps crunching against the gravel broke the silence around them. “We have to get out of here.” He spoke, his voice soft yet urgent.

  Suddenly, they heard the shattering of glass as flaming bottles of whiskey exploded through the windows. Releasing Katie, Robert tore off his jacket and beat at the flames.

  “We’ve got to get out of here now!” he exclaimed, coughing from the smoke as more flaming bottles quickly ignited the long draping curtains.

  Smoke was quickly filling the room, and the ash vapors plaguing their eyes and lungs. A continued assault of flaming whiskey bottles, being flung through the front windows, soon had the fire blazing higher as both Robert and Katie tried unsuccessfully to halt it. The fire was feeding its raging stomach, consuming everything in its path. It had moved from the curtains to the wooden furniture making it now impossible to contain. Katie grabbed Robert’s hand, and racing towards the kitchen, they froze staring petrified down the hall. Their path had been blocked by a blazing inferno!

  “They must have spread out and moved around the hall!” Katie choked in horror.

  The smoke was growing thicker, an inky black cloud smelling of putrid wood and upholstery, burning their throats and nostrils with each gagging breath they drew. Squinting through the haze, her eyes stinging from the smoldering debris, Katie strained to see. Choking she turned to Robert, “Help me find the library!”

  Confusion spread across Robert’s face. “There is no exit in the library,” he gagged.

  “Trust me!” Katie gasped, “There is a way out.”

  Nodding, Robert followed Katie, her figure barely visible through the smoke, as they crawled along the floor. They felt the heat from the flames lapping against their skin, the sound of splintering wood filling their ears as they tread deeper into the smoky maze. The blazing inferno was closing ever closer around them. Katie squinted into the smoke, a sense of confusion flooding her brain. She should know the way to the library, she had grown up in this house, yet with a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach she knew they were unmistakably lost!

  It was in this moment of despair, that Katie observed the vague outline of a person, the silhouette seeming to fade in and out of focus. Blinking, she starred again in the location of the shadowy apparition. No, it was not a figment of her imagination, she had not yet succumb to the toxic fumes of the smoke. The distinct outline of a person was clearly there. Katie turned towards Robert, her face astonished and questioning. Seeing his mystified expression, however, she knew with certainty the smoke was not getting to her head, he too was seeing the spectral figure!

  ​Crawling forward, unsure if they were following the path to their death or salvation, Robert and Katie made their way towards the ghostly figure; but each time they drew close, the shadow would move just out of reach and beckon them to follow. If they had not been lost before, they most certainly were now Katie thought in anguish. Maybe the smoke was indeed getting to them, and they were really moving around and around in circles pursuing a mirage. She must not think like that. If this was truly a mirage, would Robert have seen the figure too?

  They continued to repeat this dance like routine unsure if their insanity would save them or lead them to their deaths, when a second shadow unexpectedly appeared. Now, thought Katie, she was surly hallucinating. Choking on the smoke, Katie and Robert continued following their spectral guides as crazy as the scenario seemed, and as they watched th
e apparitions vanish as suddenly as they had appeared, both of their heads smashed into a bookshelf. Pushing the bookcase forward, Katie fought back tears of disbelief as a narrow passage was revealed.

  ​Robert stared at her perplexed. “What is..did you know this..” he coughed. Then not waiting for a response, he grabbed Katie’s hand and pulled her forward into the passage.

  Swiftly yanking the shelf closed behind them, Robert caught his breath and allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkness around them. Despite the dimness, Katie’s eyes were not obscured, and as light from the flames flickered beneath the door, Robert took her into his arms and held her not wanting to ever let her go. He felt her tremble against him, and although she made no sound, he knew tears were silently being released.

  ​The crackling behind the door quickly broke the silence inside the corridor, and as they pulled apart from their tender embrace, Robert and Katie breathed in the unpolluted air, for the moment they were alive! Grabbing each other's hands, they fumbled down the darkened passage as quickly as their feet would allow. Katie felt her heart racing, the sound of it echoing louder and louder in her mind as they proceeded. What would be waiting for them at the end of corridor? Did her father know about its existence as well? Was she unknowingly leading them to their demise? With every step she took, Katie’s thoughts swirled, a vortex of inconsolable worry.

  ​“Where does this lead us?” Robert asked, his voice sounding from the darkness.

  ​“It leads us out the back of the hall,” Katie replied breathlessly, her mind drawn back from her thoughts.

  “Does your father know of this corridors existence?” Robert asked, forcing his words to conceal his worry.

  “I’m not sure.” Katie spoke softly.

  ​They continued moving along the remainder of the passageway in silence, the only sound their footsteps echoing against the cobble floor. When they finally reached its end, they placed their palms against the rotting wood and pushing against the hidden door, its hinges creaking in revolt, stepped into the starry night, the smell of smoke overwhelming their nostrils. Still holding one another's hand, Robert and Katie looked around them. Kerney Hall was ablaze, the flames leaping and licking the air about the manor like the ravenous breath of a dragon. Transfixed by the scene before them, Robert fought to tear his gaze from the flames, he could still hear the shouts of Ian McAllen and the rest of the men.