Friday, 17 December, 1915
Ballingeary, County Cork, Ireland
As snow shrouded the small village of Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, Kady Murphy sulked in the shadows of the church’s community hall. She cringed as sweat gathered at the small of her back and made her cotton underthings cling to her skin. The room was almost unbearably warm as young women like Kady gathered to make their debut during the village's annual matchmaking event.
Feeling faint, Kady breathed deeply and was immediately overwhelmed with the pungent smell of perspiration mingled with the cloying scent of cloves and cinnamon. The old, wooden floorboards wavered beneath her feet as the exuberant dancers stomped across the floor. The reverberations bounced against the stone walls, and the vibrations reminded Kady of the cadence of marching soldiers.
Unlike previous celebrations when she laughed and gossiped with her friends and neighbors, her mood was bittersweet.
Mourning parents anchored many of the tables, reminiscing about their sons who had left to fight but would never return. The surviving young men—most wearing their new 16th Division uniforms—stood morosely, too preoccupied with thoughts of war and death to notice the shy glances Kady’s friends and former classmates sent their way. From the edges of the dance floor, the other finely-dressed young women smiled hopefully, clearly eager to dance with the handsome lads, seemingly unaware that being unmarried was the least of their worries.
Kady wished she could crawl beneath the building and hide. Ignoring Tobias Monahan’s intense stare from across the room, Kady removed a handkerchief from her pocket and blotted her brow. Dressed in a lavender velvet evening gown, she felt like a gaudy, preening bird amid so many somber, mournful crows. Struggling to maintain her composure, Kady tugged at the wilted red tendrils of her loose bun and wished for an escape.
“I’m scarlet for ya,” said a disembodied voice.
Kady’s heartbeat accelerated as she recognized the husky tone. She turned and searched the shadows behind her until she noticed one pillar had wavy, black curls protruding from the sides. Kady’s lips quirked when her friend’s face emerged.
“Come here till you’re hidden by the pillar,” Gráinne Ní Riain said, beckoning to Kady. “I’m tellin’ ya, The Monahan’ll go crazy with not seein’ ya.”
A spark of rebelliousness propelled Kady towards Gráinne even as her eyes sought out Tobias. Feeling like a child hiding from punishment, Kady hunched her broad shoulders and settled beside her friend. So loudly did her heart pound, she could hear the drumming in her ears.
With her head resting against the cool stone, Kady peered down at the top of Gráinne’s head. She stood so close that wisps of Gráinne’s bobbed hair tickled her nose. Inhaling deeply, she allowed Gráinne’s gardenia and vanilla fragrance to flood her nose and cleanse the muggy air.
“I think Mrs. Kinney is lookin’ for ya.” Gráinne glanced over her shoulder at Kady. Her dark blue eyes widened when she noticed how close Kady stood. Feeling Gráinne’s surprise, Kady stepped back.
“He’s a good catch,” Gráinne continued, nodding in The Monahan’s direction, “if ya don’t mind….” Her voice faded as her finger mimicked his large, hooked nose.
Kady’s gaze drifted to her parents where they sat with Father Donovan. She feared looking at Gráinne, thinking her dejected glances would further bewilder her friend. Forcing wayward thoughts from her mind, she said, “He stutters.”
Gráinne nudged her side. “’Tis endearin’.”
Recoiling at the thought that anything about Tobias Monahan was endearing, Kady continued to watch her father as he murmured into the priest’s ear.
“Come now, Kady,” Gráinne said, “I’m speakin’ nothin’ but the truth. Dontcha be sayin’ otherwise.”
Kady didn’t want to be there. She wanted to be home where she could curl into her bed and lose herself in her thoughts. But she wasn’t at home, and she knew her parents wouldn’t leave the hall until she had danced with Tobias. Tearing her gaze from her father, she glanced around the pillar and made eye contact with The Monahan. When his brows lifted in silent inquiry, Kady pushed Gráinne aside and stepped away from their hiding place.
“Would ya stop talkin’ about The Monahan?”
“Oh, d-d-d-dear K-K-Kady, I l-l-lo—”
Kady spun on her heel, smacked her hand over Gráinne’s mouth, and yanked the girl until they were hidden behind a row of soldiers. Curiosity compelled Kady to peer over her shoulder. Tobias was still watching her movements. Feeling near to a breaking point, Kady grabbed Gráinne’s quaking shoulders and reversed their positions. “I wish I could just snatch ya bald, Gráinne Ní Riain.”
“Such fire, Caitríona Murphy. I didn’t think ya had it in ya.” As she ran her fingers through her short hair, Gráinne’s blue eyes twinkled and danced. She laughed at Kady’s growing discomfort and twirled in her lovely plum-colored cotton dress. The gown was one of Kady’s hand-me-downs, and it looked better on Gráinne than it had ever looked on Kady.
A subtle movement caught Kady’s attention. She turned away from Gráinne and found Mrs. Kinney, with her bulbous nose and beady blue eyes, watching them with a mixture of disdain and disappointment.
“Good evenin’,” Kady said, feeling more sweat gather at her back. Mrs. Kinney was one of the village’s matchmakers, and she had been the main force behind Kady’s match with Tobias.
But there was a doubtful look in Mrs. Kinney’s eyes tonight. She examined Kady’s face before lowering her gaze to scrutinize Kady’s dress. “You look lovely.” In spite of the kind words, there was no kindness in her tone.
“Evenin’, Mrs. Kinney,” Gráinne said from behind Kady.
The matchmaker stiffened at the sound of Gráinne’s voice. Instead of addressing Gráinne, she turned her back to them and walked a short distance to where Mrs. Rankle, one of Mrs. Kinney’s henchmen, stood.
“There’s that O’Ryan girl again,” Mrs. Rankle said loudly as she shook her head in disgust. “Twenty years old and without a suitable match. That gel will never wed. Mark me words.”
Gráinne leaned onto her tiptoes and whispered into Kady’s ear. “If I never find a match ’tis because she’s a terrible Babhdóir.”
Kady stifled a giggle, not wanting Mrs. Kinney to see her amusement. She avoided the older women’s gazes and noticed that Tobias was quickly approaching. She latched onto Gráinne’s hand and squeezed until Gráinne’s mouth opened in a sharp intake of breath.
Kady pointed in his direction. “Look. He’s comin’ this way.”
For a moment, Gráinne stared back at her as if confused. Then she bolted behind Kady and sunk her fingers into Kady’s hair.
“Dear Jesus, would ya look atcha?” Gráinne said, tugging the silk ribbon from Kady’s bun. Quickly, she removed pins and tucked away loose strands before twisting Kady’s hair into a chignon. As Gráinne shoved pins into the knot, she grunted with satisfaction. Then she pushed Kady forward. “That’ll do her.”
Kady groaned loudly, causing Gráinne to erupt in laughter behind her. Kady resigned herself to her fate, that of dancing with Tobias. Her shoulders slumped and her head bowed. Her panic rose as he neared but, unexpectedly, he didn’t stop before her. He walked right past her and approached her parents’ table.
“Maybe he doesn’t want to dance with me?” Kady said.
Gráinne snorted and pointed at Kady’s hair. “Mayhap he thought ya were Medusa?” Laughing again, Gráinne wrapped her arm around Kady’s waist and rested her head against her shoulder. “He’s askin’ your da for permission to dance. ’Tis only proper.”
Kady knew Gráinne was right. But it didn’t stop her heart from fluttering with outrage.
Looking in her parent’s direction, Kady noticed the pride on her father’s face as he sat straighter in his chair. She didn’t need to look at her mother’s face to know she would find satisfaction there.
“What if I don’t want to dance with him?” Kady asked her friend.
Gráinne growled as a twirling couple came too close to their refuge. She sucked air through her teeth then removed her arms from Kady. Stepping aside, Gráinne narrowed her eyes and pointed at the couple in a silent warning.
“Just say,” Gráinne said in a distracted manner, ‘No, Tobias Monahan, I don’t want to dance with ya.’”
Kady felt her chignon begin to loosen as she nodded emphatically. She inhaled deeply and curled her fingers into fists. “No, I don’t want to dance with ya.”
The corner of Gráinne’s mouth twitched. “I wasn’t plannin’ to ask ya, so there’s that.”
“No, Tobias Monahan,” Kady said, punching her fist in the air for emphasis. “I don’t want to dance with ya. No, Tobias Monahan, I don’t want to dance with ya.”
Tobias left her parents’ table and made his way to Kady, his stride purposeful. When he noticed Gráinne’s presence beside Kady, his feet slowed and his eyes narrowed. Then he shook his head, as if clearing it of disgust or frustration, and he looked at Kady. His mouth relaxed into a shy smile as his eyes focused on her nose.
Gráinne mumbled something and once again retreated behind Kady.
“Miss Murphy,” Tobias said, his voice higher than usual. “Would ya like to dance the next set with me?”
Kady’s throat went dry. She swallowed loudly and prepared herself. Over and over she had repeated the words, and she knew what needed to be said. She took several slow breaths, then exhaled all of her courage through tightened lips. Feeling breathless, she stood and gaped at him.
A long moment passed. Tobias waited patiently while Kady struggled to control her panic. The words were on her tongue, but they just wouldn’t leave her mouth.
Another set began. Cheers of approval broke out as dancers stepped in rhythm to the Ballingeary Jig Set.
“Do ya want to dance?” Tobias asked again. Loudly.
Kady deflated. She felt a sharp jab to her back, then heard a muffled and high-pitched, “No, Tobias Monahan, I don’t want to dance with ya.”
Tobias frowned. “Enough from ya, Gráinne.”
Gráinne stepped away from them and didn’t bother to cover her laughter.
His jaw tightened. “You should be ashamed of yourself.” He then pressed his lips together, snatched Kady’s hand, and tucked it under his arm. “Go away with you,” he said, waving a hand towards Gráinne. “Come now, Kady.”
“I will,” Kady blurted, her anxiousness quickly replaced with the comfort of predictability. As usual, she would do what was expected of her. “I will dance with ya, Tobias Monahan.”
He stared at her in confusion. “Yes, of course.”
His fingers were warm and sweaty, and she ignored the desire to yank her hand away and rub it against her skirts.
“Enjoy yourselves!” Gráinne yelled from across the room.
Kady and Tobias joined three other couples as the first set ended and the next set began. Tobias placed a hand on Kady’s waist and smiled before whipping her around in the first turn. She gasped as he spun her quickly. Faces blurred as they danced, but she could still make out the tension that stiffened Gráinne’s body.
Gráinne’s dejection was such a foreign thing that Kady stumbled. Tobias laughed as he drew her to a halt. “It’s a rare thing when a pretty girl swoons at my feet.”
Kady smiled at his joke, but her gaze flickered in Gráinne’s direction.
“Pay her no mind,” Tobias said, noticing where Kady’s attention was directed. “She’ll find a partner in no time at all.”
Kady didn’t doubt his words. Besides being wickedly mischievous, Gráinne was also wickedly beautiful. Gráinne’s full, rosy lips and high cheekbones were the envy of every girl in the room, including Kady. But whereas all the other girls avoided Gráinne, fearing their looks would pale in comparison, Kady found herself instinctively drawn to Gráinne. Her feelings went much deeper than simply admiring or envying her pretty face. At times Kady wished she could sit quietly and just look at her.
It was strange having their positions reversed. Kady was the one who usually lurked in the shadows while Gráinne laughed and danced with some handsome lad. Gráinne had more than enough suitors itching to dance with her, but there she stood—alone—in the corner.
Kady and Gráinne had always been attracted to different types of men. While Gráinne gravitated towards flashy rogues who liked sneaking kisses, Kady sought mellow lads who enjoyed quiet walks and read literature.
Needless to say, Tobias wasn’t to Gráinne’s liking. He wasn’t particularly handsome. However, he was amiable, dependable, and wealthy—traits that Kady’s parents sought. And as the only son of an Anglo-Irish family, he was destined to inherit a large house and considerable income.
But there was nothing about him that inspired Kady to lock herself away to moon over him in private. Gráinne, on the other hand, was worthy of such attention.
The charismatic beauty could have anyone. Maybe even Tobias, with his big nose and slight stutter. As their dance slowed into a waltz, Kady peered over Tobias’ shoulder and studied Gráinne’s pinched features.
Their eyes connected for the briefest moment, and Kady felt as if the floor had fallen away. There, in the depths of Gráinne’s eyes, was jealousy. But her envious look wasn’t directed at Kady.
It was directed at Tobias.