Since it is NANO month I have some to show you. I will be publishing in on Kindle same as "Alexandra" and eventually (hopefully this month as well) "Gaelan". I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1 “Alex, I would really like the ability to go to Ireland and learn from the same people mother learned from. As a woman you cannot study medicine as a doctor,” Bryn explained. “Then become a nurse. You are good at medicine and that will just have to do,” Alexandra said matter-of-factly. “I don’t want to be just a nurse. I want to learn to do more. Poppa helped you when you wanted to do more, so you should pass that on.” “Poppa was here then, I just don’t see why you have to go so far away to learn. I am sure there is someone to teach you here in the states. Besides it isn’t in the budget for the year for the ranch for you to go traipsing all over the world to study,” Alex said holding firm. “Oh Alex,” Bryn cried as she ran from the room. Maeve had been sitting in the shadows shaking her head. Alexandra was being stubborn is all she felt and she wanted to hit her older sister. “Alex, you are being wrong and you know it. You and Gae both had opportunities that you are not allowing us, and it doesn’t have anything to do with money, we both know it. What is the real reason?” Alex’s lips where pursed tight, she knew one of the twins would call her out about what she said, “Maeve I can’t let her go to Ireland by herself. She isn’t like you and strong, she will be taken advantage of the whole time. So I used the budget as an excuse.” “That was wrong, besides when has she ever done anything without me. And don’t you think I will watch over her. This is something she wants to do. If you won’t let us I will take the money I have left and we will go without your permission. We might come back too. We are not little girls anymore Alex. You can’t protect us we have to learn how to do it for ourselves and you might end up being proud of us. Is that what you are really scared about, that we will not need you anymore? You still have Cat, Kristen and your babies to protect. I thought you had enough people to look after and would be glad we started our own lives.” Alexandra’s face softened but not much. She was losing the argument and she knew it. Two more of her sisters were leaving the fold her fiction facial features softened again she knew Maeve wouldn't leave her for long, she knew that Maeve love the open parts of Texas and that the Isle of Ireland would be too small and cramped for her liking. "Why would you want to go to Ireland Maeve," Alexander stated wanting to know the real reason. Maeve walked slowly her dress she was forced to wear bustling around her legs and sat in front of Alex. Straightening the supposedly goals are the fine silk she thought on how to put this exactly to Alex so that her older sister would not be upset. Alexandra was known to fly off the handle whether it was with her sisters her with the men she she was in charge of, and Maeve knew right now is not the time to get her angry. I suppose, Maeve said, when Bryn and I discussed this a few weeks ago I wasn't sure I wanted to go. I'm not a real people person and going to school hard enough for me. But I also know you would not have let her go by herself so I thought, is time you grew up Maeve I said to myself it is time for you to get used to people and having to deal with them so what better way to do it the traveling to Ireland on a ship protecting my younger sister. I'm sure it won't be for very long and I'll go back to the ranch be happier for it. You do realize you will have to wear dress in Ireland, people will not accept you like they do in Texas in pants. The way the different there I'm not even sure you be allowed to help train horses. Have he even thought about that, questioned Alex? Yes I know and though I'm not really comfortable in the stress if it'll make Bryn happy, I'll do it. I can always rent a farm and by horses for the ranch here in Texas. That way I could be helping the family as I'm helping Bryn. If you worried about some mail taking advantage of her don't, she is a crack shot just like I am and I happen others a gun somewhere on that directs of hers. I am the same way and you know it. I am well aware of the two of your abilities with an weapon. Who do you think trained you? And it works well on the range, but in Europe as I have told you things are different. Women do not handle guns they let men deal with it. I know that is wrong and father and mother both taught us differently but not everyone is that way. You are going to have to learn to let manhandle it first and then deal with it later when they screwed up as usual. Would you really leave without my permission, Alex asked. Yes we talked about Alex we would leave without your permission, it would be hard to get along in Ireland but we have enough to just make it and get back. I do hope so that you will see that we have grown up and let us go lungs were together. Grandma Rose will be there to and I don't think anybody would mess with her too much. Plus we have all that family over there on mother's side perhaps because even go to Scotland and meet father's family as well. Alexandra set her tea down on the small stand beside her, Maeve knew she was thinking but what exactly was she thinking to let them go or to make them stay. Alex set up higher and pulled down her bodice around her waist. The girls had thought of this move as the I'm in charge move for Alex. With something their father had done as well when he was going to make a decision he didn't like that was needed. Alex stood up slowly and wish Phillip was with her at least with him and the children she didn't feel she was losing anything. Such you learn so well from Gaelan apparently, Alexandra raised her head up with pride actually at her sisters, you've have not given me any real choice. So I'm giving you my blessing as well as the funds to go, as well as rent your horse farm as well as get back home. She pointed at me that this time, but you have to take charge of Bryn and make sure she stays out of trouble. Though it'll probably be you that gets in the more trouble. I do hope the remember that I will not have trying to get either one of you out of trouble if it happens you have to do it yourself. With that she picked up her ridicule and what graciously out of the room. Maeve smiled she is seen that look from Alex before she knew it was pride but Alex would never say it to anyone. It made me feel better that she was being trusted to do this and would make Bryn feel much better as well knowing they would be able to go and she would be up to study under Rose. ~ ~ ~ Bryn had her head deep in a bucket her lunch yet again not sitting well on her stomach. Since neither had ever been on a boat before, Maeve thought she was glad it was not her. It is bad enough on the train from St. Louis to New York the motion of the train making her sick so she figured she would be sick on the boat as well. Apparently, the see rocking didn't bother her as much of the train rocking and she loved the salt air. Maeve slipped into her pants and tucked her shirt in and slipped on her slicker. It had then raining so she assumed she would not be noticed in this clothing. Bryn are you sure you're going to be all right, Maeve said holding her sisters hair back. All stay in if you need me, perhaps I can get you some tea and it will help settle your stomach. No, Mae you go out on the deck I know you enjoy that. You shouldn't be here holding my hair back. I don't think I have anything left to lose in my stomach, I will lay here and try to get some sleep. I wish I knew why you slept so well and you're not sick like I am. I was just as sick as you are now on the train, Maeve said trying not to sound snotty. Yes, but you weren't throwing up at least you could hold your head up. Maeve tucked the blankets around Bryn so that she would be warm. A damp chill had somehow gotten into the cabin they shared, Maeve poured a cup of hot peppermint tea and set it on the table beside her sister. As she saw Bryn was sleeping, she slips quietly from the room. A brisk breeze flew around her as she stepped out onto the upper deck of the ship. The ship was breaking the waves sending a salty spray over her making her glad for the slicker. For Maeve this is exhilarating and exciting is chasing rustlers across the plain on Jesse's back. She had raised Jesse from a colt, his wildness matching her own as they both grew up, she was going to miss him while they were in Ireland but knew he would be cared for well and there would be new stock for her to train when she got home. Though her hat was snug under her chin by the string, the wind lifted it blowing it off her head to dangle around her neck letting her her long, curly hair fly wildly around her. The sailors on the deck paid her no mind that went about their work, little did Maeve know a man watched her as she practically danced with delight as the weather around her began to worsen. He stayed in the shadows is not startle her. He could tell though she pretended to be male that she was totally female before her hair came loose about her. What a woman to tout society and wear pants and to be herself. Now all he had a do was figure a way to meet her without his brother showing him up. As the storm worsened Maeve knew she needed to go inside but the freedom the ship gave her made her feel heady. She hated being stuck indoors especially with Bryn being sick. Slowly she made her ay back down to their rooms her hair soaks and stuck like cement as she tried to gather it and tie it back. She pushed the door shut tightly hoping not to have awoken Bryn. Though the weather was exciting to her she was not ready for the lecture she knew would be coming. Bryn was the older of the two of them by minutes, but being older made her think she give lectures like Alex. In reality Bryn was the less mature of the two of them. The when she put her mind to it Bryn was very smart and never had the study when they were at school that is why she had gone into medicine. Bryn seemed to have their mothers gift of healing but Maeve was unsure of her gift. She knew she had one but it never revealed itself as of yet hopefully in Ireland she would find it. Taking a towel she quickly tried to dry her long hair and get it combed out before Bryn woke. They were lucky that the Porter would bring them dinner consider making them walked down to the salon to eat. She knew that Bryn really wanted to go but it as sick as she had been she been able to, and could only hold down week soup at best. Maeve was just the opposite her appetite made her eat more and pray her corset would fit when eventually she did have to go into a dress. The ship rolled and Maeve accidentally fell into Bryn's bunk and Maeve knew should with that would be in trouble. Mae your back, Bryn stated as she awoke. I thought you'd still be out on deck enjoying the weather that seems to gotten worse. Yes, is worse. The rain was coming down in buckets slice out a better come come back to the room. I knew you would worry if you woke and I wasn't here. But it is so exhilarating I never thought I would mostly travel as much as I have, Maeve said with a smile on her face. I wish it was is good for me as it is for you, hopefully soon I will feel better and I will be able to get up and out of this room. These four walls are making me go stir crazy. I don't know why ever thought this would be fun. Maeve chuckled, it might not be fun now but will be into port in a few days and everything will be good again. You will probably be the one doing everything and I'll be the bored one. Wouldn't Alex be surprised to hear you say that though. I am sure she would have many things to say about it, but I will make her proud no matter what. When I can I have been studying the books I found an herbology and hope they will help, Bryn stated trying to sound braver she really was. Maeve took home and slowly began to work through the nests of tangles she had gotten. A brazier of warm coals had been brought while she was out warming the room up and she hoped her hair would dry before morning. As she removed her wet clothes she hung them on a hook on the wall, they dripped off onto the floor leaving a large puddle and she put the cloth she wrapped around her head earlier beneath it. Taking another pair of pants out of her trunk she could hear Bryn tsking. Is that all the clothing you brought, just your pants and work clothes? Where are your dresses you meet in Europe, I am sure Alex told you you would need them, Bryn started her lecture. Why should I have brought tons of dresses when I know that your three trunks have enough for both of us. You must be feeling better at least a little bit to start in on me, Maeve said turning her back. Well, I am feeling that I wish eat dinner out of this room this evening. So you made my dearest sister are going to have to put on a dress. So you may wish to Poland for my trunks and let it hang so that the wrinkles will be removed somewhat, Bryn said trying to sound better than she felt. If you desire to eat in the dining salon you may, but I will not be joining you, even if I took a dress out now it would still be wrinkled by the evening meal. So I will eat here inside our room where I am not stared upon by others, Maeve stated glad to have the room to herself for a while. If that is what you wish then so be it. Since they did not bring a servant help than dress Maeve helped Bryn into her corset and dress. She was always surprised at how beautiful Bryn looked in anything she wore and tonight it was going to be the teal green down that she had worn last summer at the Independence Day party. Bryn even complimented the outset with a feminine top hat with matching lace trailing off the back. Her black leather kid shoes made her feet but so small whereas with Maeve wearing boots all the time it didn't matter what kind of shoes she wore her feet were humongous, at least in Maeve's eyes. As Bryn picked up her lace shawl and wrapped it about her shoulders she hugged Maeve and asked once again, are you sure you do not wish to come with me tonight. I am sure it would be a down that would look lovely on you. No I will be fine. I have a few books I've been wishing to read and with you being sick it was not time. Just have fun and enjoy yourself, and above all to not get in trouble. They both laughed, for the new one of them was bound to get in trouble before this was over and they were back to Texas. As the door shut, Maeve quickly braided her hair back and sat in a chair that was bolted to the floor. Putting her feet up on the bunk she relaxed wondering what to do next. Reaching down she picked up a small carpet bag and opened it pulling knitting needles and handspun yarn and began to knit. It was a present for Bryn for Christmas and she wanted to surprise her so she knitted whenever Bryn was in about. No one knew she had an interest in knitting at all and she had learned while at school because between classes. Not having many friends allowed for much time to learn. One of her true friends had written the pattern out for her before they had left for Ireland and she was just a few inches into it, she was glad it was a quick repeat or would a frustrated her to no end. As usual the Porter brought her dinner with enough for Bryn as well but since he had no idea she was not there Maeve was glad to have it all. Her sojourn out into the weather this afternoon had worked up an appetite. So many of her friends wondered how she could eat as much a she did and never gain a pound, she figured she was just lucky that in writing Jesse all the time helped keep the weight off. After half an hour that was all Maeve could stand on her knitting. Though she enjoyed it it was something inside where she really did want to be so she could the project once again and slipped into a dry pair of pants and shirt, shook out her slicker and put her hat back on. She slipped outside back to the elements that were hers. The storm had abated by now, it seemed it was a quick shower then moved along even the waves had calmed down alongside the ship. Walking back on deck she spotted two men on at the rail worse usually stood. Keeping your head down she walked past them trying to make sure she was not noticed stopping a few feet away. She leaned against the rail as she watched the moonrise over the ocean. I don't care, Maeve heard one of the men say, that woman was a rude. How dare she talked to me like that. I am a Lord after all. Will aren't you special considering we both our Lords. I am sure just because you are the elder of the two of us does it make it any less so that I am equal to you. Thankfully our older brother Thomas will take over everything and we won't have to bother. That is always good for you to say Liam, you already work for a living and have no need for Thomas's help. I'm not even sure I want to be a doctor any longer. You've never been sure of anything Matthew so why is this any different. I'm tired of pulling her backside out of the fire so will be you that will tell Thomas not me. And as for young miss Bryn McBride I suggest you go and apologize to her, you were rude and you know it. I do not have to apologize to anyone especially not a commoner like Ms. Bryn McBride. As Maeve heard her sister's name being spoken about in that tone it angered her. How dare any man talk about her sister in that tone of voice. Pushing off the railing she walked towards them and in the manner she is seen many of the men of the ranch do she bumped the one called Matthew hard with her shoulder not looking up or apologizing. She continued on wishing she knew more about the other but not worrying about it too much. Must be another American, all of them seem to have no manners whatsoever. Will your manners are about as rude as his, you know better than to talk about a woman like that some men just don't take kindly to it. Liam watched as Maeve walked away wondering why she had bumped into the Matthew hopefully he would find her later after Matthew at gone back to their cabin. Perhaps he would see her at the captains dinner tomorrow, though he doubted it since he had not seen her at any meals since boarding. Maeve's face was red with embarrassment as she entered their quarters. She found Bryn pacing in a small circle angrily, she was mumbling something but Maeve could not make heads or tails of what was being said. I wasn’t expecting you back so soon, was dinner not to your liking, Maeve asked with interest. It wasn't the meal that is upset me. It was the company that I was seated with, he was an aristocratic snob. I certainly do hope they will not be in Ireland where we will be. I would hate to have to deal with him on a daily basis. He wouldn’t happen to be a tall dark haired gentleman, with an attitude to match the prince that visited the ranch last year? You know that is who he reminded me of, now the brother that was with him was wonderfully nice and polite. He also kind of reminded me of us in reality, Bryn said with a smile. We don’t fight like them I am sure, or maybe we disagree more. I think I have met them on the deck this evening. They were arguing about your rude behaviors. I didn’t think you were rude in any aspect of your life, Maeve said smiling back. I thought the lack of behaviors was my department. They both started laughing then Bryn spoke up, Tomorrow we have been invited to the captain’s dinner. It is a formal affair so you will have to find a dress in my trunks and have it pressed. I won’t have you wearing your pants and white shirt like you just have come off the range. But Bryn that isn’t fair, I feel people should see my as I am not as a projection of what they think a person should look like, Maeve said with a pout. Bryn gave Mae the same look Alex gave them when she wanted her way and usually got it. It reminded Maeve of the looks her mother would give her when she didn’t want to go to her classes. Maeve knew tonight she would have to go through her sister’s trunks and prayed she had packed the royal blue gown. The day dawned with waves pounding the ship. Bryn immediately started losing what was left of her dinner the previous night. Maeve looked down knowing she would have to go to the dinner even if Bryn couldn’t accompany her. As the day went on Bryn seemed to get worse. She couldn’t even keep a simple tea down. The ship tossed them both so that they had to stay in their bunks or they would have been battered and bruised before the dinner. Bryn you will be able to make it won’t you? I don’t want to do this all by myself, Maeve asked. I can’t ; I would if I could. You will have to go we are expected. On the positive thought though you could be me just like we would do sometimes back when we were younger. That way you can always blame your behavior on me, Bryn tried to smile right before her head went back into the bucket. Don’t you think I wouldn’t use it as an excuse either. Sisters we might be, but if I have to deal with hardheaded me, you know how I can get. Is to bad I don’t have my crop on board. I would then deal with the man that insulted you yesterday. Bryn look up with a look of thanks to herself as she remembered that she herself had taken the crop out of Maeve’s trunk. She looked at the clock she had placed on the table and sighed, Time for you to get ready or you will be late. Do I have to? Bryn stood up and handed her the corset knowing it was her least favorite garment. “Do you remember when Alex bought us those dresses to go to our first year of college and we fought over which one we would get? You went almost willingly into this then. You should have kept it on. Kept it on, you are joking right? They are tight, comfortable and have no try reason for being worn except to attract a man, which I don’t want to do now or ever, said Maeve. The doorknob became a handle for Maeve to hold while Bryn tied her in, tightening it even tighter than a corset needed. She didn’t think she needed one, her waist was skinner than most of her acquaintances at school. The royal blue dress had been found and a servant on the ship pressed it making her look wonderful as Bryn slipped it over her body cooking each and every hook and eye. It came to rest over the very swell of her breast pinching her cleavage even tighter together. The delicate black lace that Bryn had made for her for Christmas set the dress even more formal. Maeve felt like a princess, even if it was for only the night she perhaps could be the Cinderella she knew she wasn’t. No fairy godmother would ever wave her wand over her and change her but tonight perhaps Bryn did. You look beautiful. I am so jealous. I don’t even look that good in that style. I am so glad I packed this dress of yours. I knew it was your favorite, Bryn said looking at her sister in awe. Maeve took a deep breath, well as deep as she could as tight as Bryn had put her corset. Her insides felt like jelly and her nerves where frayed. Would she remember her etiquette classes she took with Bryn in college, or make a good impression on the people that really didn’t mean a lot to her, but she would not upset Bryn and make an ass of herself. Bryn surprised her once again and held out a delicate shawl that matched the lace on the dress. It was oversized and Maeve almost started to cry. Bryn pushed her out the door then went and laid back down waiting to see how her sister would surprise her or not. It was time for her to get out and socialize, to learn how to cope with people other than when she was with her. It was too bad that she had to pretend to be sick so that it could happen but she knew that Alex had told Maeve to come and guard her so that she didn’t get hurt. What neither of them knew, Bryn was going to make it her cause to find a man for her sister, and that would be the hardest job anyone could have. And tonight perhaps Maeve would meet the man of her dreams. pretend to be sick so that it could happen but she knew that Alex had told Maeve to come and guard her so that she didn’t get hurt. What neither of them knew, Bryn was going to make it her cause to find a man for her sister, and that would be the hardest job anyone could have. And tonight perhaps Maeve would meet the man of her dreams.
please remember that this is a rough draft and the quotations are not in it.
Happy Writing
Kaitlan
