Fields of Home Read Online Free Page B

twins. ‘Patsy, did ye get what I told you?’
    The twins disappeared but returned within seconds, carrying the orange kitten which they tumbled into Mary-Brigid’s delighted arms.
    ‘What do you say, Mary-Brigid?’ prompted Eily.
    ‘Thank you! Oh, thank you so much, Mrs Hennessy. I promise to take good care of him.’
    The Hennessys stood at their door until Eily, Mary-Brigid and Jodie were out of sight. Eily was silent and distracted, Jodie drowsy and almost asleep on hershoulder, as they traipsed along the path for home. Mary-Brigid did her best to block out the words and worries she’d overheard with the comforting heat of the small kitten cradled inside her cardigan.
    ‘Just wait till Maisie sees him!’ she announced.

CHAPTER 5
    Greenbay, Boston

    PEGGY O’DRISCOLL WAS JADED , just jaded. She had washed and scrubbed and polished every floor and door and piece of furniture in Rushton House, in Greenbay, Boston. She had worked from sun-up to sun-down for the past week. Poor Mrs O’Connor, the cook, lay flopped down in her big kitchen chair, out cold with exhaustion. Normally, Peggy would have giggled at her loud snores, but today she knew that Cook, like the rest of them, was worn out with the preparations for Miss Roxanne’s wedding.
    Kitty, the other maid, was all uppity, as she was helping Roxanne to prepare her trousseau and pack her things and organise her wedding gifts.
    Peggy dawdled in the kitchen, helping herself to aglass of cold water and an oatmeal biscuit.
    ‘Mrs O’Connor! Mrs O’Connor!’ She shook the woman’s arm gently. ‘Maybe it’s time for bed!’
    The old cook yawned. ‘Did I fall asleep again, Peggy?’
    ‘Aye.’
    ‘You know, Peggy, I’m done in. I’m not getting any younger. Thanks be to God that the Rowans have only one daughter to get wed! I wouldn’t be able for a family of them!’
    Peggy grimaced. A family of Roxannes! It didn’t bear thinking about. Roxanne was one of the vainest and most annoying and most aggravating creatures ever; Mrs O’Connor said it was a miracle that she was getting married. What young man would put up with her tantrums and bossiness and constant preening and admiring herself?
    Still, Roxanne had found him. His name was Fletcher P. Parker. Peggy had seen him a few times.
    He was about eight years older than Roxanne and of about average height. He had curly fair hair and his skin was pale and slightly blotchy. He was an attorney-at-law and he came from Baltimore. He had concluded some business with Mr Rowan and had been invited to the house for dinner. Miss Roxanne sat beside him. He made pleasant conversation with her and as the meal progressed Peggy watched as theyoung mistress flirted outrageously with him.
    ‘The fish took the bait,’ was all Mrs O’Connor would say.
    Mr and Mrs Rowan seemed to approve as Fletcher Parker escorted Roxanne to a round of balls and operas and dinner parties and picnics. This had culminated in their betrothal and now their marriage.
    ‘Help me up from the chair, lassie! My hip is playing up on me again!’
    Peggy helped Mrs O’Connor to her feet. Up close she could see the pattern of laughter-lines and wrinkles that covered the cook’s plump, pink-toned face.
    ‘Mrs O’Connor, I’ll bring you a cup of tea in the morning before you get up. ‘Twill be a long day tomorrow.’
    ‘Thank you, Peggy child! That would be grand. You know, you’re the kindest lassie I know.’
    Peggy smiled to herself as they both left the darkened kitchen, the pantry and store cupboards full to bursting with all the fine food for tomorrow’s wedding. She sighed as she climbed the narrow, wooden stairs to her attic bedroom. She hoped Kitty would be asleep already. She was too tired for chit-chat, especially about the wedding.
    But Kitty was sitting on the bed, busy tying up her normally straight fine hair with rags.
    ‘Peggy! I need you to do some of the pieces at theback,’ said Kitty brightly.
    ‘It’s too late!’