When We Were Younger

The Story

Song is a poem called "I Am Stretched On Your Grave" by anonymous.

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One year later...

It was February, 1901. Lilly, in her red robe, stared out at the vastness of her estate Darach ar an gCnoc from the backyard door. She looked at the gardens and her farm and stables off in the distance. By now, some of the occupants of the manor had gone and built their own farm, thanks to her accumulating wealth. She was technically rich now because of all the rent she was getting from the surrounding villages and farms. Such was the life of a noble. Lilly, of course, reported to the twelfth Earl of Galway, Patrick John Finnley Alexander Nolan. Lilly chuckled at the thought. So John, Abigail, and Jack were gone but they didn't live very far. Just a twenty minute carriage ride. Charles and Sadie had gone with to help out with the farm. Tilly, Sean, Karen, Dutch and Hosea remained, although Sean and Karen were thinking of purchasing a farm of their own. Still, it wouldn't be too far away. Tilly was wanting to stay and help with her one year old twins, Aoífe and Arthur Jr. Hosea and Dutch? Well, they were staying too, of course, but the manor felt a little empty now. Patrick visited often for the past year, making sure she and the babies were doing well. In fact, Lilly found she missed him when he wasn't visiting. Breena, in a blue and white maid dress, came and brought her a cup of coffee.

"Here you go, m'lady," Breena said, offering her the cup.

Lilly grasped the cup. "Mmm, thank you, Breena."

Lilly blew into the cup and took a sip. "Again, why do ya not prefer tea?" Breena asked.

"I drink tea. Just chamomile when I...well, you were there when I had that night terror two summers ago."

"Yes. I'm afraid ya scared the dickens out of the Blacks."

Lilly giggled. "Yes I did, but at least they were understandin'."

"Countess Morgan?"

"Hmm?"

"I dunna mean tah pry, but have ya noticed Sir Patrick actin' strange as of late?"

Lilly took another sip of her black coffee. "How do you mean?"

"Well, the way he dotes on ya."

Lilly chuckled. "Oh, he was always like that, even when we was...were children." Lilly snapped her fingers at herself. As a countess, she needed to improve her grammar as well as her vocabulary. "Why? Have you noticed somethin' different?"

"Well, no. I just find it odd that he comes almost every day for the past year. I heard from some of his staff that he's been slackin' on some of his duties as an earl lately, like collectin' the rents."

Lilly smiled at her. "Well, he does like bein' here for the bairns. They are hard work and need constant attention." Lilly looked behind her. "Speakin' of, are they awake yet?"

"Yes, but Aisling insisted on feedin' them this mornin'."

Lilly laughed and took a drink of her coffee. She was thankful for a nanny, although she much preferred taking care of the children on her own. However, as a countess, Lilly had responsibilities that sometimes required her to leave home for days on end. Michael, the head butler, approached them from behind. "Madam, Sir Patrick Nolan is here to see you."