6 The meeting of the ladies

When Kayleigh opened her eyes again, she was still in the same room, but now at the back, near the stacked tables and benches, with the crowd blocking her view. Someone had lifted down a bench which she was now lying on. Kayleigh sat up and saw both Ciara and a young man near her.

"Are you alright, Miss?" Ciara asked.

"Oh, my nerves feel shaky, but in all other ways I am fine." Kayleigh said trying to stand but landing back on the bench with a thud.

The young man grabbed her arm securely and voiced his concern of her being too dizzy and his fear of her falling backwards off the bench.

"If you went backwards off the bench and hit your head again, I would be quick to feel the kick of the Overking's boot." He said apologetically.

"Shall I call for Aoife and have her inform the ladies that you will not be able to join them today?" Ciara inquired. "Would it be better for you Miss, if you returned to the quiet of your chamber for the remainder of the day?"

"No. No, don't call for Aoife." Kayleigh said. "I am quite in the state of mind to need pleasant, frivolous distraction from my thoughts. Listening to soothing singing and some needlepoint will do my nerves wonders."

"Of course, Miss." Ciara said sounding relieved.

"I may need some aid in getting there though. Especially if we must go up any stairs."

"I will help you with that, Miss." The young man said. "I am one of Overking O'neill's men. He wanted me to see that you got safely to somewhere quieter once you came to."

"Thank you. That was kind of him." Kayleigh said, then thought to ask, "What is your name?'

"My name is Liam, Miss."

"Well, Liam, if no one is against my leaving, I would really like to leave Hall now."

"Yes, Miss."

As he put Kayleigh's arm over his shoulder with the intention of supporting her while walking, he noticed as they both stood the vast height difference between them. 'It would make walking awkward and unbalanced for her.' He thought.

"I'll carry you, Miss." Liam said, easily picking her up in his arms. "Save your strength, in case it is needed later in the day." Liam turned to face Ciara. "If you would lead the way, please Ciara."

As they exited the room, Ciara asked Kayleigh, "You wish for me to lead us to the ladies, still, Miss?"

Kayleigh nodded a 'yes'.

Ciara led them down a hallway, up a stair and down two more hallways, before they stopped at the door.

Ciara opened the door for them, as Liam set Kayleigh on her feet. Ciara took Kayleigh's arm to support her through the narrow doorway. As they stepped through the doorway, Liam moved forward as if to join them, but Ciara gave him a sharp look and said, "That will be all, thank you, Liam."

Liam nodded to her and left.

In the large room were a group of a dozen women of varying ages, and their female servants. The women all turned their eyes to the newcomers.

"May I introduce my mistress, Miss Kayleigh Brown of Derry." Ciara said. She waved a servant girl over to her. "Help me get her seated." She whispered.

The girl brought a stool and placed it near two women at their request. Then Ciara got Kayleigh seated upon it.

The one woman asked her if she felt well. Ciara loyally rushed to Kayleigh's aid.

"Miss had a spell at Hall this morning. She is very sensitive to the courser aspects of Hall, and when she came to, insisted I bring her here. She relies on you fine ladies to distract her mind with the finer arts."

"Oh, you poor thing!" Exclaimed the second woman. "We shan't talk about it for a moment more!"

"Siobhan!" called the first woman, "Could you play us a song, dear?"

The young woman took up her instrument and began to play, and another began to sing to the haunting beauty of the melody, as the two women sat near Kayleigh introduced themselves. One was named Tara and the other Orlaith.

"We are very happy to meet you." Tara said to Kayleigh.

"Yes. We don't get to see new faces often. Most women new to the castle are from lower classes, and none of them stay here permanently." Orlaith informed Kayleigh.

Kayleigh smiled at them grateful for their enthusiasm. "Even I am not completely sure if this will be my permanent home." She said, "I suppose it will all depend on who I marry."

"Oh," said Tara, "You are not married?"

"No." Kayleigh shook her head. "Engagement was as far as I got. But before the day came about, he was killed in a hunting accident."

"Oh, no!" Tara and Orlaith exclaimed in unison.

"Years have passed since then," said Kayleigh, "and I believe the Overking O'neill is working to find a suitable match."

Kayleigh had noticed before that a number of women were paying attention to their conversation, but at the mention of the Overking, suddenly she had the attention of all of them. Most had the good breeding to look like they hadn't heard and weren't paying attention after the couple seconds of shock wore off.

"Oh, the overking is doing that personally?" inquired Orlaith.

Kayleigh knew exactly what she was asking and what she was trying to determine. Orlaith wanted to find out exactly how much power Kayleigh had. But Kayleigh didn't mind them knowing her rank. Although all the doernemed women were part of the same social class, within that social class, there was a ranking system.

"Yes." Kayleigh said. "It is his duty as my guardian."

Now that the whole room knew of her close connection with the Overking O'neill, they treated her differently. All the other women came up to her in pairs or small groups to introduce themselves and to compete with each other to talk to her or make her laugh. At the moment, Kayleigh was the highest status woman in the room.

That is until the door opened again, half an hour later and a group of women walked in.