| Before Page 6 |
| Even in the sodden drizzle, nothing could dim the sun in them. Bowman led her home, keeping out of any mucky areas, walking mostly on the grass beside the old wagon tracks. When they got to certain spots, where the water settled in pools in the grass, he would lift her and twirl her and they would bubble with the joy of wee children. and in truth, they were in their hearts and would remain so always. |
| Maire looked at him closely, took in the scent of him. He was a clean person, yet as with all creatures, he had his own scent ... almost like the mint leaves growing in the meadow. She would learn later that he used mint in many things. He would boil the leaves into his soap mixture. He used the leaves, boiled in water with some ginger, to make an after meal rinse for hs mouth. And once they shared the same sweet ' cottage ' as he called it ... ' manor house' as she would say ... she began to do as he did. For she had niver met anyone more clever than he, nae not even her mothair. He claimed no special brilliance of brain, and would no doubt be vexed to know she thought that way. She'd best take great care, for sure didn't he always seem ta read her thought ? And she smiled her own smile as she thought on their life tagether. |
| Is something amiss Bowman ? Is there a pebble in yer boot ? 'Nae Lass, nae tis nothin but me foot in me boot. 'Ye keep lookin down Bow, are ye sorry ye've asked fer me ? Have ye changed yer mind ? 'Maire, dearest Lass, from time before time, I have searched for you. There'll be no changin of me mind ' then he smiled at her sheepishly 'am wondrin if I shoulda brought me other boots fer the walkin, and nae dirty yer Ma's home ' She laughed loudly and long, it would have been a bellow, except she was such a tender girleen. 'Bow... ahhh Bow, the floor is dirt, none would notice !' He had a semi scowl he could nae maintain, this day or ever. 'I would know Maire... I would know ' |
There was a pause, How she loved this man. 'Do ye mind that I call ye Bow ? ' ' I donnae mind Maire, So long as yer callin me to ye, nae pushin me inta a mud puddle ' |
| Music : Come Softly To Me |
Under her breath he heard her say ' I'll keep it under advisement Squire ' This time his laughter errupted like rolling thunder, he made note in his head ta keep a warry eye on her on a wet day. |
| Aye didnae he love her more with each passing second. They hadnae spoken before taday,nae really, yet all that was her, the sauciness.the strength, the softness, the quick wit. Ahh yes ... He knew before he knew. |
| And so they arrived at a ramshackle cottage. Even the gate was ajar. Bowman had seen it before, but niver so close as now. Mostly he had seen her out and about. He didnae care where she lived, he cared where she was. |
| Though the walk was nae far. the rain had been steady. Maire opened th gate and approached what served as a door, Bowman was close behind her and she took his hand and tried to tug him into the cottage. He didnae budge and she turned in alarm to see if he had changed his wish to have her. Her relief was in the form of a soft giggle. There was HerOwn... diligently wipin his boots. " Bow, soon they'll be worn through " |
| From inside the hut came a voice, much like Maire's . ' Is it you Maire ? Have ye finally come home Me Girl ? |
| Maire feigned exasperation, but the affection was deep and couldnae be covered. ' Nae Missus, I'm a lady pirate her ta steal yer jewels and gold ' |
| The voice in the gloom called back, and Bowman new where HisOwn got her cheek. ' Aye, ye have the wrong Weaver cottage Miss Pirate. Tis 3 hills away ' |