The Wild Seed Read Online Free Page A

later, Catherine sat up in the front seat of the trap beside Jamie, watching his strong hands gently direct the horses over the uneven ground of the lane leading away from the farm. And yet, she could not help studying him covertly, looking for any sign that he was not in his usual robust health. He appeared relaxed, his skin was lightly tanned by the sun and weather, he looked just the same as he had always done. A little older, perhaps, with a few more lines around his eyes and mouth but that was only to be expected.
    ‘Sure it’s a lovely spring day, all right.’ Jamie sighed, lifting his face to the pale sun. ‘I love the spring with the new buds shaking the trees and the lambs leaping everywhere as though pleased to be alive. It’s a time of new beginnings, sure it is.’
    Catherine thought so too but not in a way of which her father would approve. For her, life had blossomed since Boyo had come back into her life, she had freely given her virginity and in six short days she had fallen hopelessly in love.
    Catherine was quiet, hugging her secret to her and Jamie seemed content with the silence as he easily lifted the reins to encourage the animals to go faster.
    Over the crest of the hill, leading away from Honey’s Farm, the land fell away revealing the valley of huddled buildings and twisting streets and beyond the town perimeter, the wide shimmering band of sea stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a sight which never failed to take Catherine’s breath away.
    ‘Isn’t it beautiful, Dad?’ She leaned against her father’s broad shoulder, breathing in the salt of the breeze drifting in from the sea. He glanced down at her fondly.
    ‘Aye, but then so is Ireland, darlin’, it’s not called the Emerald Isle for nothing. And the water runs clear up golden sands and the hills are so lush and green. I’ll take you there one day, and then you can see for yourself.’
    Catherine had Irish blood in her veins from her father’s side of the family but her mother was Welsh and Catherine had been born on the farm on the Welsh hillsides, she could imagine nothing as lovely as the scene before her anywhere else in the world.
    Instead of driving to the store as he usually did, Jamie halted the horses outside the Grand Hotel, looping the reins around a post and clucking softly to the animals.
    ‘What are we doing here, Dad?’ Catherine looked down at her father as he held up his hands to lift her into the roadway. She noticed then, for the first time, that he was smartly dressed in a crisp linen shirt, good trousers, waistcoat and a jacket.
    ‘What’s all this about, what’s going on, Dad?’
    ‘All in good time, girl.’
    Catherine hung back, suddenly suspicious. ‘What is going on, Dad?’ she repeated more forcefully.
    ‘It’s just a little surprise, nothing to get all agitated about. Would I do anything to hurt you?’
    She followed him in silence through the double doors and into the lobby which smelled of polish that did not quite cover the stale smell of beer.
    Catherine wrinkled her nose. ‘Dad, it’s much nicer out there in the sunshine, what do we have to come in here for? Not going to become a drinking man at your age, are you?’
    ‘Watch that tongue of yours, madam,’ Jamie said, ushering her through another set of doors and into a small back room.
    As her eyes became accustomed to the gloom, Catherine saw that two men and a very old lady were seated in the corner on plush but uncomfortable-looking chairs.
    ‘Top of the mornin’ to you all.’ Jamie moved forward, hand extended and a babble of greetings rang in Catherine’s ears.
    Then Jamie drew her forward. ‘This is my daughter, Catherine O’Conner, a good girl and born to the farm life.’ He ushered her into a seat and began to introduce his friends.
    ‘Three generations of Cullens, relatives from Ireland, you see before you Catherine. Maeve Cullen,’ Jamie paused and Catherine awkwardly took the gloved hand the old lady held