The Claddagh Promise

By DM Wiseman

A young American woman has found herself in Ireland, heir to her grandfather's estate, and a 'royal' - she's a Lady. Kelly finds herself trying to keep her identity, in the middle of a war between two families, 'engaged' to a Duke she just met, and unsure how to deal with all rules thrust upon her. She finds herself fighting for more than her identity, but her life, and along the way finds love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DM Wiseman
• Release date: Jan 18, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458137838

DM Wiseman

I am a retired Nurse - in my everyday life, but I am a self diagnosed 'reader-aholic' - I read all types of fiction and have been writing stories for a long time, and finally have decided to publish my novels using the Smashwords.com site. I am married, have two sons, with families (3 grandkids!!) as well as a spoiled rotten Old English Bull Dog We recently moved from rural Michigan, to Florida and enjoy spending time at our home on Lake Mariam. The first book I published on Smashwords is not the first book that I wrote, but the first I actually published. I wrote this novel during the NaNoWriMo.com November 2010 which I wrote in under the 30 day deadline. I feel that I have more stories to write, and will be publishing additional novels as fast as my fingers can type...

Book preview

Chapter One

Kelly was sure she was being watched. The same white car was parked outside her apartment. She saw it first on Tuesday morning, parked next to Mr. Timson’s old brown Dodge. It was there yesterday too, and this morning, it was parked next to the bus station sign. She saw two men sitting in the front seat, both with hats on. Odd. Usually inside a car, you don’t wear your hats. The kind you take off when an old lady walks in the room. The kind detectives on old TV shows wear. Or the kind the gangsters wear!

Kelly shook her long auburn hair and let the curtain to the front window of her apartment close. She was getting herself all worked up over nothing. They could be waiting for someone else; maybe they’re in a car pool. Anything, but surely, not for her. Why in the world would anyone be following her?

Putting on her prescription sunglasses, her green eyes hidden from view, she left her small one bedroom apartment, locking the door behind her. Descending the stairs, she was sure to miss the one step that was very shaky to say the least. She had told her land lord more than once, about the poor stairs, and he had yet to fix them. Poor Mrs. Barry, her neighbor on the other side of the hall. She had a hard time with the stairs anyway. Vowing to write to the owner of the building first thing when she had time, Kelly left the building.

Her eyes hidden from view, she looked at the men in the white car. They were nonchalantly looking at her. The one behind the driver’s seat was black, about thirty some years old. He was not anything to write home about, nothing special to distinguish him. He was tall in the seat, so Kelly figured maybe 6 foot at least. The passenger was white, darkish hair, a moustache and had glasses on. He was shorter, and was heavy looking. Kelly smiled to herself as she memorized the license plate number of the car and noted that the rear driver’s side light was cracked. She was going to give the police everything she could remember about the car – and them.

Getting into her little Honda Accord, her first and only car, she pulled into traffic, and took the first street to the right, pulled into a 7/11 driveway and waited. Sure enough, the white car was soon turning the corner. They pulled into the market across the street. Kelly went into the store and was going to come out with a diet Mountain Dew, so they would not know she knew they were following her. It was too much to think about, them actually following her!

It sounded just like in the movies, but why would they be following a spell-checker at Sullivan Publisher’s? She was not rich, involved with anything even mildly illegal, and didn’t witness a crime. Then, Kelly stopped herself. She had gone out on a few dates with a man from the office next door, Harold something or other. Sighing, Kelly nodded her head. He was probably married and they were private detectives. Vowing to give him more than just a piece of her mind, she went to leave the store bumping into the man from the passenger side.

Ma’am. The fat man said, actually tipping his hat at her. Kelly glared at him and memorized his face, just to be sure. Nearly running, she got into her car and was pulling out into traffic before the fat man could even get back into his side of the white car. Hoping to loose them in traffic, she made a few turns, and unnecessary changing of lanes. Not seeing them following her, she pulled into the driveway of the parking structure across from he office. Surely she had lost them! But, then she sighed. If they had been following her for the past two days, they already knew where she worked. Cursing mildly, she went into the building. She would think of a plan later. For now, she was going to be late for work.

Kelly made it a point to walk out to the parking structure with a group of people. She knew they’d be there. But why? Harold had adamantly denied being married when she confronted him at lunch, and eve offered to have his mother tell her it was true, he was single. He still lived with his mother? At the age of twenty nine? Kelly was suddenly sicken by Harold. Going past a white car on the first deck, she noted it was the same car, but two different men were in it. Now, she was really worried. They were taking turns watching her?

Getting into her Honda, she drove straight to the police station that was on her way to her mother’s house. Taking a packet of papers with her, she pretended she had business there. The white car pulled up next to the donut shop next door, and waited. There was actually a donut shop next to a police station – how clique. She watched from the front window as the two men shifted in their seats, apparently going to wait for her.

Kelly played with her hair. A police officer watched her from behind the desk, noting the worried look on the young girl’s face. He nodded to another officer and lifted his eyebrow. The second officer went up to the young girl and tapped her on the shoulder. At five foot even, she looked young, still like a teenager. Her round, green eyes surrounded by thick dark red lashes were tearing up. Seeing it was a police officer who was touching her, she instantly relaxed. The officer introduced himself and waited.

Kelly pushed her hair out of her face and sighed. Looking up into the eyes of the concerned officer, she bit her lip to keep from crying.

I’m being followed. She said softly, turning and pointing out the window at the white car. It’s been going on for three days now, and in shifts. Two men, at eight hour shifts, I think. I’m really frightened. The officer looked where she was pointing and saw a white car, parked legally next to the donut shop. Two men with hats on, in the car, just like she said were sitting in the car. Nodding, he led her to a desk and began asking more questions.

After using the phone once, and typing up her ‘statement’, he asked her to please wait while he reported to his superior. Kelly opened her purse and took out a stick of bubble gum. Popping it into her mouth, she began to chew absentmindedly. Blowing bubbles while she worked was a wonderful stress reducer, she knew. Since this was pretty stressful, she needed the gum. But, she figured, here in a police station, not even a Valium could calm her down.

When Officer Tobias walked back up to her, she nearly swallowed her gum. With him and his superior, were the two men from the car. Kelly was asked to go into an interrogation room, with the officer and his superior. The two men followed them. Kelly felt her palms wet, and wondered if she needed a lawyer. She put her hand into her pocket, and fingered her cell. She pushed the button to ‘record’, just in case. She wasn’t sure if she did anything wrong. Her mind was in a whirl, and she sat when told to.

I’m Lieutenant Bradford, Officer Tobias’ superior. This is Special Agents Smythe and Crawford. They are from the British Consulate, on loan for the time being. They are on assignment from the National Parliament of Ireland. Do you understand now why they are following you? Kelly looked at the two men and shook her head. British Secret Agents? From Ireland?

No. Have I done something wrong? Her voice soft, with no trace of the Irish accent of her mother’s, answered. I still don’t understand. The two men looked at each other, then at the Lieutenant. SA Crawford pulled up the chair next to her.

Your name is Kelly Kilpatrick Riley. You live at 3345 Tenth Avenue. You are a Spell-checker at Sullivan Publisher’s. Your mother is Lady Kathleen Kilpatrick Riley… He began. Kelly put up her hand and nearly laughed.

"Well, I knew you would know my name and address. But, why are you following me? She was tired, scared, and wanted to go home. Suddenly, she wanted nothing more to go home to her mother’s.

Lady Kathleen’s brother Patrick, your Uncle, died a couple of weeks ago. The Duke wants to resume relations with Lady Kathleen, and reinstate her and you as well, into his will. Smythe continued for Crawford. We are protecting you. Simple as that.

Kelly stared at the men. Duke? Shaking her head, she licked her lips. All four men watched the innocent, yet very provocative gesture. At nearly nineteen years old, she was a very beautiful young lady. But, she didn’t seem to know it.

My mother’s name is Lady, which is true. But, she was orphaned at the age of 15, and had no brothers or sisters. No living relatives at all, I’m afraid. She sold everything her parents had and sailed to America with her childhood sweetheart, my father Thomas Riley. They were married on the ship and I was born here in Washington, DC a few months after they landed. You have some of the facts, but obviously not all of them are correct. You have the wrong people. Her voice was strong now, but deep inside, a nagging memory was just at the tip of her awareness.

Lady Kathleen had a brother, and a grandfather when she ran away with the tool maker, sailed to America and was never heard from again. Lady Katy is very much your mother. Crawford answered her, and she gasped. That was the memory. Lady Katy was what her dad called her mom!

When I was small, my father used to call my mother Lady Katy and she would get all mad. Then they would make up, laughing. Lady isn’t her real first name, then? Everyone just calls her that? Kelly stared at her hands. All their lives, her parents had struggled to make ends meet were many times very close to losing their store, and the apartment above it, where Kelly was raised. And now, to know her mother was the daughter of a Duke! Kelly shook her head and stood up.

Well, I better go talk to my mother. Thank you for helping me, I was really afraid of being followed. Thank you for your time. She said as she shook the two officer’s hands. Turning to the two Special Agents, she smiled, offering her hand to them as well. You do not have to follow me any longer. I don’t need your protection. Turning, she began to leave the room.

Lady Kelly…we are assigned to protect you by Ambassador Leelock, the Duke himself, until you are in Ireland and have your own security agents to protect you there. Kelly turned back around slowly as Smythe explained. We will be following you, Crawford and me, the day shift crew. Tilton and Jones take the afternoon shift and a man named Bailey watches your house at night. We are assigned and you cannot change that.

Kelly glared at the men and swore under her breath. She would get to the bottom of this yet! Who the hell did this Ambassador LeeLock think he was? She would just see about this.

Chapter Two

Driving to her mother’s house, she didn’t even care that the white care was behind her now, obviously no need to be discrete any longer. Pulling into the parking lot of the small grocery that her family had owned and operated since coming to America, she went in the front door. She greeted Mr. Perkins, the man at the counter. He ran the store now for her mother.

Stopping, she waited while Smythe and Crawford followed her into the store, apparently going to be following her a little bit closer than ever now that she knew about them, and had tried to give them the slip. Beckoning, she led them through the back room, to the stair well at the back that led upstairs to the apartment where she grew up, and her mother still lived. Calling out a greeting to her mother, she also said she was bringing company.

Kelly, darling! If I knew you’d be bringing guests, I would have put out the good china. Smiling, Lady Kathleen Kilpatrick Riley eyed the two different looking men that banked her daughter. An odd looking pair, neither looked to be prospective ‘dates’ for her daughter, she hoped.

Mom, these are the Special Agents Smythe and Crawford. They are my protection of sorts. Body guards in a way. Being that I’m a LADY. She spat out the words. Her mother cringed and sat in the nearest chair, covering her face. Kelly sat down next to her mother and gently touched her shoulder. Want to tell me about it? The Lady Katy told her daughter, finally, after all these years, the secret that was hidden deep inside her.

Lady Kathleen Kilpatrick was a strong willed daughter of a stronger willed Duke. She was rebellious as a child and worse when she was a teenager. She fell hopelessly in love with the castle’s tool maker, and when her father found out, was forbidden to even speak to him again. Thomas Riley was given a tidy sum to leave the island (that’s what Ireland was – and is called by true Irish), and to never look back. Problem was, the Duke did not count on Katy to disobey him, and she sailed for America on the same boat that Thomas did.

They were married the very afternoon they sailed, and neither of them had looked back or admitted out loud, where they came from. Until now. The Duke was back in her life.

I never told you, Kelly. My brother Patrick sent me a letter once. He said it nearly killed my father when I left, and my name was never talked of in the castle again. It was if I were never born. I didn’t know how to tell you, it was not important to our family here in America. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears, feeling like a million years old.

What now? Kelly asked Smythe. I can’t have you following me around all the time without people becoming suspicious. What will happen? She asked the men who not a few hours ago, were villains in her mind. What will people think?

The Ambassador LeeLock will probably be contacting you soon. Or your grandfather, the Duke of Remington, directly. Either way, we just sit tight and go on with the day to day living routine. He said as matter of fact as he could.

Who is this Ambassador? He isn’t my grandfather? Duke of LeeLock? Duke of Remington? Ambassador…I’m still a little fuzzy on the facts here. Kelly motioned for them to sit, and she alongside her mother, prepared dinner for four. Stretching the meal with salad and bread was something Katy Riley had done for years. It was easy.

Your grandfather is the Duke of Remington, Kyle Kilpatrick, my father. The Duke of LeeLock would be – oh my gosh, is it Braedon? Is Braedon now the Duke? Did his old goat of a father finally die? Katy turned to the men, and Crawford laughed, immediately stopping himself. Smythe contained his.

Yes, Old Duke Lee died about four years ago. Ambassador Lee is now the Duke of LeeLock, which is good for Ireland. He is the Irish Ambassador to the British Parliament. A Duke being on the bench is a great achievement for the Irish, Lady Katy. Crawford hid his smile at her ‘old goat’ comment.

Well how nice is that, Braedon now a Duke. Never thought I’d live to see that. We all thought Old Lee would live forever. He had the old ways still imbedded in his brain, tried to do the same to Braedon, but he high tailed it to England, and got all mixed up with politics last I heard. It would do Thomas good to see Braedon having to do everything he didn’t want to do. Katy laughed as she served dinner.

Is he your age then, mother, this Braedon? He sounds old. Kelly asked with curiosity, everything her mom was telling her was like a story, and all new to Kelly’s ears.

Oh no. He was a wee one when Thomas and I left the isle. He was a bit of a sprite back then, oh getting lost in the bogs near a month after learning to walk. He was trouble from day one. Braedon would be 10 years or so younger than us, so he would be just turning maybe 29 or 30. He’s always been older than me, even though the years tell different. It surely would be nice to see him again, though. He was a fine specimen of a man, even then, A fine specimen indeed. Katy settled down to eat, the conversation slowing as the food was eaten by the foursome.

Later that night, Kelly let herself into her apartment and waved to the white car, the man, confused, waved back from his position across the street. Obviously, he hadn’t been told about Kelly knowing about the surveillance. Well, this had been one interesting day.

Opening her mail, Kelly put aside the bills and turned over a special delivery letter that her neighbor had signed for. The letter was from England. From England!

This was it - something to tell her about what was going on. Hopefully, it would give her more information about this Lady business. Well, it was about time. Opening the letter, she paused and sat down, getting comfortable on the second hand couch, Kelly curled her legs underneath her, and she began to read the letter.

Two minutes later, she was opening the back door to the white car, greeting Bailey angrily. Slamming the door, she waited.

Well, drive me to my mother’s. I’m in no mood to drive – I’d probably kill someone. And this way you can’t possibly loose me in the traffic. Kelly settled back, and without saying yet a word, Bailey drove the Lady to her mother’s.

This is far too fictional for the truth, mother. Kelly said a half an hour later. She paced in front of the sofa where her mother cowered. Lady Katy’s Irish temper obviously had been handed down to her daughter. This is laughable!

Now, Kelly darling. Braedon would be an ideal husband to you. He was always wonderfully king… Lady Katy began, knowing that she sounded even to her, lame. Her father and his meddling was getting out of hand. Again and after all this time, he was trying to run Kelly’s life – this time.

I have not even met the man, why would I marry him? I am not marrying him, whether or not he’s kind! I am barely nineteen, and you said so yourself, he’s nearly thirty years old. Thirty, mother – nearly old enough to be my father! Kelly sank down into a chair across from her mother. Suddenly, she was very tired. Being the granddaughter of a Duke was hard work.

But, it says in the letter that would be the only way my father would put us back into his will. Kelly, you don’t realize what that means. My father is rich. Filthy, stinking rich. One of the richest men, except for of course Braedon’s family, but never the less, we’d be sitting pretty. Katy ran her fingers through her grey streaked auburn hair and sighed. She had given all that up to marry Thomas and come to America. She had struggled for so long. And she was tired. It was so much easier to be the daughter of a Duke.

Chapter Three

I can’t believe we’re doing this mother. I will surely lose my job, just calling and leaving a message I have to fly off to Ireland on a family emergency. I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. Kelly continued to pack what she thought she would need, as she spoke to her mother on her cell. Her mother had spent hours speaking to numerous friends to cover for her at one of her many Church committees, social clubs or whatever. Being an Irish Catholic meant being involved in your church she always said, and was involved in almost everything.

Kelly packed several pairs of jeans and a few sweaters, a couple of sweat shirts, and a few t-shirts. Next, she absently put in a sleep shirt that was deep green, white letters spelling out the message ‘Kiss me, I’m Irish’ on the front. Packing a handful of socks, she practically threw most of the items into the suitcase. The only thing she lovingly placed in the case was her under things. Everything she wore under her casual attire was made of silk, satin or the softest of fabrics. She loved soft, feminine under things (bought them from a Victoria Secret’s store) and spent far more than she could afford. On the top, she placed her journal, her toiletries and her hooded fall coat. Her only jewelry was an old fashioned ring she wore on her baby finger of her right hand. It was an old Irish wedding band that was left to her by her father’s mother.

In the outer compartment of the suitcase, she tucked her running shoes, and a pair of Birkenstocks. She had on her chugga boots, her most comfortable jeans, and a long sleeved t-shirt. Carrying her purse – it was big enough to include her personal items, other glasses, camera, two packs of papers for her to proof read, as well as her lap top and a USA hooded sweatshirt. She was as ready as she would ever be. Her mother, when she arrived, on the other hand, thought otherwise.

Where are your dresses? Your formal clothes? Katy nearly cried, she was so flustered with Kelly. We’re going to see a Duke! Kelly, my father is a Duke! Kelly laughed and said that she knew, oh so well. Of course, she had only just learned about this yesterday, and said very curtly that her ‘formal wear’ was at the cleaners. She was not happy with her mother right now.

I’ll not put on any airs mother. I will not be what I’m not. I will not pretend that I’m a ‘Lady’ – just because all of a sudden you say I am one. I am Kelly Riley from the United States – period. I’ll not pretend to be flattered by an arranged marriage to a man I do not know. I thought to be friends first with the man I marry, before I loved him. If you can’t live with me the way I am, then I’ll not go to Ireland at all. Kelly folded her arms in front of her, standing as tall as her five foot frame would, and waited for her mother to answer. Kelly shut the ONE suitcase and picked up her large satchel type purse, and waited. Lady Katy nodded her head in defeat. She was just as defiant as she herself was, at sixteen, when she left the isle forever – to get away from the very man that she was now going back to see.

Kelly had notified Harold of the family emergency, left a message at work, and then told Smythe about the trip. The two men, Smythe and Crawford would be flying to Ireland with them. How wonderful, she had murmured and let them drive her to the travel agents earlier in the day. It was nice being driven every where at least. DC traffic was intolerable at the best of times. So two days after finally becoming Irish royalty, she was on the way to Ireland for the first time.

Taking them to the airport, Smythe was dressed just as he always was. Crawford had bought a new hat for the occasion. Kelly was suddenly glad the two men were with them. Her mother spent most of her time talking to the two men, telling tales of the life she led as a child in Ireland. Kelly listened absently, never having heard any of these stories before. All of sudden, Lady Katy was telling of a life that she had denied all these years. Now, it was all for fun.

Kelly wasn’t thrilled. She was confused. All the struggling all those years, and for what? To deny Thomas’ memory and go back crawling to the Duke? Kelly