Bertrice Small - Skye O'Malley

The first book in the Skye O'Malley series, 1980

What the hell do you mean she can have no more children?demanded Dubhdara OMalley of his brother. The OMalley,chief of Clan OMalley, was a big man, six-foot-four, armsand legs like thick tree limbs; ruddy, sunburnt skin, snappingblue eyes, and a mop of dark hair that was just getting a sprinklingof silver. You priests are always prating that the purpose of marriageis to procreate. Well, Ive done what the Church wanted, Ive gottenchildren on her, and not one of them a living son! Now you tell meI must stop? But I dont suppose youll be granting me an annulmentso I can wed with some fresh and healthy blood? Faugh! You makeme sick!

Father Seamus OMalley, looking almost his brothers twinthough not quite as dark of skin, viewed Dubhdara with genuinesympathy and understanding. He knew how he felt, but there wasjust no help for it. His sister-in-law couldnt take another pregnancy.The midwife had been quite certain about that. Another child wouldtake Lady OMalleys life. That would be outright murder.

The priest drew a deep breath. Youve been married ten years,brother, and in that time Peigis been pregnant ten times. Shesmiscarried three. This birth nearly killed her.

The OMalley whirled, bitterness flooding his rugged face.Aye, he said. Shes miscarried thrice-and all boys too! The onlyone of my sons she managed to birth lived barely long enough foryou to baptize, God assoil his wee soul. And what am I left with?

Girls! Six girls! Five of whom are as plain of face as their mother.Faugh! Damn! I thought surely this time

He paced the room angrily, caring nothing that his harsh wordswere overheard by the woman who lay, half dead and weeping withbitter disappointment, in the next room. She had prayed so hard fora son. She had made a novena every month of her confinement. Shehad fasted and sacrificed, giving to those less fortunate than herself.And what was the result of her piety? Another girl, and the knowl-edge that she would now never be able to bear her husband a son.

Unknowing and uncaring, Dubhdara OMalley raged on and on.Why could she not give me sons, Seamus? Why? Ive gotten abrace of healthy lads on lasses about the countryside, but my ownwife can give me nothing but girls! I wish to God she had died andthe female brat with her!

God forgive you, Dubhdara! exclaimed Seamus OMalley,shocked to his soul.

OMalley shrugged. At least I might start anew, but wait andsee, Seamus! You wait! Shell outlive me yet! No! Ill not stoptrying. I must have a legitimate son! I must!

You get Peigi with child again, Dubh, and she dies, Ill havethe Church on you! Itd be deliberate murder, for Ive warned youwhat will happen if she conceives again. The midwife said she almostbled to death. The wee lass shes borne is healthy and strong though,thanks be to God.

OMalley made a derisive noise.

What will we baptize her, Dubh? encouraged the priest.

OMalley thought a minute. Call her Skye after the place fromwhich her mother came. Her oldest sister, Moire, can stand hergodmother.

She needs a godfather too, brother.

You be her godfather, Seamus. Six daughters is too many toprovide dowries for, so I intend Skye OMalley for the Church. TheChurchll take a smaller portion, and tis fitting that the future nunsgodfather be a priest.

Seamus OMalley nodded, satisfied. It was high time his brothersingled out a daughter for the Church. But then the priest lookedclosely at his new niece for the first time, and was quickly certainthat this was not the daughter Dubh would send to a convent. Hisfive older nieces were, as their father had said, plain as pikestaffs.With their ordinary brown hair, their pale gray eyes, they were likelittle sparrows.

This child, however, was a bird of paradise. Her skin was gardenia-fair, her eyes a wonderful blue, like the waters off Kerry, andshe already had a thick headful of black curls like her fathers. No, said Seamus OMalley softly to himself, you are definitely notconvent material, Skye OMalley!

He smiled down at the babe. If she fulfilled her promise, herbeauty could be bartered for a powerful match. The Church wouldbe delighted to accept a less spectacular OMalley, one whose dowrycould be enriched by sister Skyes good fortune.

On the following day, Skye OMalley was baptized in the familychapel. Her mother, still weak from childbirth, was not present, buther father and five older sisters were. Moire, aged ten, and the eldest,became Skyes godmother. Looking on admiringly were Peigi, nine,Bride, seven, Eibhlin, four, and Sine, eighteen months.

When Seamus OMalley poured the holy water on the childshead, Skye did not cry out as custom decreed, thus allowing theDevil to depart her. Instead, to everyones shock, she made a soundvery much like a giggle, and for the first time Dubhdara OMalleylooked at his new daughter with interest.

So, he chuckled, his blue eyes narrowing with speculation,its not afraid of water, is it? Well, shes a true OMalley at anyrate. Maybe Ill not be giving you to the Church after all, SkyeOMalley. What do you think, brother Seamus?

The priest smiled back. I think not, brother. Perhaps one of theothers will be better suited, and even has a true vocation. Time willtell, Dubh. Time will tell.

The OMalley took his new daughter from his brother and cradledher in the crook of his big arm. With his startingly bright blue eyes,shoulder-length black hair, and bushy black beard, he very muchresembled a pirate. Indeed, his sea-roving activities bordered onpiracy. However, his fierce appearance did not frighten his newdaughter at all. She gurgled contentedly before closing her eyes andfalling asleep.

As the OMalley left the chapel with his brother, his five olderdaughters trailing in their wake, he did not relinquish his hold onthe infant. The bond between Skye and her father had been formed.And when Peigi OMalleys milk refused to come in, he chose thewet nurse himself-a healthy, pretty farmgirl whose bastard hadbeen strangled by its umbilical cord.

Six months later Dubhdara OMalley departed on a seagoingexpedition which would keep him away from Ireland for severalmonths. To his priestly brothers outrage, he took baby Skye andher wet nurse, Megi, with him. Youre a disgrace to the family,Dubhdara OMalley! What the devil will people say about Megi?And if thats not bad enough, youre endangering the child! Ill nothave Skye harmed, roared the doting uncle.

The OMalley laughed. Stow your gab, Seamus! Im not endangering Skye. Shes already gone sailing with me for a day or so.She likes being on my ship. As to Megi, I would be endangeringSkye if I did not take her along. Megis milk is better for Skye thana goats, which is the only alternative.

And I suppose youll deny youve been fucking with Megi.

No, Ill not deny it. You know I like all the comforts.

The priest threw up his hands in despair. There was nothing hecould do with his brother. Dubh was the most carnal man he knew.Well, one good thing would come of it. At least poor Peigi wouldbe safe from her husbands lust for the time being.

In the summer of 1541 the OMalley of Innisfana sailed out ofhis stronghold on Innisfana Island, into the western seas. It was thefirst of Skyes many voyages. She took her first tottering steps onthe heaving deck of her fathers ship. Her small baby teeth cut marksinto the ships wheel. While her wet nurse, Megi, cowered in herbunk, fighting seasickness and praying she wouldnt drown, SkyeOMalley clapped her fat baby hands and laughed at the storms.

The baby became a toddler, and the toddler a little girl. DubhdaraOMalley was the lord of the seas around Ireland. He had manyships and several hundred men who answered only to him. Skyesoon became his acknowledged heir and a favorite among the roughsailors. She was spoiled and cosseted by them all. She barely knewher mother and sisters, and had no time or patience for them andtheir silly lives.