“The great magician, Oisin, has hidden his most powerful talisman somewhere on the island, guarded by giant, black fluffy bunnies!” Iris raised her sword aloft, adjusting her hat as it slipped further down her face. “We shall tame the bunnies and make them guide us to the treasure!”
“We must hurry, Captain Iris, for only one day every seven years is the island visible. If you are true of heart and kind of spirit, the will-o’-the-wisps shall guide you far past the fog and onto the island’s shores. But be warned, my Captain, for if you do not leave at the stroke of midnight the island will return home, and you will be trapped in Tir Na Nog for the next seven years.”
“Chart us a course, Mr. Pickles!” Iris shouted. She jumped down from her perch and took a teddy out of her fort and placed him on top of the bow. “Hoist the anchor, Beanie,” and a little bunny popped out and Iris placed him on the side of the ship. “Fly the colors, Uncle.”
“Ay-ay, Captain Iris.” Archer saluted.
Lydia held back laughter as she watched the Duke tie a little pirate skull bandana to the top of a broomstick they had situated in the middle of their fort to act as a mast.
Unfortunately, in her effort to stifle her laughter, it turned into a snort, and both Archer and Iris looked over at her.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.” Lydia felt heat fill her cheeks with embarrassment.
Iris flew out of the fort, almost tripping over the books as she stumbled toward Lydia, grabbing her skirt to prevent herself from falling over. “Come play with us, Auntie Lydia.”
Lydia chewed on her lip. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“Please!” Iris was bouncing on the balls of her feet and pulled on Lydia’s skirts. “Please, please, please!”
“You will find that once Iris has her heart set on something, she will do whatever it takes to get it.” The Duke stepped over the fort and rummaged through a little toy box off to the side of the library.
“Apparently that is something of a family trait,” Lydia said before she could stop herself.
Archer pulled out another pirate’s hat, as big and feathered as theirs. “I’m sure you can spare a few minutes for some fun.” He placed the hat on her head. “We could use a cabin boy,”he suggested and tilted her chin up with his index finger and thumb.
Despite herself, she could not help but rise up to the challenge in those molten amber eyes.
“Of course, every good ship needs a cabin boy! I am so glad you volunteered!” She smiled, reveling in his momentary confusion before turning to their young niece. “Captain Iris, have we a mop for the young lad?”
“Of course!” The young girl grabbed a pool stick and handed it to him.
“It appears I have been demoted,” he observed as he looked down at the piece of wood.
“Ay mate-y!” Lydia could not keep the smirk from her face, and Archer squinted his eyes at her.
“Come on, you scallywags! We set sail for the island yonder! Do not make me ask again!” Iris called as she clambered back into her boat.
Archer shook his head as Lydia laughed. As they clambered into the ship together, Lydia brushed against him, and spots of color appeared on her cheeks. It was hard to avoid him, and the closeness made her head swim.Perhaps this was not such a good idea.
The inside of the fort was covered in pillows and blankets. They were surrounded by stuffed animals of every kind, most of whom had little knitted pirate hats, vests, and eye-patches.
“Do you love my teddies?” Iris squealed. “Auntie Juliet makes little outfits for them.”
“That’s impressive,” Lydia said, admiring Juliet’s handy work. “She is very talented.”
“I know.” Iris nodded importantly. “I cannot wait until I can sew like that.”
“You’ll be waiting a long time if you keep pulling your little pranks on your governesses.” Archer gave his niece a stern look that was undermined by his eye patch. “Though it seems Miss Boyd is at least made of stern stuff.”
Iris giggled, “I put jelly in Madam Islwyn’s slippers. She screamed so loud it woke up my aunties. They thought someone had broken in and tried to assassinate Madam Islwyn. But I don’t want to talk about that. Let’s play!”
Iris leaped back onto the bow and raised her sword. “I’m the pirate Queen and the commander of the seven seas.” Iris turned to Lydia. “I’m half-fairy, half-mermaid, and this is our crew.” Iris named off all her stuffed animals one-by-one, giving her details about their personalities and their horoscopes.
“And this is Mr. Pickles,” she said, pointing to the last stuffed animal Lydia remembered from the start of their game. “Mr. Pickles is very sympathetic and a good listener. He goes with me to church every Sunday and always likes to play whatever I want to play, don’t you, Mr. Pickles?”
“I love church,” Archer said in a high-pitched voice, catching Lydia by surprise. “And hugs.”
Iris continued to introduce her toys excitedly with Archer giving each toy its own voice. As soon as Iris turned away, he gave her a look. “Don’t even think about repeating that to anyone.”
