Eva prayed it held through his assault. She knew her brother wouldn’t harm her, but she was not going to be discussing her personal life with him while he was so riled. Had Finn told him? Why would he do that? Mortification warred with righteous anger as she held fast against the quaking door.
When, after what felt an hour, the raucous ceased, Eva hoped it meant Dallan had given up and left. She opened the door a crack when it had been quiet for some time.
Dallan pushed it the rest of the way, stalking into her room, Cormac right behind him.
“Cormac,” Eva pleaded, “isn’t it forbidden for my brother to be speaking with me?”
Amusement flashed in Cormac’s blue eyes, a much deeper shade than Finn’s. “I think this warrants an exception,” he replied unhelpfully. “I’ll ensure you don’t plot treason while you have it out with your brother.”
Eva groaned in frustration.
Dallan’s withering look told her she’d well and truly crossed a line. “He told me, Eva. Finn told me he bedded you. And now I want you to confirm that he told me the truth.”
The intelligent move would be to deny it, but Eva’s good sense fled the moment her door flew open. Instead, she voiced the first thought that came to mind. “He told you!?” she cried in disbelief. “When? Why?”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cormac trying to keep from laughing. At least someone found this amusing. She certainly did not.
“Just now,” Dallan answered tightly, “because, apparently, he understands the concept of guilt. Unlike a certain sister I came to rescue.”
Eva narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t going to roll over like some submissive pup. “I have every right to choose a lover. I only require approval for my husband.”
“Do you intend to marry him?”
“I do,” she ground out. Glancing at Cormac guiltily, then back to Dallan, she added, “Once I get Brian’s approval.”
Cormac didn’t seem at all shocked by her statement.
Dallan looked murderous. Her request to marry Finn could certainly be going better.
“So I am to believe he simply told you out of nowhere, utterly unprovoked, that he was my lover?”
Dallan’s horrified grimace at the word “lover” would have been amusing in a different scenario. At this moment, it only annoyed her further.
“He admitted to it after we met with Baeth,” Dallan retorted. “I told him I trusted him. I thanked him for being such a good friend. He thought that was a good time to be honest with me.”
Eva felt queasy. “You met with who?”
For the first time since he came after her, Dallan was speechless.
Cormac stepped forward. “He met with another noble lord, on behalf of Brian.”
Eva ignored him, her eyes fixed on Dallan.
Fighting the rising panic that now threatened her. “Why was Baeth here?” she demanded. “What did he want?” Then her worst fear returned, burning brighter than a midsummer bonfire. “Does he know about Finn?” she whispered, barely able to voice the terrifying thought. “Is he after Finn?”
Tears welled but she managed not to let them spill over. God’s bones, how could she have been so foolish! To think that she could finally marry. To think that Baeth was out of her life forever.
Lord, what a fool she’d been.
Dallan’s face softened, his brows creasing. “No, Eva, no. He’s none too pleased with Finn, but he came here to plot against Brian. Finn is safe.” Dallan placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, turning to speak directly to Cormac. “We have much to discuss, though none of it surprising.”
Cormac’s jaw tightened, the muscles twitching. “I assumed as much. Finish up here and let’s get started. Eva,” he regarded her, his face kind, “I will send a messenger tomorrow for permission to grant your request.” He nodded in farewell and moved to wait outside her door.
Dallan’s hand fell from her shoulder. “What request?”
“I’m going to Caiseal with you,” she informed him, raising her chin defiantly and pulling herself up as tall as she could manage.
“Like hell you are.”
