“Foolish lass. Our friendship will surely continue.”
“It might. Yet I am going awa’. We may not see one another again.”
“No doubt ye will travel home to visit.”
“Make me a promise? Ye will look after Wen, if I maun leave him behind.”
“I will, of course. But—surely you will tak’ him with you.”
“I will no’ be allowed to.”
“Then your family will keep him.”
“Aye, so.” Some misery filtered into the emptiness inside Bradana. “But he is used to ye. Mother will be distressed wi’ her babe on the way. Kerr and Toren have never bothered wi’ Wen.”
“Are ye certain ye can no’ tak’ him with ye?”
“Master Earrach says nay.”
“Oh.” For the first time, Maeve looked sympathetic. “To be sure, I will keep him for ye.” But her look said Wen would not be happy so, and perhaps not Bradana either.
Bradana reached out and seized her friend’s hand. “Maeve, I am afraid.”
“Och, Bradana, I am sure any woman would have some uncertainty before she is to be handfasted.”
They had time to say no more. One of the girls who helped Genna appeared at the door of the chamber, breathless.
“Mistress, ye are to come now!”
They went, Bradana with one arm tucked through Maeve’s, and saw that a large crowd had gathered outside the great hall. Many members of the clan lined the walkway, and in the open doorway stood Kendrick, well dressed and with Mican beside him.
Kendrick smiled when he saw Bradana. “Daughter! Do ye no’ look beautiful? Chief Mican, have ye ever seen a lovelier woman?”
Mican blinked at her. “I might fairly say I have no’.” He bowed. “Mistress, ye are a vision, and welcomed to our family.”
“Thank ye.” Bradana’s voice did not sound like her own. Thin and breathy, it threatened to fail her. She looked away from the two men, sweeping the crowd for a glimpse of Adair.
She did not see him, but she swore she could sense him nearby, and her heart began to pound. What if he did something foolish?
Kendrick offered Bradana his arm in place of Maeve’s. “Allow me to escort ye, daughter.”
So kind was Kendrick’s manner, and so fatherly, she almost turned to him and asked for another word alone. She might argue and beseech him to break the alliance. But she’d attempted that already, and here, in Mican’s company, he would have to save face.
They went inside, and Bradana saw Earrach waiting. He stood straight and tall at the head of the chamber, his black hair tamed by a circlet of red gold and a magnificent cloak hanging from his shoulders. His dark gaze fastened upon Bradana when she entered and did not waver.
She thought,I cannot do this.And then,I must.
Steadily, head high, she paced with Kendrick down the length of the chamber. The guests outside followed in behind them and took places along both walls. Whatever happened here would be very public.
They reached Earrach and the holy man who accompanied him. Bradana turned to face the room.
Searching, searching. Her gaze touched every face. Looking for one.
Still she did not see him. Her heart now pounded so hard in her ears, it made her dizzy. She swayed where she stood.
Earrach seized her elbow. “Mistress?”
His dark eyes looked curious, concerned. Possessive.
