He closed his eyes. He’d said it, letting her know that he knew the full truth and that he was going to give her a choice.
Her smile became forced. ‘The sooner things are accomplished, the sooner we can go forward into our future.’
She slipped away from his grasp, and he knew he had to let her go.
His words must be for her ears alone, and they needed to be perfect. He needed to find a way to make it up to her for all that she’d endured because of his cousin and his lies. More than that, he needed to find a way to make her love him and to begin the marriage afresh. She needed to be able to choose for herself, but he knew her answer could crush his hopes.
Chapter Sixteen
Svanna did her final round of ensuring all the injured were tended to. The last item on her long list of what one did after a raid, and then she knew she’d have to go and speak to Rand alone. She had thought doing the small tasks would allow her to regain control and stop wishing for things which could never happen. It had taken all her self-control not to blurt out how much she loved him, how worried she’d been and how she wanted their marriage to become a loving one. She wanted to go forward and not have the past burden her. She started across the now-deserted yard.
‘Is this what Lord Randolfr calls hospitality?’ a loud voice boomed from the far side of the yard.
She turned to see a simply dressed man with a head of flowing copper hair heavily laced with grey streaks and fierce blue eyes. Five other men dressed in simple hunting gear stood behind him.
‘It depends, King Máel Sechnaill,’ she said, sweeping into a low curtsey, ‘on whether or not you arrive after a major battle.’
The man arched a brow, bearing more than a passing resemblance to Birdie. ‘You are aware of who I am?’
‘You and your granddaughter share the same eyes. I presume your late daughter had those eyes. I’ve yet to meet Rhiannon.’
He frowned. ‘Rhiannon isn’t here? I was reliably informed that she had appeared with some man in tow.’
‘She is apparently slowly making her way back with her beloved. Rand discovered them and left several of his men to help with their safe return. I believe they may require some medical treatment when they do arrive back as her man, as you call him, had to fend off one of the Drengrson brothers.’
‘You appear remarkably well informed, my lady.’ The king tilted his head to one side. ‘Have we met?’
Svanna bobbed another curtsey. ‘Svanna Guthardottar, the dowager Queen of Agthir’s foster-daughter.’
‘I understood her foster-daughter sat upon Agthir’s throne.’
‘You were misinformed. Her real daughter sits. I was the substitute for a while, but now I’ve other duties. Lord Randolfr and I made a blood alliance, uniting Eire, Agthir and, in time, Islay.’
Máel Sechnaill appeared to digest the information with some surprise. ‘What are you to this place?’
‘Svanna is my bride,’ Rand said, slipping an arm about her waist. ‘This hall is now her hall. It stands in no small part thanks to her and her quick thinking. I was lucky to find her.’
Svanna leant into him, basking in the glow of unexpected praise. Her heart kept whispering that she could have more if she asked for it. Then she moved and his arm fell away. She knew it had been for show and hated that she wanted it to be real.
‘You married?’ Máel Sechnaill turned to his courtiers. ‘Why wasn’t I informed of this? My son-in-law has contracted a second marriage with the Queen of Agthir’s foster-daughter. I expect better service from my little birds.’
‘I presume Birdie’s nurse sent word that Rhiannon was here, directly after the couple arrived and you set off immediately,’ Svanna said.
The King’s mouth dropped open. ‘How do you know I am in communication with her?’
Svanna rolled her eyes. ‘My foster-mother taught me well.’
He gave a barking laugh. ‘All right, I confess. The nurse does send messages from time to time. I want to know what is going on. When I received word that my daughter was missing, I was beside myself.’
‘Your granddaughter will be delighted to see you. She bears no small resemblance to your side of the family.’
Máel Sechnaill’s lips became a thin line. ‘I came to find my daughter, not to visit my granddaughter. My granddaughter’s fate must be her own. I’ve had more heartache than a man should bear.’
‘But my daughter would love to see you,’ Rand said, putting a firm hand in the centre of Svanna’s back.
‘Birdie makes any heart lighter,’ Svanna added, trying not to lean into him. ‘She is in the main hall, playing with the other children.’
‘Go and see her,’ Rand said in a low voice. ‘Bridget’s spirit lives through her. The spitting image.’
