‘At dawn tomorrow. Meet me here.’
The blinding joy upon the boy’s face startled him. For a moment he understood why Aileen wanted to grant hope to the child.
He sighed. They would make a pair, the two of them. A boy without a leg, and a man without hands.
Hope was a rare thing, lost by so many. Though he might be making the gravest of mistakes by allowing the boy to dream, a warmth encircled his heart.
Aileen stepped forward into the circle of small huts, her nerves taut. She wanted to see her cousin Bridget, whose baby would come at any time now. Bridget had not asked to see her, but Aileen hoped she would not refuse.
Frasier Ó Duinne’s hammer rang upon the anvil, smoke rising from the hearth as he shaped horseshoes. He stared at Aileen but did not greet her. The tension wound tighter within her stomach.
Inside, Bridget sat beside the fire, talking to an older woman with dark hair. With her swollen belly, Aileen could tell it would not be long now. She judged the size of the child, noting that Bridget had lost the smooth roundness of mid-pregnancy. Her stomach bulged with protruding knees and elbows.
‘Hello, Bridget,’ she greeted her cousin. Both women stopped speaking and regarded her.
‘Have you met Illona, our new healer?’ Bridget asked.
Bitterness choked her, but Aileen managed to accept the Ó Banníon woman’s embrace and kiss of greeting upon her cheek. Illona seemed to be the age of her mother, with fine lines edging her eyes.
‘I understand you were once the healer at Banslieve,’ Illona said. The direct question held no trace of cruelty, but it touched a raw nerve. Aileen wanted to cry out,I am still their healer. Instead she nodded.
‘How are you feeling?’ Aileen asked, forcing her attention back to her cousin.
‘The babe will come very soon,’ Illona said. ‘No doubt within a few days.’
‘My cousin can speak for herself,’ Aileen said.
Bridget looked uncomfortable. ‘I am tired. I have not slept well these past few nights.’
‘May I see?’
Bridget hesitated, her glance flickering toward Illona. The woman nodded, and a ball of frustration took root within Aileen. Why would her cousin seek permission from a stranger?
But she bit her tongue, forcing back her anger.
The baby’s head was correctly positioned downward, and Aileen held her hands upon Bridget’s stomach. In time, a flicker of movement confirmed that all was well.
‘Does the babe move within you often?’
Bridget shook her head. ‘It has grown quiet these past few days. It moves when I lie down at night, but rarely during the daytime.’
The stillness often foretold an impending birth. Many a time, Aileen had to reassure a terrified mother who was pregnant for the first time that such was to be expected. There was little room left in the womb.
But Bridget had borne three children already and her eyes held the serenity that all would come to pass as it should. Her labour would be swift, Aileen knew. The other babes had come within hours, and this child would be no different.
‘If you would like to assist in the birth, I shall send for you,’ Illona offered. ‘Another pair of hands is always welcome.’
‘Perhaps.’ She clenched her hands to keep her temper in check. The woman had simply stepped into her place, and now she expected Aileen to assist her, following her bidding?
Aware of the tension between the two women, Bridget interjected, ‘Will you attend theaenach,Aileen?’
‘Rachaidh mé. I shall participate in the women’s council.’ Though as a council member, she could listen to grievances and suggest resolutions, it wasn’t enough for her. She wanted to be there as a healer, to meet with the other women and discuss treatments. To have that taken from her was akin to losing the best part of herself.
‘You will see your daughter Rhiannon there, of course,’ Bridget added. ‘That must make you happy.’
Aileen had forgotten. Of course Lianna would bring Rhiannon. All members of the Ó Duinne tribe attended theaenach, without exception. The feasting, merchants and games encouraged everyone to attend.
‘Yes, of course,’ she murmured. Inwardly, panic rose up inside her. Would Connor recognise Rhiannon as his own child? Should she say anything to Lianna? Or was it best to keep Rhiannon away from theaenach?
