One of the elder boys stepped forward. ‘We’d like you to train us, sir.’
He didn’t know what to say. Aileen moved beside him and touched his arm. ‘You wanted a purpose for your life, other than being a farmer. It seems fate has answered your request.’
Chapter 13
‘The tree branch weighed more than he did,’ Connor finished. Aileen wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. After spending the day watching the ragged group of boys attempting to swat each other with wooden staffs, she didn’t know when she’d been more entertained.
Connor had not scolded or reprimanded them, even when two of the boys began chasing one another with the staffs. He’d simply disarmed them and forced them to sit on the grass, watching the others. It was punishment enough, not being allowed to participate.
The older boys received more serious attention. Connor had corrected their stances, offering advice on which motions would bring down an enemy. They listened, and not one had voiced a question about Connor’s injuries. All seemed to accept that he would redeem his fighting abilities in time.
Connor’s left hand brushed against hers, and he took hold of her palm. Aileen accepted the touch, though her heartbeat stumbled. He kept talking about the boys’ training as if the gesture meant nothing. Aileen tried to relax, but she was distracted.
Stop behaving like a giddy young girl, she warned herself. But his touch unravelled her senses. Before she knew it, they were standing at the gates of Seamus Ó Duinne’s ring fort.
The rocky stone walls encircled a group of outbuildings, while the chieftain’s house lay beyond the inner curtain wall. Though thedonjonwas not as large as some she’d seen, the fortress showed signs of wealth.
Inside, fresh rushes were strewn over the threshold. A servant accepted Aileen’s scarlet cloak, and Riona Ó Duinne rushed forward to embrace Connor.
‘It’s pleased I am to see you, adalta.’ Riona Ó Duinne ruffled Connor’s hair as though he were a young lad.
Aileen repressed a smile at the affectionate term. Connor MacEgan would ever be viewed as Riona’s son, no matter that he was not her own flesh and blood.
To Aileen, she gave a curt nod. The message was clear: her presence would be tolerated, but not welcomed. There was no kiss or embrace, and Aileen pretended as though she thought nothing of it.
‘Hello, Riona,’ she said.
The woman did not return the greeting. To Connor she offered a warm smile. ‘I saw you at theaenach, but I’ve been wanting more time with you as I said to Seamus. I told that man who calls himself my husband, I’d not be sleeping with him until he brought my boy back for a visit.’
Seamus rolled his eyes. ‘Stop your prattle, woman, and let the man come and eat with us.’
Riona patted Connor’s arm, a smile lighting up her eyes. ‘Come, then.’
Connor turned back to Aileen and extended his hand. She took it, though aware of Riona’s displeasure. For a moment, she wondered why she had been invited.
Connor led her to sit upon a wooden bench just inside the home. The chieftain’s house was only a single level with a large interior. Partitions divided up the house into smaller chambers for sleeping, while the largest area was used to greet and entertain guests.
‘How are your hands?’ Seamus asked Connor.
‘They grow stronger with each day,’ he said. And it was true. With Aileen’s help, he now noticed subtle progressions. Each night she adjusted the splints, and his range of movement had improved.
Seamus grunted. ‘Good.’ His gaze sharpened upon Aileen. ‘Bridget and Frasier told me you delivered their new babe.’
‘I did.’ She raised her chin, meeting his gaze squarely. ‘Bridget has a healthy daughter.’
‘You were forbidden to heal.’
‘My cousin needed my help.’ Anger blazed in her expression. How dare he reprimand her for helping her family? She was tired of defending herself, tired of being blamed for what had happened to their sons. It broke her heart to remember the tiny, frail bodies of the babes. She wished there were some way to undo the past.
‘Illona told me that you did well while you were there.’
Had his words become more gentle? Or was she imagining it? Seamus’s gaze moved to Connor’s hands. ‘After that night, Illona was told to return to Dunhaven, upon the order of Flynn Ó Banníon. Did you know of this?’
Aileen shook her head, suppressing the rush of hope that filled her. ‘No, I did not know it. I thought she would stay among us.’
‘When Flynn learned of Connor’s presence, he forbade her to stay.’
Suspicion coloured her tone. ‘Why do you tell me this?’
