Moments later, Connor approached, greeting her father and brother. Graeme studied him with a suspicious eye. ‘You’re leaving today, are you?’
‘I am.’
‘Why don’t you take her with you?’ Graeme suggested with a warm smile. ‘You could escort her to her Aunt Noreen.’
‘Da, stop your interfering.’ Aileen’s face burned with embarrassment at his obvious matchmaking. How could he think of such a thing at this moment?
Connor did not return the smile. ‘Aileen has done much for me, but our paths must go in separate ways. I wish her and her daughter good fortune.’
Dark shadows lined his eyes, as if he, too, had not slept. His gold hair was pulled back in a leather thong, and his blue tunic emphasised the silver of his eyes. Leather bracers encased his forearms, and tight muscles pressed against the thin fabric. He’d become the warrior again, bent upon destroying anyone who threatened him.
And she’d become a threat.
Her brother led Connor’s horse from the animal pen. The saddle had already been prepared, his belongings strapped to the mare. Connor must have readied the animal for his departure earlier this morn.
‘Will you break your fast before you go?’ she asked.
‘Not here. Seamus has asked me to join him and Riona. Then I’ll depart.’ He mounted the horse, his expression grim.
There was so much she wanted to say to him. She wished she could mend the ill feelings, wished she had the courage to say what she really felt.
‘Wear the splints each night,’ she said. ‘They will help.’ Awkwardness closed over her, burning her skin with embarrassment.
Dispassionate eyes stared into hers. Then he turned the horse and left.
What had she expected? A kiss farewell? Stupid she was, to believe he might come to love her. He would never forgive her. Pride meant more to him than anything else.
‘Are you all right?’ Cillian asked. He put his arm around her shoulders. ‘Would you like me to beat him senseless for you? I can see that he’s hurt your feelings, the bastard.’
She choked back a laugh, for he would. ‘No.’ The offer cleared her head. She wasn’t going to cry over Connor MacEgan.
But she would not let him cast the blame on her. She had done what she could to keep Rhiannon safe. Now that he knew about her, the danger was worse. She would not let him control her daughter’s fate, not without her own say in the matter.
And the only way to do this was to remain with Rhiannon.
‘Are you in love with him,a stór?’ her father asked.
‘No. I am not a feather-headed girl with foolish dreams.’
‘You were never that. But they are not such foolish dreams. He has feelings for you.’
‘And if he acts upon them, I’ll beat him senseless,’ Cillian muttered.
Too late for that. Aileen thought.
‘Da,’ she reasoned, ‘you’re blind if you believe Connor cares anything for me beyond thankfulness that I restored his hands.’
‘I am not the one who is blind,’ Graeme said, patting her hand. ‘But if you care for him, you’ll need to go after him. Why not now? Laochre is only a few days’ journey. Cillian will take you there.’
‘I’ll not throw myself at him. I have more pride than that.’
‘I didn’t raise a coward, now, did I?’
She wanted to throw up her hands in exasperation. ‘This isn’t about cowardice.’
‘Yes, it is.’ Graeme raised her chin to face him. ‘You’re afraid to seek what you want. Always, it’s been about others, Aileen. You’ve given so much to so many. Take something for yourself.’ His mouth curved in a half-smile, and he winked. ‘A man like Connor cannot stay angry with you for very long.’ He lowered his voice so that Cillian could not hear. ‘Especially not if you bring his daughter to him.’
He knew. Aileen’s face burned red, but she forced a nod. ‘I will think about it.’
