‘Good. I’ll give you a few moments to pack, and then I want you to come home. Your mother wants to say goodbye and give advice, and chatter your ears off.’ He embraced her. ‘You won’t be living in Banslieve any more. But we’ll come to see you often. It will be all right.’
Leaning upon his shoulders, she finally released the tears building up inside. ‘I’ll miss you.’
He wiped his own eyes, and cleared his throat. ‘Well, you’d better get started then.’
Somehow, he’d made it bearable. With her heart bruised and battered, she glanced back at the empty horizon and wondered if she had the courage to go after Connor MacEgan.
Or if she wanted to.
It took less time than she’d expected to pack her medicines and few belongings. She’d brought a few carved wooden bowls, a hide tent, and some dried food. Nothing more than she could fit on the mare Connor had given her. She ran her hand across the animal, staring back at her small plot of land.
Danu, she didn’t want to leave. Her life, all her memories, were here. She had climbed atop the roof to replace the thatching, laughing when Eachan tossed the bundles to her. It had been a good marriage, and she missed him still. Rhiannon had stumbled across the threshold, grasping the wooden frame for support when she’d learned to walk.
Her eyes dry, she swallowed hard and forced herself to look away. It was then that she saw Riordan Ó Duinne walking over the rise of the hill.
‘Good morn to you, Aileen,’ he greeted.
‘And to you.’ She forced a smile, afraid of the reason why he’d come. Certainly he’d heard of her banishment.
‘Would you walk with me for a few moments?’ He glanced at her horse, and then behaved as if he hadn’t seen her packed belongings.
She supposed it wouldn’t matter if she walked for a while. There was time yet before she went to her parents’ dwelling.
She joined him, and he remained close to her side, his fingers touching her palms. ‘I thought you should know that Maive lived. Only Whelon and Padraig died.’
‘Did anyone else fall ill?’
‘No.’ This time, he took her palm in his. ‘Aileen, I don’t want to be parted from you. I want you to be my wife.’
Her hand felt cool in his, the touch nothing like Connor’s. Once again, a steady man offered his protection. Instead of being a comfort, it unsettled her.
Da was right. She’d let her head rule her heart, never seeking what she wanted. Both times, she’d given Connor up. She hadn’t spoken her heart, nor had she fought for him. She did not want to make the same mistake another time. If he turned her away, so be it. But at least she’d try.
‘You have always been dear to me, Riordan. A true friend, you are,’ she said gently.
Colour suffused his cheeks, as if he knew what she was about to say.
‘I won’t be marrying you,’ she said, drawing her hand away.
Riordan took a steadying breath. ‘You’ve already said it was too soon to wed anyone. There is time, yet, Aileen. I can take you with me, to the home of my family in the north. Give me the chance to be the man you want.’
She squared her shoulders. ‘Connor MacEgan is the man I want.’ The words spilled out without warning. But they were true.
Riordan’s expression darkened. ‘Why do you wish to wed a man who cannot protect you? You saw what happened the night you were attacked. He bade you to run. Will you run for the remainder of your life? Think upon what would have happened, had they caught you, Aileen.’
He reached out and touched her shoulder. ‘It would not have been pleasant.’
She stepped away, and he pleaded, ‘I can take care of you, Aileen. Let me try at least.’
‘I am sorry, Riordan. I cannot.’
And with those words, his compassion transformed into brutal wrath. ‘You’ve shared his bed, haven’t you?’ he sneered. ‘Like a common whore.’
She slapped him, and the sting of her hand only infuriated him more. He pushed her against the fence, his hand gripping her throat.
‘I paid those two men to attack you, to show you what a coward MacEgan was,’ he admitted, enjoying the shock in her eyes. ‘I wasted the silver on you, it seems.’
‘Get away from me.’
