She had withdrawn from him and from the islanders. Annle told him that she had stopped visiting the others, save herself and Sosanna. It was as if she meant to isolate herself in preparation for her departure.
He blamed himself for her unhappiness. She deserved a better husband, a better life than this. He mounted his horse Bel and rode along the pathway leading to Laochre. The summer sun warmed his face, and all around he could see the harvest ripening. In the distance lay the hill of Amadán. On the morning of Lughnasa, the entire tribe would climb to the top of the hill and bury the first ears of corn as an offering to Crom Dubh.
And tomorrow, he would meet with Donal Ó Phelan and discover exactly what the man wanted. Patrick drew Bel to a stop, murmuring words of praise to the animal. Then he gazed out upon the sea.
A glimmer of white appeared on the horizon. At first he thought it was a flock of gulls diving for fish. But when he shielded his eyes, he recognized it as three ships.
The Baron of Thornwyck had come. He was sure of it. And with the Norman’s impending arrival, the day turned from promising to threatening. He predicted at least fifty men, if not more.
His men caught up to him and saw the direction of his gaze. “Should we arm ourselves, my king?” one asked.
“You should. But no one attacks unless I give the command. We will see what Thornwyck’s intentions are first.” And if the baron intended war, they would meet their fate.
He’d known this moment would arise. His men had trained for it ever since he’d brought Isabel home as his wife. They would fight the enemy if needed, and if they seized victory, the Normans would leave, once and for all.
Including his wife. After this, he would set her free.
He should have felt a sense of relief, but instead, a part of him felt empty. He admitted to himself that he’d miss her. A more courageous woman, he’d never met. But it was the right thing to do. Isabel would gain the life she deserved, among folk who treated her with respect. After the battle ended, if he and his men survived, he’d petition the archbishop for an annulment.
To the other man he commanded, “I’m going to meet with the baron. Be prepared to defend Laochre.”
He urged Bel forward, racing towards the coast. If he could divert the Lord Thornwyck away from Laochre, it would grant his men more time to prepare for the invasion. Edwin could meet with his daughter upon Ennisleigh, and there Patrick could learn the man’s intentions.
He steeled himself for what was to come.
Isabelcouldnothelpbut smile when she saw the ships. She rowed out to meet them, recognizing the soldiers’ wives and children. For a long time, she had wondered whether Edwin de Godred would send them. She had specifically asked him not to come with the women, for his own presence would impede her efforts.
He hadn’t listened. Standing at the bow of the ship, her father wore his best armor, trimmed with gold and silver. His hair appeared grayer than the last time she’d seen him, the lines of age a little deeper around his eyes. When he saw her, he did not smile.
Her stomach tightened with fear, and she wanted suddenly to turn the boat around. But it was too late for that. Instead, she rowed closer, inwardly prepared for his disapproval.
When she reached the first boat, one of the men helped her climb onto the vessel, tying her boat alongside theirs. She estimated approximately thirty people in each boat, a mixture of families, mostly women.
“Father,” she said softly. She was glad she had worn the silver torque this day, along with a whiteléineand a ruby overdress to show her rank of queen.
Edwin’s gaze inspected her, and he frowned. There was no embrace of welcome, only a critical eye. “Why would the Queen of Laochre approach alone, with no escorts?”
Isabel bristled at the question. “Because a queen can do as she wishes.” To the women and children she smiled. “I am glad you have come.” The children hushed, a few of their eyes widening. “I bid you welcome to the island of Erin. We will go to one of the smaller fortresses first, where you may rest and refresh yourselves. I will send word to your husbands and the other men of your arrival.”
Edwin gripped her arm. “Why are you avoiding Laochre?” he demanded. “As queen you—“
“As queen, it is my right to decide where it is best to bring the women and children.” She kept her tone calm, though her knees were shaking. She would not risk taking them to Laochre. Already she would have a good deal of explaining to do, and Patrick would not be pleased. But thank the saints, Edwin had only brought a dozen knights as escort instead of an army.
“You have much to explain, Daughter,” he said. “When we reach land, I wish to have words with your husband.”
Isabel inclined her head. “As you will.”
One of the women near to her age dropped to her knees, lowering her head. “Thank you for sending for us, Lady Isabel. We have missed our husbands over the past year.”
“Can we go to them now?” one of the younger mothers asked. She carried an infant in her arms, a child the father had likely never seen.
“They are training now,” Isabel said, “and you will see them after sunset.”
When they reached the shores of Ennisleigh, she led the families into the ringfort, and bid them gather in the donjon. Though several of the islanders saw them while working in the fields, they turned away. They viewed her as though she’d betrayed them.
Isabel hid her own dread, praying that somehow she had not brought more problems among them. When she reached the interior of her donjon, the sounds of excited conversation, crying infants, and whining children soon filled the space.
Her father sat in the high chair at the end of the Great Chamber, waiting. His knights surrounded him, and Isabel brought food and drink to all of them.
