He was behaving as though she were an arrogant noblewoman, who thought herself too good to perform menial work. She didn’t consider herself above the task, not at all. True, she didn’t like it, but the truth was, he’d won. Though Davin had seemed content to abandon the wager, it rubbed her sense of honor the wrong way.
She moved in front of him so suddenly, Kieran was forced to stop walking. “Give me the basket.”
“No.”
Before he could push past her, Iseult grasped the handle. “I do keep my word. And I don’t avoid my duties.”
He paused and glanced back at Davin, who had come up behind them.
“You’d best let her have her way,” Davin advised. “My Iseult has a mind of her own.”
She raised her chin. Well, at least one man knew what he was talking about. She dragged the basket away from Kieran, but it was heavier than she’d thought. It was a struggle, simply to hold it upright.
“Do you need any help?” Kieran asked softly.
“Not from you.” Or anyone else, she thought, half-gasping as she trudged up the hillside.
Davin caught up and walked behind her. “I’ll bring the basket to Muirne’s,” he offered. “You can clean them there.”
Her pride stung, but her arm muscles ached even more, so she relented. “Leave the basket outside her hut.”
When he lifted the weight free, Iseult rubbed her arms. Already she’d begun to tire. And Blessed Saint Brigid, she had to clean almost thirty fish.
It’s your own fault, for being honest, she thought.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Davin asked. “Kieran would take care of it.”
“I agreed to the wager,” she repeated. The idea of giving up seemed like a mark of weakness. And it had felt good to see the look of surprise on Kieran’s face.
They walked past the circle of huts until they reached Muirne’s dwelling. A few of the torches had been lit against the shadow of twilight. Iseult dragged a stool outside and set up a workspace near the side of the hut. Better to start and get it over with.
“Oh, Davin and Iseult. You’re back!” Muirne opened the door, a broad smile on her face. “And I see you’ve come with a feast. Iseult, I’ve never seen so many. I’ll bring the knives, and we’ll all help you.”
The warmth in Muirne’s voice helped lift her spirits a little. Iseult sighed as she sat down. She selected a wooden board to rest upon her lap, and Muirne returned in a moment with several blades.
“I can manage, but why don’t you take four of the bass and cook them for the family this night,” Iseult offered. Since they were the only fish she’d caught, it was the best use for them.
“It might be I’ll do just that.” Muirne set down another stool beside her. “Will you join us, Davin?”
“Not this night, I’m afraid. I am meeting with the men to decide what’s to be done about the Norse raiders.” He leaned down and kissed Iseult on the cheek. “Good night,a stór.”
After he’d left, Muirne released a happy sigh. “Many a woman would cut off her right hand to be wedded to such a man, Iseult. I imagine you’ll be looking forward to Bealtaine.”
“I am, yes.” The words came from her mouth without thinking, though she was nervous about the marriage ceremony and later, lying with Davin.
Iseult picked up one of the blades and pulled over a wooden bucket to collect the fish scraps. Likely every cat in the ringfort would come searching for handouts. Reluctantly, she began cleaning one of the larger fish. Muirne chattered while cleaning the bass, and then she ducked inside her hut to begin cooking the fish.
Alone, Iseult worked her way through seven more fish. After a time she felt as though every inch of her smelled like the sea. She’d give her right arm for a bath right now.
Light footsteps trudged toward her, and she glanced up. Kieran stood in front of her, a knife in his hand.
“What do you want?” she demanded.
He shrugged and carried over one of the cut tree stumps as a stool. He sat far away from her, and picked up a board and three fish.
“I told you not to do that. I lost the wager, and it’s my responsibility.”
He shrugged again, slicing the first fish open and cleaning it.
