But what if the woodcarver didn’t know about the wedding?
That would be a problem, now, wouldn’t it? Kieran couldn’t stop Iseult from marrying the wrong man if he knew nothing about it.
Rory shielded his eyes from the sunset, knowing he’d have to make camp soon enough. He took a drink from his water skin, studying the winding path that led toward the Murphy lands.
Then suddenly, over the rise of a hill, he scented stale peat smoke. A fire that had gone cold. He narrowed his gaze and spied the silhouette of a figure ahead. He couldn’t make out who it was from this distance.
Spurring his horse forward, Rory moved toward the tiny spiral of smoke until he reached the source. When he saw Kieran sitting before the fire, all the blood seemed to drain from his face.
“Mary, Mother of God,” he breathed.
The carver was leaning up against a large oak tree beside an enormous pile of leaves. Two children slept upon his cloak. He recognized Aidan, who was resting his head in Kieran’s lap. The other brown-haired girl he didn’t know, but she was holding the carver’s hand in sleep.
Kieran’seyessnappedopen,but he relaxed when he recognized Rory. His neck was stiff, and he seemed embarrassed to have dozed off when it was still early evening. The exhaustion of the past few days had caught up with him.
“It’s only me, lad,” Rory said in a low voice, dismounting. He tethered his mount and while he tended to his horse, a smile caught his mouth. “Looks as though you’ve your hands full. Is that my young grandson Aidan?”
“It is,” Kieran confirmed. He, too, kept his voice quiet. The children had been tired but unable to relax. Aidan had started crying again after the story, and Kieran had only managed to make him cease by sitting next to the boy. One thing had led to another, and before he knew what had happened, both children were snuggled up against him for warmth.
Rory lowered the reins and walked quietly over to stand before the child. His face softened at the sight of the boy. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen him. But it’s him, sure enough. He has Iseult’s face and Murtagh’s hair.”
The mention of Iseult’s former lover made him involuntarily clench his fist. Shannon’s jolted, and Kieran realized he’d hurt her hand. “It’s nothing,” he murmured, relaxing his grip. “Go back to sleep.” He released her hand and touched her hair.
“Who is that?” Shannon whispered, pointing to Rory.
“Aidan’s grandsire. You’ll speak with him later.” Kieran exerted a gentle pressure on her head until Shannon curled up against him, burying her face in his cloak. He stroked her hair, and the young girl began to relax against him. Aidan stirred, but Kieran rubbed the boy’s shoulders so he didn’t awaken.
Then he regarded Iseult’s father with all seriousness. “Why are you here? What’s happened?”
“I came to talk to you about Iseult.” Rory withdrew a flask from his supplies and took a drink, passing it over.
Kieran sipped the lukewarm mead as if nothing were amiss, but Rory’s words unnerved him. The man wouldn’t have traveled this far for no reason. “Is she all right?”
“Now, don’t worry,” Rory continued. “She’s well enough. In a physical sense.” He sank down, letting out a grunt when he leaned up against a fallen log. “But she’s given Davin her promise to marry him.”
Marry? Why would she agree to wed Davin again? Was the man threatening her? The thought made Kieran want to snarl.
He gently extracted himself from the children, his mind racing. Damn it all, he didn’t want another man to have her.Hewanted her.
“What do you plan to do about it?” Rory asked.
“What do you think I’ll do?” he growled. It tempted him to ride into Lismanagh and simply carry her off, like one of the Norse raiders. She might forgive him for it. Eventually.
He’d let her go to Davin, believing he had nothing to offer. Not anymore. He had her son, the child of her heart. And whether or not he could make a life for them, he was nothing but a coward if he didn’t try.
“When will they wed?” he asked.
“Two days hence.”
Kieran expelled the breath he’d been holding. It was enough time to reach Lismanagh before the wedding.
What he didn’t know was why she had decided to marry Davin. And whether or not she would give him another chance.
OntheeveningofLughnasa, Iseult’s nerves were strung tightly. She couldn’t bring herself to eat anything, not even for the sake of her babe. Last night, she had argued with Davin’s mother until she wanted to bury herself beneath a coverlet and never come out.
Neasa wanted to prevent this wedding at all costs. But Iseult hadn’t succumbed to the intimidation or the threats.
Today was meant to be a day of happiness. Why, then, did she feel like weeping again? Not even her best friend Niamh had come to see her. Iseult didn’t know what was wrong, but she missed her friend.
