Shannon turned to stare at him. “It’s a true story?”
He nodded.
She seemed to think about it for a moment longer. In all seriousness, she added, “Then you’d better hurry up. Your princess won’t want to wait on you.”
“Ican’tdothis!”Niamh protested.
Rory crossed his arms. “It won’t take long. Just do as I’ve asked, and it will all be well.”
“You’re asking the impossible. I don’t know how.”
Rory winked. “Oh, I think you do know, lass. And you know how important this is. Get Deena to help you.”
Niamh wrung her hands. “Are you sure? Because I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“More than anything in my life.” Rory turned around. “Now go and find Davin.”
Niamh raised troubled eyes to his. “He won’t like it. Why won’t you just tell him the truth?”
“Because I’m an old fool who likes a bit of romance at a wedding.” He touched the underside of her chin. “I have faith in you, Niamh.”
The young woman sighed. “So be it. But if anything goes wrong, it will be upon your shoulders.”
Theairwasdampfrom the rain, the atmosphere not at all welcoming for a wedding. Perhaps it was an ill omen.
Iseult walked outside, to where a small crowd of tribesmen and women gathered. Several other women, like herself, were crowned with garlands of flowers. The men waited on the opposite side with the priest, their faces eager with anticipation.
But there was no sign of Davin. She stood with the other unmarried women, her gaze seeking him. As one couple after another paired off and spoke their vows, she waited for him to appear.
Nothing.
He’ll come, her mind insisted.Davin would never abandon you. He cares too much.
Did he? Unbidden doubts rose up, about the unborn child in her womb. What if he’d changed his mind.
The priest smiled at her, and Iseult stepped forward. At any moment now, Davin would appear. Though she kept a serene expression on her face, it grew strained as each minute passed. The priest could not begin the wedding Mass for the other couples until she and Davin had spoken their vows.
Where was he?
People had begun to talk, and the couples who had joined hands were watching her. When she looked over at Davin’s mother Neasa, the woman’s expression was as confused as her own. There was no smirk of satisfaction. Neasa hadn’t known anything about it, which made her even more uneasy. Iseult forced herself to look straight ahead, not meeting anyone’s gaze.
When the rain began again, lightly falling upon her face, she was thankful for it. At least it veiled her tears.
Why had Davin done this? He, of all people, knew the humiliation she’d suffered when Murtagh had not shown up for their wedding. And now, he’d done the same to her.
Shame filled her, and she had no choice but to face the truth. Davin wasn’t going to come. He had lied, never intending to wed her. She swallowed back the flood of tears, furious at herself for thinking she could trust him. This was his means of revenge. He was the only man who’d known about her unborn babe. And just as he hadn’t wanted Aidan, he didn’t want to be a father to this child.
She waited while the rain soaked through her gown and finally motioned for the others to go on inside the stone church. They could begin the Mass without her.
As each man, woman, and child passed, she felt their stares and their pity. When they were inside, she ripped off the sodden garland of gorse and heather, tossing it to the ground.
“Iseult? Do you want me to wait with you?” Her father kept his voice gentle, but he was the last man she wanted to see right now.
“No. Go and celebrate the Mass with the others. I want to be alone right now.”
“It’s raining,” he reminded her. “You shouldn’t be out here in the dampness.”
With leaden steps, she trod her way through the mud until she reached the mound of hostages. Her heart felt as cold as the stone, unable to think of anything past her own pain.
