The woman gave a soft laugh. “Forgive me. I’m just overly inquisitive. I do love babies.”
“I understand Moreen is expecting,” Emma said, hoping to divert the conversation.
“Yes, so she says.” Oddly enough, the tone of Nuala’s voice revealed her doubts, along with the slight sigh. “But we shall see. You, on the other hand—I believe therewillbe a new heir soon. You have that look about you.” The prospect seemed to please her.
“What look?” Emma took another sandwich, feeling unsettled.
“That look as if you’re experiencing sickness right now, but you also have a glow of happiness about you.”
Her words struck Emma with surprise. Was that what was causing her sickness? She’d believed she wasn’t expecting a child, but then again, her menses had only lasted a day. Was it possible that shecouldbe pregnant? The thought sent a flush through her cheeks, along with a surge of hope.
“And I know Cormac desperately wants an heir, so I’m certain he’s made every effort,” Nuala continued. She took food from the tray and added, “I suspected he might try to find a bride when he went to London.”
The mention of London pulled Emma’s thoughts back to the present. She needed to find out how Cormac was being harmed in England, and this was the best opening she could hope for.
“Moreen said your son Lorcan has been to London, years ago,” Emma said. “Did you go with him?”
“No, but I went with my mother a time or two.” Nuala’s voice grew guarded. “She hated it in England and was only too glad to remain in Ireland with my father.” She sipped at her tea and added, “After she died, she left the house to Finn, and then it became Cormac’s. Josie and I wanted nothing to do with London.”
The anger in her voice startled Emma, but Nuala quickly masked it. “But let’s not talk of that. How are you liking Ireland?”
“It’s beautiful,” she answered. “Though I’ve only seen some of the country when we sailed here. Perhaps we’ll travel later, if Cormac is feeling better.”
“That is my dearest hope,” Nuala said. The sorrow in her voice sounded genuine, and Emma didn’t know what to think of it. “Lorcan loves Killarney and Dingle. Perhaps you’ll have the chance to see them one day.”
“I hope so,” she said. The thought of eating more of the sandwich bothered her, so she set it aside and reached for the tea. Her face was also feeling flushed, and she couldn’t understand why.
“Is it warm in here?” she asked Nuala.
“No, but when I was pregnant with Lorcan, I would often feel moments of hot and cold. There were days when I had to keep fanning myself. It might be the same for you.”
Emma still wasn’t convinced of pregnancy, but she gratefully accepted a fan from Nuala. The cool air did make her feel better.
“Were Lorcan and Cormac friends when they were growing up?”
“Oh, my son tried,” Nuala said. “He was always wanting to play with Finn and Cormac. But they were both older and didn’t want a lad of five years following them when they went fishing or hunting.”
Emma detected a slight note of sadness in her voice. “Lorcan and Cormac became friends later, after Finn died. And then Lorcan married Moreen last year and...” Her words drifted off, revealing her disapproval of the match.
“Is there something you don’t like about her?”
“She’s one of those women you can never please. Always wants more than she has.” Nuala poured herself another cup of tea and added more to Emma’s. “She’s angry with Lorcan because they live on a house at the edge of Cormac’s lands. It’s a very good house, and they have a footman and a maid to tend it. But she thinks she should be living here.”
“And what does your son think?”
“Lorcan is happy to stay far away from Dunmeath. As I said, he’s listened to the stories of the curse upon Cormac.” She released a sigh. “It’s nonsense, of course.”
“What do you believe it is?” Emma tried to drink more tea, but the twisting sensation in her gut tightened even more.
“It’s an unfortunate illness, passed down from father to son,” Nuala answered. “Cormac has lasted longer than the others. And my sister thought that by sending him away, she could save him.”
“But you don’t think it will work, do you?” Whether it was Nuala who was responsible for harming Cormac or another reason, Emma didn’t know. The woman’s revelation about Lorcan’s wife Moreen made her even more wary of the woman—especially if Moreen believed she ought to live at Dunmeath.
“I would do everything in my power to save my nephew, were it possible,” Nuala said. “He’s a good lad, and he genuinely cares for the people here. Everyone knows it. And we pray that somehow, we’ll find a way to help him live as long as he can.” The solemnity in the woman’s voice was nearly believable.
Before Emma could answer, Nuala added, “I am very happy he found a woman like you to marry, Emma. And I pray that your marriage is indeed blessed with a child.”
Heavy footsteps approached at that moment, and Nuala said, “Hello, Josephine. Won’t you join us?”
