It didn’t take long to learn that Domelch and Uradech had been raised in the caves with Aidan as their leader. An idyllic childhood according to them. It appeared her many complaints only started once she’d married Malcom.
“If ye know me at all,” Domelch explained with rounded eyes, her expression imploring, “ye know I am a loving woman.”
Surely if that were true, her husband, who now lay asleep beside the fire snoring loudly from overindulgence, would choose to spend more time with her. Instead, they barely spoke to each other.
“Verra kind …even to Ethne.”
Lachlann locked his jaw. Tight.
She grasped at her fleshy chest. “I refused to leave the child behind when her parents passed. I asked ‘who would care for her?’ and I said, ‘I will care for her.’”
He wanted to applaud the performance.
“Of course, ye did,” Niall was the first to reply. He even had a straight face, which Lachlann had to admire.
“Verra kind. I see that ye are. A truly loving,” Aldred said, after clearing his throat, “caring woman.”
Lachlann would not lie and refused to be pinned down by those doe eyes she batted at him. He looked away. Ethne must have been no more than a child herself since she'd come here before Finn was born. No doubt she’d always been ordered to do Domelch’s bidding.
When Ethne finally returned from the shore with the boy, no one offered her help with the child who had apparently fallen into the waves. Lachlann quickly stood.
“Go. I am fine.” She elbowed Uradech away, but he refused to leave.
Lachlann came closer, returning the child’s smile. “Shall I get ye a blanket?”
“There was a big whale.” His eyes lit up with excitement. “I wanted him to see me.”
Ethne rolled her eyes before responding. “Please, Lachlann, that would be helpful.”
Uradech’s expression turned into an ugly scowl. “I’ll see to it.”
The large man rambled off, giving Lachlann a place to stand beside Ethne so he could assist her in taking off Finn’s soaked clothing.
“Ye canna go chasing after the whales.” Lachlann stood him up so she could see to him.
“But I wanted to!” Finn yawned. “I like the whales. They can be trusted.”
Odd sentiment, but Lachlann merely smiled. When Uradech returned with the cloth and made to wipe at Finn’s skin, the child drew back, his eyes widening. Lachlann didn’t hesitate to rip it from the man’s chubby fingers.
“Canna ye find something to keep yerself busy?” He let his annoyance come through in his tone.
Uradech snorted, but slithered over to the fire to sit beside his sister, who didn’t even notice him because she was so engrossed in her storytelling. Ethne looked over at her then shot a quick glance at Lachlann.
“Is she telling ye all about how Malcolm didn’t want to take me in after our parent’s died?” she asked, her voice low.
Lachlann held up the sleeve of the dryleineso Finn could slip his arm through. “Something like that.”
Her jaw tightened. “’Tis a lie. He had to convinceherI would not be a problem.”
There was great pain in her eyes and he wished he could soothe the hurt. “I believe ye.”
Her expression immediately closed down, almost as if she felt she had said too much. He attempted a reassuring smile and put his hand on her delicate shoulder. She carried a heavy weight.
“Ethne.” Domelch barked her name. By the smug expression on Uradech’s face, it must have been at his behest. Lachlann shook his head. That man needed a good beating. His gaze met Niall’s whose brow furrowed. Disapproval? Withhim?
Ethne took Finn into her arms. “I need to get him to bed.”
There was no response from Domelch because Aldred had her attention again. He was quite good at that. Hmm. Something the man was good at. Lachlann smiled only momentarily, his eyes drawn to the little pallet where Ethne and Finn lay huddled together. So, who else would the lass have to confide in if not him?
