Chapter 5
“What were ye thinking, Astrid?” Diarmuid’s anger at Astrid for allowing Pádraig to bring her home was inflamed by the fact that Marcán had still not returned. She was the one who’d brought him the news—calling him out of his marriage bed to do it—something that had only heaped more ashes upon her head.
“I do not understand how he could be so unkind to me. And in front of others.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. Tears of regret. She would choose Marcán’s rudeness over Pádraig’s behavior in a heartbeat.
“I’ll not speak a word against the man, Astrid. Ye should think on what ye were doing for Marcán to behave in such a way.”
Astrid wanted to scream. She said nothing.
“Marcán would never belittle ye. He is a good man, but he will protect ye even from yerself. If any of the lads there thought to make free with ye and he believed ’twas yer behavior encouraging them? He’d not just stand by and watch.”
His words could not have been truer, but she could not tell him that. He’d know something was wrong.
“Of course ye take his side.”
“But I cannot understand why he allowed ye to go off with Pádraig alone.”
“Iwas not so obvious as that!Isnuck off with him.” And more the fool for her disobedience. It was a mistake she’d never repeat if given another chance.
“And that confession will get ye a sore backside upon my return.”
Her brother had questioned her about the ride by now, and Astrid had been satisfied to let him believe Pádraig had merely kissed her, though she’d made the honest admission that she had not liked it. If Pádraig had somehow done something to Marcán, she would never forgive herself for not condemning him further.
Her brother tossed her over his shoulder like she was a child, even slapping her bottom to still her objections, and headed back to the stone house he called home.
“Ye’ll return to my wife, and I will go to the Meic Murchadha. If all ye’ve said is true, something is still amiss, as Marcán has not yet returned with the others. Ye best pray no offense has been taken and no blood has been spilled on account of ye.”
She stilled. He had voiced her greatest fear.
When he set her down in front of the closed door, she spoke to him from her heart. “Oh, Diarmuid, I would be beside myself if any blood was shed on account of me.” The tears flooding her eyes dripped down her cheeks. “Please! Go bring Marcán back.”
He stroked her cheek, an unexpected display of comfort from her brother. “No doubt I will find them all passed out from overindulgence, and I will bring them home myself. The men, our mother, and the sheep. Ye will see my wife, the healer, and she will help lessen yer pain.”
“She is a healer?” They both knew the scorn their mother bore for healers, but she held her tongue.
When they entered, the woman she’d only gotten a peek of earlier stood there, now fully covered. Mayhap a few years older than herself. She had long, brown hair and wide eyes. She was lovely.
“Astrid? Meet my wife, Aednat.”
Astrid could barely contain her surprise and shock at this turn of events. Her brother had sworn off taking a wife. This woman must have charmed him powerfully to change his mind.
“Fornowye may see to my sister’s ankle while I retrieve the sheep and locate the men. Both of ye stay within!”
When he shut the door behind him, Astrid had to bite her cheeks to keep from smiling. She crossed her arms, not sure what to say. Ultimately, she decided it would be best to start with the truth. “I am very glad ye have wed my brother.”
“Oh?”
Aednat’s eyes spoke of a mischievous side and Astrid could not help but tease. “I thought he would never find a woman who could overlook his many faults.”
“Has he so many?”
Astrid fought against the smile that threatened to stretch across her face. “Ahh! Too many to speak of, but ye will learn about them all yerself, I am certain.”
It became obvious that Aednat was holding back a grin as well. “I am certain.”
Astrid finally let loose her laughter and Aednat joined in. What an unexpected pleasure!
“I must tease him even if he is not here to witness it.” Astrid wiped the tears from her eyes, happy they were now tears of joy. A sister! Someone to talk to and share things with. How wonderful. Having a sister was something she’d always wanted but had never believed she’d have. “Ye are very beautiful. He must have been pleased to take ye to wife.”
