“I remember well it was ye who did not like the thought of yer daughter marrying Colmán’s son.”
“Because of who his mother was!”
“Colmán and Kane had been the best of friends, Beibhinn.Yeforced Kane to turn from Colmán because of yer own viciousness, but he would not turn from the son.”
Beibhinn’s imploring expression nearly choked Astrid with tears. “Colmán was mine. Doran said ’twas so and then he allowed that witch to marrymybetrothed.”
Fintan took Beibhinn into his arms while she cried. When his eyes met Astrid’s, he nodded and offered her a reassuring smile. She had not heard wrong and her heart soared. Her father had wanted her to be betrothed to Marcán.
Astrid wiped at the tears slipping down her cheeks, but Marcán tipped her face up, bestowing a gentle kiss on her lips.
“It seems yer father did choose for ye, Astrid. He chose me.”
“As do I.”
Thomas came alongside them, glanced down at Astrid and then smiled. “And is this the woman ye never spoke of by name, Marcán? The reason ye would not join us?”
Astrid frowned and looked up at Marcán. “Yeconsidered becoming a priest?”
Marcán gave her a beaming smile. “Never seriously.”
The expression on Thomas’s face indicated he definitely had a different opinion on the matter.
Thomas’s eyes shifted to Astrid. “Do ye know he reads and writes Latin better than most priests?”
Astrid shook her head and they both turned toward Marcán, who replied, “I enjoy the learning.”
“Yewereconsidering the priesthood.” The priest’s tone left no room for doubt.
“But for the fact he’d no penchant for abstinence.” Diarmuid’s voice cut through the assembly, causing every head to turn toward him. He was quite a sight, riding into the throng of onlookers, who gave him a wide path to enter.
Thomas replied, “Ah, but abstinence is not required everywhere. Not yet.”
“’Tis only a matter of time.” Diarmuid jumped from his horse, handing the reins to the lad who’d come to assist. “My apologies for the late arrival, Murdoch. I needed to… reacquaint myself with my bride.”
“Welcome, Diarmuid.” Murdoch said from his position at the table, where he’d remained with the others. “I have heard of yer Aednat. How fares she?”
“She is well.”
“I look forward to meeting her.”
“And so ye shall.” Diarmuid nodded, then turned to the crowd, pulling off his riding gloves. “And what is amiss here? I see we have the good Father in our presence. Are we disproving my mother’s tales of devil worship at last?”
Thomas inclined his head but offered no further explanation. Diarmuid’s gaze went to his mother, who withdrew from Fintan’s arms.
“Ye should heed me, son, not make light of my warnings.”
“And is that what ye went to tell Doran when ye visited the Meic Murchadha, pretending ‘twas to collect our sheep? While ye sent Astrid off to flirt with Pádraig?”
“I didn’t speak to Dor—”
Diarmuid halted her with a raise of his hand. “Others saw ye coming from his room, mother. I have spoken to them myself.”
Beibhinn’s lips flashed a smile. “Oh, I had forgotten. Ye are correct. I went to speak to him about uniting our two clans through the joining of Pádraig and Astrid. He was very ple—”
“He had refused to see ye.” Diarmuid’s firm tone matched his expression.
Beibhinn quickly shook her head, but Diarmuid would have none of it.
