“You’d be a Queen then!” Another one offered, which set them into yet another round of unbridled mirth.
His patience was waning.
After the forth comment, he’d had enough.
Peter glared at Tadhg. “Are you satisfied with your attempts at mocking me? I am happy to oblige any of yourmenthat may care to test my strength.”
Tadhgtsked. “Sir Peter. The weather would not allow for such sport. Are we to tear down the Sisters’ home to accommodate your desire to prove yourself worthy? A proof that would never be forthcoming?”
Peter did not respond. He searched out Brighit to find her in deep conversation with Sean, their heads close together. Peter didn’t need to be outside and he wouldn’t call it any kind of sport. He covered the distance in two steps and grabbed the man by the front of his tunic.
“What do you find so interesting to say to my betrothed that you need to speak in whispers?”
“Peter,” Brighit said. “You’re being silly. Sean is like a brother to me.”
He glanced at the man with narrowed eyes before turning back to her. “Hear me. He is not thinking of you as a sister.”
Sean took a hard swing at the side of Peter’s head which he dodged with little difficulty. Peter shoved him away.
Sean barely lost his footing, straightened his tunic, then laughed. “Beware, Brighit. I think you may be marrying an animal rather than a man.”
“Enough!” Peter’s voice boomed. His patience was gone.
“This one seems a little short-tempered, Brig. Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake with him?”
When she glanced Peter’s way, he clearly read the message that she wondered the same thing. He swallowed hard.
Red moved closer to her, lowering his gaze. “Any one of us would gladly accept you to wife regardless of... of any situation you may be in.”
“That’s true enough.” Sean slipped his arm around her shoulder. When they started to lead her to the door at the far end of the hall, Peter decided he could take no more.
“Tadhg! Either call off your lackeys or I will take them down myself. I am taking Brighit to wife and your men will not change that.” Peter glanced at the other men as he spoke. “I will not allow that.”
Sean crossed his arms. “You?Youwill not allow that? Are you daft? It’s her choice, man. None of us would gainsay our sweet Brighit’s decision.” His expression softened when he turned to her. “Whatever you say, we’ll abide by it.”
Brighit looked lost. Ruth came in, her babe tightly held in her arms. “I hope we are not too late to join in the blessing.”
Martha’s eyes crinkled at the corner with her smile as she joined her. “Oh. Wonderful.” She turned toward Brighit. “Ruth and I were just discussing the great plans God has for you.”
All fell silent. Peter had pushed his way to Brighit’s side. He refused to leave it. Her warm hand, so small in his own, trembled at his touch. No matter what was pronounced as God’s plans, he would be taking her to wife—and his bed—anon.
“Good to see you again, Sir Peter,” Ruth said. She tipped her head toward Brighit. “Have you won over our fair lady?”
Relieved to have a possible ally, Peter smiled. “I’m afraid her clan wishes she would choose another.”
She handed her babe to Brighit. They exchanged smiles. Ruth approached the men and curtsied. “I am glad you are all here for this auspicious occasion. A wedding is not often seen at a place where nuns dwell. Will you be joining us in the blessing? I believe it will be at the chapel.”
“No!” Sean spoke up. “She’ll not be marrying him until she tells us it is what she chooses.”
Peter knew there was no choice here. Tadhg was forcing her to marry Peter. Could she now have an opening to break it off? Fear slithered through his gut. Fear of losing what he’d only recently realized he wanted. He wanted it more than he had ever wanted anything. Yes, he’d deeply cared for Jeanette. He’d thought it was love but this was different. He wanted to protect Brighit, to please her, to make her smile. To grow old with her. And children? Yes. He wanted her to birth his children and he would pray every day—every minute—that it would not kill her. He wanted to take the leap of faith required to take this woman as his wife. To make her the mother of his children.
He waited for her answer, praying that, even though she didn’t love him, barely even knew him, she would honor her brother. Honor him as determinedly as she had honored her father.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The tension was thick and the babe began to cry in response. Its strong voice filling the space.
Brighit quickly offered her back to her mother. “I believe she wants something from you.”
