“Are they celebrating our Brighit’s taking her vows so soon?”
“Not even close,” Sean said. He stood beside the table passing cups of beer around.
“We’ve seen her wed.” Tadhg lifted his cup, the other men did the same before emptying their cups.
“Wed?” Mort screwed his face up in confusion. “How can a nun get married?”
“When she doesn’t take her vows but gets married instead,” Sean said and refilled their cups. He lifted one toward Mort who waved his hand to decline.
“I abstain when preparing for battle.”
“Battle?” Peter’s enjoyment was replaced by serious concern.
Mort tipped his head to the side. “Alas, my friend, I didn’t happen upon this celebration but have come to retrieve you. Lord John arrived at the inn and wishes to see you immediately.”
“John is here?” Peter’s cup nearly dropped from his hand. “He wants to see me—now?”
Brighit warmed at the thought of him not wanting to leave her so soon. Now? Her heart dropped to her stomach.
Mort reached toward them both, as if wavering between which arm to reassure. “Please. No. I am certain he would not want to take you away from... he would not interrupt... he does not know of this turn of events.”
Peter placed the cup on the table behind him. “When did he arrive?”
“It was two days ago.”
“Yes. When we were snowed in.”
“It was the night you left for the Priory. He actually arrived ahead of his men—”
“He has brought his men?”
“Yes, my lord, he has come to support you in your siege against the castle. King William could wait no longer for information. We are to lay siege immediately.”
Peter sighed and Brighit could feel his tension rising. Her own hope was quickly evaporating.
“Very good timing I must say.”
“How so?” Peter’s voice indicated his own disagreement with Mort’s statement.
“He arrived at the inn just as our local ruffians had reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements? I had no idea. I’m sure you were handling them well enough on your own.”
Mort reddened slightly. “Well, yes, my lord, I had them well in hand but I have to say it was a much more enjoyable encounter with John present. We made quick work of them.”
Peter laughed. “I imagine you did. And what word is there now?”
The two walked toward the door leaving Brighit quite bereft. Mayhap Peter was going to continue out that door at this very moment with ner a glance back or another thought for hisbride.
Ruth came alongside and extended her sleeping bundle. “I’ve named her Brighit so that I will never forget you.”
She was the slightest, little thing, weighing next to nothing. Brighit smiled. “That is very kind of you.” She glanced toward Peter’s disappearing figure. “I may not be needing to be remembered.”
Ruth glanced toward the empty doorway. “I do not understand.”
She shook her head before smiling at the baby, moving in close to her face. “You are so sweet.” Little Brighit’s lip moved up and down as if nursing in her sleep. “She is truly beautiful.”
Ruth placed her head alongside Brighit’s for the same angle. “She is, isn’t she? My sweet, little bundle.”
