“Is ought amiss, dear?” Tisa’s concerned expression brought Brighit back to the present.
“Nothing. Thank ye, Tisa.”
“Mamaídh. Please, call meMamaídh.I insist.”
Brighit managed to return the woman’s smile. “Mamaídh.”
“And d’ye not prefer a carriage?”
A carriage? “Many thanks for yer kind offer. I prefer to ride.”
Brighit definitely did, but when the horse was brought to her, saddled and ready, Tisa’s eyes widened. “Ye aren’t going to sit astride the beast, are ye?” she asked.
Brighit actually had to grip her hands to stop from yanking up her gown and showing the woman the leggings she wore beneath. Of course, Darragh’s mother would never wear anything so manly as hose or trews. She was ever the feminine beauty at her strong-as-an-ox husband’s side.
“Of course not.” The words were forced out of Brighit through clenched teeth.
“Good.” Tisa turned to the stable lad. “Please see to the saddle.”
Darragh and his father were conversing in low tones, something about a treaty violation. Despite their apparent disinterest in her, she was certain today’s tour of their land had been suggested as a chance for her and Darragh to spend even more time together. Her husband-to-be did not seem so inclined, staying as aloof as ever.
“A thighearna?” A brawny man dressed in mail approached the group.
For the first time, Brighit noticed that all the men traveling with them were dressed that way. As if they were ready for defense. And the sheer number of warriors seemed extreme. She’d thought they were trying to impress her with the number of guards accompanying them across their own land. Now she was having second thoughts. Darraghhadmentioned some trouble…
“Is there a problem?” Tadhg’s expression matched the concern in his tone and right alongside him, wearing the exact same look, was her ever-stoic betrothed, Darragh.
“They’ve found another carcass left to rot.”
Tadhg glanced toward them. “Not in front of the ladies.”
Brighit stopped just short of rolling her eyes. He was like every other man, believing a woman’s only purpose was to birth children and be at the beck and call of her husband.
Despite Tadhg giving her his back, she heard his next words clearly. “Has it been seen to?”
“Of course,a thighearna.”
“Very good.”
There was more discussion meant only for the men’s ears, but it was lost on Brighit as Tisa saw her properly mounted, her legs together, hanging on one side of the horse.
Tisa, assisted by the stable boy, mounted the same way. Pulling her riding gloves tightly over her perfectly feminine hands, her eyes downcast, she said. “I hope to show ye our loughs. One is quite deep and very private.”
Brighit’s mind immediately went back to the day Darragh had caught her swimming in her own lough. She felt certain that episode was the reason they’d come to Drogheda. Had he shared the story with his mother?
“I think ye will find the place quite peaceful when the weather permits,” Tisa said, a quiet smile on her beautiful face.
Brighit’s cheeks grew hot at the betrayal and she shot a scowl at Darragh. He was deep in conversation, paying her no attention. How could he? Why would he share such information with his own mother? Had they laughed over the incident?
“I look forward to seeing all that ye have to show me,” Brighit said.
Tisa beamed. “Tadhg. For what do we wait?”
“Nothing of importance,a ghráidh.Let us be off.”
The guards went first down the narrow path leading away from the aging dark castle. Two riders ahead, three along either side of their group, and two in the rear. Brighit glanced around as if to enjoy the scenery, but her attention was on the guards. Just as she’d suspected, each man had a bow at hand and the keen alertness of one expecting trouble.
“D'ye see the lovely pennyroyal? Oh, and over there,” Tisa pointed deeper into the forest they passed. “Ye can find a great variety of Motherwort and yarrow. I do keep my own garden, but there are times when knowing where to find more herbs is worthwhile. D'ye know any of the healing arts?”
