Brighit’s tight smile was the best she could manage for the lie she was about to tell. “Certainly. My mother took great pains to teach me all that I would need to know as Darragh’s wife.”
Thomasina had indeedtriedto teach her about the plants, but that was the day Bright had been working on a small bow for her own use, made from a perfectly supple branch. She’d insisted that she had no time for such foolishness. Besides, Aednat was a great healer and more than willing to teach her anything she actually needed to know. Now Brighit wished she’d taken the time to listen to her friend.
“Mymamaídhalways said I was a fast learner. I will be a good wife.”
“I have no doubt of that.”
Tisa’s knowing smile grated on Brighit’s nerves since Darragh’s mother knew her not at all. She was glad when the woman finally fell silent and faced front. Left to her own thoughts, Brighit was confronted by the fact that she would actually make a terrible wife. Despite the promise she’d made to Darragh, she cared nothing for wifely duties, though she didn’t mind overmuch bossing others around. Truth be told, she was quite good at that.
A rustling on her left attracted her attention. Two birds of some sort. She searched out the pheasant or quail in the underbrush, wishing she’d thought to bring her bow. Distracted by pleasant imaginings about the appalled look her mother-in-law would give her if she supplied the meat for their upcoming feast, she didn’t immediately realize the trail had narrowed and the group had fallen into single file. Nor that they had stopped. Suddenly, Darragh was in front of her on horseback, holding her reins to keep her from colliding with Tisa’s horse, which had gone ahead. He searched Brighit’s face as if to discern her thoughts, his own expression revealing nothing. No one else seemed to notice she’d been distracted.
“A thighearna,” the lead guard was speaking, “’twould be safer to return rather than continue on this path.” She heard some further whispers, including something about the MacCochlain.
Brighit ignored Darragh, instead stretching her neck to see what dangers lay ahead. The path didn’t seem unsafe to her eyes—a simple passage between two high cliffs—but the guard was pressing them back. Darragh stayed with her after helping her turn her mount about, her horse’s lead in his hand. The pheasants burst out from the undergrowth to their right in a flutter of feathers. There were two, just like she’d thought. Plump birds with beautiful brown plumage. What a wonderful addition they would have made to their wedding feast.
Darragh turned to her. “Ye have a good eye.”
She’d not mentioned the birds, so mayhap he was paying closer attention to her than she’d thought. “I have many abilities ye know nothing about.”
His already broad chest seemed to expand even more beneath the tight green tunic he wore adorned with a gold-threaded design at the neck and wrists. His bright eyes were suddenly filled with amusement. “I look forward to learning about them all.”
She was certain he was laughing at her and locked her jaw to keep the words she wanted to say from escaping, words that would reveal her true sentiments about this whole ride.
His smile widened as if he recognized her inner struggle.
“Are ye enjoying my mother’s companionship?” he asked.
“She is charming.” Nothing to be inspired by, in her opinion. “But most women do not findmevery… acceptable.”
“Have ye offended her as well?”
“As well?” Brighit’s mouth dropped open. “Who have I—”
Darragh pulled her horse to the side, and although three vigilant guards remained a discreet distance from them, the rest of their party moved past them.
She waited patiently for Darragh to explain himself, but he did not seem inclined to do so.
“Well?” Her throat was tight.
He tipped his head. “Well, what?”
“Who have I offended?”
“Dear Brighit.” His defeated expression matched his tone. “Yer unhappiness does not go unnoticed.”
That caught her off-guard since she had been trying to put on a happy face for everyone. Had she failed so miserably? No. She tightened her lips.
“Ye’re being intentionally cruel. I have not broken our agreement.”
“And yet ye have not demonstrated yerself a willing bride either. Yer father is worried for ye, believing ye may never smile again.”
“Why would he believe such things? I fit in so well here.” Brighit tapped her finger to her lips as if in deep thought. “Could it be because yer mother chooses not to control her own horse, and she apparently expects the same of me?” Irritation was riding her hard. “I will confess to ye now. I know nothing about plants and healing and even less about preparing the pheasants after I’ve bagged one or two—but Iamquite good at that.”
Darragh threw back his head and laughed. Brighit immediately regretted sharing that last bit. The guards seemed perplexed at the outburst, though none dared approach them.
“At every turn I find ye are like no other woman of my acquaintance.”
She prayed he wouldn’t notice the redness creeping up her face. If the prospect of having a wife ‘like no other’ resulted in him setting her aside now, her parents would be furious. Especially if he was correct about the importance of the union between the two clans. She had questioned some of the warriors, but none seemed willing to give her any information.
