“Darragh, I have been speaking with yer new bride.” His voice was loud, calling the attention of the entire gathering since the music had stopped for the moment. “From Clan Cruadhlaoch. A clan as powerful as yer own.”
Crossing his arms about his chest, Darragh nodded at the man.
“Please, Darragh.” She couldn’t help the fact that she sounded desperate. “Come here.”
When he began to move, Seigine checked the movement with a hand on his arm. “Are ye not spending yer honeyed moon apart from the others?”
The tradition was still kept by many. Her heart leapt with hope. If she could get him away from the others, certainly she would have time to explain what had taken place, how there had been no choice but to kill the man who was assaulting her.
“Aye, we will, Darragh.”
“If that is what ye wish.” Darragh’s face clearly showed his confusion, but then he turned to his father and said, “Although I would prefer to be present for discussions.”
“As well ye should be,” Tadhg said, his hands on his hips. “Ye and Brighit may need to remain near for yer time of seclusion.”
Seclusion was all she wanted. Here or somewhere else, it mattered not. She required time to get the courage up to tell her husband what she had done. Her gut tightened at the thought.
Seigine eyes were on her again. “My men and I will continue to hunt down this killer. I feel certain he has not gone far. Mayhap we will find him with the blood still on his hands.”
“Even with proof that strong—” Tadhg’s warning tone drew Seigine’s, “—ye must wait to have yer justice seen to. It must be agreed upon by the council.”
“A punishment befitting the crime.” Sean’s eyes narrowed. “And it must be carried out in the presence of the council once they have decreed the judgment.”
“A murderer is put to death.”
Sean nodded at the dark man’s declaration. Brighit’s skin crawled. Was there truly no consideration for a killing that had been done in defense? She searched her mind and realized she’d paid such little attention to her father’s work, she had no idea.
“My men and I have searched the area and examined Cathair’s body.”
“D'ye have the weapon?” Tadhg’s words sent a chill down her back. “It must have be—”
“Itwaswith the body.”
“Can we see it?” Sean asked.
Brighit squeezed her fingers so tightly together they ached. Her mind searched frantically for what she would say when the man revealed her dagger to all.
Seigine shifted, reaching beneath hisbrait.She didn’t miss the glance he shot at her, or the flash of his white teeth. He was enjoying this!
“Forgiveness, please,” he said, lifting his empty hands for all to see. “My wife is not well, and I did not wish to leave her. In my haste to get here, I must have left it at her side.”
Sean and Tadhg exchanged glances. Her lungs refused to work.
“Was there anything distinctive about the weapon? Something ye may have noticed?”
“Ye have seen the body? The mutilation my brother suffered?”
Her heart sped up. The man she’d murdered was beyond those doors? Was his body cloaked in a burial cloth even now? Or had he been thrown onto a cart just as he was, his side bloodied from her blade?
“We have.” Sean tipped his head in a show of respect. “A most vicious attack.”
No! It was done in defense.
“I do not remember anything about the weapon, only the destruction it caused.”
“The sharpest of blades, to slice so clean—”
“An angry strike. I will bring it with me for yer examination when next I return.” Seigine paused before continuing. “Unless we can find the murderer and can bring him to ye, we will wait until ye send us word that the council has assembled.”
