The need to confess what she had done—to put an end to this terrible mess—shifted in Brighit’s chest. She set her feet to the floor, preparing to stand and yet… it was a real possibility that she would be killed if she could not convince them of her innocence.
She remained seated.
Seigine turned to the others listening, their eyes intent on him.
“I do not wish to take away from this celebration,” he said. He extended a hand and Darragh clasped his wrist. “May yer time in seclusion be fertile and produce a son as great as the father.”
A child. Brighit searched her memory. Was there any mention in the treaty of a woman being given leniency because she was with child?
“My thanks.”
Seigine’s threats did not demonstrate any willingness to cast her as an innocent. He had her weapon in his possession. If he wanted her punished, he needed only to reveal it to them now, or even describe the distinctive hilt to them. He did not.
“We have taken enough of their time. Come.” Seigine motioned to his men, who gathered around him, and they headed toward the door as one.
Stopping at the entryway, Seigine turned back to Tadhg and Sean with a twinkle in his eyes. “There is one more thing I must ask ye before I leave.”
Brighit’s relief was short lived and she slumped in her seat, no longer able to even consider standing.
“I wish to know that both of yer clans will support me as king if there is an outcry from Clan Dubhshláine.”
“Why would there be an outcry?” Sean asked.
“My grandmother was of their clan and they would prefer that our clan, small as it is, should join with theirs.”
Tadhg nodded. “I know of the dispute, Seigine.” His tone indicated both his understanding of the matter and a lack of patience for it. “Yer land is the better land. It is located along the river. Did yer brother not recently consider joining with them?”
“My brother is dead.” The words spoken with such finality raised a few eyebrows, but no one said anything. “I will speak with my council. I will follow their advice.”
“As ye should.” Sean’s reassurances were not repeated by Tadhg. “We will gather the otherrig túaithe.Capturing the murderer before that time—”
“I will bring the murderer before ye.” Seigine bowed his head then led the men through the outer doors.
To Brighit’s ear, it was both promise and threat.
Chapter 10
Tadhg signaled for the celebrations to continue and all seemed happy to comply. He had feigned interest in the festivities for all of ten minutes before huddling with Sean and Darragh at the table opposite Brighit to discuss their visitors. Though she felt compelled to remain in the great hall, her seeming abandonment suited her fine. She preferred not to be part of any conversation about Seigine. Instead, her mind kept reviewing everything he’d said to her.
He had her weapon, the proof she had murdered his brother, and an eyewitness—himself. That was all that was needed for justice to be seen to. The punishment would fit the crime. So why had the man approached her with the information instead of revealing it to all and pointing the finger at her?
He’d said he wanted the council to support him as his brother’s replacement. Could that be why he was waiting?
The men continued to discuss how they should proceed. This was the first true test of the treaty so many had been opposed to signing. The tradition was for important agreements to be memorized, often recited by the bards andfili. The idea of putting the terms down in a document had set many against the agreement.
“And this is acceptable to ye, Darragh?” Sean asked.
Something about her father’s tone—and mayhap the mention of her husband’s name—caught Brighit’s attention. Several of Darragh’s closest friends stood beside them now, intently listening.
“There is no choice in the matter,” Terrence said. “Their leader was murdered. They demand satisfaction.”
“And they watch and wait to see what we will do about it. How quickly we will move on it,” Tadhg added before emptying his horn of mead.
Brighit felt the hair on her neck rise.
“Was it some random act? Did he travel alone like a fool?” Darragh asked.
“Seigine told me they were set upon by a group of men they did not recognize,” Tadhg said.
