The unexpected memory of his words sent a ripple of longing through her. If only the horrible thing she’d done didn’t stand between them…
“I do not remember ye wearing it before our wedding.”
Brighit shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together.
“Is there a reason a married lass would choose to wear it? I remember ye having lovely, soft skin.”
Her breath caught at the kind sentiment and she lowered her eyes. She hadn’t thought he’d noticed her at all. He’d always stood there at his father’s side with a stoic, untouchable look, ever the obedient warrior.
He must have read her reaction as uneasiness because his face hardened, and he drew back. “No matter.”
He closed the door to the carriage and soon they were on their way.
The group stopped mid-day for a fortifying meal, resting for a time before resuming their journey. There was some talk about the order in which they’d relay the message to the various kings. If she hadn’t been beset by her own concerns, she would have looked forward to seeing these new sights.
Watching the men on their horses from inside the carriage, she realized it was her conveyance that was dragging out the undertaking. On horseback, they could have easily made their first destination within a few days’ ride. The men’s decision to continue through the night made her feel even guiltier. They were accommodating her presence. But when the time came to finally stop and rest, she was more than ready to quit the confining space.
Darragh’s men saw to the setting up of their camp while he came to assist her.
“Are ye stiff from yer ride?”
Brighit forced herself to straighten as they walked away from the carriage. The pain across her body was near unbearable today. “A bit, I’m afraid. I am usually much more active.”
“Traipsing around dressed as a lad, if I remember correctly.”
Her sharp gaze took in his teasing smile and she relaxed. He referred to when he’d caught her with the lads a year earlier, not her misadventure with her uncle the night before her wedding.
“Yer threats certainly saw an end to that.” She was too tired and sore to hide her irritation with him.
“So yer brother saw the error of his ways?” He was undaunted. “Shame on him for putting the daughter of the overking at such risk at all.”
Brighit glared at him.
“Not to mention my betrothed.” Darragh’s expression softened and he stroked a fingertip along her jawbone, his voice quieter. “Even with the ash on this face, yer loveliness could not be denied.”
She swallowed, not sure how to respond. The other lasses were often complimented by lads currying favor with them, begging for time in their presence, but she’d had none of that.
“I like the powder even less than the ash. I would prefer ye not use it.” He watched her eyes, glancing from one to the other. “Will ye fight me on that as well?”
Fight him? Brighit couldn’t hold his gaze. He spoke of the bedding, of course, but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out how to explain what she didn’t understand herself. Not without telling him what she was still not ready to tell.
“I prefer it on occasion.” When the bruises faded, she would have no further use for the disgusting stuff.
His eyes were on her. She could feel his gaze boring into her, as though judging her defiant.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Ye have been most kind to me.”
“And why would I not.” He stepped closer, raising her face so she could no longer avoid him. He studied her intently before he spoke again. “I have taken ye to wife… and ye have taken me to husband.”
More teasing. She smiled at the reminder of her earlier words.
“Ah, a genuine smile. I would like to see more of that.”
When his gaze dropped to her lips, she knew he wanted to kiss her. She wanted the same. The heat pouring from him was intense, but then she recognized the look of resignation crossing his face. Instead of kissing her, he reached for the sack beside him and said, “I need to see to my duties. I will return for ye.”
Her heart sank, even more so because Darragh didn’t look at her again before slipping off. She wiped away the tears dripping down her cheeks, her palms came away white from the powder. Glancing around, she realized he had taken her belongings with him, including the powder. The lads who’d stayed behind were going about their business, none of them paying her any attention.
“Darragh?”
