The older woman came closer, something glittery flashing in her hand. “Ach, ’tis not from me and we’ve given ye nothing. Glad to have ye with us even if for only a short while.”
The women’s patience with Brighit was something she could never repay.
Opening her hand to Brighit, Gwen continued, oblivious to the heightened awareness coursing through Brighit’s body. “My nephew—a strange man—thought this would be a fine gift for ye.”
The rare sapphire sat in the palm of the older woman’s hand like a viper ready to attack. Brighit swallowed down her fear. Gwen shoved it closer. “Take it. He wants ye to have it. He insisted.”
I bet he did.
“Ye never told me. What is yer nephew’s name?”
“Seigine. He and his brother, Cathair, are my sister’s boys. They look after us as if they were our own sons.”
Brighit could do no more than shake her head. The woman’s imploring eyes filled Brighit with guilt. Gwen had no idea her nephew, who had feigned kindness and appreciation for the visitors, was a cruel tormentor. Brighit didn’t doubt that Seigine had been following her and Darragh, not looking after his aunt and uncle at all. Forcing air back into her lungs, she reached to take the thing. “Did he say why he wanted us to have this?”
Gwen smiled broadly. “He said he will soon have enough to buy many more, even fancier, gems, and wanted to thank ye for…” She frowned as if searching her thoughts. “Oh, thank ye for helping him with that.”
“I do not understand.” The pounding in her ear increased and it was difficult to swallow.
“Strange to me as well, but he said knowing ye were here helped him with what he needed to do.”
The words filled Brighit with dread. What had he done? “I cannot really accept this.”
“Oh, ye must.” Gwen’s eyes rounded and unless Brighit wanted to upset the woman further, she had to be gracious.
“I thank ye. And be sure to thank yer nephew. When will ye see him again?”
“Hmm, he said he would not be back until after the snows. He promised to return with great news. But we are more than prepared here for winter’s deadly cold, thanks to ye and Darragh.”
Chapter 20
The ruins of the stone castle overlooking the bay stood as a stark reminder of battles lost and won on these very shores between those who lived here and those who had invaded their lands so long ago. A shiver traipsed across Brighit’s skin at the sight of the long boat, barely peeking above the rocks leading down to the sea. The stories of the Norsemen and the terror they brought was not often spoken of. Many of those who now ruled as Eire’s kings had the blood of the invaders mixed within their royal blood. A past best left undisturbed.
“Are ye cold? Ye’ve hardly said a word.” Darragh’s concern, evident in both his tone and his expression, sparked her defenses.
“I am merely tired of the travel. It’s exhausting. Ye said so yerself just last night.”
Last night there had been much talk of this and that, and what would happen when they finally returned home. Feeling the pressure of Seigine’s nearness, Brighit had subtly turned the conversation to him. But her husband was a wise man and he seemed to know almost instinctively that the man had no leadership qualities.
“Then we will get ye some rest before ye meet theri túath.He is a good friend of mine.”
“I look forward to meeting him. Will ye relay yer father’s message as well?”
“That is the reason we are here.” Darragh sighed. “And I will listen closely for his response since I have my own concerns.”
Brighit parted her lips to allow her shaky breath to remain unnoticed. If she did not succeed in convincing her husband and father-in-law to support Seigine against the Dubhshláine, her part in the murder of Cathair would be revealed and her father and Darragh would bear the brunt of her punishment. All would be lost.
He must have noticed the change in her expression because he took her hand, kissing it before leaning in to kiss her cheek. “A ghráidh,I pray ye are refreshed after ye rest. I miss my feisty wife.”
“I will do my best.”
They were met at the entrance by two well-armed warriors who recognized Darragh immediately. Setting aside their imposing demeanor, they each embraced him in turn, one even lifting him off the ground.
“Ye have been missed.” The blond man ruffled Darragh’s hair like he was a boy, and Brighit could only look on in astonishment.
“They have known me since I was a boy,” Darragh explained, his face reddening.
Still dumbfounded, she nodded open-mouthed while the second man did the same.
