“What d'ye want from me?” She hissed the words, glancing around to be sure no one else was watching them. “I tell ye it does not matter.”
“I assure ye that it does and I will not keep the secret from him any longer. Either ye tell him or I will.”
Terrence marched away without a backward glance. Brighit shoved the wooden bowl aside, her appetite gone. It was Devin who sought her out a few minutes later.
“Lady, we await ye. Darragh is seeing to yer mount.”
The thought of riding side saddle the entire way rankled her last nerve, but she held her tongue and slapped a smile across her face. At least the need for speed would ensure she was not expected to ride in the carriage. “Of course. Lead the way.”
The men were still preparing for the trip and she was quickly abandoned by Devin, who went to help his father load some of his belongings.
“Brighit.” Darragh’s excitement was obvious. “Ye have eaten?”
“I am ready.”
Darragh glanced at her gown. “Did Devin not bring ye what I’d sent him with?”
Weary by now, she was in no mood for any games. “He did not, Darragh. Are we ready to leave?”
His bewilderment at her sharp tone quickly shifted into pleasure. “Wait here.”
“Devin.” Darragh approached the man in three strides, ripping a sack from his hands.
“Apologies.” Devin called after him. “I had forgotten.”
Darragh shook his head then smiled, holding out the sack. “Go get changed.”
She glanced down at her green gown. “To what purpose?”
He frowned at her. “Will ye argue with me on everything?”
She ripped the sack from his hand, eyes surely aflame, and turned about to head back to her room. Once there, she ripped open the sack and dumped the contents on the bed. Her trews had been neatly folded inside along with a heavy mantle cut small enough for her petite frame but long enough to cover anything the trews may reveal. Tears filled her eyes, making it hard for her to change quickly. By the time she had clubbed her long hair back, she knew they would all be waiting for her.
Brighit’s expression spoke of her gratitude when she approached Darragh. The others fell silent as they watched her cross to him.
“A ghráidh,ye have pleased me greatly. How blessed I am to have ye as my husband.”
She kissed him, and he kissed her back just as passionately, breaking it only so that he could glare at the others who had their eyes stuck on them.
He said, “A moment to ourselves, if ye please.”
As one, the others turned their horses away.
“Ye like it?”
“’Tis wonderful, Darragh.Yeare wonderful. Many thanks for yer thoughtfulness.”
“I will admit it was for selfish reasons.”
Brighit’s brow furrowed.
“We will ride much faster.” He put his lips to her ears. “And I will be here to see to ye if ye have any need for… release from the… sensitivity ye may experience.”
“Many thanks.”
In a short time, they were on their way. The others in the group were known to her. From the Meachair, Francis and his two elder sons accompanied him. The sheepish grins they directed at her were endearing. To have men so very huge duck low whenever she glanced at them made her smile.
“Brighit, is this the first time ye have been so far south?” Devin asked.
