“Aye.”
“I understand yer sense of adventure is greater than most women.”
She paused to control the grin that threatened to erupt. “Mayhap ’tis only my husband supporting my desire for adventure that makes me appear so different.”
“Ah, a wise woman, too, Darragh.” Francis glanced at her husband. “A fine one to argue the points of law with before ye must confront the others.”
A chill passed over her skin at the thought of Darragh discussing any punishment with her. She had lain awake most of the night considering what to do. Her thoughts continued to bring her to the same conclusion: she could do nothing to encourage Seigine’s kingship. And that meant the truth would be revealed, either by her or by Seigine.
Brighit had decided to tell Darragh herself. If he wasn’t too angry to speak to her, he could tell her what she should do. The hours of restlessness had taken their toll, however, and she found herself yawning now.
“Did ye not sleep well?” Darragh had ridden up alongside her. “Ye tossed about quite a bit.”
“Mayhap ’twas the sudden softness of our bedding.” She forced a smile.
“Ah, my thanks for not accusing me of not seeing to ye properly.”
Brighit gasped with embarrassment and looked to where Francis had been a moment earlier. He had moved ahead and was riding alongside Terrence now. With a start, she realized no one was nearby. This may be her only chance to speak to him.
Darragh smiled mischievously. “Ye believe I would speak of our private moments so that all could hear? Ye think little of me.”
Her eyes rounded and she reached for him.
His concern was evident in his expression as he moved in close to take her hand. “I was teasing.”
“Forgiveness?” The word was heavy with meaning. When she told him what happened, could he possibly forgive her?
“Always.”
She prayed that was true. “Darragh, I need to te—”
“The paths split ahead.” Iain called back to Darragh. “Which way do we go?”
Darragh’s look of exasperation was followed by a kiss to her hand. “A moment please.”
Fear squeezed her throat as she helplessly watched him move to the front of the group.
As they neared the end of their travels, Darragh was greatly relieved that he would soon have Brighit to himself again. At least they would have their own chamber, a place that they could call their own. Though they’d stopped at various houses along the way that had opened their doors to accommodate the weary travelers, they’d had little time to be alone with many squeezed into each room. At meals he would see to her, but not as he would have liked.
Brighit seemed more comfortable with the others now that she was dressed as a lad and riding her own mount. Could her earlier discomfort have come from being around so many people she did not know? He saw Terrence and scoffed. She’d felt comfortable enough to tell him, a near stranger, what she would not share with her own husband. Even though they were getting closer, she’d still offered no explanations about what had transpired with Terrence and he refused to continue questioning her.
Terrence’s cold demeanor had softened some toward him, but his old friend still refused to give any details about what he knew and, more importantly, why he continued to avoid Darragh. Mayhap if Darragh could ease his concerns about Brighit’s unhappiness. After they stopped for the midday repast, he sought out his friend before everyone took to their horses again.
“Will we be home this night?” Iain called to him as he passed, his travel-weary expression lightened by the excitement in his eyes.
Darragh smiled. “Mayhap by the evening meal.”
The men’s excited voices carried as they mounted. Devin was to take the lead for the rest of the way with Iain alongside of him.
Darragh finally caught sight of Terrence and came up alongside him as the man pulled on his leather gloves.
“Terrence.” Darragh put a hand to his arm to stop him from mounting his horse. “We will need to talk when we arrive. As my second—and my friend—there should be nothing held back from me.”
The man’s nostrils flared slightly before he glanced toward the others to be certain no one was listening.
“Something is not right, but I beg ye to speak to yer wife yerself.” Terrence’s eyes pierced his before he spoke again. “Tell me ye would never hurt the lass.”
Darragh pulled back as if he’d been punched. “How could ye think that of me?”
