“Just tell me.” Terrence hissed the words through gritted teeth, his expression revealing the torment in his mind. “Reassure me.”
Torn between relieving his friend’s concerns and offense at such an accusation, Darragh didn’t answer immediately. The others were mounted, patiently waiting, and glanced toward them.
“I wouldneverput a hand to her in anger. I am called to protect her—to be her sole protector.” He moved in closer, gripping the man’s shirt. “And ye will tell me now why ye could think such a thing of me after knowing me all these years.”
Terrence gulped. “She had bruises on her face.”
The earth tilted beneath Darragh’s feet. He could not have heard him aright. “What?”
“That was the reason she wore the powder, to cover it up.”
Darragh reeled back from the man, unable to form a coherent thought. She’d finally stopped wearing the powder, but he’d believed it was at his request. With her stubborn streak, he wasn’t surprised it had taken a few days for her to give in.
“Is ought amiss?” Brighit called to him, turning her courser toward them.
“We’re anxious to be on our way, man.” Francis’s gruff voice was met with agreement by those around them. “My arse is sore as hell and I’m looking forward to a long soak. Can ye not speak to my son after we’ve arrived?”
“Certainly.” Darragh glared at Terrence, his voice low enough for his ears only. “Do not make me find ye, Terrence. Ye will explain yerself right quick.”
Darragh mounted and pressed past the others to take the lead himself. Clicking his tongue, he urged his horse into a fast gallop that left the rest struggling to keep up. At this pace, he expected to be able to question Terrence long before sunset, leaving him with enough time to confront his wife. That suited him fine.
Chapter 22
Along the trail that followed the coast, Darragh rode as a man possessed. Terrence’s words ran over and over again in his head like a monk’s chant. Now that he knew about the bruises, he was struck anew by the fact that she had confided in Terrence rather than him. Darragh had unknowingly given her several opportunities to explain the powder and why she was using it. She had chosen not to.
The fact hurt him deeply. Had he ever given her any reason to believe he would not care? Never. She’d even compared him with her own father. But she had not trusted him enough to reveal someone was abusing her, and she’d gone so far as to hide the bruises from him.
Francis and Devin had tried to engage him at different points along the route, but Darragh could not be moved to respond. When the castle was finally in sight, Francis came alongside him to pull back on his reins.
Darragh turned on him with an angry scowl. “What are ye about?”
“I’m thinking ye need to calm yerself before ye have the entire castle up in arms.”
A quick glance toward Brighit showed she, too, was concerned, though she didn’t speak.
“Is something amiss?” Francis’s kind eyes were rounded with concern and Darragh felt chagrined by his own behavior.
He shook his head. “I have much on my mind. I need to sort out some things.”
The older man glanced over his shoulder and moved closer, lowering his voice even more. “Have they to do with yer wife?”
“Why would ye ask that?”
“Of everyone here, she’s the most upset by yer behavior, Darragh.”
He glanced at the hands fisted in his lap. Taking a cleansing breath, he struggled to calm the demons in his mind. The feelings of inadequacy. The belief that he had been found lacking. Had he known Brighit was hurt, he would have moved heaven itself to care for her and see her avenged.
“I have too much on my mind.”
“I should not have interrupted yer talk with Terrence?” Francis flattened his lips. “Forgiveness please for interrupting ye both. Please go and see him now. I will lead the rest in and see yer wife settled. Come when ye have learned what ye need to.”
Brighit watched with concern as her horse was led past Darragh. He offered her not even a word and it seemed strange that he would stay behind. Impulsively, she blew him a kiss. The shadows fell away from his face and he smiled back. She released the breath that had tightened her chest. Though she’d had no chance to speak with Darragh, she’d had a lot of time to reflect on the things he’d said and the way he’d accepted her for herself. Surely those were good signs that he would not turn his back on her completely. Mayhap together they could face what was to happen.
“Well, lady Brighit,” Francis said, “I have the duty to see ye inside. I’ll be happy to have such a lovely lass on my arm.”
She glanced at her clothing then gave him a dubious expression.
Francis laughed. “Think nothing of it. My wife dresses the same when we travel together.”
