Aye, that’s what Conor had said to Liam, so there were six suitors to compete for her hand? Who had ever heard of such a thing? She needed to speak to Ronan at once, Deirdre fighting against the tears burning her eyes as Tam lunged through the woods.
She wished she could speak to her mother as well, but Triona was so far away. Gone these past two weeks to Carlow to tend to her beloved former maid, Aud, who had taken sick and mayhap lay upon her deathbed—ah, God.
An icy realization struck Deirdre as she veered Tam straight for the outer stronghold gates that were already opened.
To admit more suitors? The stout inner gates were opened as well, and she could see men and horses gathered in the yard, Ronan among them.
Ronan greeting them—no, no, no, please tell her that her father wasn’t at the heart of this plan to award her like a prize…
“Welcome to Glenmalure, all of you!” came his resounding voice that sent another chill streaking through Deirdre as she rode straight for the assembled men in the yard. She didn’t stop, either, but made as if to careen into the lot of them. Men andneighing horses scattered like startled chickens in a wild melee that would have made her laugh but for the dark scowl on her father’s face.
Ronan hadn’t budged an inch, but stood facing her with his hands fisted at his waist while she brought Tam to an abrupt halt and dismounted, sweeping errant curls out of her face.
“Father, is it true? You’ve invited these people here for some ridiculous contest? By God, I won’t stand for it! I refuse to play any part?—”
“Enough, Deirdre, will you insult those whom I chose as our special guests? Come with me now to the feasting-hall where we’ve a few moments to speak—and that isn’t a request, but an order.”
Deirdre doubted she had ever heard Ronan speak to her so harshly, which made her eyes burn again as she did her best to swallow back any useless tears. As she followed after him, she saw her uncle Niall O’Byrne and his auburn-haired wife, Nora, standing just outside their dwelling-house, their expressions filled with pity that made her throat grow tight and her fists to clench.
At least her father’s Tanist, the man who would one day become chieftain of the Glenmalure O’Byrnes if anything happened to Ronan, didn’t appear to be pleased by whatever was afoot.
Niall was a fearsome warrior, too, and yet so easygoing among his family and kinsmen that the two sides of his temperament seemed incongruous, and Deirdre had never known Nora to be anything but kindhearted. Both of the children she had borne her husband hadn’t lived past infancy, yet somehow she and Niall hadn’t allowed despair to overcome them—but focused their affection instead upon Deirdre, Conor, and Eva.
Would Niall speak up against whatever Ronan had planned for her if she asked him? Aye, she could hope, Deirdre reluctantly following her father into the feasting-hall where servants bustled to set the long trestle tables for breakfast.
Her stomach suddenly grumbling with hunger as Ronan turned round to face her, Deirdre took a step back to see him still scowling so angrily, which made her lick her lips with some nervousness.
“Daughter, you have always trusted my judgment, aye?”
Deirdre bobbed her head, the sternness of his voice not what she was accustomed to, for Ronan had always been a loving and fair-minded father. She made as if to speak, but he silenced her with a brusque wave of his hand.
“No, I will have my say. I have invited six young warriors here today, all of them from rebel clans that share the O’Byrnes’ sworn resolve to drive the accursed Normans from Éire—our cherished homeland, Deirdre! We must all do our part and now it’s time for you to do yours. You’ve shown no inclination for marriage these past years, aye, a concern of mine as well as your mother, so we decided it best to take matters into our own hands?—”
“Mother has agreed to this madness?” Deirdre blurted, Ronan’s scowl easing as he sighed heavily.
“Aye, though not readily. Yet she understands that we need our alliances to remain strong if we’re to prevail over the Normans, their numbers growing with each passing year. We’ve kept them out of our mountains thus far with swift raids when any dare to make an incursion, but the rebel clans must remain united. Your wedding to one of these men will help to ensure we remain free Irishmen—aye, and free Irishwomen.”
“But I will not be free, Father, don’t you see?” Her outburst shrill, Deirdre ignored the darkening gray of Ronan’s eyes asdesperation overcame her. “I will be married and expected to keep a home and bear children?—”
“Is that so terrible a thing? Your mother didn’t want such a life, either, after my godfather, Fineen O’Toole, raised her like a son, but she grew to love me?—”
“Begorra, she has loved you since childhood, you had only to soften her heart again toward you. I know none of these men!”
“Not true, daughter. You’ve seen most of them a time or two since you were a girl at gatherings of our clans—aye, but mayhap you were always too busy with your own concerns to truly notice any of them. Practicing your archery or going off alone on rides so long I had to send men out to look for you. Yet they’re here now, fine young men all of them, and one will become your husband by the end of this day?—”
“Day?” Stunned, Deirdre could only stare at Ronan in disbelief as his nod was followed by another heavy sigh.
“I will see the thing done before your mother returns and changes her mind. Your distress alone will sway her, I’m certain of it. She has always given you more free rein than I would have allowed—by God, why couldn’t you have been more like Eva who wished for a home and family of her own since childhood?”
Stung, Deirdre felt hot tears jump to her eyes again as she fought against the tightness in her throat. “I amme, Father, not Eva. Will you consign me to a life of unhappiness with a man I don’t love?”
Now Deirdre saw the slight slump of her father’s broad shoulders, his handsome face suddenly looking older to her, his demeanor weary.
“I will not be here forever to protect you, Deirdre. Niall grows older, too, and though I know he does not agree with my decision to insist that you wed, he knows it is for the best. One day we will both be gone, and then Conor will become chieftain of the Glenmalure O’Byrnes with his own responsibilities andburdens. He doesn’t need to worry about your welfare, either. The matter is settled. You will wed by the end of the day.”
Ronan’s tone, almost sympathetic at first, had grown stern again, his pronouncement like a death knell to the unfettered life Deirdre had known.
All she could do was swallow the hard lump that threatened to choke her as her father moved past her toward the door leading outside.
