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Kieran, it seemed, had none either.

“If I wish to find quiet in my hall,” his father said finally, “I know how to achieve it.”

“You will admit, Father,” Niall said, “your words are uncommon for you.”

“A man admits when he is wrong.”

“You decided this abovestairs with Angus?” Kieran seemed to have finally found his voice as well.

Their father may apologize, but he did not seem inclined to further explain himself.

He did say to Niall, “I’ve thought of nothing else since you left, as I told you I would.”

Though he was grateful, Niall also needed his father to understand what his words truly meant. “It is my wife you should offer your apology to, not I,” he said.

“As I’ve done.”

Another surprise.

“I spoke with her outside Angus’s chamber. Lady Avelina is as gracious as your mother claims. She accepted it, and I welcomed her to our clan.”

“Where is she now?” Niall asked.

“Gathering herbs or finding someone to gather them for her, I suppose, for the healer.”

The healer.

A man admits when he is wrong.

He stood. Niall should have done this many, many years ago.

“I am glad for this, Father,” he said. “Although I will say that I reconciled my brother as second in my stead. He would do as well as or better than I in the role.” Both his father and Kieran looked as if they would argue with him, but Niall would not be waylaid. “Now, if you will pardon me, I must speak to someone at once.”

And that someone happened to be sitting in Angus’s bedchamber along with his mother. But this could not wait.

“Will you allow us,” he asked his mother, “a moment alone?”

His mother smiled and wordlessly inclined her head, leaving the chamber.

The healer sat with her hands on her lap beside Angus’s bed. He seemed to be sleeping, though, thankfully, and not in any pain.

“It was I who chased you that night,” he said without preamble. “Though I was but a boy, that does not pardon me. I am more sorry for it than anything I’ve ever done before or after that day.”

The healer did not appear at all surprised. “I know, my son. Have always known.”

He blinked. “How?”

“When you play cards with the devil, he tells you many things.”

So, she still claimed that to be true? No matter. He did not come to Angus’s chamber to pass judgment on what he did not understand but to apologize for what he’d done.

“He waits to claim me,” Niall said, only partially jesting.

“Ahh, no. He knew you would be here now, attempting to atone for something you need not atone for. You were a boy, as you say, and held no real malice toward me.”

“Nay,” he agreed. “I did not then and do not now. Not toward you, mistress, only myself.”

She looked at Angus. “Regret serves no purpose. Life is precarious, as you can see. But I do thank you for the apology.”