The woman’s fingers clutched her hand. Swollen the joints were, and misshapen, her grip weak.
“I am Aene MacMurtray, yer new mother, if ye will let me be. I ken fine I am no’ a stitch on yer own mother, who, my son tells me, did no’ make one o’ yer company. But I am here for ye, as she canna be.”
Darlei deciphered this incredible statement with some difficulty. “Nay,” she said, “my mother was not able to come. She needed to stay back and keep things running at home.” Plus, as Darlei suspected, Mother, who did not approve of the match, had tired of arguing with Father about it.
“Aye, well, it will be a great comfort so to yer father, knowing she is there making sure all is well at home. I am no longer able to help Murtray as I used to do. Let me look at ye,” she went on before Darlei could speak. “Aye, ye be a beauty, sure enough. Just as Deathan said.”
Startled, Darlei shot a look at Rohr’s brother. He had retreated no farther than the door where he stood watching.
Heat came to Darlei’s face as she replied, “You are too kind.”
“And are ye no’ a clever lass as well, able to speak our tongue as ye do. I confess, I was concerned we would ha’ trouble exchanging words together.”
“You need not worry for that, mistress.” Darlei’s voice was soft and respectful. No one could be harsh with this woman.
“I hope ye will come often and talk wi’ me. I ken fine a sick room is no place for a young lass full o’ life. But I would love getting to know ye.”
The young man beside the door spoke unexpectedly. His voice was deep and almost musical. “Mam was just telling me, she would like much to be at yer wedding.”
Aene MacMurtray grimaced. “I would like naught better. But I would ha’ to be carried, and would that no’ put a damper on the occasion?”
“I do not think it would,” Darlei said. “Indeed, it would be an honor having you there.”
Those pale-blue eyes lit up. “D’ye think so?”
“We can make a grand thing o’ it, Mam,” said Rohr, getting into the spirit. “Decorate a litter for ye wi’ flowers and whatnot.”
Aene laughed. “I do not know about that.” She patted Darlei’s hand. “Sit now and talk wi’ me. Tell me all about yer home.”
To Darlei’s own surprise, she did. Rohr stayed to listen but Deathan did not. He must have slipped out the door silently, because when Darlei looked around for him, he was gone.
“Ah now,” Mistress MacMurtray said at last, “I will hold ye here no longer, lass. Get out into the fresh air. Rohr, wha’ entertainments have ye planned for her today?”
Rohr, who still stood by, answered readily. “Father has some games planned, so I think. Races and archery contests.”
Aene raised a brow at him. “A chance for ye to show off a wee bit, eh?”
Rohr did not smile as he might.
“Am I to join in these games?” Darlei asked him.
Mistress MacMurtray gave a soft laugh. “Nay, I do not doubt ye are meant to watch and admire.” She added, “Lass, ye will come and see me again?”
“I should like that very much.”
Darlei felt a whit better when she and Rohr left the chamber. A measure of ease had found her there, in the gentle woman’s company.
But it died swiftly as Rohr led her away, and not another word for Darlei passed his lips.
One thing was indeed abundantly clear. Rohr wanted this marriage no more than she.
Chapter Eleven
Say what youwould about the folk of Murtray. They were hardworking. Loyal. Dour at times and suspicious of strangers. When all was said and done, they loved a good contest, and they showed up in droves for what their chief had planned today.
The weather, always capricious here along the coast, did not prove quite so accommodating. In Deathan’s opinion, it looked like rain, but he thought it might hold off till later in the day, keeping to the offshore islands before suppertime.
Father had arranged a number of contests, mock combats, which Deathan considered potentially dangerous, given the participants were old enemies. A footrace and one on horseback. A friendly knife battle and an archery contest.
