‘It is.’They walked inside the inner bailey, and he added,‘My home is about the same size as Laochre, except the sea is farther away.’
It was a subtle way of speaking about his wealth.But she found herself feeling not quite so intimidated.And she supposed Lord Lowell could be a kind man if she gave him a chance.
Inwardly, she wondered what it would be like if the earl kissed her.Would it be gentle and inviting?Or only out of duty?She couldn’t deny that Balor’s kiss had awakened her, pushing away the months of grief.If he had continued kissing her, it might have become something more.A spark of heat had risen between them, kindling her blood hotter.
Immediately, she shut the thought down.She needed to stop thinking of Balor Ó Phelan when their lives were so different.Her father had given her this opportunity to get acquainted with a nobleman, someone who would offer a powerful alliance.
‘I suppose you’ve heard that King John is here in the north of Ireland,’ the earl was saying.It pulled her attention back to the present, and she wondered how much Lord Lowell knew about the attack.
‘Yes,’ she answered.‘My father and his brothers returned from the north, not long ago.’
‘King John is asking all of the Irish kings to swear their fealty,’ Lord Lowell continued.‘I suppose your father has already done so.’
‘It’s why he traveled there, I suppose,’ Mairead hedged.But she wondered if King John intended to usurp the role of High King.Was that why he was here?To conquer and command Ireland?John had been named Lord of Ireland, but in years past, it hadn’t seemed to matter since he spent most of his time in England.
Was that why her father wanted this alliance with theearl?Had something happened with King John that Patrick felt they needed another means of protecting their family?She was starting to feel an invisible pressure, as if her freedom to choose was only an illusion.
The earl turned to face her.‘You speak my language very well, my lady.It’s a welcome surprise.’
‘My mother was Norman, and so was my aunt.’She ventured a smile, but then behind the earl, she caught a slight movement of someone crossing past her.Though she hadn’t meant to glance at him, she immediately recognized Balor.
Despite her efforts not to react, her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him.He wore a grey threadbare cloak, and his dark hair was gathered back in a leather thong that emphasized his jawline.And when she saw his firm mouth, she couldn’t stop the flush to her cheeks as she remembered the way her body had reacted to his kiss.
Balor Ó Phelan was entirely too handsome for his own good.And when his mouth curved in a wicked smile, she stiffened.He nodded in the direction of an older nobleman who stood beside a young man with reddish-brown hair—but Balor remained behind them at a distance.Mairead guessed the younger man was likely Balor’s brother, Kenneth.From the look of it, Kenneth was slightly younger than herself.
‘I’m boring you with conversation, aren’t I?’Lord Lowell said.His eyes gleamed, and he glanced behind him at the young lad.‘I see that I will have to do more to gain your affections.’He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it gently.
She was entirely too aware of Balor watching them, and embarrassment flushed her face.It was as if he knew how uncomfortable she felt, being the center of attention.
Mairead forced her attention back to Lord Lowell.‘No, you aren’t boring me, my lord.’Her mind searched for anappropriate excuse.‘But I do have other suitors waiting to be introduced.Perhaps we could speak again later?’
‘I hope so.’The earl bowed and stepped back.
No sooner had he left, than the older nobleman pushed his son towards her.He gave a slight bow and said, ‘Lady Mairead, I am Fergus Ó Phelan, chieftain of our tribe.This is my son and heir, Kenneth.’
The young man gaped at her, his cheeks flushing.But he took a few awkward steps forward and bowed.‘It is an honour to meet you, Lady Mairead.’
She inclined her head politely.‘It is my honour as well.’When she glanced around, there was no sign of Balor.Though she didn’t want to disclose that she’d met him previously, she asked, ‘Am I wrong, or don’t you have an older brother?Did he travel with you?’
Kenneth started to nod, just as Fergus cut him off.‘No.Kenneth is my only son.’
The chieftain’s declaration startled her.Was the man not Balor’s father?She hadn’t considered that Kenneth was a half brother.Or had Fergus disowned his older son?Had Balor earned such a reputation that his own family would refuse to acknowledge him?
Their family troubles shouldn’t bother her—especially since the bards had sung their tales of Balor as a fierce, bloodthirsty warrior.And yet…she didn’t quite believe he deserved it.He’d saved her life, after all.
It was probably a good thing that no one here knew who he was, except the family who pretended he didn’t exist.
With an apologetic smile, Fergus added, ‘Kenneth is young, but he has spoken of nothing but meeting you.And I feel it would be a good match to join our lands together.’
Mairead kept her expression neutral.‘I will consider all of my suitors before making a decision.’
‘Of course,’ Fergus said.But she didn’t miss the gleam of ambition in his eyes.
As she departed to return to the Great Chamber, she saw a shadowed figure in the threadbare cloak, just inside the doors.She turned, expecting to see Balor.But there was no one there.
There was no reason to be disappointed, Mairead told herself.She didn’t truly need to see him again.
But it made her wonder why he had come.Unless…he had wanted to see her again.A flutter of nerves caught her stomach, just as she stomped it down with common sense.
