‘Mairead.’Her aunt Genevieve set aside the harp and caught her in an embrace.‘Your father’s men have been searching everywhere for you.What happened?’
A slight relief flared through her at her aunt’s worry.‘I chose to leave,’ she answered.‘Liam was taken, and I think someone at Laochre was responsible.I do not feel safe there.’
‘There is nowhere safer than your father’s castle,’ Genevieve argued.She kept her arm around Mairead, and the lines on her face appeared strained.Her snowy white hair was caught up in a jeweled barbette, and she wore a silvery grey overdress andléine.A moment later, the door opened, and Uncle Bevan came inside, followed by a servant.
Relief flooded over his face.‘Mairead, thank God you are all right.I’ll send word to Patrick.’
‘Wait a little while before you do.’She explained the reason why she wanted to remain in hiding, even as the doubts grew upon their faces.
‘I am glad you came to us,’ Genevieve said.She moved over to a small table and poured cups of mead for them.Then she gave quiet orders to the servant to bring food,and Mairead wanted to cry with relief at the thought of easing the hunger.
Then her aunt turned to Balor.‘And who is this?’
‘My escort, Balor Ó Phelan,’ Mairead answered.
‘I’ve heard of you,’ Bevan repeated.Her uncle’s gaze darkened, and she could already read his thoughts—The Demon of Éireann.Although she’d heard the name before, now she was starting to wonder why he’d gained such a reputation.Balor did have a rebellious streak, but was there another reason or something he’d done?Or had it only been Fergus Ó Phelan spreading lies?
‘I asked Balor to guard me on the journey from Laochre,’ Mairead told them as she took a sip of mead.‘He followed my orders.’The last thing she wanted was any of them believing he was at fault for this journey.
‘And what about your father’s orders to stay at Laochre?’Bevan challenged.‘Some of his men came here earlier today to search for you.’
And others came last night, she thought.But she answered, ‘I don’t trust them.Liam was captured, and I believe they intended to take me as well.It’s why we didn’t come here sooner.’She stared back at her uncle.Then she asked, ‘Has my brother been found yet?’
Her uncle sobered and turned to look at his wife.Genevieve sat down beside him and took his hand.‘No,’ Bevan admitted.‘There’s no trace of him anywhere.But we’ve been searching.’
The coldness inside her deepened.Liam was too strong to be overpowered without a trace—and the soldiers at Laochre would have seen an attack.
‘They must have taken him by sea,’ Mairead predicted.It was the only explanation that made any sense.
‘But why?’her aunt questioned.
‘Probably because King Patrick intended to pass the throne to him,’ Balor said.‘And the Normans don’t want that.’He revealed what they’d overheard the men saying about taking him to England.
Her uncle studied him for a long moment.‘And if Liam isn’t there when Patrick steps down, he cannot be crowned.’
‘Exactly.’Balor took a step closer to her, and Mairead moved to his side.‘There’s something else I’ve been wondering.Why was the Earl of Lowell here last night?’
Mairead hadn’t known that, and uneasiness filled her at the thought.If the earl had been searching for her… She didn’t like to think of the reason.Especially if he was connected to her brother’s disappearance.Why had Balor kept this from her?
‘He travelled here to search for Mairead,’ Bevan answered.‘To ensure her safety.’
‘But no one knew I was gone last night,’ she insisted.‘Not even my family.’
The door opened quietly, and she saw her cousin Alanna enter.The woman offered a slight smile of welcome as she joined her parents, Bevan and Genevieve.
Her aunt cast a sharp look at her husband, making Mairead wonder what was going on.‘When we spoke with Lord Lowell this morn, he was concerned that you had been taken against your will.’
‘I wasn’t,’ she insisted.And she didn’t want to marry a man who was intent on tracking her down like a wayward child.Lord Lowell was nearly as old as her brother, and she was starting to sense the age difference between them.
Alanna went to stand beside her parents, and she took her mother’s hand in hers.‘I spoke with the earl earlier, and what my parents said is true.His intentions are honourable,Mairead.’Her cousin’s tone was solemn, as if she believed there was no other choice.
But Mairead wasn’t about to fall prey to Alanna’s superstitions.Aye, she had woven a May crown, and true, her cousin had predicted she would wed an outsider.But that didn’t mean it would happen.‘I will not be forced into an arranged marriage to please an English king.’
‘Even if it saves the lives of your family?’a man’s voice interrupted.
She turned and saw the earl standing at the doorway.It was clear that Lord Lowell had never left Rionallís.The earl’s expression held worry and annoyance as he entered the solar and came forward to stand in front of her.
Mairead felt her skin prickle, and when she glanced over at her cousin, Alanna’s expression held a glint of sadness.Oh, gods.Her cousin clearly believed this arrangement would happen.
