‘I—I suppose so.’She distracted herself with food, feeling like a terrible person.Her aunt was right—Lord Lowell did seem like a good man.Just as Diarmud had been kind.The only problem was that her heart was falling for Balor.
She couldn’t think of what to say and so ate in silence.The earl grew solemn, and for a long while, he didn’t speak, either.
Thankfully, Alanna intervened.‘My lord, I would enjoy hearing about your home.’The earl turned to speak with her, and it was then that Mairead spied Balor standing on the opposite side of the Great Chamber.Her cousin’s conversation was a good distraction, and Mairead murmuredan excuse as she left the table.Slowly, she crossed through the rows of tables until she reached the opposite wall.
Balor’s gaze was fierce and filled with heat as he regarded her.It evoked all the memories of what they’d done only a little while ago, and her face flushed.
He leaned in and murmured, ‘Your father has just arrived at Rionallís.’
She held back a curse.Of course he had come.She had no doubt that her uncle Bevan had sent word immediately.And undoubtedly, Patrick would blame Balor for her disappearance, no matter that it had been her own idea to leave Laochre.
Despite her desire to keep him here, she understood that it would only incite her father’s anger.
‘You have to leave,’ she urged.‘It’s not safe for you here anymore.’
‘I can take care of myself.’He continued holding her hand and asked, ‘What do you want to do now?’
She squeezed his palm.‘I don’t have a choice.My father won’t allow me to stay here.’Mairead closed her eyes and took a breath.‘His men will force me to go back home.’
But her mind sharpened at another idea.If she played the role expected of her, if she pretended to be frightened, her father might believe it.
‘I think you should go back to Dunmalus with your brother.’She let out a heavy sigh.‘If I beg my father’s forgiveness—and if you’re already gone—he won’t harm you.’
‘Is that what you want?For me to leave?’
She shook her head.‘I don’t, no.But—’
‘Good.’Without another word, he took her hand in his and led her towards the entrance to the Great Chamber.
What was he doing?This wasn’t part of her plan.‘Wait, Balor.I can’t just leave with you.Not with everyone watching.’
‘Do you want to find your brother or not?’
She stared at him, not understanding.‘What do you mean?’
He kept her in the shadows as he led her outside.‘I mean that I think Kenneth knows something that will help us find Liam.Come with me.’
Chapter Seven
Balor gave her his cloak, and she raised it over her head, keeping her face and hair hidden as he led her outside.His brother remained near the inner bailey wall, and as soon as Kenneth caught sight of them, he walked forward.
‘In here,’ Balor warned, bringing them inside one of the towers.He didn’t want King Patrick to catch a glimpse of his daughter just yet.
Kenneth appeared uneasy about Mairead’s presence, but he mumbled a greeting to her.
Mairead answered it and then asked the young man, ‘What do you know about Liam?’
He exchanged a glance with Balor and then said, ‘I think my father knows what happened to your brother.Fergus didn’t take him—there’s no sign of Liam at Dunmalus—but I overheard him arguing with our mother.He…’ Kenneth broke off, as if he couldn’t find the right words.
‘It’s all right,’ Mairead reassured him.‘You won’t be punished for your father’s misdeeds, I promise you.’
The young man’s shoulders slumped.‘My father paid someone a great deal of silver.After my mother learned of it, she confronted Fergus to find out why.’He looked out at the soldiers in the inner bailey and admitted, ‘He said something about gaining the throne at Laochre.’
‘He paid someone to take Liam into captivity, didn’t he?’
His brother shrugged.‘I think so, but I don’t know where.Or who has him now.’
Balor didn’t press his brother further.Fergus had made it no secret that he’d envied the MacEgans.His own father had tried—and failed—to take the throne.As a child, Fergus had been fostered with the MacEgans as a hostage to keep his father from attempting a second coup.
