In desperation, she turned to Patrick.‘This isn’t happeningnow, is it?’
He gave a slight shake of his head.‘In the morning.’He took her hand in a tight grip of warning.In a quiet voice, he said, ‘Don’t do anything reckless.’
I have to leave, she thought desperately.But how?
Her cheeks flamed scarlet, but she stopped walking, remaining at the back of the Great Chamber.To her father, she demanded, ‘I don’t understand.I thought we came to free Liam.Why would you bring the earl here?’
Lord Lowell appeared taken aback by her words.But after a slight pause, he added, ‘I was summoned by King John, Lady Mairead.And despite what you may believe, I’m not your enemy.I never was.’
‘I wanted a choice in my marriage,’ she whispered, stepping away from both of them.It felt as if a future she never wanted was closing in on her.
Patrick caught her by the arm.‘Don’t, Mairead.This is not about you or your wishes.It’s about far more than that.’
She wrenched herself free, staring at him with defiance.But before she could speak, he continued, ‘You defied orders that were meant to keep you safe,’ he snapped.‘And now, according to King John, Liam will remain his hostage until you wed Lord Lowell.’He dropped his voice even softer.‘I don’t think you have a choice anymore.’
The world seemed to tilt beneath her feet.‘Why does King John care?Why does it matter who I wed?I will never be queen.’
Patrick’s face remained stony.‘It’s his way of controlling our family.’He straightened and added, ‘If you obey his orders and marry Lord Lowell, then the king has promised to let Liam go free.’
It was just as she’d feared—there had never truly been a choice.She stared back at her father in disbelief that he would allow himself to be manipulated.King John would never keep his word.
‘And if I refuse?’
Her father’s face turned to stone.‘Then his other prisoner, Balor Ó Phelan, will die.’
Shock and horror flooded through her.Mairead’s entire body froze, and a ringing sounded in her ears.Did they intend to manipulate her by threatening his life?Or was this King John’s decision?She’d never imagined her father would be this ruthless.
Before she could speak, Patrick gave her over to the earl.Lord Lowell took her hand, and she let him lead her forward to stand before the king.She was barely aware of what was happening, and her vision seemed to blur.
There was danger here, Mairead realized, even as she curtseyed out of respect for the English monarch.
King John’s eyes gleamed, and he regarded her.‘We can see why you are your father’s jewel, Lady Mairead.’
‘Thank you, Your Grace,’ she murmured, lowering her gaze.
‘I look forward to an alliance between Lord Lowell and your family,’ the king continued.‘In the morning, we will celebrate your nuptials.’He gave a slight wave of dismissal, and Lord Lowell bowed in response.
It would never be a celebration, Mairead thought.Only a prison.
The earl led her away from the others and lowered his voice.‘I know you do not want to marry me, Lady Mairead,’ he began.‘And although I had…hoped you might reconsider, I am aware that you’ve no interest in me at all.’
His voice was quiet, and when she glanced at the earl, part of her turned sympathetic.He wasn’t an unattractive man, though he was older.
‘This marriage isn’t fair to either of us,’ she admitted.‘But I don’t understand why you would want to wed me—especially now.’
‘Am I so distasteful to you?’he asked.‘Have I done anything to offend you?’
She shook her head and lowered her voice.‘It’s only that… I’m in love with someone else.’
‘The Irishman,’ he predicted.
‘My father said that if I do not wed you, they will execute him.’Her voice held the weight of her anguish, and she didn’t bother to hide it.
The earl squeezed her hand.‘I suppose that’s not the best beginning to a marriage, is it?’He offered his arm.‘Shall we walk where there aren’t so many others around to overhear our conversation?’
There really wasn’t much of a choice, so she took hisarm and walked alongside him.When she glanced back at her father and the king, they both seemed pleased with her decision.
‘So, what is it you wish to do?’the earl asked.
