Within her arms, Mairead could feel the change in Balor’s posture.There was tension there, laced with shock.
‘Tell me everything.’Balor’s voice held iron as he stared at his mother.
* * *
Orla walked forward, her steps heavy.She faced him, and in her eyes, Balor read the heartbreak.‘I…met William when he travelled here twenty years ago.’A flush suffused her face, and she admitted, ‘I loved him from the moment I met him.We married in secret at Fearna, and he gave me a silver ring.’
Balor’s hand moved into Mairead’s hair, and he stroked it gently, even as he listened to his mother’s story.It felt as if he were standing outside himself, as if none of it were real.If he was the earl’s legitimate son—then it meant that her marriage to Fergus had been invalid.
And she’d known that.She’d always known.Why had Orla stayed with him for so long?
His anger started to rise, but then Mairead rested her cheek against his heart, lacing his hands with hers.Shecalmed him, and he realized that none of it mattered anymore.Anger wouldn’t change the past, but if he was the heir to an earldom, then he could now give Mairead the life he’d always wanted her to have.
Orla straightened, clenching her hands together.‘For weeks, we were so happy together until the Ó Phelans attacked William and his men.’
Pain laced her words, but she continued, ‘I stayed away from the fighting, and the only way I could save William’s life was with a lie.’Her tone grew heavy, filled with sadness.‘I told Fergus I had been violated by one of the Normans and begged him to keep me safe.’
Her voice grew thick with more tears.‘He believed me, and he was so distracted that they escaped by boat.’
Orla openly wept and added, ‘I was terrified that, even if I did find a way to reach Beaumont, no one would believe me.Why would an earl wed a poor Irish maiden?’She straightened slightly and added, ‘I—I told myself that William was lost to me now.All I had left of him was his child.And so, I pretended to marry Fergus.I needed his protection since my own family lived so far away.I tried to make the best of the life I had, even though it wasn’t with the man I wanted.’
In her words, Balor could hear the wrenching heartache.Although he’d hated her for treating him differently from Kenneth, he was starting to understand that she, too, had suffered.
Mairead reached up to touch his cheek, and he covered her hand, bringing it to his lips.And he understood her silent reassurance.Unlike his mother, theyhadfought for a life together.Even if he’d had nothing at all, he would never stop fighting for the woman he loved.He was hers, just as she was his.
He traced his hand over Mairead’s face.It seemed impossible that he had won the heart of a king’s daughter, that she had defied her family to be with him.But he would spend each day of the rest of his life making her happy.
Tears streamed down Orla’s face as she turned towards Balor.‘I am so sorry for the way Fergus treated you.And for my cowardice.’
Some of Balor’s frustration eased, knowing that Orla’s decision to remain silent was borne out of fear.So many years had been lost.
‘Why didn’t you send me to England sooner?’he asked.
‘Because Fergus wouldn’t allow it.I was so afraid of him.But…after that time when he beat you so badly, I knew if I didn’t send you away, he would kill you one day,’ she answered.‘I had to give you up, to save you.’
‘You sent me with your wedding ring, didn’t you?That was what you wanted me to give the earl.’
She nodded.‘I wanted William to know who you were.’
‘I never showed it to him,’ Balor admitted.‘Not until I left the ring behind, just before I returned to Éireann.’He’d been so angry with Orla for abandoning him, and yet, the ring was the only thing he’d had left of her.Surrendering it had felt like letting go of the life he’d known.After a slight pause, he asked, ‘Do you want to see Beaumont again?’
His mother closed her eyes, as if gathering her emotions.‘I’ve made so many mistakes over the years because of fear.I am guilty of the sin of adultery and abandoning my marriage.Even if I came to England, William wouldn’t want me now.’
‘If you want to go, we will take you there,’ Balor offered.‘And you can decide what to do after that.’
Orla seemed so broken, but she gave a weary nod.‘So be it.’
* * *
Mairead stared outside the window in her chamber while the moonlight shone over the keep.Her father and brother had begun making plans for Liam’s coronation, which would be held within a few weeks, followed by her wedding to Balor.
She could hardly believe it.It was even stranger to realize that Balor was the son and heir of an earl.But she would have married him, even if he’d been nothing but a serf.
A faint knock caught her attention, and she pulled a warmbratto cover her linen shift.When she opened the door, Balor was standing there.‘I needed to see you, Mairead.’
She smiled at him and opened the door wider.‘Come here.’After he was inside, she lowered the bar to give them privacy.
Silvery moonlight spilled across his handsome features.He drew her into his arms, and she held him close as she murmured, ‘I don’t know if I can wait to be married to you.’
