“Not in time,” he said grimly. “I must have made a sound, something that alerted him to my presence. In his drunken stupor, he dragged me from beneath the desk and beat me.”
In the moonlight,her face paled.
“At some point, I blacked out. All I remember was waking up the next morning, the hut reeking of ale and blood. I pulled myself up to my feet.” Paces away, the bastard was draped over his bed, snoring, a tilted grimace on his scarred face.” He shook his head. “At that moment, I knew I had to leave. The next time I might not be fortunate enough to survive. Grabbing a stick, I hobbled into the forest and neverlooked back.”
The night pressed on him as his words faded.
After a heavy pause, she lay a hand on his arm. Rónán pushed it away, not wanting her sympathy. He was no longer that lost and damaged child. Yet when he met her gaze, the softness in her eyes threatened to jolt something free inside him.
“I am so sorry,”she whispered.
“’Twas along time ago.”
Within the shards of silvery moonlight, outrage blazed bright in her eyes. “Nay child should endurewhat you did.”
He shook his head, unable to express what he was feeling, unsure if he should. Never had he intended to let her feel anything for him. Nobility flowed through her veins.
And who was he? A runaway orphan who’d perfected his distance from anyone or anything other than the Knights Templar. Until this boldly brash woman with beautiful eyes had burst into his life and threatened to destroy his long-held defenses.
Rónán inhaled and straightened, shrugging their shared blanket from their shoulders and dispersing her scent. He could ill afford to allow himself thoughts of her beyond the end of this mission. Once they’d rescued Lord Sionn, and he prayed that quickly came to pass, he would load the weapons needed by King Robert and depart. Then, never again would theysee the other.
“You are right. No child should be subjected to such atrocity. But”—he scanned the water before turning back to her—“we both know life is not fair. ’Tis up to each of us to make the most of our opportunities, or create those to move toa better path.”
“Which you did.” Admiration flickered on her face. “I am proud of you, of the strength you found those many years ago.”
“Dinna be,” he said, his voice harsher than he’d intended. “’Twas survival, naught more.”
“I disagree. Many a lad wouldna havedared to run.”
His chest tightened, and he remained silent. Regardless of her belief, his actions had been far from honorable. After several moments, he frowned, for an unexplainable reason finding it important to tell her of his original intent. “When I left, I never meant to return to Ireland.”
“I can understand why. You needed to remove yourself from a brutal situation.” She paused. “There are so many decent people in this world. I pray that the horrendous actions of that vile scoundrel didna ruin your ability to see the good in others.”
“It didna.” His past may have shaped his youth, but the Knights Templar, elite warriors who were like brothers, had given him more than a way of life, but friendship. “Over the years I have witnessed much ill among people, but I have seen much good.”
“I am pleased. ’Twould make me sad to think that you have lived with the cur’s dastardly actions having marred your life.”
With a shrug, he shifted back. Flickers of moonlight skimmed across the sea in a somber array as the bow cut through the oncoming swell. “I rarely think of him.” His past was not something he lingered on.
“What is his name? Mayhap I haveheard of him.”
“I doubt it. Nor does it matter. ’Twas along time ago.”
She wiped strands of hair that escaped from her face. “Mayhap, but I want to know the name of the man who, if he still lives, willfeel my wrath.”
Moved by her fierceness, he shot her a wry smile. “Have you ever been told that youare stubborn?”
A smile touched her lips. “Often, by my father and many others.” Lathir arched a brow. “The scoundrel’s name, then?”
He released a slow sigh, aware she wouldn’t be satisfied until she had a reply. “Feradach O’Dowd.”
In the moonlight, herface blanched.
“You know him?” he forcedhimself to ask.
She gave a visible swallow. “Aye. Sir Feradach O’Dowd is now a powerful man in the realm of Tír Kythyr, and is the master-at-arms for the Earl of Ardgar, my father’s enemy. Someonewe must avoid.”
Chapter Three
