by Ashley York
“And as yer wife, ‘tis my home as well.”
The slender redhead smiled at her. A glowing smile. A smile of condescension. “Tisa.”
“Ian.” She pushed past and continued out the door.
Tisa followed the short path to the washer woman’s house. She had acquired a lotion for her. So much time in the filthy, hot water made the woman’s hands red and chafed. Surely the woman would appreciate it.
“Siobhan?” The house was empty so she deposited the bed linens on the bench beside her ever present wash water. Tisa grabbed the trews and leine, freshly cleaned, that were neatly piled there.
A rustling behind her made Tisa jump. When she turned, her smile froze on her face.
Tadhg stood in the doorway. It was a moment before he spoke. “I was told I could stay here until we depart.”
Tisa shrugged and shoved down those warm feelings that threatened to overwhelm her every time she was near him. “I dinna ken. ‘Tis not my place.”
She went through the door but he stuck out his arm at the last moment to stop her.
Fighting against the ripple of hope that swept over her, she locked her jaw. He wanted nothing to do with her. She would not fall against his solid chest and wrap her arms about his middle.
She turned to him. “What are ye about?”
“Are ye well?”
Well? No, my husband has no use for me and my father-in-law wants to slake himself on me. My father is sick with guilt and giving up his family heritage to warmonger that want to conquer some Godforsaken country.
“I am well.”
She looked away to pass by but he did not drop the arm. She waited. She did not need to look on him again with that growth of dark hair on his chin making his dark eyes even darker, even more alluring.
“Has Gerrit bothered ye again?”
Anger gripped her, pushing every other emotion aside. She faced him. “Oh, so ye believed me? Or did ye believe him that I would go out to meet such a man as that on a dark night?”
“I dinna ken. ‘Tis yer life, Tisa.”
“Nae, Tadhg. ‘Tis not been my life for quite a while. Will ye please step aside?”
Tadhg removed himself. Stopping on the path, she was torn between returning to her husband rutting with another man at her home or heading to the longhouse and being lusted after by everyone else. Looking up to heaven, Tisa blew a breath and headed to the longhouse.
Tadhg kept a watchful eye on Tisa as she moved along the path toward the longhouse. He closed his eyes. Her scent lingered, reminding him of his latest dream of her. It haunted him. The taste of her neck where he nibbled along her shoulder. Her groan of longing and the feel of her breasts when he ran his hand over her chest, cupping and squeezing. Her bottom pressed back against him, rubbing his hardened prick. He groaned aloud. He was past the point of pain with his need for her.
Dropping on the bench beside the fire, he sighed. Fiddling with the material beside him, he realized her scent was drifting up to him, surrounding him. He brought the cloth to his face. A bad idea. He shifted uncomfortably.
“Hello?” An older woman stood in the door. “Are ye Tadhg?”
He dropped the material, fighting to keep from appearing guilty. “Aye.”
“Good to have ye here. Surely Aodh’s plans will be fruitful with such a fine warrior as yerself beside him.”
Tadhg stood. “Well, not exactly beside him.”
She pshawed, waving his comment aside. “Not the wisest of leaders then. Here,” she set out a pallet from the corner, “ye can sleep here.”
Taking the material that he’d dropped, she made up the bed for him.
“Ye’ll be warm enough in here. In winter, there’s an unending amount of work for me. Water’s always heating.”
He moved closer, wishing he could figure out a way to not have Tisa’s scent surrounding him while he slept. “Can I help ye?”
“My thanks for yer offer of help. No need. Aodh expects all his men to be seen to.”
Tadhg stood uselessly beside the fire. ‘Twas a small room with the wash water the center of all activity. No other table or chests and a single candle secured beside the door.
Finished, she stretched and faced him. “Methinks Aodh may have been looking for ye and yer men.”
“Oh! My thanks, mistress. I’ll go to him.”
“The Godwin arrived nigh a week ago and his lady is none too happy here. Yer bed will be waiting for ye whenever ye’re released from duty.”
Tadhg headed out again, glancing behind the little house. The roundhouse set back from the path had been the house he’d seen Tisa come from. It was tucked into the side of the hill, separate from the rest of the houses. Without knowing exactly why, he approached the door. Grunts of exertion carried to him, he put his ear closer to the wood, trying to discern the sound before knocking.
“Oh aye!” Darragh’s moan of pleasure.
Tadhg jerked back. He stared at the wooden door, questioning his own hearing. The sound came again and Tadhg turned away, trotting back to the main road. He felt his ears were on fire and in his mind, flashes of Tisa the way he’d imagined her in his dream flooded his mind. Her eyes closed in passion. Her groans of pleasure.
The sharp sting of frosty air helped to clear his mind. The wind along the shore, covered with fog, gusted a brisk breeze over the village. The longhouse was crowded even this late at night. No doubt, Aodh sent word ahead to put off the evening repast until his arrival.
Situated with tables lined up on either side, people worked to prepare the meal. Aodh sat at the head table drinking with another man, not a man Tadhg recognized. The opposite door lay open and the heavy smoke drifted out. His fingers and toes tingled in the toasty warmth.
Tisa passed by the door. Tadhg paused. Surly he was mistaken. He strode to the door in time to see her round the corner. It couldn’t be her.
“Tisa!” Tadhg followed after her.
Tisa stopped a few feet away, a pile of material wrapped in her arms.
“Did ye call to me?”
Tadhg wasn’t sure what to say. If she wasn’t in the house with her husband, someone else certainly was. Mayhap that wasn’t her home.
“Is that yer home beside the meadow?”
“Aye. Darragh’s home.”
She looked tired. Tadhg had the strong urge to smooth out the worry line between her eyes. He imagined her response, a peaceful expression of appreciation for his concern. His breath quickened. Then he would grab her chin with gentle fingers, pulling her in closer for a passionate kiss on her full lips. His eyes darted to her lips. He forced himself back and swallowed. “I dunna believe I will be here over long. I wished to get a lay of the land.”
Tisa nodded, her lips tight, then continued down the path toward her home.
What if she walked in on Darragh with another woman?
“Tadhg! Yer men need to be in here,” Aodh called from the door.
“Aye. I’ll collect them.”
Aodh scowled but went back inside.
This would not end well if she walked in on what he’d heard happening with her husband.
Tadhg walked back down the path, moving to spot where he could see Tisa go inside the small house. A tremor of excitement settled in his belly. She would need comforting. He took a few steps closer. He waited. Nothing. Tadhg scratched at his cheek, a hand resting on his hip. He frowned, certain of what he’d heard.
The door suddenly opened and the red-headed captain of the guard came out of the house. Tadhg turned toward the woods, feigning interest in...something.
“Good day, Tadhg, “ the man said as he passed, a pleasant expression on his face.
“Captain.” Tadhg nodded then glanced back at the roundhouse. His eyes narrowing.
“Tadhg.” Sean called to him from further down the road. “Aodh bids us come at once.”
Tadhg waved, then turned to follow a few feet behind the captain. The man swaggered, even whistling a tune. Very odd.
Aodh
stood at the front of the longhouse when Tadhg entered. His hands crossed about his chest, he had an air of great importance as he spoke to the gathering.
“Is he sharing his plans with us finally?” Tadhg whispered to Sean once he’d made his way through the group to stand beside him.
Sean nodded without turning to him, an irritated scowl on his face.
“Well?” Tadhg asked.
Sean wouldn’t need much nudging to share what was bothering him, as disgruntled as he appeared.
“He’s not said much.”
“And what is wrong with ye?” Tadhg asked.
Sean finally faced him. “Ye ken I dinna want this man ordering me about.”
“Aye. O’Brien knew it as well. He was careful in the command he gave me.”
Sean dropped onto a bench with a thud. His elbows banging on the table, he rubbed at his bearded chin. Disgruntled indeed.
Tadhg searched the large room.
“Have ye seen Ronan since we’ve arrived?”
Sean snorted in disgust. “Methinks that man is wise enough to stay clear of us.”
Tadhg agreed wholeheartedly.
The MacNaughton men were sitting together. They seemed none the worse for wear although they’d only been allowed a limited amount of carousing. Indulging themselves the way Aodh and his clan did wore men down. That was not the way battles were won.
Tadhg glanced over his men. All present but Cormac. He waited patiently with his horse at the forest’s edge ready to ride south and get word to Peter across the sea. This may be the only time for his escape to go unnoticed.
“In no time, we’ll be facing strong opposition of trained men. We need to continue our practice until the call comes and we make our way into England,” Aodh said. “When the boats arrive, nigh on two thousand me—”
The back door busted open. All eyes turned toward it. Darragh came in, pushing between men packed tight together, and moved up beside his father and to take his seat.
Aodh continued. “Nigh on two thousand men...”
The general lack of details caused Tadhg’s mind to wander. The men around him seemed more interested in doing than sitting and listening as well. Some men were meant to plan while other men were meant for the fight.
O’Brien’s man, Breandan, came in from outside and leaned beside the door. Tadhg had no idea Breandan had left the O’Brien and come up here. He was certainly not here as a soldier, the kitchen was more his area yet he seemed intent on Aodh as he discussed the plans.
Darragh fiddled with something on the table. The captain sat right in front, facing him. He didn’t look like a very strong warrior either but he could be a good strategist. Breandan shifted, attracting Tadhg’s attention again. The young man had moved. He stood apart, his hands fisted and a tight scowl on his face. Tadhg saw nothing that could have happened to result in his reaction. He could only follow his gaze to Darragh.
“Captain, give us an accounting of what we’ll have for additional weapons,” Aodh said.
The young captain came to stand close alongside Darragh, a hand resting on the table in front of him. Darragh leaned back but kept his eyes down, mayhap on the man’s hand. Breandan slammed out of the room. All eyes went to the door. The captain stopped speaking to look as well but then continued.
“‘Tis a hard coast to land on but no worse than our own.”
Tadhg would have to agree.
“Not all of the coast,” Sean whispered to Tadhg while the captain continued his talk.
Tadhg recounted the details of Sean’s encounter with the local authority. The Earl of Essex had sent his most trusted man, Mort, to offer protection. That had been while he and Peter were busy with the siege at York. Mort spoke more than was necessary and tried most men’s patience. Tadhg didn’t believe half of what the man said which was why he’d not believed him about Sean having a wife.
Tadhg had to admit marriage seemed to sit well with Sean. There was a peacefulness about him now. Less angst and worry. Thomasina helped him to settle himself.
“He’s not telling us anything we dunna ken,” Sean said through tight lips.
“Aye. They’re keeping their plans to themselves.” He rose. “Methinks I need a rest from all this.”
Tadhg went through the back door, choosing not to acknowledge the scowl from Aodh or his son. He needed to meet Cormac with news of the impending attack on the western coast and the number of warriors. If Tadhg or Cormac were discovered, they would be killed without any qualms. Tadhg had no choice. A threat to the Normans was a threat to his sister. He could never allow anyone to jeopardize Brighit, not again.
Since the Meic Lochlainn cared nothing for their hired thugs, they had no reason to doubt Tadhg’s own willingness to follow orders. Had they cared enough to speak to his men, someone might have mentioned his treasured sister. They might have mentioned her whereabouts and even that she was married to a Norman knight. Their own arrogance was Tadhg’s best protection and he would use it to full advantage.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
~
TISA PULLED THE HOOD tight around her face. The odor of fresh horse manure surrounded her. She stomped through the woods as she’d seen men do, intent on the cave. The time away seemed forever and she needed to see how her little patient progressed. Malcolm was, no doubt, off with Caireann somewhere.
Approaching the hillside, she saw the entrance to the cave at the last moment. There was just enough light inside this small area to continue toward the back wall. Turning sideways, she slipped through the narrow passage barely visible on the left. It opened up to a wider space with high ceilings. A small fire glowed in the center, creating a warm space of refuge.
“Tisa!” Aednat hobbled toward her, her arm held motionless in a sling.
Tisa held her tight, careful of her injury. “Oh, sweetling, I have missed ye so.”
The tears welling in her eyes threatened to fall and she pulled back, smiling at Will and Cad who came to see her.
“Greetings, lads. Have ye taken good care of my patient?”
Aoife moved in closer as well.
“We have tried but she is a terrible pain to care for.” Cad made a face.
Aednat’s expression changed to irritation. “I am not! Grandmother says I am a good patient.” She looked up at Tisa. “And I am healing remarkably well.”
“Welcome again, Tisa. Does Malcolm ken ye are here among us yet again?”
Tisa felt the heat in her face but the room was too dim for anyone else to notice. “I have come disguised and no one has followed me.”
Aoife nodded, that wise smile on her face. Without a word, she conveyed her disapproval at Tisa’s being there. The woman didn’t understand. Tisa needed to feel wanted.
Aednat pulled on Tisa’s arm. “Come, sit. I am feeding my baby.”
Tisa did as she was bid, sitting alongside the little girl’s small bed. Aednat put her threadbare doll on her lap and held some hard, stale bread to its berry-stained mouth.
“Oh, she is a good eater, I see. Just like ye,” Tisa said.
Aednat took a bite, nodding as she chewed.
“Would ye like to see my new carving?” Will asked.
“I would.”
Will and Cad disappeared through the small passage but quickly reappeared. Their faces stricken with fear.
Tisa stood “What is wrong”
“There’s a man outside the cave. He’s on horseback.”
“He’s followed ye,” Aoife said. She lifted Aednat into her arms.
“Nae.” Tisa was overwhelmed with guilt. “There was no one.”
Aoife held a finger to her lips.
Will threw sand over the fire and they were in complete darkness. Tisa could hear them as they moved further to the back of the cave.
Tisa waited until she could no longer hear them moving. She pulled her fur up tight and over her head. With her hand guiding her along the wall, she found the passageway and slipped through.
A tall, broad man
stood at the entrance, facing out into the forest. He indicated no knowledge that she was there. Hunkering down, he settled himself. That was when she noticed the hail outside. It came down in merciless, pounding sheets. The man pulled his hood off. It was Tadhg.
Her heart lurched. Butterflies fluttered in her belly.
No! She needed to back away unseen.
Tadhg stiffened. “No doubt, ye’ve come out of the weather as well. I’m not here to cause trouble.”
Her breath in her throat, she fought to control her trembling. “I have.”
She nearly sighed aloud at how low her voice sounded. Just the way Sean had kept reminding Thomasina to speak.
Tadhg continued facing outside.
“A short reprieve is all I need.” He said it as if to himself so Tisa did not reply.
Adjusting himself, he leaned against the curved entrance. He bent one knee and rested his arm there. His silhouette visible, Tisa felt an overwhelming calm. She sat where she was and watched him. Let her have this moment to look on the man she loved.
“Methinks it may be getting worse.”
Lightning flashed beyond him.
“A fire for warmth is needed in here.” He finally turned to her.
She gasped, an inaudible sound. He showed no recognition and paid her even less attention when he stood to walk around the small area. Picking up a twig here and there, he made a small pile and added dried leaves that had blown inside.
The flame licked hungrily at the wood.
“Any bigger pieces?” He spoke but it wasn’t directly at her and he continued his search, kicking at the acorns littering the ground. “Damn, never anything when you need it. No water when ye thirst. No food when ye hunger. No wood when ye’re cold.”
Tadhg stopped and faced her, as if just remembering she was there. “Have ye been in here before? Is there wood anywhere about?”
She noticed the bigger pieces of wood tucked into the narrow gap where the ceiling dipped low. It was very close to the passage and she yanked them away, carrying them to him.
He smiled at her. “Good man.”
Adding the wood to the hungry flame, he glanced around. “Quite a nice place to hide from the elements.”
