by Kari Edgren
“Didn’t say they’d be sharing a roof. Just that the widow would know where Deri’s likely to hide. Might be a dead end, but it’s the best start we got to finding her trail.”
I began to nod, but the maid’s firm grip held my head in place.
Ailish continued to stare at me. The grin had vanished and her expression turned apprehensive. “Is there anything else?” I asked.
Her eyes moved to the window, while the rest of her remained absolutely still. “Got word of your friends from the Sea Witch.”
My body tensed in nervous expectation. “Where are they? Did they get away from Captain Lynch?”
“So far as the fishmonger’s wife be telling it. She heard this morning from a tavern wench that an English lady and two English gentlemen have been searching the woods all around Wexford for a dark-haired lass. They stayed the night at a farmer’s cottage with the understanding that they’d return again this evening. I promised a lad half a crown if’n he got a message to them that you’ve arrived and to meet us at the inn tonight.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” The muscles danced in my throat, warbling the words. For all my confidence in Justine’s gift, a part of me feared they’d be well on their way to the Colonies by now, or at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
The strain deepened in Ailish’s face. “Do you think they’ll blame me for what happened with Calhoun?”
“Not once they’ve learned the truth. We’ll start by explaining everything to Lord Fitzalan this afternoon, then he can help with the others once they arrive.” I clamped my hands on my knees to forestall any signs of doubt. James and Justine would be quick to see reason. Julian was less predictable with his short fuse and tendency toward violence.
She mulled over my answer, and after a moment her expression softened. “I’ll not be leaving you then.”
My hands relaxed. “Thank you.”
Once the last hairpin was slipped into place, I sprang from the chair and hurried to my saddlebags for clean stockings. A few more minutes and I stood fully dressed in cape, gloves and boots.
“Keep yehr hood up,” the maid called as I dashed out the door with Ailish close on my heels. “Or that damp hair will be the death o’ yeh.”
A dark laugh scraped over my throat. With everything this day could hold, a head cold seemed the least of my worries.
Fresh sea air flooded my nose when we stepped from the inn. Circling gulls screeched overhead. The breeze had turned brisk since we first arrived in Wexford, ruffling the edges of my woolen cloak, and I glanced to the east to see what appeared to be the beginnings of a storm blowing in from the Irish Sea.
Henry was already waiting with two horses on the narrow lane. I started toward him, stopping to give way to a man who was pushing a cart filled with a grisly cargo of fish heads and innards. Several dogs followed in the man’s wake, watchful for any spills. Once the odd procession passed, I continued the remaining distance, with Ailish a mere step from my side.
Henry had retied the leather strand in his hair, and with his clothing returned to proper order, only the dark expression remained as evidence of our last encounter.
My news bubbled straight to the surface. “Mr. Roth has been discovered outside of Wexford. He’ll be here tonight, along with Miss Rose and Lord Stroud.”
From his quick look of understanding, Henry had also heard the rumor of three English riders and was just now attaching them to their proper names. “When did the other two join your party?”
“At Branbury, when Mr. Roth and I stopped to have a horse reshod.”
A muscle ticked in Henry’s jaw. “How long did you travel with Lord Stroud?”
“Until we were separated while crossing the Irish Sea.” I gulped at the sight of murder on Henry’s face. “He pledged his honor in our hunt for Nora.”
“And I pledged to cleave him from neck to navel if he so much as looked at you again.”
No doubt Julian’s brutal attack near the river and subsequent profession of love would also qualify as cleaving offenses. “Miss Rose insisted he join us, and I couldn’t well turn him away because of a past grudge.”
Henry’s eyes bored into mine. “Tell me, did he behave himself?”
A lie perched on my lips. “As you would expect,” I said instead, opting for the vaguest truth.
“What does that mean?”
“He vowed to run the English from Ireland if I would consider his proposals.” My expression remained stolid despite the sheer absurdity of the words.
Henry shook his head in disbelief. “When I first met Lord Stroud, he spoke of very little other than plants.” He scrubbed a hand over his forehead. “It makes sense now considering his gift, but I never suspected he harbored a secret death wish.”
I placed a hand on his arm. “You’re not going to hurt him.”
“Of course not,” he agreed all too readily. “I’m going to kill him.”
“Please, Henry. The man is deluded and deserves pity more than anger. We need him now, but once this is over, we can sever all ties if that’s what it takes to tame his fantasies.” Lowering my voice, I gave him a coy smile. “Besides, I’ll be your wife tomorrow. What better way to put his hopes to rest.”
Henry considered my reasoning. “Lord Stroud is safe for now, but know that my patience has worn thin.” Without pursuing the matter further, he glanced from me to Ailish, then back to me. “Who is the child?”
Having dodged the first cannonball, I moved to the second. “A friend of mine, and she’s not a child.”
“Small for me age is all. Turned sixteen on Samhain last.”
I waved a hand between them. “Ailish O’Bearra, meet Lord Fitzalan.”
Ailish bobbed a coltish curtsey as Henry dipped his head. “Delighted,” he said with a steely edge before shifting his gaze to me. “A private word if you please, Selah.”
“There’s no need for secrecy. Ailish is well acquainted with Deri and knows of someone nearby who may be able to tell us her whereabouts.”
Henry eyed the girl with increased scrutiny. “And how did Miss O’Bearra come to know so much?”
The pointed question was addressed to Ailish. She swallowed hard and stared up at Henry, who was towering like a giant storm cloud. Rather than answering, she inched closer to me until our arms touched. I shuddered from a sudden chill, and we both stepped away in a hurry. Henry’s brows pushed together, his expression growing even darker. Ailish squeaked and stepped back toward the inn this time.
“Stop glowering, Henry, or you’ll scare the girl witless.”
“I am not glowering,” he protested.
“You are, too.” I glanced over my shoulder at Ailish. “You’ve nothing to worry about. His lordship’s bark is much worse than his bite.”
“Oh, my bite is infinitely worse—” Henry began, when I held up a hand to interrupt.
“Please just believe me for now, and I promise to explain everything on the road.” I glanced at the mare and stallion behind him. “We’ll need another horse though.” This last request earned a stony look.
“I’ll strip the saddle and you two ladies can ride together.”
“That’s not possible,” I said. “She’ll have to ride with you.”
Henry’s jaw tensed as a sharp breath rasped through his nose. “Please tell me you’re jesting.”
“Not in the slightest.” I stepped toward him until our bodies almost touched and tilted my head up. “I’ve something to tell you, but first you must promise not to overreact.”
He stared at me, taking a few seconds to consider my request. “How much more am I to be tried today?”
It was a fair question coming from a man who in a matter of hours had been attacked by my brother, driven from a bathing chamber, then informed that his betrothed had been pursued by a sworn rival.
All the same, I wouldn’t risk Ailish without some reassurance. “Just promise to behave.”
“Very well. You have my word.”
Forgoing any sort of preamble, I jumped right to the heart of it. “Ailish is Cailleach’s descendant—”
His hand shot out like a snake, and the rest of my words turned to a startled cry as he dragged me behind him in one deft movement. The other hand went to his sword hilt.
Panicked, I grabbed at his arm. “You promised not to overreact!”
“She’s still alive, isn’t she?” he growled.
Ailish’s eyes bugged with fear. She didn’t retreat though, and I thought Henry must have scared her beyond movement until her fingers began to twitch at her side, no doubt from a rush of Cailleach’s power. Great! This was one battle I didn’t want to see.
I attempted to push past Henry before all hell broke loose, but his arm held like an iron band, keeping me in place. “Don’t you dare hurt her,” I warned, digging my fingers into his bicep and pulling with every bit of strength.
“Then I suggest you start explaining.”
A flood of words filled my mouth. “Ailish isn’t anything like Deri. She helped me escape from a charlatan and then put her own life at risk when he tracked us down again.” I paused just long enough to draw breath. “She even stood up to one of Cailleach’s hounds to keep me safe.”
Henry didn’t speak at once, and the strained silence settled around us. Even the seagulls seemed too quiet in the sky.
The silence became too much to bear, so I started once more, desperate for him to understand. “You have to believe me. I know we’re supposed to be enemies, but we’re not, regardless of what Cate may believe. She was mistaken, or maybe she never met anyone like Ailish.”
“What if you’re the one who’s mistaken?” he shot back. “Have you considered that the girl may be playing you for a fool?”
“She almost died for me!” I cried.
A passing housewife darted a nervous look in our direction, her arms full with the day’s shopping. I lowered my voice to keep from attracting more attention. “If you had been with us the past few days, you’d know I’m speaking the truth, and that Ailish is not the enemy.”
This last sentiment finally made a dent, and I felt Henry relax just a bit. His hand slid from the sword. “Are you certain?”
I gave Ailish a shaky smile from behind his back. “She’s proved a true friend. Of that I am completely certain.”
Another moment of silence passed when Henry lowered his other hand, this time setting me free. “A thousand apologies, Miss O’Bearra. If you are truly aware of all that transpired with Deri, then you’ll understand my abrupt reaction. You should also know that I will do anything to protect Selah.” This last part sounded a bit like a warning.
“She’s your true love,” Ailish stated, matter-of-factly.
“That she is.” Warmth softened the sharp edges of Henry’s voice. “Please accept my gratitude for what you have done.”
“Thank you, milord. But Selah saved me skin a time or two, so we be even.”
Henry nodded as I scooted around him. “I am in your debt all the same, Miss O’Bearra.”
“Then you will allow her to ride behind you. Our different blood makes us unable to tolerate the other’s touch. If we shared a horse, we’d both be screaming in a matter of seconds.”
Henry helped me into the saddle first. Then, swinging onto the other horse, he reached for Ailish. “Kick your leg over,” he instructed once her feet left the ground.
Ailish squealed in fear. The horse pranced nervously on the cobbles, but Henry kept a strong hold of the reins as he settled her behind him in the saddle. Two skinny arms shot forward, barely reaching around either side of his ribs in what looked to be a death grip. She buried her face in the back of his greatcoat.
“There you go, Miss O’Bearra. All settled?”
“Aye, milord,” came her muffled reply.
Henry dug his heels into the side of the horse, bringing another squeal from Ailish. “Keep a good hold, and you’ll come to no harm.”
I directed my horse alongside Henry, veering around an elderly couple who hobbled toward the entrance of the inn. Age had bent the man’s back to an unnatural curve, diminishing his significant height by at least a foot. The woman held onto his elbow, the hood of her dark blue cape drawn up to conceal most of her face. Something about them caught my eye, but by the time I turned my mount, they had already passed through the doorway.
“Something wrong?” Henry asked me.
I shook my head and spurred forward. “Where are we going?” I asked Ailish.
“Past the abbey to the south gate,” she said into Henry’s back. “Follow the road a pace till you enter the woods. When you come across a burned-out tree trunk, you’ll see a trail to her cottage just after.”
For the sake of privacy, we didn’t speak much as we wove a curved path through the town. Reaching the abbey, I arched my neck to take in the dozen spires and large stone tower that dwarfed us in shadow when we veered southward. Near the gate, two well-armed redcoats swaggered into our path, until Henry ordered them aside. They didn’t even ask his name before stepping out of our way, hurried bows replacing the original swagger. I held back a smile as we passed beneath the arched gate, unsure whether his perfect English accent or overall demeanor had registered more clearly with the men.
With Wexford and the vast sea to our backs, pastureland stretched for several furlongs in front of us, dotted with sheep and a handful of thatched cottages. Beyond this, I spied the gentle rise of hills where the grass-covered fields came to an abrupt end at the edge of a dense forest.
The dirt road was near empty other than the occasional shepherd, affording the necessary privacy for me to give Henry a full recounting of my adventures. This time, I began with the first inn where James and I had stopped to have my horse reshod.
Henry cursed under his breath on several occasions, though the most violent reaction came when I related my kidnapping and Calhoun’s plan to profit from my gift. I purposefully left out the part about Ailish attacking me onboard the Sea Witch to avoid any hard feelings toward the girl, instead attributing the aggression to Calhoun.
Upon hearing the slight modification of facts, Ailish found the courage to extract her face from Henry’s greatcoat and turn toward me. Resting her cheek on his back, she gave me a grateful look, and even added bits and pieces to my account of Calhoun’s ultimate downfall.
Once we finished, Henry whistled softly under his breath, and I marveled at how well he had accepted our story. Six months ago, he wouldn’t have believed a word of it. Then again, neither would have I.
Another road crossed our course, offering an alternate route through open pastureland for those travelers who wished to avoid the wooded hills straight ahead. We continued forward, our destination somewhere within the forest rather than around it.
“Are you sure Calhoun is dead?” Henry asked after a moment.
“Yes—” I started.
“He’s not dead, milord,” Ailish interrupted, “but has the life of a rock.”
Henry shot me a quizzical look.
“Don’t bother arguing,” I laughed. “Just suffice it to say that he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.”
“Rocks aren’t wont to walk without help,” Ailish agreed. While we rode, her grip on Henry remained tight enough to turn her knuckles white. Even so, a dreamy smile had found its way to her lips, in proof that she wasn’t finding the experience entirely unpleasant.
“I’ll take your word for it, Miss O’Bearra,” Henry said. “As for you, Selah, you shall never leave my side again.”
I scoffed. “Well, that’s hardly practical, unless you intend to tie me to you for the rest of our lives.”
“An ingenious idea,” He
nry said. “Glad you thought of it.”
Ailish scrunched her nose in thought. “You needn’t worry for Selah, milord. She’s plenty o’ fire to keep safe. And Cailleach’s blood be loath to touch her for fear o’ the same in return.”
The compliment soothed my pride, and I lifted my chin a fraction of an inch. “Thank you, Ailish. It’s good to know that someone thinks me capable.”
She breathed a dreamy sigh. “Though most ladies wouldn’t mind being tied to you, milord,” she continued, her eyes glazing slightly.
“Ailish!” I cried. “No one is being tied to anyone else.”
A deep chuckle rose up from Henry’s chest. “More’s the pity, if you ask me.”
I laughed despite myself. “You both should blush for shame, except in your case, Henry, I fear it would be easier to coax a stone to sprout legs.”
He tipped his head, smirking. “I’ve never blushed in my life, nor do I intend to start now.”
A sassy retort shriveled on my tongue as we passed the first sapling oaks at the edge of the woods. The air changed at that moment, and the skin tingled to my hairline. With a shiver, I clutched my cloak with one hand and peered into the forest. Nothing moved, or appeared out of the ordinary to blame for the odd sensation.
Thickening undergrowth and trees soon crowded together. The road had narrowed significantly into something closer to a forest path, and rather than running directly over the hilltop, it veered to the left for a more gradual incline. Urging my horse forward, I noticed Ailish sat straighter behind Henry, her grip loosening somewhat on his sides.
Keen interest lit her face. “Do you feel it?” She tilted her nose upward to inhale a deep breath of the forest air. “These woods be ancient.”
A morbid thought struck me that Ailish might be relishing the scent of death. I would have asked outright if we were alone, but I didn’t dare remind Henry of her particular goddess blood and risk a discussion of her subsequent gift.
