“She comes in to claim milk for her wee boy.”
“And why does she not simply go to the dairy shed as do most others?” Alainn struggled to keep her voice controlled.
By this time her young son had followed her inside the kitchen and Alainn was beginning to feel embarrassed at the many eyes that were upon her.
“’Twas I who thought to simply save her the long walk to the shed. And Ciara has been helpin’ me here in the kitchen, as well. If that is not to your liking, milady, you need only say the word!”
Cookson had never called her by her title for they’d been dear friends all their lives. By now all the kitchen servants were all looking at her as though she was a shrew. To make matters worse, the young widow scurried over to Killian and dropped to her knees before him.
“Milord, you must forgive me for my unkind words earlier this week!”
Though Killian surely did not wish to have such close contact with the woman knowing how strained it was between he and Alainn, he must appear amiable toward the recently widowed woman.
“Ciara, there is no need to apologize. You were clearly overcome with grief.”
Alainn felt her blood beginning to boil and she slowly turned to leave the entire undesirable scene when she felt a small hand on her skirts. It was the wee child come to see the kind lady who had played with him and been most affectionate toward him just days earlier. She crouched down to look into his sweet face.
“Wee Kale, ’tis good to see you. Would you care for a honey-cake; if ’tis permitted?” she stood and glanced at the other woman who had finally risen. She was further embarrassed to see Ciara fall to her knees once more, this time at her feet. She clutched Alainn’s legs tightly and dramatically wept.
“Oh, milady, you, too, must accept my heartfelt apologies in the wrongful accusations I hurled at you. They were spoken in haste, for my heart was nearly broken and my mind clearly affected, and I take back those unkind words, most assuredly. My father tells me ’tis you I have to thank for my son and I being graciously allowed to stay here in Castle O’Donnel. I thank you most sincerely for bein’ so uncommonly kind and generous to my wee boy!”
Chapter Twenty
Alainn wanted to be anywhere but here in her present location or predicament. She dared a sideways glance at Killian, and noticed that now he and the entire kitchen staff were waiting to hear her response.
“Stand, Ciara. You needn’t kneel before me; I would not demand anyone ever kneel or bow to me. And I did not take to heart your words spoken at the churchyard. I recognize your sorrow and bear you no ill-will because of that incident!”
“Thank you, milady!” the woman said as she rose and she held tight and then kissed Alainn’s hand.
She wanted to tear it from Ciara as she did so, but Alainn forced herself to smile politely then watched as the woman collected the milk, and her small child before heading out of the kitchen toward the herb chamber. When what seemed an insufferably long moment had passed and everyone had apparently returned to their own duties, Alainn nodded respectfully to Killian, and then started out the door toward the courtyard. She heard Killian’s footsteps beside her.
“What has you so upset now, Alainn? You had to know when you agreed to Ciara stayin’ here in the castle, that you would happen upon her on occasion.”
“Of course, I knew, Killian. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon, and when the thoughts and images are still so fresh in my mind. And seeing her on her knees before you brought to mind another deplorable image that I witnessed and I was tryin’ most desperately to forget. You are apparently not aware I am privy to all the many intimacies the two of you shared during your time together!”
Killian’s handsome face colored at her words.
“And how would you like me to respond to that, Alainn? Clearly there is no way to undo what’s been done, but ’twas years ago, no matter how fresh it may seem to you. I feel nothing for her, bar sympathy in the loss of her husband.”
She did not acknowledge his words, but simply kept walking.
“I’ve business to attend to in the great hall today so that it will be cleared for the banquet on the morrow.”
“Aye, go on then to your many duties, Killian. I will see you this night.”
She was trying desperately to not sound like a spoiled, callow, unreasonable child, or a wretched old crone. He turned to look at her and noticed her lip quivering as was common when she was hoping to still her tears. He relented and took her in his strong arms.
“It was not my intention to hurt you, Lainna, to make you feel awkward, nor put in an uncomfortable position.”
“I realize that, Killian, and you speak the truth, most men who have taken lovers do not have wives with the curse of second sight, for believe me when I say it is no gift!”
“Oh, I most sincerely believe you, Alainn, for ’tis not somethin’ many would choose to possess, I am certain.”
After they’d parted ways and Alainn began walking toward the small herb garden she’d planted near the east solar, she found Danhoul heading toward her, an expression of deep concern on his face. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a black streak diving toward her. She instinctively threw out her hands and her magical abilities took over. The bird that was only mere feet from her fell to the ground, dead! Danhoul got to her in time to strike down a second crow with his sword. When an entire flock seemed intent on attacking her, Alainn felt her powers and her temper take on a new life. The lot of them simply burst into flames. There was a pungent scent of burnt meat and singed feathers in the air, and nearly fifty dead birds on the grass at their feet.
“My God, Alainn! A dark soul maintains control over the animals and still means you great harm!”
“And I have had quite enough! I have adored animals all my life. I have already lost my cherished Wolf because of this despicably horrid spell. I will not live in fear of animals, forced to keep them at bay. I will take back my kinship with the beasts and I will do it now!”
The young man beside her looked uncertain, but he recognized the determination on her pretty face, and by hearing her thoughts he realized she’d already had a difficult morning. He nodded his head and smiled at her, encouraging her to continue on.
She looked up toward the sky as she held her hands out before her.
“No more shall the birds or the beasts seek to harm me,
From the power that has held them, they will henceforth be set free
And should another such attempt dare come to be
The doer of the spell shall be so cursed ten-fold, plus three!”
Danoul stared openly at her as he spoke.
“You would dare curse them by the power of thirteen?” he asked with doubtful eyes as large as shields.
“Aye, I will and have, for I am done toying with whoever it is who wishes me harm. To protect my child, I would resort to that and much, much more!”
“’Tis a most disenchanting number to be cursed by. Only the strongest of witches would dare utter the curse of three and ten!”
“You think it was not warranted, Danhoul?”
“Now I did not say that. I am only uncertain if it was wise to use such powerful magic. It could be directed back to you, if the evil-doer is capable of strong magic. The dark ones will surely be alerted to the usage of such a strong curse!”
“And perhaps it is the dark ones that have called upon the animals to harm me, or have employed an evil human to do their bidding for them. I have seen it before!”
“And if you and your man are at odds, you will be open to their temptations and to their threat.”
“Killian and I are not at odds!”
The handsome young man pushed his wavy, honey-blonde hair from his eyes as was a common habit. He smiled a half-smile and his smoky-blue eyes now held a playfully taunting quality.
“If you say so, but I doubt you’d be lookin’ so entirely displeased if you felt all was well between you.”
“I’ve just been attacked
by a cursed flock of crows and they’d surely had a dark spell put on them to be so vicious about it! You think I should be dancin’ for joy, then, do you?”
“No, I s’pose not, but I’ve seen you deal with worse and with a smile if all is well between your husband and yourself. And I’ve not seen a smile on your lovely face since you learned about the healer’s granddaughter’s time with him. And you’re right to be suspicious of the woman. I sense she is not nearly as sincere as she would have you or your husband believe. Yet I find her aura completely unusual, it appears to change often!”
“I have noticed that as well, Danhoul. Sometimes it seems mildly clouded and other times dark as pitch.”
“Aye, the woman is surely not easily understood even with our supernatural powers of perception, but I do feel she’s not to be trusted.”
Alainn felt such an overwhelming sense of relief in having someone confirm her suspicions without making her seem entirely irrational and unreasonable, she approached the young man, embraced him tightly and then placed a hurried kiss upon his cheek. She saw his cheeks color slightly, but he only smiled once more, and did not need to ask her why she’d felt compelled to show him affection.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was the night of the feast at Castle O’Donnel. Killian had thought it might be respectfully appropriate to cancel the event due to William’s death during the hunt, but most everyone disagreed. Perhaps it might even be considered a slight to the man who had been killed, for sometimes it was a sign a man was thought of highly, to celebrate after a death. And the Irish were noted for their love of drink and celebration to honor a life. And, so, although the sporting events set for the week had been cancelled, the banquet and the entertainment were to be held this evening.
Alainn felt no more like celebrating than jumping off the highest turret in the castle and, in truth, that might actually seem more appealing to her. There was awkwardness when she and Killian were together and they had yet to make love. She felt lonely at night sharing his bed, but not holding one another and scarcely daring to touch. She despised the fact he had shared Ciara’s bed even though it had been some time ago and she and Killian had not yet been bound. Killian was a man of reasonable conscience and, in truth, she believed he had moral fiber to spare, but he had uncharacteristically bedded another man’s wife and possibly fathered the woman’s child, though she had yet to come up with a reasonable explanation on how that might have occurred when the curse had been in place. As she experienced the child kick inside her own belly, she felt as though Killian had betrayed him as well, even as unreasonable as that sounded.
As Alainn brushed and pulled her hair to the side, tying it with ribbon to make it look regally presentable, she looked down at the dress she wore and felt the tears come to her eyes as they had so many times in the past days. Killian had selected and purchased this dress for her before they were married. She’d worn it the night he proposed. It had needed to be altered to fit her expanding body, but the tailor had capably managed by adding side panels. He made it appear as lovely as it had all those months ago. The dress was varying shades of blue and consisted of both velvet and silk fabrics. The skirt was full and now that it had been refitted it drew more attention to her bosom and then hung softy so that her belly was not clearly visible, but her cleavage surely was.
She placed the turquoise combs in her hair and looked up as she saw Killian enter the room. He glanced at her and then appraisingly looked at her once more, but still did not break the silence. He went to the enormous armoire chest and began searching through his many garments.
She finally dared to speak. “Would you prefer if I stay out of sight in my chamber this night? As chieftain, you must of course be readily available to greet your guests and entertain them. My presence is not truly necessary. Sure you might feel less on edge if I remain concealed in this chamber. Certainly Maire O’Donnel would think it more fitting and less shameful!”
“In truth, it would be shameful to hide you away, so beautiful you look this night! But, sure ’tis to be your choice, Alainn. Certainly, I want you by my side, as always, but I’ll not force it if you’d rather remain parted from me.”
“’Tis not me who keeps such distance!” she dared to whisper.
“By your uncommon coldness toward me, I don’t get the sense you long to be near me so very much. Are you tellin’ me you actually want me here with you; that you’ll want to share my bed in an intimate manner?”
“And would it be another’s bed you’d rather be in?”
“By God’s nails, I knew there was little use in attemptin’ to talk to you. I’ll don my garments and be off then. It might be a wee bit awkward at the feast tonight if you can’t speak with me without hurlin’ insults, nasty expressions, and accusations in my direction.”
“Then I’ll remain here if that is truly what you wish!”
“By, Christ, woman!” He voiced his exasperation. “That is not my wish and you well know it, and maybe’tis you who’d like to stay here so you can be nearer to the boy then for you’ve ever so much more in common with him.”
“Now who’s being entirely unreasonable? I hope to come back as a man in my next life, for I could use my sword to handle all unpleasantness, I could simply lop off my enemies heads and be well praised for it, demand fidelity, but not be required to remain true to my spouse, be demanding and cantankerous and have no one think poorly toward me if my mood was less than congenial! Cuss and belch and break wind and never care if my behavior is rude or unattractive or unbecoming...”
Killian looked over at her and a smile crossed his broad lips and mirth filled his eyes. She glanced up and saw the sight and soon found herself smiling as well.
“Are you quite through, then?” he asked as he drew closer to her and bent down to place a kiss upon her lips.
“Aye, for now, I suppose I am,” she admitted, now feeling much less irritable.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed as he began disrobing her.
“Killian, I’ve only just finished dressing, and ’tis nearly time for the guests to arrive.”
“And I’ve gone without lovin’ my wife for far too long and I’ll assist you with re-donning your lovely dress, though I’d be a bit more pleased with it if it actually covered even half of your beautiful breasts. And as far as the guests arrivin’, I suspect they’ll obligingly drink their mead wine and wait a few moments if they must.”
“A few moments?” she asked feigning displeasure.
“Well several moments, then, Lainna!” She smiled and kissed him passionately.
The evening was going well, in Alainn’s opinion; in truth, it was most untypical. Maire O’Donnel had not been rude to her, the many other chieftains, lords, and ladies had been courteous, and she had not felt out of place in their conversations or their company as she’d feared she might. As always, Killian never failed to impress her with his eloquence and charm. His smooth and charismatic manner of dealing with men and women alike left little doubt as to why he was such a popular man with the ladies, and a knowledgeable and respected chieftain. Sometimes he awed even her, and she had known him most of her life and was surely his greatest supporter and the first to boast about his many talents and attributes. As she glanced at him speaking with Maire O’Donnel, she believed he had even managed to melt the icy heart of the usually abrasive woman.
He must have felt Alainn’s eyes upon him from across the room, for he turned toward her and smiled as he continued to speak with the matronly woman. As she made her way toward her husband, Alainn looked out into the sea of people and spotted Ciara McCree. She had hoped the woman would not make an appearance this night, but Eireen had explained her stepdaughter thought it would be accepted for her to attend even though her grief was so new, as her husband had been greatly anticipating the event and so she was there in his stead.
Although the woman did not dance or outwardly make merry, she seemed to have a goblet of ale in her hand each time Ala
inn noticed her, and she spent nearly the entirety of the evening in the company of several different men. Alainn tried, without success, not to be critical and suspicious of the woman. Yet she felt everything about her reeked of insincerity, including her grief. She hoped it was her powers of perception alerting her to these truths and not simply her own bitterness and jealousy that ruled her thoughts entirely.
Mary and Riley appeared to be on better terms this night. Riley seemed to be on good behavior and he danced nearly every dance with his wife and did not openly ogle any of the servant girls. Connor MacLain was not present and Alainn surmised he and Mary had not seen each other in some time. Perhaps Mary and Riley would still stand a chance at happiness. Alainn prayed it would be so, and if Mary harbored any ill-feelings toward her because of Riley’s confession, she had concealed it well.
When Alainn made it to Killian’s side, he lovingly placed his arm about her shoulders and drew her to him. They noticed the distasteful look Maire O’Donnel now wore for she clearly disapproved of their open display of affection. Killian apparently wanted to set Alainn at ease and so he taunted the older woman.
“Does my wife not look enchantingly beautiful this night, Maire?”
The woman appeared as though she did not wish to reply to the direct question, but as she looked up into Killian’s handsome face, even she seemed charmed by him.
“Aye, ’tis a lovely garment she dons this night!”
“And hasn’t she the loveliest hair you’ve ever seen?”
“Killian, don’t put Maire on the spot so; she has six daughters with lovely red hair I’ve been told, sure she prefers hair of that shade.”
The woman threw a look of near gratitude at Alainn, but then was further dismayed by the young chieftain’s next move.
“You must excuse us, Maire, for I’m after takin’ my lovely wee wife for a dance for I’ve not yet had the pleasure this night!”
A Chieftain's Wife Page 15
