by Ashley York
“There is no need for defense.” Peter glanced toward her hoping she would sense his next words for her as well. “We’ve done nothing to be ashamed of. We’ve done nothing that needs to be defended.”
She looked lost, her eyes rounding in desperation. His heart hurt for her. “Please, sweet Brighit.”
When the tears welled, he was lost. He gathered her into his arms where she fit perfectly.
“There will be no more inappropriate behavior toward my sister.”
Tadhg’s grabbing at Peter’s arms to loosen his hold of her, got him a hard elbow in the ribs that resulted in a loud umph.
Peter moved quickly, lowering his lips to hers in a passionate lovers kiss she couldn’t resist, much to his relief. He leaned her forward to press her chest into his.
“Enough!”
When she worked her fingers into his hair, Peter fought for composure.
Tadhg looked ready to attack. His feet firmly planted. His body rigid. And across his face, the stoic look of murder. Peter still held his sword, however, which would make any move against him a foolish endeavor. Peter stepped away from Brighit but didn’t release her until she had found her footing. The kiss had ignited more quickly that he had anticipated. They were still smoldering with their unquenched desire.
“And if I had any reservations, I do not after that little display,” Tadhg said. “Thank you, Sir Peter, for clearing up any doubts I’d had.”
Peter smiled. Tadhg’s eyes narrowed.
“Whatever I can do to help the situation along.”
Brighit turned to face Peter. “What situation? What have you done?”
Emotions flitted across her face at the realization of what just happened. That Peter had all but admitted to Tadhg they’d indeed been intimate. A gasp of disbelief. Tight-lipped murderous rage. Outrage at his action? Oh yes. That expression he remembered quite vividly. The same one she had worn right before she slapped him across the face for intentionally revealing her nakedness. That had been misplaced outrage as she discovered that Peter had, in fact, not done it intentionally. This, however, was very well place. He knew exactly what he was doing.
He narrowed his eyes in warning. Perhaps she would remember what he said about her trying to slap him again. Brother or no, he would happily take her over his knee as promised.
It was indeed this fiery nature that first drew his attention to her. What he found so very appealing. He perused the rest of her. That and her enticingly delectable body.
“Well?” Tadhg asked.
Peter had to drag his gaze away from her.
“Well?” Peter responded in kind.
“Do you deny you have compromised my sister?”
“You found us here in a compromising situation. Did you not?”
“You know that I did.”
“Then how could I deny what you saw with your own eyes?”
Tadhg looked slightly irritated. “You could perhaps explain how I was wrong.”
“Yes, you could do that. Peter?” Brighit’s sweet mouth parted as if she could somehow get the words she wanted him to say to come out if she just willed it.
He searched her face. She was not yet aware of how well they were matched. That had to be the reason she resisted. Showing her would be his greatest delight.
“Alas, I cannot.”
Indignation swept across Brighit’s face, her eyebrows raised in pleading. “No?”
“I am an honorable man as I’m certain you will learn soon enough,” Peter said to Tadhg.
Brighit froze. She stared at Peter.
“I do not believe an honorable man would have compromised such innocence in the first place.”
Peter’s mouth dropped open to defend himself before he realized the man was baiting him. The look of irritation had shifted into the sly look of someone testing his mettle. He tipped his head in acknowledgment but refused to agree.
The silence seemed to drag on forever as Tadhg awaited his response. Then finally he asked, “So you will do the honorable thing?”
“I always do the honorable thing.”
“And in this instance?”
“I will marry this woman if that is what you are asking.”
Brighit’s mouth gaped open. “No, Peter, do not let him force you.”
“Now how could anyone force me to do anything?” Peter said.
Peter bowed slightly. Brighit was beside herself, pulling on her brother’s arm. “Please do not make him do this! Nothing happened.”
“Is this true, Sir Peter? Brighit says nothing happened.”
When she turned toward him, Peter had the slightest inkling that she would perhaps never be satisfied with him if he was forced to marry her.
“You saw it with your own eyes,” Peter said then turned toward Brighit. “He can make me do nothing against my will. Never believe it.”
Confusion clouded her beautiful face. Brighit filled her lungs and backed away from them both. “And when exactly will this happen?”
“I will see you wed this very day. We leave at once for the Priory.”
“It’s not safe to go now, you imbecile,” Brighit said.
“Brighit, do not belittle me in front of my new brother. Surely you could have some compassion for me.”
“Never!” She took the few steps to drop onto the pallet. She was shooting arrows at both of them.
“Come, Peter, let us prepare the horses.”
Peter secured his cloak and followed the man outside. The snow had let up slightly but it would still be a long ride back to the Priory.
Tadhg stopped beside the horse to gaze off into the distance. He pulled his leather gloves up tight and turned toward Peter.
“I fear I may have been played in there.”
“I’ve no idea of what you speak.”
“It baffles me to think that a man would allow himself to be forced into marriage rather than just asking for the lady’s hand.”
“But if a lady had as strong a sense of honor as some I’ve recently met, she would never choose her own happiness over that honor.”
“Yes. Honor runs deeply in some,” Tadhg agreed. “And deeper in others,” he continued. “I am aware of the ploy you just used in there. Well played, my friend.”
Peter stared at him. He believed Tadhg did have his sister’s best interests at heart. However, he did not need Brighit’s suspicions to be confirmed about his own willingness to marry her. It was best if she remained uncertain. At least for the time being.
“You’ve insulted my betrothed. You’ve interrupted our time together. You’ve decided you need to drag us out into this storm. Do not be so quick to call me friend.”
“Our time together? I believed you called yourself an honorable man.”
“And so I am. I’m just not going to take the chance of losing something precious to me.”
Peter took the man’s mount to the little shelter his own horse occupied. He was certain the man must look smug at having seen through Peter’s ploy to force their marriage.
“The passing will be difficult now.”
Tadhg seemed to be measuring his worth, watching Peter as he saw to the horses. A sudden nervousness he hadn’t experienced since he was a lowly squire overtook Peter. The sudden need for approval. He was overwhelmed with the reality that he could mess things up. With a single word from this man, Brighit would be unavailable to him. He could still take her away from Peter. If Tadhg made that decision, Peter would have no honorable recourse. She was under her brother’s protection now.
The idea of sweeping her onto his horse and riding off brought a smile to his lips. He needed to relax. What fault could Tadhg find with him? They would be wed before long. She would be his. Forever.
“It would not be amiss to wait it out a bit longer.”
Peter ceased his actions. Tadhg said it as if sensing Peter’s sudden unease.
Turning toward him, Tadhg had a smile Peter had not witnessed before. “I’ve decided we will wait until the storm
has passed to see this done. Mid-day will be soon enough.”
Peter flashed an insincere smile and turned back to the cottage. It was going to be a very long morning.
Chapter Twenty-One
As the only building of authority in the area, they returned to the Priory as soon as the storm let up. It was there that the marriage would take place. The bright sun glared off the huge piles of windblown snow. The storm had subsided but it was with a great sense of dread that they made the trip back. Dread that had little to do with the weather.
Tadhg had explained that he and his men had traveled without delay when he learned of Uncle Ronan’s betrayal. They had been to the Priory and met the sisters. Welcomed as travelers in the storm, they’d been given food and drink. Peter found it hard to believe they’d been so welcoming. Tadhg insisted they were very well received even before they were acknowledged as Brighit’s clan. However, by the time he learned Brighit was no longer within, it was too dark and the snow was falling too hard to head back out. He’d left at dawn by himself rather than disturb his exhausted men.
“It was fortunate indeed,” Tadhg said, “that I spotted the faint tracks heading off the road.”
Peter rolled his eyes and turned away. It wasn’t the first time her brother had mentioned that fact.
“I could not have ensured Peter’s safety had my men witnessed what I did when I arrived to find you in the cozy setting.”
“To get out of the storm.” Peter’s voice was laced with resentment. “I was not about to let her freeze in the snow.”
Tadhg glanced Peter’s way. Brighit wrapped her arm tightly around her brother. She would have liked to punch him instead. These constant taunts were becoming unbearable. Peter’s stern look had gotten more stoic with each taunting remark. She knew Peter did not want to marry her. He’d said as much at the Priory. With a decidedly loud and determined voice.
“Well, I’ll certainly have none of that. Life is precarious enough without adding the threat of imminent death with every birthing. Fate will not decide for me.”
And here they were. Fate had indeed decided for the man.
She had no idea why he had insisted on kissing her so passionately. As soon as his lips had touched hers, she’d been lost. He’d stirred up all her longings and desires again. But it was as if Peter thought it was some farce. How will he feel when he finds himself strapped with her for the rest of his life?
Dismounting, Tadhg was quick to help her get down, glaring at Peter. As they walked toward the door, Peter allowed Tadhg to lead the way. Peter grabbed hold of her hand with a firm grip. Tadhg knocked loudly, glancing toward her. They waited for the Priory door to be opened. No one spoke. This situation way intolerable.
“So my men will be happy to see you, Brighit.” Tadhg smiled at her, then included Peter, “They’ve missed her sorely. My father’s decision to send her away was not well received. That was the first thing Sean said to me after father was buried.”
Brighit frowned. “What did Sean say?”
“To go and get you back.”
Peter stood at attention beside her. He looked neither left nor right.
“I explained father had chosen the Priory rather than him which he did not take kindly. Understandably.”
Peter growled low in his chest. Tadhg and Brighit glanced toward him.
Tadhg moved in close, looking into Peter’s eyes.
“I do not believe it is necessary to keep her attached to your side.” Tadhg indicated the tight hold he had of her hand.
Peter merely glanced back at the man.
“Sir Peter, please release my sister.”
Immediately her hand was let go.
“Whatever you say, Tadhg.” Peter pronounced her brother’s name incorrectly again. He did it no matter how many times she corrected him. She stopped correcting him. “Just as she was not allowed to ride with me here, or sit next to me when we broke our fast, or stand too close now.”
“I said nothing about how close you were standing. But come to think of it, you should take a step away.”
Peter made that same low sound. The door jerked open.
“Greetings. Tadhg!” Martha exclaimed, pulling Tadhg in by the shoulder. “Come in from the cold.”
They followed her inside, stomping and shaking to remove the snow as they did.
“I see you’ve found your wayward sister.”
“Martha!” Brighit stilled her movements to glower at the woman. “I was certainly not wayward. You sent me to get the Bishop and Peter—Sir Peter was kind enough to take me.”
Tadhg offered his hand to the older woman as they led the way down the hall. “Yes. I have found my wayward sister. And how have my men been treating you?”
Peter and Brighit followed behind. He took her hand in his again and smiled.
“They have been entertaining us with tales of Ireland. What a wonderful place you come from Brighit.”
When they both turned toward them, Tadhg grabbed Brighit’s hand out of Peter’s and took it for himself, resting it in the crook of his arm. “Wait until you see who has come with me.”
Peter gave Martha a tight smile. She did not smile back. She averted his gaze and ceased her talking. She appeared quite taken with Brighit’s brother. He wondered why.
“Sean has come with you?” Brighit’s tight voice caught his attention.
“He could not be kept away. When he heard you may be in danger, he dropped everything to be here.”
Peter’s jaw tightened. Tadhg turned to smile at him. “Sean was to be her betrothed.”
“No—” Brighit began.
“Oh, I doubt he cares one way or another,” Tadhg said.
Peter would like to throttle the man.
“He pines over you.” Tadhg was enjoying this.
“Stop, Tadhg. You’re being silly.”
Just as they walked into the Great Hall, some of the nuns came forward as did a few men Peter assumed were Tadhg’s men. They were about the same size as Tadhg. They rushed toward her. One by one they embraced her as if she’d been gone for years. With each exchange, Peter felt his blood boiling that much higher. She smiled in return, hugging them just as tight. He was about to ask which one was Sean when a golden-haired man entered.
He was slightly taller than Peter with long hair, tied at the back. He had a full beard, slightly darker than the color of his hair. He walked with purpose. Swagger. Like a warrior. His eyes stopped on Brighit. Peter recognized the look. Desire. No doubt this was Sean.
The man halted. His expressive blue eyes surveyed every inch of Peter’s wife to be. She beamed. Even giggled at his slow nod of apparent approval.
“My love, you are a sight for these tired eyes.”
Love?
She ran into his arms. Peter didn’t realize he’d moved toward them until Tadhg yanked him back.
“Keep your place, Peter. She doesn’t come to you without a long list of suitors that would gladly be where you are, receiving her as your wife,” he turned to face him and continued, “to have and to hold. That alone would make any one of these men slit your throat if they’d a mind to. And with my blessing. You should realize the worth of the treasure you are stealing from Ireland.”
“I realize her worth.” Peter spoke in a low tone, his body tense, allowing the man to keep hold of his arm.
“Oh do you? We shall see.”
Peter yanked his arm away.
“Can we get on with this?” Peter’s surliness was not well received by any but it was Brighit who looked hurt. He was sorry for that. She’d looked unhappy ever since the marriage was agreed to. “My apologies, my lady. I am anxious to see this thing done.”
Sean frowned as if he’d spotted a fly on his food. He pressed his way in front of Brighit, blocking her as effectively as a shield from Peter. “And what is this thing you wish to see done?”
Peter had never needed to look up to any man before. It was a bit disconcerting. With his hands fisted at his side, he had an overw
helming need to feel the man’s bones slam against his knuckles as he smashed his fist into the man’s face.
“They are to be wed,” Tadhg answered.
The responses in the room varied from gasps, to murmurs of confusion, to loudly voiced objections.
“Settle down. Settle. I’ve no choice in the matter. I must see this done,” Tadhg said.
The Irish group’s demeanor shifted from bewilderment, no doubt due to his choice of words, to the sudden desire for bloodshed in the blink of his eye as they realized what Tadhg’s words meant.
“Ah, now they’ve seen the truth of it,” Tadhg announced amicably.
Peter turned to the man. “My thanks for that.”
Tadhg smiled and took a protective step toward Brighit.
The men encircled Peter. He mentally shifted to a defensive position. When Brighit would have moved toward him, Tadhg held her fast.
They moved with slow deliberation. Assessing everything about him, their eyes missing nothing. He now understood what a horse at auction felt like but these men were not interested buyers. These were men intent on finding him lacking. He would never be found good enough for their Brighit.
“Gentlemen, I am Sir Peter of Normandy. I come on behalf of King William—”
“Are you marrying a King then, Brig?” The red-haired man with a long, auburn beard guffawed at his own joke.
The others joined in. Peter waited somewhat patiently, joining his hands behind his back.
“You’d be a Queen then!” Another one offered, which set them into yet another round of unbridled mirth.
His patience was waning.
After the forth comment, he’d had enough.
Peter glared at Tadhg. “Are you satisfied with your attempts at mocking me? I am happy to oblige any of your men that may care to test my strength.”
Tadhg tsked. “Sir Peter. The weather would not allow for such sport. Are we to tear down the Sisters’ home to accommodate your desire to prove yourself worthy? A proof that would never be forthcoming?”
Peter did not respond. He searched out Brighit to find her in deep conversation with Sean, their heads close together. Peter didn’t need to be outside and he wouldn’t call it any kind of sport. He covered the distance in two steps and grabbed the man by the front of his tunic.
