Part 10 (1/2)
'Twas her turn to look discomforted. ”Did you not live there, have family there?”
”I am alone and I live in yon pavilion, princess, and travel.”
She shook her head sadly, mounting her horse and reining around to climb the steep hill. Gaelan felt more pity than disgust in that single look and wanted neither. Yet as he followed her throughout the day, listening to her chat with Driscoll, smile and laugh-ahh G.o.d, she had a glorious laugh-he did not like being on the edge of her life, the hated b.a.s.t.a.r.d who'd taken away her freedom.
”Where now, my lady?” Driscoll said, uncorking a skin of wine and offering it to her.
She declined with a sweet smile and gestured. ”The herders, in the hills.”
”I do not think so,” came from behind.
She twisted in the saddle, leather creaking. ”But I-”
”Nay.”
”Why then?”
Gaelan's lips tightened. Unused to being questioned had little to do with his rising temper, for all his mind's eyes could see was her set upon by raiders, her body bludgeoned into the ground, for they were too few to defend adequately. ”I do not explain myself to you, woman. Return to the castle at once!”
His roar did little to ruffle her. ”I've duties to tend, unless you would care to count sheep and see how many we can spare for the next sennight of meals?”
”I will see that game is provided,” he reminded.
”You cannot go about killing a free man's livestock, sir. Most of mine roam until needed. How would you know which is held in tenant and which is not?”
”I suppose I will ask the creature afore I take its head.”
Raymond coughed suspiciously.
”To the stronghold, princess.” He nodded ahead. She didn't move, irritating him further.
Her brow knitting softly, Siobhan studied him for a moment. He'd been in a mood all day, the suns.h.i.+ne and warm breeze doing little to soothe it. ”What think you, Driscoll?” she said in Gaelic and saw the knight's annoyance rise.
”Me thinks he is afeared for you, la.s.sie.”
”Codswallop,” she muttered.
”Siobhan!” he bellowed.
She winced, delivering a sour look. ”Must you always shout?”
”With disobedient females who do not believe what I say, aye!”
Hating that he spoke to her like she needed a spanking, she hissed, ”Very well, mercenary,” then kicked her mount into speed, two of his soldiers joining them. Yet she'd recognized the oddness of PenDragon's look, as if he suspected her of something devious, and it lay in the hills.
Raymond glanced at Gaelan, neither of them following, yet Gaelan's gaze never left her, his scowl softening to a gentle smile with every thump of hooves.
”Enchanting female,” Raymond murmured. ”I've never seen a woman take your temper with so little thought of the consequences.”
”She is a rebellious, stubborn female who does not know her place.”
Raymond's smile resisted his smothering. ”Then I pray for the king's sake he delivers a strong man to marry her and help her find it, for the princess has no intention of recognizing you as her master. Mayhaps you should write the missive today?”
”There is time.” He watched her until she vanished from sight ”When will you discuss the surrender with her, Gaelan. We need be off. DeCourcy wanted us-”
Gaelan snapped a look at him. ”I do not give a fig what DeCourcy wants. And I will find a solution when one presents itself!”
”Then send word to Henry to select a lord husband-”
”She will refuse him.”
”She cannot.”
”Aye, by her laws, she can and she will. And that, my friend, is only one fix we are in. O'Rourke swore his oath with Donegal lands, a goodly portion belonging to his wife and her family in bride price, and his death muddies the water. Aside from needing an English overlord here, Henry wants Donegal's fealty on parchment, quickly, and he does not care if it is in blood. These people”-he waved to the land-”don't have the influence he needs to curry the church's favor. That lies in Meath, Dublin, and Waterford, and he knows it. 'Tis occupation he seeks, and though his liege man might hold the fief in his stead”-he tipped his head to stare at the castle in the distance-”she is in possession.”
”Then someone needs to tell Henry he can't go sending off his lords to marry Irish royalty to gain the land into his control.”
”Would you like to sign the missive?”
”I like my head right where it is, thank you.” Raymond was quiet for a moment then said, very softly, ”There is another solution.”
Gaelan spared him a mild glance, catching his intent. ”We are here to secure and protect the king's a.s.sets, DeClare. Naught more.”
”If you want more?”
For a moment, Gaelan didn't respond except for a tightening around his mouth. ”Do not mention this again, DeClare. I know where I stand in this life, and 'tis not beside a princess.” He spurred the horse and, sadly, Raymond followed.
Chapter 9.
Gaelan tossed the reins to Reese, asking after Siobhan. The lad nodded toward the chapel. ”She returned over an hour ago, looking rather well, considering.”
Gaelan's brows drew down as he studied the boy and his smug expression. ”You expected me to beat her?”
Reese looked away, then met his gaze.
”Have I ever once struck you?”
”Nay, sir.”
”Then why would you believe I would beat a woman in my care?”
”I have seen you in battle.”
”Where I was fighting for my life, boy. There is a difference when confronting anger. I have learned to control that rage, separate it. And my oath as a knight bids me protect women such as the princess, no matter her country of birth.”