Page 77 of A Constant Blaze

Malcolm raised one eyebrow. “Who? Your mother and me, three women, two soldiers, and a harpist?”

Donald grinned. “All MacHeths. Or honorary MacHeths.” He bowed to Mairead. “So, who knows?”

“We’ll tell you all about it on the way home,” Halla said. “Where is your sister?”

“At Tirebeck with Adam. Lady Mairead, delighted you’ve finally made it to Ross.”

“I’m afraid,” Mairead said lightly, “I’m going to leave again.”

“When? For where?”

“I thought I’d take ship for the Isles.”

“Stay a few days at least,” Halla urged.

Mairead shook her head. “I can’t, or I might never leave. But I hope I might visit you one day.”

“Make it soon,” Halla said. “My hall is yours. In the meantime, Muiredach will escort you to the coast. You’ll find hospitality wherever you go.”

“There is no need for Muiredach—” Mairead began.

“There is every need,” Muiredach interrupted her. It was almost the first thing he’d said to her in three days, but she let it go since they were hardly alone.

Farewells were not as easy as she’d imagined. She’d grown to appreciate Halla’s quiet humor and learned company. In fact, it came to her that those were also traits she’d always admired in Malcolm. Perhaps, in him, she’d always seen a friend and not a lover after all. For the first time, she began to understand her own loneliness since her parents had first sent her away to live among the violent, roaring islesmen, and then among the superficial, conniving courtiers who’d surrounded her second husband.

No wonder the MacHeths, Adam and Malcolm, had ensnared her, combining as they did, learning and laughter with their violence. And sheer differentness.

But at last, she rode free, aware of both sadness and relief. Muiredach rode in silence beside her. Behind them, followed the two members of Halla’s house guards whom she’d come to know. Tomas still carried Grizel with him. Mairead wondered if the girl would stay with him. Perhaps she should give her the choice.

She opened her mouth to ask Muiredach’s opinion before she remembered they weren’t on speaking terms and closed her lips once more.

“Oh, damn it, Muiredach,” she broke out at last. “I’d rather no company than this company! Go back to your lady and showheryour long, superior face!”

He actually looked surprised. “Why would I do that?”

She sighed. “Muiredach. I know you overheard what I said to Halla.”I don’t want Muiredach or any man.

There was a pause, then he turned his head and looked at her. “You think I’m sulking.”

“Aren’t you?”

“No. I’m keeping out of your way until you realize you miss me.”

“Until?” she scoffed.

“I realize it may be a long wait.”

“Well, you’re used to that,” she retorted.

Annoyingly, he didn’t look remotely hurt. “Are you trying to quarrel with me?” he asked with interest.

“Maybe. For what it’s worth, I was trying to throw the lady off the scent. If there was, if thereis, anything between us, it is too new and vulnerable for other people to poke at. Especially the lady.”

At the instruction of his hands, his horse walked closer to hers. “If you wish, we can make this journey last several days.”

She smiled, gazing straight ahead. “Ifyouwish, you could sail with me.”

“To the islands?”

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