ON A WILD WINTER’S NIGHT
MIRIAM MINGER
Copyright © Miriam Minger
All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-943644-09-4
Table of Contents
Other Electronic Books by Miriam Minger
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Secrets of Midnight
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Other Electronic Books by Miriam Minger
The O’Byrne Brides Series
Wild Angel
Wild Roses
Wild Moonlight
The Man of My Dreams Series
Secrets of Midnight
My Runaway Heart
Captive Brides Collection
Twin Passions
Captive Rose
The Pagan’s Prize
Dangerous Masquerade Collection
The Brigand Bride
The Temptress Bride
The Impostor Bride
To Love a Billionaire Series
The Maiden and the Billionaire
The Governess and the Billionaire
The Pirate Queen and the Billionaire
The Highland Bride and the Billionaire
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Ripped Apart
Chapter 1
Glenmalure
Wicklow Mountains, Leinster
“You gave me your word that you’d be civil, Ronan O’Byrne! Now stop scowling and at least try to look welcoming to Maire and her husband. Tomorrow is Christmas, after all, and they’ve ridden all the way from Longford Castle to share it with us!”
Triona felt relieved that Ronan’s expression grew less forbidding as she turned her attention back to the stronghold’s heavy gates being opened for their guests. She drew her fur-lined cloak more tightly around her in the crisp late afternoon air.
The day she had so fervently prayed for had finally come!
She could no longer contain her excitement and she rushed forward, though being so heavy with child made her gait more like the waddling of a goose. She could not believe how big she had grown and she still had several weeks to go before the birth of her and Ronan’s second child!
“Easy now, sweeting! Will you alarm us all with your dashing about?” came Aud’s no-nonsense chiding as her beloved former maid caught up with her and drew her to a stop. Aud might be a spare woman, but her strong grip brooked no argument. “You’ll have your babe right here in the yard—begorra, now that would be a fine greeting for Maire and Lord FitzWilliam!”
Before Triona could answer, she felt the strength of Ronan’s arm around her waist. She glanced up at him gratefully, glad that he’d come to her side, too.
In truth the preparations for their guests had exhausted her these past days, but she had wanted everything to be perfect for Maire and Duncan’s visit.
Enough food for ten holiday feasts awaiting them. The O’Byrne men dressed in new tunics and trousers and the women resplendent in colorful gowns as befitted the special occasion. Aye, even the children and babes in arms had new clothes. Dozens of clanswomen had outdone themselves to make it so in three weeks’ time!
Triona leaned against Ronan as the thundering of horses’ hooves grew louder. Her huge gray wolfhound Conn had appeared as well and bounded over to join them, plopping down at Triona’s feet.
Ronan had only agreed to extend the invitation a month ago, though Duncan had sent a message back to Glenmalure a week later that he and Maire would be pleased to join them for Christmas. Thank goodness Aud and her jovial husband, Taig O’Nolan, chieftain of the Blackstairs O’Nolans, had arrived from Carlow to help with the preparations and to stay until after the babe was born.
Niall and Nora had lent a hand as well, her kindhearted sister-in-law never far from Triona’s side. Niall had focused upon doing his best to soothe Ronan’s unease at having yielded to Triona’s fervent wish that the entire family, Irish and Norman, be together at Christmastime.
Triona glanced over her shoulder to where Niall stood with his arm around Nora. The two of them made a loving and devoted pair if ever there was one, Niall so handsome and Nora with her thick auburn hair framing her face and looking radiant beside him.
And no wonder she was radiant! Nora’s hand had drifted to her gently rounded stomach, aye, another O’Byrne babe, due to arrive in the spring. As Niall and Nora smiled with encouragement at her, Triona felt a strong kick inside her belly that made her gasp aloud.
“Triona?” Ronan’s slate gray eyes were full of concern as he drew Triona closer.
“I’m all right, just our son making his presence known.”
Ronan bent his head to tenderly kiss her cheek, both of them sharing the belief that this babe must be a boy for how vigorous his kicking and flailing. As the first riders in the entourage cleared the gates, Triona held Ronan’s gaze. Tenderly she reached up to sweep midnight hair from his forehead.
“Thank you, husband. I know it’s a hard thing for you…but this day means everything to me.”
He didn’t have a chance to reply as suddenly the stronghold yard was filled with prancing horses, steam puffing from their nostrils. Triona counted four knights and eight men-at-arms, and in the midst of them Maire seated atop a snow-white mare and Duncan FitzWilliam astride his massive bay stallion. They, too, were all dressed resplendently as one would expect of the Baron of Longford and his entourage.
For a moment Triona felt her feet frozen to the ground, she was so struck by the sight of Normans within the O’Byrne stronghold.
Not enemies come to do battle, but there to celebrate Christmas among family.
Family!
“At least he didn’t bring an army,” Ronan muttered, his arm tightening around Triona.
Apprehension suddenly gripped her—Jesu, Mary, and Joseph, had she pushed him too far to agree to such a visit?—but she did her best to tamp it down.
No, she wouldn’t allow anything to mar this occasion! Ronan would be fine for the three days Duncan had said they would stay, Niall had sworn he would see to it. After all, Duncan and his men had answered Ronan’s call this last summer to help save Nora from Sigurd Skullcrusher! What stronger bond could have been forged between these two formidable men than that one?
“Welcome, FitzWilliam!”
Ronan’s roar above the melee made Triona jump, gratitude filling her that he hadn’t remained stonily silent at her side. Conn jumped, too, and ran off to sniff at the horses.
As Aud rejoined her big bear of a husband standing near Niall and Nora, Triona felt Ronan clasp her hand and together they went to greet their guests. Already Duncan, as tall as Ronan and striking with his dark brown hair and eyes, had dismounted to lift his wife from her horse. Maire’s teary smile made Triona’s eyes well up, too.
“Oh, Triona! Ronan!” Throwing back the fur-trimmed hood of her cloak, Maire hastened toward them as best she could in spite of her limp, Duncan just behind her. Looking stunningly beautiful with her long black hair framing her angelic features, she flung her arms around both Ronan and Triona. “I’m so happy to be here! So happy!”
At that mome
nt Triona felt all uneasiness disappear as Ronan crushed his younger sister in his embrace and lifted a laughing Maire into the air. He wasn’t smiling when he released her so Triona could have a turn but he wasn’t scowling, either.
In fact, she would swear she saw moisture in his eyes as she hugged Maire although he looked down briefly to brush it away. Her heart going out to him, Triona couldn’t have been more proud of her fierce rebel husband when he turned to Duncan and locked forearms with him in greeting.
“You’ve my thanks again for riding to our aid last summer, FitzWilliam…and for taking such fine care of Maire. She looks well and healthy.”
“She is life and breath to me and I wish for nothing more than her happiness,” came Duncan’s reply that warmed Triona’s heart, too. “It would please me if you’d call me Duncan and I will call you Ronan. Agreed?”
As Ronan nodded, Triona relinquished Maire to Niall, who had come up behind them. Now tears did flow as the two embraced, Niall rocking his sister in his arms as she began to sob against his shoulder.
“Ah, Niall! When you disappeared last summer I didn’t know if I would ever see you again! I was so worried about you, but you’re here and whole—”
“Aye, and with a bride who’s anxious to meet you. Shh, Maire, all is well. All is well…”
As Maire laughed with some embarrassment, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, Triona had to blot her eyes, too. She could not have imagined a happier homecoming as Niall reached out his hand for Nora to draw her closer.
“Maire…this is Nora, my wife. You’ve two sisters now.”
If Nora had felt shy at all to meet Maire, Triona would never have known it as the two young women hugged warmly.
Next Ronan introduced Duncan to Aud and Taig O’Nolan, Triona doubting the somewhat bemused-looking chieftain had ever met a Norman before in such convivial circumstances. And certainly not a Norman who was one of the most powerful barons in Leinster!
As everyone exchanged greetings and pleasantries amid the low din of O’Byrne clansmen, their wives, and children watching the amazing scene, a strong cold gust of wind blew through the yard. The sun had already sunk below the surrounding mountains and snow flurries danced around them. Conn barked and jumped into the air trying to bite the swirling flakes. Triona saw then that Maire shivered and she drew her sister-in-law closer to her side.
“Ronan…Duncan, if you’ll forgive our absence for a short while, I’d like to show Maire to her dwelling-house where she might revive herself from the long ride. We’ve so much to catch up on, too. Aud and Nora, will you accompany us?”
The two women smiled and fell in beside Triona and Maire as another brisk burst of wind swirled around them. Ronan’s voice rose above the snorting horses and Conn’s excited barking.
“Aye, we’ve places prepared for your men, FitzWill—Duncan, and my clansmen will tend to your horses. While we await our wives to rejoin us, let’s adjourn to the feasting-hall where it’s warm and the ale is waiting!”
***
“Oh, Triona, everything is just as I left it!” Maire looked around her with delight at the home she had last seen five months ago when Duncan had come to Glenmalure to claim her as his bride.
A home warmed by a glowing fire in the hearth and filled with beautiful things that Ronan and Niall had provided for her to brighten her days and lend her comfort: Exquisite tapestries upon the walls, thick rugs underfoot, and a fine embroidered cloth upon the table. Candles glowed in every corner as if to welcome her. She’d led such a sheltered life here, happy enough, aye, and not ever imagining that things could ever be different for her…until Triona O’Toole had burst into their lives two years past and turned everything on its head.
It had been Triona who had softened Ronan’s hard heart and forged a great love between them.
Triona who had helped Maire to grow stronger so she might walk without a crutch and enjoy horseback riding and fresh air and sunlight upon her face.
Triona who had introduced Niall to Caitlin MacMurrough only to have his heart broken…a terrible trial, to be sure, but one that had led him to finding his lovely bride Nora.
And now Triona who had convinced Ronan that they share Christmas together, Maire’s eyes filling with tears that such a wondrous miracle had occurred.
“Maire?” Triona hastened to her side to squeeze her hand, and Nora and Aud drew closer, too, both women looking concerned.
“I’m happy, is all. To be here again…with all of you…” Her voice caught and she shook her head, composing herself. “I…I never thought it could happen.”
“Aye, but it has and we’re going to enjoy these three precious days that we have together,” Triona said briskly as she drew Maire to a table where they all might sit down. “No tears, just smiles and laughter—and lots of it!”
They did laugh then, Triona taking her seat with great exaggeration as if her girth prevented her from sitting at all.
“This will be you soon enough, Nora O’Byrne!” Triona teased while Aud signaled for a maidservant to bring forth a tray of freshly baked bread sliced and slathered with butter. Another girl poured fragrant spiced cider into goblets.
Maire’s hand strayed unconsciously to her own stomach, though she knew it would be weeks before she would show that she was with child. Her fondest dream had always been to become a mother. She had only just realized the much prayed for blessing a couple days ago—
“Maire…do you have something to tell us?”
She blushed to her roots, knowing at once that Triona had guessed her secret. She nodded, smiling, and before she could utter a word Triona had reached over to give her a heartfelt hug.
“Oh, Maire, this is such wonderful news!”
“Aye, but you mustn’t breathe a word of it! Duncan doesn’t know yet. I feared he wouldn’t want me to make the journey—though I plan to tell him tomorrow on Christmas. It’s my gift to him…”
As Nora came next to hug her and then Aud, all of them assuring her that they wouldn’t spoil her surprise, Maire felt as if her heart might burst from their warm good wishes.
“Ah, my little Deirdre is awake from her nap and come to join us!” Triona held out her arms to her daughter who was deposited into her lap by a beaming maidservant.
Everyone cherished the beautiful child with her midnight curls and headstrong nature, her impish smile alone charming all who saw her. At once Deirdre wriggled out of her mother’s embrace and made straight for Maire, the toddler opening her arms and giggling.
“I think she remembers me!” Thrilled, Maire swept up Deirdre and hugged her while laughter filled the room.
Truly, this Christmas among her family would be the most joyous of all!
Chapter 2
“The Justiciar John de Gray wants peace in Leinster, Ronan…and he speaks for King John. I, too, want peace in Leinster! He authorized me to tell you that he’ll forgive the price on your heads if you swear to forever cease your raids against us.”
As Duncan FitzWilliam’s emphatic words resounded from the rafters, Niall felt a terrible sinking feeling and glanced around the holly bedecked feasting-hall.
All commotion had ceased. No one spoke. No one moved. All waited to hear what Ronan might have to say. From his darkening countenance, Niall knew it wouldn’t be what Duncan hoped to hear.
Mounting tension thick in the air, Niall saw, too, that Duncan’s knights and men-at-arms were suddenly stiff in their seats as if prepared for an imminent attack. Of words. Of swords. Who could say what Ronan intended to do? All Niall knew was that his efforts these past weeks to ease Ronan’s mind about the reunion had suddenly, and mayhap irrevocably, been undone.
“So this is why you’ve come.” Ronan’s voice was low and furious, making the hairs stand up on the back of Niall’s neck. He’d heard such a tone on occasion…and it was never good.
“I’ve come to please my beloved wife who longed to see her family again…and to carry the Justiciar’s message,” Duncan re
sponded, his posture tense, too, but his voice steady and resolute. “As soon as I received your invitation, I sent word to John de Gray before I even spoke of it to Maire so I might know his mind about our making such a visit. You and your clansmen are rebels, Ronan. Wanted men for countless crimes against the Crown. Our presence here would not have been possible if the Justiciar hadn’t agreed to it.”
“And you riding to Glendalough five months ago when Donal MacMurrough and I requested your aid? Was that sanctioned as well by your all-powerful Justiciar John de Gray?”
Duncan didn’t readily answer as if weighing his words, while Niall saw that Ronan’s expression had grown only blacker. That made Niall take a draft of ale, while everyone in the feasting-hall remained ominously silent. God help them, this exchange wasn’t going well at all!
“Your message was urgent, Ronan. There wasn’t time to involve the Justiciar. You know that Donal MacMurrough is a trusted ally of King John. I could do nothing else but answer your call. Sigurd Skullcrusher’s Norsemen, and the Ostmen that joined them on their march, threatened the peace—”
“There is no peace and well you know it, FitzWilliam!” Ronan slammed his fist down upon the table and lunged to his feet. “Not as long as you accursed Normans live and breathe in Éire! As chieftain of the Glenmalure O’Byrnes, I would no more agree to your Justiciar’s offer than thrust a sword into my own heart! We will never bow to Norman tyranny!”
“Ronan…” Niall had risen, too, but he said nothing more at the dark scowl that Ronan threw at him. Then his brother fixed his furious gaze once more upon Duncan.
“If not for the love that my wife bears for her family—all of her family—I would have you and your men escorted from the stronghold this very moment! But instead I will leave and only return in three days when the lot of you are gone!”
On A Wild Winter's Night (The O'Byrne Brides Book 4) Page 1