The Seventh Son
Page 16
He shrugged. “I dinna wish to be interrupted.”
She put the bar aside.
Breandan stood there. “Ye barred the door?”
When he noticed Gerrit, he glanced back at Tisa with narrowed eyes. She suddenly felt dirty. As if she’d been caught doing something wrong.
“He di—”
“I have been sent to retrieve the lady.” Gerrit came to stand before Breandan.
Breandan surveyed the man, adjusting his head to take in every part of the imposing man. From his broad chest, to his narrow hips, to the size of his feet. He licked his lips and seemed unable to tear his eyes away.
Gerrit crossed his arms, his own lips slanting into an all-knowing smile. He leaned closer to Breandan.
“And what are ye about? Ye are Breandan?” Gerrit asked.
Breandan jerked his head up, his jaw slack, and searched Gerrit’s face as if verifying the intent behind the question. “Aye, Breandan.”
“Mmm, I ken ye. I’ve seen ye often.” Gerrit’s voice was soft, almost sensual.
“And I ye,” Breandan answered, his breathing shallow.
Anger flashed through Tisa. Pushing Breandan out of harm’s way, Tisa stood up to the man. Heat poured off of him and she blocked it out, refusing to allow him to disarm her.
“Ye may wait outside for me.” She pointed through the open doorway.
Gerrit appeared taken aback but he regained his composure. “Take care how ye treat others, sweet little Tisa.”
She locked her jaw to keep it from dropping at his use of Darragh’s endearment for her.
His eyes twinkled in the fading light and he smiled. A knowing smile. A smile that promised much. She slammed the door shut behind him. Breandan heaved a shaky sigh from where he stood in the middle of the room. A sigh of pleasure, surely he was deeply aroused by the man’s interest.
She closed in on him. “Breandan! Stop! Dunna be disloyal for an impressive body.”
Breandan’s lusty expression changed to anger. “What do ye ken of it? Ye’re only a woman.”
Her mouth gaped open. “Gerrit is playing some sort of game with us. Pray for wisdom, little boy, for ye surely dunna ken when ye have it good.”
Tisa pushed through to the room that she now thought of as her own, her body shaking. If Darragh had been able to spend time with Breandan, he would not be acting this way. She doffed her gown just as the door slammed. Poking her head out, there was no one.
“Damn ye, Breandan.” She had felt safer with him near. Yanking her dress over her head, she smoothed it down over her hips. She pulled her hair out and picked up the brush. “Spoiled little child.”
Her mumbling did no good but it did feel somewhat reassuring to hear her own voice in the silence. When she went out the door, Gerrit was leaning his shoulder against the door support, facing her. He moved his eyes up her length, stopping on her face. The intensity of his gaze sent goose bumps up her arms. She knew as soon as he sensed her unease by the smile he bestowed.
“The visitor is from yer father.”
“Hunh!” Tisa turned to run to the longhouse. Why hadn’t he told her it was someone from home? Her heart filled with excitement, her lungs expanded with the exertion. She was so intent on seeing who was there, she didn’t pause before bursting into the longhouse of her father-in-law.
Aodh turned toward her, an unhappy frown on his face. Darragh was not there. There was no one. Her eyes stung with tears. The door opened behind her and she turned to vent her anger on that blackheart Gerrit but it was Sean O’Cisoghe standing there. She fell into his arms with quite a bit of oomph.
“My Lord! Sean, ‘tis so good to see ye.”
It was the sweet sound of Tisa’s voice that told Sean who had flung herself into his arms. She held him tight. He couldn’t say for sure if the shiver that went through her was from excitement or fear. She did not seem inclined to release him but he pulled away enough to look into her face.
“How fare ye, little Tisa?”
Her wide eyes looked into his and she was a little girl again, hanging on to Tadhg’s every word, begging for his attention. Sean’s heart lurched at his own sentiment. She shook her head.
“Tisa. Show some dignity.” It was Aodh Meic Lochlainn. Tisa stiffened in Sean’s arms before stepping away.
She turned to the man who ridiculed her and missed Sean’s attempt at a reassuring smile.
“Beg pardon, Father. I was overcome with joy to see someone from my home.”
The man tipped his head and puffed out his chest. “Home? Methinks this is yer home. Is that not so, Daughter?”
Tisa dropped her head, accepting the reprimand. Sean swallowed down the need to come to her defense. She was wed to this man’s son. Sean had no place in defending her.
“That is fine.” Aodh smiled now. “Come. Sit by me.” He gestured to the bench and Tisa dutifully followed his orders.
Sean came forward but it was Aodh who spoke. “Tisa. This man comes from yer father—”
“Is he well?”
The bearded man narrowed his eyes at her. “Have ye no manners?”
Tisa again bowed her head.
“Dunna interrupt me. Ye act like a child that I should take over my knee.”
Aodh shifted in the chair, his eyes averted and a slight smile on his face. Sean sensed the man’s excitement at his own words. Dread raised the hackles on the back of his neck.
“This man comes from yer father to see how ye fare.” Aodh tipped her head up with his fingertips to look into her face. “Ye may speak to him.”
Tisa’s smile burst across her face when she turned toward Sean. “Oh, Sean. ‘Tis wonderful to see ye. How is my father? And who is this with ye?”
Sean gently took Thomasina’s hand to pull her to stand beside him. He didn’t doubt she recognized the arrogant way this man treated Tisa. It was so much like her own father. “‘Tis my wife. Thomasina.”
Tisa’s brows rose. “Ye, Sean? Ye have wed such a lovely woman as this?”
Thomasina giggled which eased his consternation at such a statement. “Aye. I have taken this lovely woman to wife.”
Thomasina curtseyed. Aodh beamed at the gesture and sat up straighter. “Come, sit beside me.”
He gestured to the bench on the other side of him. Sean held her fast. “My thanks, Aodh, but we wish to speak of old times with Tisa, if we may.”
This man seemed to think he was king. Best to not cause any suspicion. The smug expression he received reassured Sean he had been correct to ask his permission.
“For certain.” Aodh rose. “Please.” He gestured to Sean to come up and take his seat. “I have duties to see to.”
The man lumbered away through another door. Sean turned back to Tisa. She appeared thin with dark circles under her eyes.
Thomasina took her hand. “I am so happy to meet ye.”
Tisa hugged her and Sean noticed a glistening in her eyes but then she pulled back and smiled at them both. “How is my father?”
Sean sat beside Thomasina. “He is not well.”
Tisa’s eyes widened.
“I mean to say, he is saddened at the loss of ye.”
She sighed in relief. “I dinna even say goodbye to him.”
“Why not?” Thomasina asked.
“He did not choose well in this match.” She glanced toward the door Aodh had used and lowered her voice. “I took a while to become accustomed to not marrying Tadhg and of Darragh being my husband. I dinna act as I should have. I was not a loyal daughter.”
Thomasina glanced at Sean. He took her hand and kissed her palm to reassure her. She had also parted on bad terms from her father. Surely, it was not the same. Her father had bartered her off to a man his own age.
“He misses ye greatly and wants only to ken how ye fare.”
“I fare well enough. Have ye met Darragh?”
“We have not.” Thomasina answered. “But we did meet Aodh’s wife.”
“Wife?” Tisa reeled back. “He
has a wife?”
“Lilith.” Sean shrugged. Strange Tisa didn’t know that. “She is a small woman.”
“She wore a tight head dress. Her eyes were...large.”
“I canna say I have ever met Darragh’s mother.” Tisa’s tone indicated her own bewilderment.
“Mayhap Darragh was from a different wife?” Thomasina asked.
Aodh burst in, a clay pitcher tucked under his arm and a horn in each hand.
“Come, Sean. Let us speak as men. Ladies,” he put the items on the table, “if ye will give us some time.”
Tisa and Thomasina exchanged glances but both stood. Sean’s patience with this man was wearing thin. Thomasina must have sensed it and winked at him before turning to Tisa.
“Please. Can ye show me yer new home?”
The fact that his wife had no idea what her old home looked like made Sean smile. His sweet wife was doing her best to be the peacekeeper. A noble endeavor. He could do the same and accepted the horn. He followed Aodh’s lead, raising it as well.
“Slaínte.”
“Slaínte.”
Tisa led the way through the hall and out the door.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
~
“A PEACEFUL PLACE.” THOMASINA glanced around and followed Tisa who led the way to the small, round building set apart from the longhouse.
Tisa remembered Darragh’s comment about how the village may appear peaceful but, in truth, it was not. She chose not to repeat the warning. It did no good for this woman or Sean to realize how warlike her father-in-law was.
“My thanks.”
The fire was stoked and Breandan sat beside it, his own mending in his hands. He glanced up, clearly startled.
“Be easy, Breandan. This is Thomasina. She is the wife of Sean from the MacNaughton Clan.”
“Sean has married? And to someone that is not Tadhg’s sister?”
Thomasina tipped her head. “Men dunna always ken their own minds.”
“Or what is best for them,” Tisa added. “Brighit was a dear friend but not intended for Sean.”
“Aye. Brighit was always kind to me.” Breandan sounded wistful. “Do ye ken how she fares?”
“She has married a Norman soldier, Peter.”
Breandan nodded, his eyes dropping again to the material in his hands.
Thomasina tipped her head. “What have ye there?”
“Mending,” Breandan said, his tone quite irritated.
She settled beside him, sharing his bench without being asked.
Tisa draped her wool across the coffer. “Breandan is very particular.”
“I’ve fixed this same hole every week for the last month. It keeps coming back.”
“Truly?” Thomasina’s eyes widened before she began laughing. “Oh, Breandan! Methinks ye need help with that then.”
He smiled at her.
Tisa was a bit surprised at how kind he was being to Thomasina. She’d offered the same help but was met with a scowl. She sat on the stool opposite the two of them.
“I ken I’m doing it correct,” Breandan’s attention was again on the cloth.
Thomasina took the material from his hands, careful to hold it the same way. “I see. Ye have a thread here...” She prodded at the weaving with her fingertips before stretching it as far as she could then handed it back. “Try that.”
Breandan frowned in concentration, made quick work of the stitches and smiled at Thomasina. A cheery smile. “Ye have the right of it. I dinna see that. My thanks.”
A stab of jealousy pricked at Tisa. Breandan was never cheerful with her. But then again, Thomasina was not a possible rival for his lover’s attention.
“What can I get ye?” Breandan stood beside her, ready to immediately do her bidding.
If only Tisa could get him to help with any of the chores with such willingness.
“Me? Nothing.” Thomasina spread her gown over her knees, smoothing the material.
“Can I wash yer gown for ye?” Breandan’s suggestion came with so much enthusiasm, Tisa’s breath caught for fear Thomasina would not agree. Tisa did not want him to be disappointed.
“Oh, yea, Thomasina. A bath for ye,” Tisa said.
“I’ll see to the water!” Breandan dragged the tub out and left to get the water.
Thomasina smiled at Tisa. “That is very sweet of ye to offer. Are ye certain ‘tis not a burden to ye?”
“I am certain. My husband is fastidious so we are very accustomed to bathing even while it snows outside. Breandan only need go to the next building for the heated water. Did ye see my father?”
“Aye. He was abed when we arrived but Sean felt certain it was merely fear for yer well-being that troubled him. We will let him ken ye are fine.”
Tisa didn’t feel fine. She was overcome with guilt for having left her father as she did. “My thanks.”
The door flew open as Breandan entered with a bucket of water on each arm. “Nice and hot.”
He dumped them into the tub then added cold water from the barrel beside the door. He left again, closing the door behind him.
“Let us see to yer gown.” Tisa brought her into the alcove. “‘Tis a lovely gown.”
It may have been a beautiful shade of blue but looked more gray at present.
“My thanks. ‘Twas my mother’s. I wore it for my binding ceremony to Sean.”
Another thing Tisa was not allowed to experience but it mattered little since it would have been to a man she did not love. She rummaged through the small chest for something Thomasina could wear while her gown dried.
“His face lit up when he saw me in it.” Thomasina sounded as if she were reliving the event. “I had been dressed as a lad and when he saw me dressed as a lass,” she sighed, “‘twas a look of sincere appreciation I saw on his face, although he was more than eager to see it come off as well.”
Tisa opened her mouth to respond and realized she had no words. She did not know what it was to be looked upon with love, with a man anxious to be your husband. She swiped at her eyes then worked to untie the bindings of Thomasina’s dress.
“Beg pardon. Mayhap I should not say such things as that.”
“‘Tis fine.”
“We are both women and ‘tis very good to have another woman to speak with.”
“Aye, Sean is a good man.” Tisa repeated what she’d always heard said about Thomasina’s husband, anxious to avoid any other revelations. “Although I have not seen him for many years.”
“Why is that?”
Tisa shrugged and pulled the gown over her head. “I saw him more than my betrothed but not very often. My father kept me close.”
Thomasina pulled up the chemise as she spoke, baring her body. “My father cared little for keeping me safe.”
“Methinks we have had very different upbringings.” A large bruise on Thomasina’s shoulder caught Tisa’s eyes. “Have ye been hurt? I have some salve—”
“Nae.” Thomasina grinned. “‘Tis a love bite from my husband.”
“A love bite?”
Darragh’s bite had left teeth marks. She couldn’t imagine what Thomasina spoke of but she nodded her head.
“He likes to latch on as he rides betwixt my legs. I enjoy it as well.”
Tisa’s face heated.
“May we speak since we are both married woman?”
“If ye need to,” Tisa said, hoping she would not.
“My mother died when I was very young and I have no one else to ask.”
The heat spread down Tisa’s neck and she turned away from her new friend, reaching for the wool to wrap her up in. She may be a married woman but she was not an experienced one. “I dunna ken if I can be of any help.”
“Well, it’s—”
The door blew open and Tisa heaved a great sigh of relief. “Breandan.”
She went to the tub and helped him to dump in the water, leaving Thomasina to follow.
“Mayhap ye can see how it feels to ye?” Tisa asked.
“Oh, I do not li—”
“He will give ye his back.” Tisa glared at him until he turned away.
Thomasina dropped the wool, swiped her hand through the water, then lowered herself into the tub. “Mmm, very good.”
“I’ll take the gown.” Breandan went to retrieve the gown, not even glancing toward the narrow, wooden tub.
“Be careful with it. ‘Tis very dear to her.”
Breandan raised his brows at her as if she’d insulted him and left without another word.
“He is quite capable, I’m certain,” Thomasina said.
“Aye.” Tisa had no idea.
She brought out the soap from the carved chest. It had seemed a good place to store such valuables and Darragh had not objected.
“My thanks, sweet lady.” Thomasina’s smile appeared again when she accepted it. She took a deep sniff. “Mmm, ye treat me as one very special, indeed.”
“I ken it feels good to soak. No doubt, yer husband will appreciate a clean wife as well.” Tisa sat again. “Tell me how ye came to be wed to Sean.”
Thomasina accepted the cloth Tisa offered and rubbed it with the rose-scented soap. “He came to save me from my father. A drunkard.” Thomasina dipped below the surface to soak her hair. She spurted the water.
Tisa took the soap and rubbed Thomasina’s long tresses with it, working it into her scalp as she listened.
“Quite a handsome man, my Sean.”
“He is that.” Tisa handed back the soap.
“He was on my horse and I needed to get her back.”
“No simple task. Were ye not intimidated by his great size?”
“Aye, but I needed my horse. I was looking for my brother to aid me against our drunken father.”
Tisa paused her scrubbing. “Ye said ye were dressed as a lad?”
Thomasina laughed. “Aye.” She rubbed the soap over a long calf. “He said he knew I was a woman from the start. He fought against his need to protect me.”
“You dinna find yer brother?”
“I did. ‘Tis strange, but after I found my brother, he was no longer enough. Not after Sean.”