A soft whimper sounded at my side, and a boot heel scraped over the floor as Ailish shuffled back a step. If not for the guaranteed pain, I would have taken her hand in a show of support. I settled for a reassuring smile, only to see that she had turned red as a cooked lobster since entering the room. And no wonder, being in such close proximity to Brigid’s oldest and strongest descendants. She looked so miserable, I thought to suggest she go straight upstairs to await supper, but Cate spoke first.
“Will you introduce your companion, Miss Kilbrid? She reminds me of someone I’ve not seen for many years.”
“Of course,” I stuttered, trying to regain my composure. “This is my friend, Miss Ailish O’Bearra.”
At the name, Cate’s smile turned knowing. “Pleased to meet you, Miss O’Bearra. Have you known Miss Kilbrid long?”
Ailish shuffled her feet again. “We’ve been traveling together since the Sea Witch sailed from Bristol, milady.”
“I see,” Cate said, in such a way I truly wondered what she did see. “Would you care to join us for supper?” She waved a hand at the empty seat across from Marin.
“Not tonight, ma’am, I...it’s...” Ailish stumbled over the words.
“Too hot?” Cate asked in a kind voice.
Ailish nodded furiously. “That’s it, ma’am. No offense to you, but I’ll be having me supper upstairs.”
“No offense taken, though I would like to speak to you later. Perhaps outside where it’s cooler.”
“I’d like that ma’am.” Ailish darted a sideways look at me. “Best I run along afore I’m cooked through. I’ll wait for you in the room, Selah.” She bobbed a curtsey at Cate, and then dashed out of sight, abandoning me to the wolves.
Now I was alone. Silence settled in her place, and my shoulders threatened to droop under the weight of so many hard stares. Clearing my throat, I jumped straight to the point. “You and Tom were right about Carmen.”
Tom crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Figured as much, which is why we told you to stay in London.” His Irish brogue was even thicker than Cate’s.
I crossed my arms to match his stance, lifting my chin for added defiance. “I’m afraid that wasn’t your choice to make, Mr. Faber, no matter how much you may have thought otherwise.”
A grunt came from Sean. “He was only trying to keep you safe, Selah. You can hardly fault a man for that.”
My head jerked in his direction. “Don’t even start with me, brother, for I’ll not listen to someone who runs at the first sign of trouble.”
Marin shot up with such force, the table moved several inches toward Cate. “Hold your tongue, lass. No one will be accusing me Sean o’ cowardice, sister or no.”
I fisted my hands against my ribs to keep from swatting her hand away. “And who are you to tell me what I’m allowed to say?”
“His wife, you hothead, and don’t you be forgetting it.”
My mouth fell open, and all I could do was gape at her.
A chair scraped over the floor, and the next thing I knew, Cate stood beside me with a hand on my shoulder. When warmth infused my skin, I was too shocked to pull away from her calming touch.
I looked at Sean and saw a dark-haired stranger. “You...you got married?”
He nodded but offered nothing more than a guilty look.
My gaze returned to Marin, to the dark auburn hair secured in a messy knot. Understanding came in an instant. Cate hadn’t been in the garden with Dr. Gillman, as I’d made myself believe in Bristol. It had been Sean, accompanied by his wife.
His wife!
More warmth flowed into my shoulder, calming my nerves, though it did nothing for the pain in my heart. “Well, I guess if you couldn’t bother to tell me you were alive, I shouldn’t have expected a marriage announcement.”
The guilt intensified in his face, and even Marin had the good grace to appear somewhat discomfited.
Cate released her hold, and only then did I collect my senses to recall the risk of direct contact. I stepped to the side, not completely out of reach, but enough to send a message that I preferred some distance.
“Marin and Sean,” Cate said. “Would you be so kind as to take your seats?”
They obliged, though grudgingly by their expressions. Tom sat as well.
“Now with as much fun as it is to catch up, there are other issues that need our immediate attention.” Cate looked at me. “What have you learned about Carmen?”
“She’s Deri’s mother like you thought.”
“What else?”
“Deidre thinks she’s trying to break the curse that’s kept her imprisoned so she can finish what her family started all those years ago.”
“Who’s Deidre?” Tom asked.
“Deri’s stepmother. She lives in a cottage about an hour’s ride from here.”
“How did you find her?”
“Is she in league with the wretch?”
Cate and Tom spoke at once, one question atop the other.
“Ailish found her and no, Deidre despises Deri as much as we do. Maybe even more.”
They continued to stare at me, their expressions expectant, but there was so much to share from the past five days I found myself growing tongue-tied. After a moment, Cate tipped her head toward the wall, in a subtle gesture for the two of us to move away from the table. “A word please, Selah.”