I huffed in protest.
“He’s glad for what happened to Calhoun and wants us to try and make a fresh start o’ things.” Ailish’s expression turned shy. “I’m likely to give it a go.”
“What if he’s as bad as the father?” Henry asked.
“Then I’ll leave, milord.” She slanted closer and spoke softly to me. “You made me see I had choices, Selah Kilbrid, that I don’t have to stay if’n I don’t want to.”
The knot turned to a dull thud behind my sternum. “Henry and I will check on you from time to time.”
“Yes, we will.” Henry shifted slightly, and steel edged his voice when he next spoke. “Make no mistake of it, Paddy, justice will be served if Miss O’Bearra has been mistreated in any way.”
Color crept to Ailish’s hairline, though she grinned with pleasure. “Ah, go on now, milord. I can take care o’ meself well enough.”
Paddy puffed out his chest. “She’ll have no complaints about how I be treating her.”
Henry’s deep voice rumbled through me. “Make sure you keep it that way.”
Ailish took a step back, her eyes locked on mine. “We’ll always be friends, no matter what, right?”
I nodded. “No matter what.”
She took another step, then turned and slipped like a mouse into the shadows with Paddy at her side.
My heart weighed heavy to see her go.
Nuada was the next to leave, vanishing the same way Cailleach had done. Nora considered the empty space for half a heartbeat, her gaze somewhat dazed, before she turned and flew into James’s arms. With a joyous cry, he crushed her to him, and the kiss that followed would have made me blush under different circumstances.
Brigid looked at me, her face alive with mirth. “As promised, I have informed Lugh that Lord Fitzalan needs an audience.”
“Thank you. I... I had no idea to expect it so soon.” Anxiety jumped in my stomach. What if Henry became angry after learning the truth? Or worse yet, refused the second gift? I turned in his arms until our eyes met. “There’s something you need to know about when I almost died in the cavern.”
He dipped his head closer to me.
“Well...” My voice trailed off at the depth of our audience. James and Nora had moved closer, as had Justine, and each member of our party now watched me expectantly, awaiting my next words. “Well...” I started again, “an interesting thing happened...and Lugh needs to speak with you.” I moved aside with an apologetic look to the sun god.
Lugh didn’t seem to mind. Drawing closer, he placed a large hand on Henry’s shoulder. In silence, they stared at each other, and I glanced between them, well imagining the nature of their conversation.
“Do you agree?” Lugh asked after a moment.
My eyes flew to Henry. Please say yes...
He nodded without pause. “I agree.”
My shoulders slackened as the iron tension flowed from me.
“So be it,” Lugh said. Power crackled in the air, rippled around Henry. For several long seconds, he held completely still, not even breathing from what I could tell. Then his ribs expanded as though freed, and he inhaled deeply.
“Very good,” Brigid murmured. She shifted her gaze to me. “Tell me, Daughter, do you still wish to bind yourself to this man?”
I nodded, bemused by the request. “Yes, of course I do.”
The mirth grew stronger in her eyes. “Then let us proceed.”
My lips parted with surprise. “Right now?”
“Why not?” Lugh asked. “Unless you have something more pressing than to marry my son.”
Words failed me. I blinked at Lugh, then at Brigid. From their expressions, they were absolutely serious about marrying us this very moment. My gaze dropped to my rumpled skirts and muddy boots. A clump of dark curls brushed my cheek, having slipped its pins. No doubt dirt smudged my face, and I smelled of horses and wet wool. Henry looked equally disheveled. Dark stubble peppered his cheeks. His clothing was wrinkled, and somewhere during the scuffle he’d lost his hat. His hair had also come unbound from the leather throng, falling in a tangled shower to his shoulders. In truth, he had never looked more handsome.
He took my hands in his. “Will you marry me, Selah?” The warmth in his eyes nearly melted me.
“You know I will.”
His gaze darkened. “But will you marry me now?”
It was almost too much at once. A confused fog swirled in my head, clouding all rational thought.
“Do it, Selah.” Nora’s voice came through the haze, and I glanced at her, at the radiant smile that filled her lovely face. She stood near Brigid with James beside her.
He tipped his head to me. “I agree, Miss Kilbrid. It’s high time you were married.”
I turned to Justine for guidance. “But Cate and Tom...” I didn’t finish the sentence.