Marillier, Juliet - Sevenwaters 03 - Child of the Prophecy by Marillier Juliet

Author:Marillier, Juliet
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter Ten

She was tiny, graceful, and well-mannered. She was completely in control.

Eamonn's folk snapped to attention and ran to do her bidding. I followed her, feeling like a clumsy giant, tongue-tied and awkward, until all was settled to her satisfaction and she announced with no consultation whatever that she would share my bedchamber for the night, since that would be easier for all.

As we made our way there by candlelight, I asked her bluntly, "Don't you trust me, Aunt?"

She glanced at me sidelong, her green eyes coolly appraising.

"I don't trust Eamonn," she said grimly. "I know him to be capable of many things. It seems taking advantage of young girls must be added to the list."

I did not reply until we were in the chamber, and the door closed behind us.

Liadan had a little bag with her containing a nightrobe and a comb. It was plain she had not intended to stay long. I watched as she began to unpin her coil of plaits.

"Are you angry with me?" I asked.

She paused, giving me a very direct sort of look. "No, my dear," she said.

"Not angry. Just a little sad. I've been so looking forward to meeting you.

Indeed, I'd have fetched you straight back, but Maeve needed me at Sevenwaters and Aisling overruled me. If I'd been there, none of you would have come near this place. Now the occasion has been marred for both of us, but the fault is

Eamonn's, not yours. I know you have acted in innocence; it could hardly be otherwise for a girl of your years."

Now she had really confused me. "Looking forward?" I asked, sitting on the bed to take off my shoes. "Why?"

"Why?" Liadan sounded astonished. "How can you ask such a thing, Fainne? Can't you imagine how it was for us, to be cut off from Niamh for all those years?

Ciaran never let us near. Once he took your mother to Kerry, that was the end of it. I understood his reasons, but I could never agree that he was right.

Niamh was my sister, and Sean's. We loved her. It was a terrible blow to hear that she had died; and another to be prevented from seeing you. It is a gift that you are here, Fainne. A gift it seems we have come close to losing, in our carelessness. We'll leave early in the morning. I don't want you to see Eamonn alone again."

"Love," I said bleakly. "Why does everyone use that word? My uncle Sean, and Conor, and the others, they did not show much love when they sent my mother away from Sevenwaters. There was not much love in raising a young man to think he could be a druid, and throwing those long years of discipline and devotion back in his face. I don't believe love exists; or if it does, it causes only sorrow and loss. My mother killed herself. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

I had not intended to speak thus. I had wished to show control. But she made me angry, sitting there neat and pretty as could be, with her glib words of welcome.

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