moment he stood at the threshold, studying the interior.
Though he could cross the length of the hut in four strides, Aileen had everything organised. Her herbs hung to dry on one end, while other vials contained potions and other healing salves. A small trunk held her personal belongings, and during the day her pallet was stored in another part of the room.
Upon the hearth he saw a cauldron of bubbling oat pottage. He winced, wishing for anything but the pasty gruel. Perhaps her cooking was his penance for previous sins.
The door opened slightly, interrupting his thoughts. He saw Riordan, and vaguely he recalled Aileen saying that the man had helped bring him back.
‘MacEgan,’ Riordan said in acknowledgement. Though his words offered a polite greeting, Connor knew Riordan held no friendship towards him. As lads growing up, Riordan had been overprotective of his sister Lianna. He had never approved of Connor and made no secret of his animosity. ‘Where is Aileen?’
‘She is not here,’ Connor said, not wanting to prolong the visit. He kept his bandaged hands hidden behind his back, meeting Riordan’s gaze evenly.
‘I came to see you. Your brothers have been sighted and should be here within an hour.’ The fact pleased Riordan from the thin smile upon the man’s face.
Connor showed no reaction to the news. Instead, he took a step forward, openly challenging Riordan. ‘I do not intend to go back with them,’ he said. ‘I am remaining here until my hands have healed.’
‘Aileen does not want you here.’
‘We have an arrangement. It does not concern you.’
Riordan’s fist balled up, and Connor kept his eyes trained upon the man, showing no fear. He didn’t trust him. The invisible lines of confrontation were drawn.
‘Always arrogant, you were, Connor. I have offered to wed her. As her future husband and provider, I demand that you leave.’
‘Has she accepted your offer, then?’
‘It is too soon.’
Connor hid his satisfaction. Aileen deserved better than a hot-headed man such as Riordan. ‘So you say.’
The man’s jealousy darkened. ‘Stay away from Aileen.’
Wounded or not, Connor had no intention of letting the man intimidate him. He held his ground, meeting the open threat with an even expression. Riordan’s temper held by the thinnest strands of self-control, his fists curling up.
The door swung open, and Aileen entered, carrying her basket. It brimmed over with handfuls of fresh clover and lavender.
She directed her attention to Riordan. ‘What is amiss?’
‘Nothing,’ Riordan replied. ‘I came to inform Connor that his brothers will arrive soon.’ He appeared satisfied with himself.
Connor was less than pleased by the news. Convincing his brothers to leave him behind would be difficult. He stared at Aileen. Her eyes did not quite meet his.
His brothers would have much to say about his injuries, and he doubted if they would understand his reasons for wanting to remain.
‘I must begin preparations for our noon meal,’ Aileen said. ‘Thank you for letting me know about the MacEgans, Riordan.’
He reached out and took her hand, offering it a squeeze. ‘It is always a pleasure to see you, Aileen.’
Connor did not miss the way Riordan’s eyes coveted Aileen. He watched her like a man treasuring a possession. A thin needle of warning pricked him, even as the man left.
After he had gone, Aileen unwrapped the cloth package of mutton. He eyed it with wariness. ‘Are you certain you know how to cook that?’
Her eyes narrowed. ‘Of course.’
He shrugged, not entirely convinced. She had not prepared a true meal for him in the fortnight he’d been here. If he never saw another bowl of pottage, that would suit him.
‘I look forward to tasting it,’ he said softly. Her gaze snapped toward his, her face flaming. The colour in her cheeks suggested she was thinking about tasting something else. Though he hadn’t meant the words in that way, he grew aware of her
Though he could cross the length of the hut in four strides, Aileen had everything organised. Her herbs hung to dry on one end, while other vials contained potions and other healing salves. A small trunk held her personal belongings, and during the day her pallet was stored in another part of the room.
Upon the hearth he saw a cauldron of bubbling oat pottage. He winced, wishing for anything but the pasty gruel. Perhaps her cooking was his penance for previous sins.
The door opened slightly, interrupting his thoughts. He saw Riordan, and vaguely he recalled Aileen saying that the man had helped bring him back.
‘MacEgan,’ Riordan said in acknowledgement. Though his words offered a polite greeting, Connor knew Riordan held no friendship towards him. As lads growing up, Riordan had been overprotective of his sister Lianna. He had never approved of Connor and made no secret of his animosity. ‘Where is Aileen?’
‘She is not here,’ Connor said, not wanting to prolong the visit. He kept his bandaged hands hidden behind his back, meeting Riordan’s gaze evenly.
‘I came to see you. Your brothers have been sighted and should be here within an hour.’ The fact pleased Riordan from the thin smile upon the man’s face.
Connor showed no reaction to the news. Instead, he took a step forward, openly challenging Riordan. ‘I do not intend to go back with them,’ he said. ‘I am remaining here until my hands have healed.’
‘Aileen does not want you here.’
‘We have an arrangement. It does not concern you.’
Riordan’s fist balled up, and Connor kept his eyes trained upon the man, showing no fear. He didn’t trust him. The invisible lines of confrontation were drawn.
‘Always arrogant, you were, Connor. I have offered to wed her. As her future husband and provider, I demand that you leave.’
‘Has she accepted your offer, then?’
‘It is too soon.’
Connor hid his satisfaction. Aileen deserved better than a hot-headed man such as Riordan. ‘So you say.’
The man’s jealousy darkened. ‘Stay away from Aileen.’
Wounded or not, Connor had no intention of letting the man intimidate him. He held his ground, meeting the open threat with an even expression. Riordan’s temper held by the thinnest strands of self-control, his fists curling up.
The door swung open, and Aileen entered, carrying her basket. It brimmed over with handfuls of fresh clover and lavender.
She directed her attention to Riordan. ‘What is amiss?’
‘Nothing,’ Riordan replied. ‘I came to inform Connor that his brothers will arrive soon.’ He appeared satisfied with himself.
Connor was less than pleased by the news. Convincing his brothers to leave him behind would be difficult. He stared at Aileen. Her eyes did not quite meet his.
His brothers would have much to say about his injuries, and he doubted if they would understand his reasons for wanting to remain.
‘I must begin preparations for our noon meal,’ Aileen said. ‘Thank you for letting me know about the MacEgans, Riordan.’
He reached out and took her hand, offering it a squeeze. ‘It is always a pleasure to see you, Aileen.’
Connor did not miss the way Riordan’s eyes coveted Aileen. He watched her like a man treasuring a possession. A thin needle of warning pricked him, even as the man left.
After he had gone, Aileen unwrapped the cloth package of mutton. He eyed it with wariness. ‘Are you certain you know how to cook that?’
Her eyes narrowed. ‘Of course.’
He shrugged, not entirely convinced. She had not prepared a true meal for him in the fortnight he’d been here. If he never saw another bowl of pottage, that would suit him.
‘I look forward to tasting it,’ he said softly. Her gaze snapped toward his, her face flaming. The colour in her cheeks suggested she was thinking about tasting something else. Though he hadn’t meant the words in that way, he grew aware of her
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