Page 48

Chapter

“ W hy do we remain in the hall when nearly all have taken their beds? It has been a long day, brother.”

Though not the first time Niall had asked Kieran that question, this time, there was no way to avoid it. He’d thought of half-truths to avoid telling him about Maisie, but there had never been lies between them.

With one exception.

Though they’d not spoken about it again, and Kieran had forgiven his brother, having learned more about what happened, that he’d not told him immediately still stung. But Kieran could also acknowledge he likely should have stayed long enough to speak to his brother before leaving.

Nay, running away.

But it was a jarring thing, to learn your family had been lying to you and that you were, in fact, related to the very clan you had been taught to hate.

In response, he looked at Maisie. She was wiping tables, doing work she could have easily asked one of the serving maids to do. Unlike some, however, she’d not been raised with coin in hand, the inn passing down to her from wealthy relatives. And it was evident.

“Who is she?”

“The innkeeper,” Kieran said, taking a final sip of ale. He’d drunk enough that night and was ready to retire. Nay, ready to be with Maisie in whatever way she wished. If naught else, he would speak to her about last eve.

“I know as much already. Brother?”

He’d cherish that word now more than ever before. “Aye?”

Niall looked at him in a very familiar way. It was the same look his brother gave him if he suggested finishing their training for the day.

“She is the reason we are not staying in Aberdale.”

“Ahhhh.” Niall looked back and forth between him and Maisie. “How did I not see it before?”

Kieran shrugged. “Likely because you were not looking.”

“She is quite beautiful.”

“And capable. Her husband was much older, an arranged marriage that should not have been. A bastard, by his reputation. And from Maisie’s accounts. She took over the running of this inn from him and has done quite well.”

“It seems she has,” Niall said. “No rooms available. And the pigeon pie. . . I would return for it alone.”

“‘Tis hers,” Kieran said. “Only recently she trained the cook to make them.”

His brother’s eyes narrowed. “You care for her?”

There was no reason to deny it. “I do.”

“Have you. . .”

Niall did not have to finish. His knowing expression was clear enough.

“Nay,” he said. “I’ve no wish for a wife. And she, none for a husband.”

“Yet you care for her. And clearly desire the woman.”

“I cannae deny either.”

“Hmm. If ‘twas desire alone, I could advise you easily. But the first . . . ‘tis a more complicated matter.”

“And I fear will become more so. You can take the bed,” Kieran said as the last patron retired. It would not be long now until Maisie did the same. “I will speak to Maisie first and am unsure how long ‘twill be before joining you.”

“ Speak to her?”

“Aye.”

“I can think of only one matter that needs addressing at such an hour.”

Kieran watched Maisie from the corner of his eye. She was nearly finished with her duties.

“‘Tis the matter of us sharing a room last eve.”

He’d already told his brother about the healer but had not mentioned Maisie had accompanied him.

“She was with you,” Niall said, though it was not, in fact, a question. “Tread carefully, brother. She may be a widow, but ‘tis clear to me the innkeeper is more than a passing dalliance to you.”

Indeed. He was beginning to ken as much.

Maisie glanced their way.

“If you wish to retire, I willnae stop you.”

Niall laughed. A rare sound but one Kieran had missed. “It seems I’ve been dismissed.”

“You have,” Kieran agreed as Niall stood.

“For this eve only,” Niall clarified. “You are my brother, for life. Do not suggest otherwise ever again.”

Kieran had wondered when Niall would get to chastising him. Always the older brother, and in this, Kieran’s words were ones he should never have said. But he’d been angry and could not apologize for them. Instead, he nodded, acknowledged Niall’s words, and watched as his brother walked away.

Maisie stood there instead.

“You wished to speak with me?”

Kieran wished to do much more than speak with her, but he’d not say so aloud. “Aye, lass. I do indeed.”