There was a little pause. “You understand,” said Lady Anne diffidently, “that your sister is but newly wedded to my son?”

Conor translated this for the others, and there was a flood of angry response. It was fortunate that Lady Anne could not understand the tongue my brothers spoke.

“So it’s true,” growled Diarmid.

Padriac was incredulous. “Why bring it up now? She can’t mean—”

“Marriage?” Cormack spat this out. “What sort of marriage would it be, between a helpless girl and some great brute of a Briton?”

“It seems probable,” said Liam coldly, “that this marriage was never consummated.” They were talking as if I were not even there, as if these things were to be dealt with in the manner of a campaign strategy. I felt my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment, but at the same time I was angry. They should leave Red out of it. None of this was his fault, none of it. But nobody was asking me for an opinion.

“Our sister is young,” Liam continued, “and the fellow has been away, in search of a lost brother. Besides, I cannot believe Sorcha would willingly consent to such a thing. It is a bond which can be readily undone, I trust.”

Conor translated for Lady Anne.

“I can’t speak for Hugh,” she said tightly. “You will have to ask him.”

“We will,” said Conor, grim-faced.

After a while Lady Anne, stifling a yawn, made her excuses, and we were left alone, save for the two men who stood outside guarding the door. I let Padriac pour me more wine, and I accepted a piece of bread, though I had no stomach for either. The room felt strange, as if it were floating around me in some dream. I knew if I did not eat or drink, I would be unable to ride out at dawn. Finbar was sitting on the bench by the window, looking out, and I took my small meal over and settled beside him. Outside, the wind had died down completely. You could just see, in the darkness, a faint glow from the ashes of the fire, still smouldering in the courtyard. If they rode back tonight, I would see them from here.

I know how it feels, dear one. As if your heart were torn in two. I feel your pain.

I took a deep breath. Another.

Finbar?

I know how it feels. As if you will never be whole again.

I reached inside my dress, where I wore two cords about my neck. One held my wedding ring; the other, the amulet that had once been my mother’s. I left the one, and took off the other. This is yours. Take it back. Take it back, it was to you she gave it.

I slipped the cord over his head, and the little carven stone with its ash tree sign lay on his breast. He had grown painfully thin.

Show me the other. The other talisman you wear.

Slowly I took out the carven ring, and lifted it on my palm for my brother to see.