‘Mhairi took over all of Ciar’s duties,’ said Nuala. ‘She’s with Lady Flidais night and day.’

‘Thank you,’ I said, giving her a smile. ‘My second question is for Lady Flidais. My lady, I have noticed you are often indisposed with headaches. I am expert in dealing with such maladies. It is very likely I could help you. But your personal attendant has not sought me out on your behalf. I will not risk offending anyone by asking why not. I will simply say that I am well qualified to help, and that my services are at your disposal if you wish to use them. I believe I could cure the headaches quite quickly, allowing you to live your life to the full, as before. Would you allow me to try?’

Lady Flidais turned her wide blue gaze on me. ‘I have no faith in old wives’ remedies,’ she said.

There were a few gasps around the chamber – the barb in this comment was hardly subtle. Lady Sochla opened her mouth, then closed it again. She might have reprimanded one of the waiting women if she’d spoken with such discourtesy, but she would not do so to the lady of the house. And, hard as it was to believe, Flidais was that lady.

I held my tongue. In this girl’s opinion I was a crone. I could have protested. I could have told her that despite appearances, I was still of child-bearing years. I could have said that under the worn-out, beaten-down exterior, the woman I might have been still lingered. An old wife would not have cared about Mathuin’s crimes. An old wife could not have contained such a burning will for justice. But what was the point? Flidais and her kind would care nothing for that. She would still see me as the shrivelled, desperate hag of Branoc’s unsavoury speech. If I argued the point, I’d be letting her know that her comment had struck home. And while I might be physically capable of it, I had no intention of ever lying with a man or bearing a child again. There was only so much heartbreak a person could carry.

‘That is your choice, of course, my lady.’ With some difficulty I kept my tone coolly courteous. ‘If you change your mind, please let me know. It seems I will be staying here until the cottage is fully rebuilt, and since Brid has so kindly allowed me to set up my stillroom near the kitchen, it’s now easy for anyone in the household to consult me. It would be sad if you were still afflicted in this way at the time of your hand-fasting.’