“That’s probably just as well,” I said briskly. “Coll’s a bright boy, but he seems to take up far more than his share of space. Now I’d best leave you to rest.”

“No doubt Muirrin will be back in a moment to ply me with herbal potions. Clodagh, before you go, I’ve a favor to ask.”

“Of course, Mother.”

“Your father may have forgotten to send word to Deirdre and Illann about Finbar’s arrival. Between worrying about me and concern over the northerners, I suspect it was the last thing in his mind. I know you can convey the good news to your sister in a much quicker way. I would be pleased if you could do so. Deirdre would want to know.”

The request caught me by surprise. Suggestions of treachery and betrayal came sharply back to me, as unwelcome as they’d been when first spoken, and for a moment I could not answer. I knew that, whatever the circumstances, I would no longer be able to speak with Deirdre mind to mind without feeling constant suspicion. Wretched Cathal, for planting the seed of distrust in my thoughts!

“I don’t know if I can, Mother,” I said. “Deirdre told me she wouldn’t speak to me that way anymore, not now she’s married and away from home.”

“Deirdre would want to know she has a little brother, Clodagh.” There was a note of reproach in Mother’s voice now.

“Of course.” No doubt she would, now that it seemed the gods had not required our mother’s life as the price of the longed-for son. “I’ll try, of course. And I’ll make sure a messenger goes as well. I should have thought of it.”

Mother smiled. She was looking tired now. The baby had fallen asleep at the breast. “You can’t think of everything, Clodagh. Thank you for all you’ve done. You are a good daughter.”

I lay awake that night planning what I would say, how much I would tell Deirdre and what I would hold back. I would try in the morning while I was taking my turn to sit with the baby. The quiet and solitude of the nursery should allow me to focus my thoughts on my twin and perhaps reestablish the link she had broken. If Deirdre was prepared to let me in, I would ask her how it felt to be running her own household and whether she might pay a visit to Sevenwaters now it seemed her worst fear would not be realized. If I did not offer any news save that of Finbar’s birth and Mother’s improving health, Cathal’s stupid theory need not even be put to the test.