For a moment I thought Morna would refuse. Eventually, however, she sighed. ‘Yes, I suppose I can do that. You’re not going to tell her the truth?’

‘She’ll do something stupid like fly off to try and rescue Candy and mess everything up. She’s a lot stronger than she looks but I’ll feel better if she’s out of the way. If she goes after Candy she’ll walk into a trap.’

‘She’s not going to like it when she finds out the truth,’ Morna warned.

I sighed. ‘The truth makes fools of us all.’

Morna watched me closely but chose not to pursue the line of conversation. ‘Well,’ she said, ‘if that girl is coming with me, I’d better stay at the MacQuarries for a few days until she settles down. If she’s on her own she’s liable to open her mouth and cause offence. Even with their sworn oath to you, that won’t go down well. She really has to learn some manners. I’ve had enough spoilt Sidhe brats in my time. I’m getting too old to deal with many more of them.’

I breathed out. ‘You’d do that?’

She nodded. ‘But only until I convince her to think before she speaks and the MacQuarries to grant her some leeway.’

‘Thank you,’ I said wholeheartedly. ‘You’re the perfect person to teach her the error of her ways.’

‘If you say so.’ Morna raised her eyebrows. ‘And speak of the devil.’

I glanced over my shoulder to see Tipsania flouncing up the hill towards us. ‘Integrity!’ she yelled.

How did she manage to make her voice so piercing? I pasted on a grin. ‘Hi, Tipsy!’

She marched up, hands on her hips. ‘What’s going on? Nobody is telling me a thing. I’d like to remind you that this is my wedding we’re talking about. Is it just a farce or is it really going ahead?’ I opened my mouth to answer but she didn’t give me the chance. ‘Well?’ she demanded. ‘Come on! Tell me. I insist that you do.’

‘There’s nothing to worry about.’

‘Pah! That’s easy for you to say!’

‘Everything’s under control. I want you to go away with Morna for a few days. Just until things have died down.’

Tipsania’s mouth fell open. ‘Why?’

‘You’ll be safer with her.’

A fleeting expression of hurt crossed her face. ‘Sure. I understand. You don’t want me around.’ She turned away.

I reached out and grabbed her arm. ‘It’s not like that. It really is for your own safety. You’re welcome back here after the wedding.’

‘The wedding that’s not going to happen.’

‘Yeah.’ Hopefully.

‘I want to see Candy. I think a Wild Man will be able to protect me better than a geriatric.’ She glanced at Morna. ‘No offence.’

Morna gave a tight smile.

‘Candy wants you to go with her,’ I lied.

Tipsania frowned, her delicate brows snapping together. ‘Why? He’s never met her.’

‘I spoke to him and he agreed it was for the best,’ I said, crossing my fingers behind my back.