Chapter Six
Eoghan. He didn’t come by every night, or even every sennight. But about once a fortnight, he made his way from his farm a few miles outside Ath Luain to try to harass Emer into becoming his wife.
His second wife.
Of course, it was in keeping with the law codes, and not entirely unheard-of.
But Emer was too good for any of the men Alannah had met—marrying only to become the second wife of a man old enough to be their father was out of the question.
And that wasn’t even taking into consideration that as a hospitaller with her own homestead, Emer thoroughly outranked Eoghan and would be marrying down in every conceivable way.
Preparing for her second fight of the day, Alannah stormed toward Eoghan and her sister.
But Conan got there first.
The charming rogue of moments earlier was gone.
Before her raged a man who once more made her question what manner of bards looked and behaved as they did.
He towered over Eoghan, staring him down with a look that made her mouth go dry.
Being handsome and friendly was one thing.
Defending her sister without question was another entirely.
And he wasn’t only defending Emer. Nay, Conan looked as furious as Alannah felt, watching Eoghan’s grubby hands reach for her sister’s waist. Watching him lay into Eoghan, Alannah decided that perhaps she’d have that ale with him after all.
Though it was beyond her why he’d want her instead of Emer.
The men always wanted Emer, and Alannah could hardly blame them.
Her sister was the definition of feminine charm.
“I believe the lady would like to move.” A threatening timbre threaded Conan’s voice.
Alannah’s fingers itched to reach for him. Instead, she wedged herself between Eoghan and Emer. “Eoghan, get out,” she ordered, fighting whatever odd reaction she was having to their newest guest.
Eoghan rounded on her, his face ruddy from too much ale. He must’ve been drinking before he arrived, for Emer would never overserve him, knowing his poor manners.
“I’ve acquired more cattle,” he slurred. “And I wish to take her to wife.”
“My sister will never marry you,” Alannah told him for the hundredth time.
Eoghan grabbed Alannah’s arm, yanking her out of his way. “Let her speak for herself.”
Conan moved so quickly she didn’t have time to react. In one swift motion, he pinned both Eoghan’s arms behind his back, spinning him away from Alannah and Emer. He leaned forward, his jaw taut as he whispered in Eoghan’s ear. “You do not touch her.”
A thread of desire tightened through her.
Alannah hadn’t been interested in a man in years, and that was what did it?
Lord, perhaps she’d waited too long. She never imagined herself in need of a defender, not like her sister, but she had to admit that she greatly enjoyed watching Conan take on the role.
To her increasing pleasure, he kept going.
“You do not touch either of them.” He looked to Alannah, his slate eyes hard as stones. “What shall I do with him?”
“Toss him out. And remind him he’s no longer welcome here.”
Alannah couldn’t suppress a smile at the way Conan paraded Eoghan across the hall, clearly enjoying his task of taking out the garbage. When they’d left the hall, she turned to Emer. “Are you alright?”
Her sister smiled. “I was about to ask the same of you. I can’t remember the last time you let anyone help you.”
Alannah snorted. “It wasn’t as though I could stop him. You saw how he is.”
“I saw how you looked at him,” Emer sang, stepping right back into the role of hostess, as though she hadn’t nearly been assaulted.
“And how was that?” Alannah folded her arms across her chest, following Emer toward the kitchen.
Emer picked up two trenchers that she’d already prepared. “With interest.”
Alannah didn’t know how to respond. She wasn’t about to deny her interest in Conan, but she wasn’t about to admit it either. In the end, she was rescued once more by the man in question.
Conan walked over to them, his intensity setting her desire aflame once more.
Good Lord. She needed to get control of herself. Alannah couldn’t remember the last time she’d actually lusted over a man. Well, on second thought, she could. And that memory alone was enough to return her to her good sense. How had she been so wrong about Oran?
Conan took up a position beside her, within easy sight of Emer.
She should thank him for his assistance. Alannah opened her mouth with the intent of doing just that. But when his stormy grey eyes captured hers, her mind turned to mush. “What are you doing?”
“Working.” The word fell from his lips lightly, dancing between them like a lure.
Alannah moved closer. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I know.” He turned away from her, watching her sister squeeze through a growing crowd of dancers. “And neither should you.”
Alannah stared at him, entranced. “It was obvious what you were doing,” she said after some time, answering his question prior to their confrontation with Eoghan. “But this is working better.”
The ghost of a smile flitted across his lips. And heaven help her, she wanted to kiss it right off.
At the toll of the next bell, the other four men stood and stretched, setting aside their instruments and chatting while folk filed out of the hall.
Alannah helped Emer wash dishes in the buckets they kept in the kitchen.
They served as much of the food on trenchers of bread as possible, but there was no way of serving ale without cups.
Emer’s constant surreptitious glances, accompanied by smirks, finally wore down Alannah.
“What?” she demanded, washing the last cup.
“He keeps looking at you.” Her sister could barely get the words out without dissolving into girlish giggles.
Alannah rolled her eyes at Emer, but her chest rose nonetheless. “He’s probably looking at you,” she countered. “Whoever he is.”
“You know very well who he is. He was trying to charm you, I think, helping with Eoghan. You should thank him properly.”
If Alannah had been eating, she would have choked. “You must be joking.”
“They’re all handsome as the devil himself,” Emer pressed, still grinning like a fool. “And you’re not getting any younger.”
It wasn’t an insult. It was a fact. At twenty-seven, Alannah had long since accepted her fate.
“I’m not marrying, Emer. You know that.” Over her dead body would her baby sister be left defenseless and running this inn on her own.
“You don’t have to give up a husband on my account. And you don’t have to marry him to thank him.”
“What is it you’re suggesting, little sister?” From the blush on Emer’s face, Alannah knew precisely what her sister was after.
Emer shrugged her delicate shoulders, rising and picking up the bucket to dump the dirty water. “I can survive on my own for a night. You should have some fun.”
“Fun,” Alannah repeated dubiously.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Gentlemen!”
Every head snapped toward her.
Emer marched over to the men, the bucket sloshing with each step. She looked comically tiny in the forest of giants. “Were you planning to retire for the night, or are you up for some games?”
Her sister’s infectious grin spread to all five of the men.
“Absolutely,” Conan answered, his gaze moving to Alannah.
Her ridiculous sister then had the gall to turn and pin Alannah with a look that clearly said I told you so. Unbelievable.
But she wasn’t about to be the one ruining the fun. Throwing her hands up in defeat, she picked up the clean cups she’d just put away. “I’ll get the knucklebones and some ale.”