Chapter 13 #2
He caught my accusing stare, guilt flashing in his eyes, before he focused an irritated look at Cormac, who seemed oblivious.
For a moment, everything seemed to pause. Then Maeve inhaled a sharp breath. “Wait. Did you say again? They’ve kissed not only once, but more?”
Cormac’s teasing expression fell. “Sorry. I genuinely thought everyone knew.”
Bren shook his head in disappointment.
I forced myself to look at Maeve, certain she was glaring at me with a disappointed look. Instead, interest sparkled in her eyes. “Well. You rascal.” But then she drew her brows. “Care to explain why this man knows more than your bestie?”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I sent her a pleading look. “Maeve.”
She held up a finger, cutting me off. “When?”
Cormac answered before I could. “A couple of times, right?”
Bren released a low sound of frustration. “Cormac.”
He shrugged. “What? I’m not wrong.”
Bren pinned his friend with a sharp look. “You are, in several ways, wrong.”
Maeve clapped her hands together once. “Right,” she said in a merciless voice as she eyed me. “It’s like that, is it? Well, we’ll talk later.”
I had no doubt we would.
Cormac caught my eye and bowed his head in disgrace. “Sorry, Selene.”
I narrowed my gaze at him and then turned to my friend. “I intended to tell you. There’s just been so much.”
Maeve tried to hold her irritated look, but a hint of a smile quirked at the corner of her mouth. She glanced at Bren, who’d returned his focus to his laptop, and then back to me, taunting me with raised brows.
I wanted to switch on my grinder and get back to work, but that seemed a rude thing to do with Cormac present. Even though he probably deserved it.
Bren finally spoke to his friend. “You’re still here.”
Cormac lifted his chin. “Right. I did actually have a reason for stopping by. Thought you’d like to know I just spotted Eireann in town having lunch at the pub.
She was with a younger fella I didn’t recognize.
” He dropped his tone, but not low enough to keep us from hearing.
“If she’s out this way, she’ll come to the castle. You know she will.”
My panic returned. “Eireann? From the restoration council?”
Bren’s expression softened when he glanced my way. “That’s the one. My guess is she’s bringing Doherty’s nephew. Margaret likely sent her along with him.”
His words did nothing to reassure me. “To spy on me? Both of them?”
He lifted a calming hand. “I’ve asked others about the lad. He’s fresh from school and not known to be involved in politics. Margaret probably expects me to slam the door in his face, so she sent Eireann to smooth the way.”
I shrugged. “So do it. I don’t want either of them here.”
Maeve must have sensed the worry in my voice because she linked her arm with mine. “We’re capable without anyone’s assistance.”
Bren leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “Hear me out. I spent last evening considering all possibilities. If he’s here to spy, we’ll know soon enough, and we can use him to our advantage. He’ll be the perfect conduit to feed her and others disinformation.”
I huffed my disapproval. “I want no part of this.”
He held my gaze, silently asking me to trust him. “You’re worried they know something about you. What better way to prove you’re only here to work than doing just that? He’ll have nothing to report.”
Bren paused and slid his gaze to Cormac. “Unless I choose to give him something.”
Cormac snorted. “At the least, he’ll be a helpful pair of hands. If he’s an earpiece for the council, you’ll send them on a wild goose chase.”
Bren dipped his head. “That’s right.” He turned to me. “Treat him like a fresh graduate looking for field experience. Watch how he acts. You have a good sense about you. Trust that. If he does anything that makes you uncomfortable, he’s gone. I won’t hesitate.”
Maeve curved her lips into a sly smile. “Oh, ho ho. I do enjoy a good game. Having said that, I think he’s right, Selene.
There’s nothing about your magic he’ll notice unless you say something to him.
It’s not like you’re casting spells he’ll see.
I’ll be here with you and keep a sharp eye on him. He’d be a fool to cross me.”
Defeated by all, and Maeve had caved so easily. “It’s not your neck on the line.”
Bren surprised me when he stood and crossed the room. His eyes were dark and solemn as he looked down at me. “Listen, you’ll be fine. I’m here every day, and I won’t let them hurt you. Ever.”
Maeve covered her mouth with the back of her hand, as if that would hide her snort of delight, and she made her way to where Cormac sat. Her whispered words echoed in the great hall. “And they’ve kissed.”
I yearned to berate her for her teasing, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Bren. “I don’t like this.”
He nodded. “I know. But if we immediately send him away, it’ll make Margaret think there’s something to hide. Even if all he’s here for is experience. Let’s wait and see. As I promised before, one word from you and he’ll be gone. Okay?”
If he had forced it on me, I would have refused. But he gave me the option, and deep down, I knew I had to do it. “If Margaret knew anything for sure, she wouldn’t send him, right?”
Bren agreed with a nod, and I continued. “Then I suppose we can see what he’s like.”
Maeve called from across the room. “I’m an expert judge of character.”
The sound of tires on the gravel outside drew Bren’s gaze from me, and I suspected Cormac’s predictions had come true.
Bren headed toward the worktable as he addressed us all. “For now, we treat him exactly as what he claims to be and see what he gives us.” He grabbed his leather jacket and strode toward the door. “Come, Cormac. I’d like to keep Eireann from the castle.”
The large man jumped to his feet. “I’m right behind you.”
I slid my gaze to Maeve, and she widened her eyes in anticipation. “I’m going where the action is. Are you coming or what?”
She handed my coat to me as she strode past. I slipped into it and buttoned it tight as I followed her.