Claiming Her

She folded her arms over her chest. “What do you want me to say, Captain?”

“The truth.”

“Aodh Mac Con is precisely what the queen needs out here on the Irish marches. That is the truth.”

Ludthorpe straightened off his elbows. “Aodh has a way of making people think those sorts of things.”

“You know him?” she said in surprise.

He nodded. “We have fought together.”

“Then you know he is stalwart, a natural leader of men.”

“I know he is in open rebellion.”

“And already forming alliances that have eluded me for years, sir. With both the Irish and the English. And he…”

The commander was shaking his head slowly. “Open. Rebellion.”

She cleared her throat. “I do think he can be persuaded to come to terms…”

He laughed and set down his cup. “I do not know if Aodh told you, I offered sanctuary. To you.”

“Sanctuary?”

“Let us say pardon, then. The queen is willing to be forgiving to you.”

“How forgiving?”

He shrugged. “Your decision here was not so surprising a thing. Your castle was overrun, you were under duress, trapped, perhaps even…forced to do things.” Their eyes met. “Mayhap to send messages with your name affixed to them. Perhaps to ride with the rebels, and broker alliances with other rebels.”

So, they knew of The O’Fail. Curse Walter.

Ludthorpe’s voice became more persuasive. “In such circumstances, the queen would be strongly inclined to be forgiving, lady. I give you my deepest assurances.” He lifted his eyebrows, giving her the chance to simply confirm his guesses, and settle the matter, once and for all.

She leaned down as the captain had done, elbows on her thighs, and lowered her voice as he had done. “I am under no duress, Captain, and Aodh Mac Con is England’s last, best chance out here beyond the Pale.”

He snapped back in his chair and his gaze traveled down her gown. “I saw you on the walls.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. You, one of the most loyal nobles of the realm, in open rebellion with an Irishman. At Aodh’s urging.”

She sat forward. “Then I offer that as my proof, Captain: Aodh is precisely what the Crown needs. As you point out, he has fomented a rebellion that stretches across the entire northern portion of Ireland in a fortnight. From whence do such powers come?”

“The devil?” suggested the commander drily.

“From within.” She tapped her chest. “If a single man turned, so be it, such things can be dismissed as little more than self-interest, or foolishness, a man too easily overawed, some such.”

“And if one woman does…?”

She pressed on. “But that is not the case. Aodh has persuaded all manner of men to turn to his cause. Both the small and the powerful, English and Irish.”

“Yes, the English concern me greatly.”

“As well they should. It is a testament to the need for a change, do you not think, that even the English are willing to join this rebellion? He has roused them, but only because they wished to be roused. Matters cannot go on as they are. Aodh has indeed fomented open rebellion. He can just as easily dispel it. I tell you, sir, these men did not join a revolution. They joined him. If Aodh is here, in command, and loyal to the Crown, they too will be loyal.”

“I do not think it is so simple a matter, my lady.”