Flame of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier Read Free Book Online Page B

had escaped the linen and lay against her pale skin. “It’s wonderfulto see you! There’s so much news—ten years of news—I hardly know where to start. Did you hear Eilis has gone to Galicia? Another of Father’s uncles lives there, and his daughter came over to see us, and…”
    “Deirdre, we must get Maeve indoors,” my mother said firmly. “Time enough for talk when she’s had a chance to rest. And you’ll be hungry, Maeve.”
    “Mother, I imagine you have a grand supper to preside over, with all these guests. I’d be happier if Rhian could bring me some food on a tray, to eat in my chamber. I am too weary to sit at the family table tonight.” After a moment I added, “I mean no disrespect to Uncle Conor; I remember him with affection. But I’m so tired I would probably disgrace you by falling asleep in the middle of the meal.”
    We were in the courtyard now and heading for the main steps. “Eithne!” Mother rapped out, summoning her own personal serving woman. “This is my daughter Maeve, and this is her maidservant—”
    “Rhian, my lady.” As she spoke, Rhian bobbed a little curtsy. This brought a smile to Mother’s lips.
    “Please show Rhian how the house is laid out, then ask Nuala to give her some supper on a tray for herself and my daughter. Maeve will be in her old sleeping quarters. And Rhian—”
    “Rhian will share with me,” I said. “She helps me with everything—eating, washing, dressing. I need her close by.”
    “Of course,” Mother said, and for a moment her gaze went to my clawed, useless hands. “Oh, Maeve.”
    I felt my jaw tighten. “We manage well,” I said, lifting my chin and looking her straight in the eye.
    “After ten years of your Aunt Liadan’s example,” Mother said quietly, “no doubt you manage very well indeed. Shall we go in?”
    Did I detect a coolness in her voice? Disappointment that I had chosen to stay away so long, through all the years of my growing up? Or was she merely tired and disturbed by everything that had happened here lately? I felt a gap between us, a space that had not been there with Father, who had needed no words to convey how much he’d missed me.
    Once inside the keep, I was whisked away upstairs before I could think about the last time I had been in this house. It came to me that my weariness and my mother’s efficiency might result in one very important thing being forgotten.
    “I haven’t met Finbar yet,” I said, hesitating outside the door to my old chamber, the one I had shared with Sibeal and Eilis.
    “I’ll send him up with your maid,” Mother said. “He’s a quiet child. Much like Sibeal was at that age. You look almost asleep, Maeve. I’m sad that you can’t join us for supper, but I don’t expect that of you. Most of our visitors are leaving in the morning. We’ll have a good talk then.”
    “Mother,” I said very quietly.
    “What is it, my dear?”
    “Never mind,” I said, finding the mountain I had to climb too steep for now. Explaining what I could do, what I couldn’t do, why I was uncomfortable in company, why I might be an embarrassment to them at a time when things were already difficult, my intention of heading back to Harrowfield as soon as I possibly could…“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
    Comforts were provided with remarkable speed: our bags brought in, a tub of warm water for bathing—that was utter bliss after the long ride—and then a very good meal on a tray, fetched by Rhian only after she, too, had made use of the bathwater, at my invitation. The opportunity seemed too good to waste. When we were halfway through eating there was a tentative tap on the door.
    Rhian opened it to reveal two figures outside: my brother, all big eyes and dark unruly hair, and the druid who had been at his side during the ritual.
    “I hope we’re not disturbing you,” this man said. He had a voice like honey and shadow, a voice surely made for the telling of stories. “Lady Aisling said you wanted