I could barely get my mind around his words as he jabbed a thick finger at my chest.
“And yer doing that other woman no favors by giving her false love out of some sense of guilt.” He straightened and shoved a hand through his disheveled hair. “Now, if ye will excuse me, I’ll be heading home to change before going back to Hollowshade to keep an eye onyersoulmate while ye play house with someone else.”
26
KEELYNN
Although I agreedwith Aveen’s decision to leave, that didn’t make me miss her any less. If I’d had magic, this wouldn’t be an issue. I could pop by her cottage any time I wished. Since I didn’t, I was stuck here, waiting to see if she would return for the wedding, selfishly hoping she didn’t miss it. But the thought of my sister having to kill herself to do so… How could I expect that of her?
My heavy feet carried me down the stairs. I heard the rustle of skirts before I saw who owned them. Expecting Leesha, my heart sank when Millie walked into the foyer instead.
She offered me a hesitant smile. “I ran into Miss Eava yesterday, and she mentioned you might be wanting me to start before the wedding.”
I searched her face for some sign of disapproval but found only soft kindness. My legs nearly collapsed with relief. I’d made the right decision in hiring this young woman to help me around the castle.
“I am so glad she did.”
She brushed her raven hair back from her flushed face. “Thank the stars. I’d feel like a right eejit altogether if ye didn’t want me here.”
With Tadhg spiraling and my sister gone, this castle had become so desperately lonely. More than a maid, I needed someone to talk to. “Come, let me show you around.” She followed me from one room to the next, glancing around with wonder. “You’ve seen the great room, of course. And the study.” I swung open the door. Rían sat at the desk, scowling across the room at us. Behind me, Millie flinched. “Don’t mind him,” I whispered under my breath. “He’s really not so bad.”
Rían’s eyes narrowed, but I closed the door before he could throw around one of his favorite insults or threats and scare my poor maid.
We slipped silently back through the great hall, into the hallway, and down to the kitchens.
“The world believes Tadhg rules this castle, but I can say with confidence that this place would crumble without Eava.”
Eava waved at us with purple-stained fingers. Looked like we were to have blackberry pie for dessert. Tadhg would be delighted—assuming he could pull himself from the bottle long enough to join us.
Millie laughed and waved back, asking Eava about her day. While she chatted with our cook, I stole a sprig of grapes from the bowl of fruit displayed in the center of the high table. Eava’s cooking, while glorious, wasn’t very kind to my waistline.
Three grapes in, my stepson decided it would be the perfect moment to make his presence known.
Millie sucked in a breath, her head lifting at the sound of the little boy’s cries. Her wide eyes met mine. “Ye’ve a babe in the castle?”
I nodded, hoping she didn’t notice the blush creeping up my throat. “Tadgh’s son. He’s upstairs if you’d like to meet him.”
“I’d love to.” Millie trailed after me, out of the kitchens and back to the staircase. Brogan screeched louder. Where the hell was Tadhg or Leesha?
“So the little one is Prince Tadhg’s, but not yours?” Millie asked.
I couldn’t hold her curiosity against her. She was too young to realize the polite thing to do was to keep her questions to herself. Did she know about Tadhg’s curses, or would she believe he had been unfaithful to me of his own accord? Part of me wanted to set the story straight, but this was Tadhg’s tale to tell. I would keep his secrets as closely as I held my own.
“Not mine,” I confirmed, content to leave it at that. “Have you any experience with children?” I asked, more than ready for a change in subject.
Her head bobbed, making her short fringe sway against her forehead. “Loads. I’ve seven brothers and sisters.”
If she had that much experience, perhaps she’d be willing to share some tips. Thank heavens for small mercies. The moment I set foot in the room, Brogan’s wails fell silent. He twisted his head to glare at me. I still felt so awkward picking him up from this position, and with his head so floppy, I wasn’t sure I was giving him enough support. But when Millie didn’t immediately reach for him, I had no other choice.
Let her judge me for my inexperience. I wouldn’t learn if I didn’t at least try. And with my darling fiancé missing more often than not, this responsibility fell to me. Brogan’s thick lashes fluttered as he turned his head into my chest, wriggling like he wanted to escape my arms.
Millie leaned close, stroking Brogan’s plump cheek with her fingertip. “See the way he nuzzles into you there? He’s lookin’ for food.”
He wouldn’t find anything there.
Tadhg did the same thing, but not because he was looking to eat. The thought made my face flush. The two of us hadn’t shared a bed since Brogan came into our lives. I tried not to be resentful, but failed most of the time.
“Will I go down for a bottle?” Millie offered.