Heir to Sevenwaters Read Online Free PDF Page A

grooms and attendants. But there’s no sign yet of the two northern chieftains you invited, Naithi of Davagh and his cousin, Colman.”
    “Mm,” murmured Father, and his lips tightened.
    “You think they’re not coming? Not even sending representatives? That would be extremely discourteous.”
    “I hoped they would come, Clodagh. I extended the invitation to those two because, of all the leaders of the northern Uí Néill, they seem the most open-minded and fair. And with their influential neighbor, Eoin of Lough Gall, away from home, I thought that Naithi and Colman might be prepared to sit at table with Illann just for the two days of the festivities. It seems I was wrong. They’re unhappy about the marriage. Angry, most likely.”
    I could see he was deeply troubled, and decided I would not mention shadowy presences following me in the forest, or indeed rude young men insulting me; not while he had that look on his face. “Father, this is very serious, isn’t it, this difficulty with the northern chieftains?”
    He motioned to the bench beside him and I sat down, realizing that I had been on my feet all day and was tired.
    “I’ll deal with it after the wedding,” he said. “Yes, it’s serious, but Johnny’s here now and we’ll devise a strategy. You look a little tired, Clodagh. This is a busy time for you. And you must have mixed feelings, with Deirdre going away.”
    “I’m fine, Father.” I managed a smile. “I’m getting used to all this. It’s one less worry for Mother if I make sure everything is the way she would want it to be.”
    There was a short silence. The unspoken thought hung between us: that Mother might never again take up the reins of the household; that she might not be with us for very much longer.
    “I wish the wedding could have been later,” I said, remembering how pale and weary Mother had looked when I went up to see her earlier. “She gets tired so easily. I suggested she might leave the supper early.”
    “I’ll be glad when Muirrin gets here and can give us her expert opinion on your mother’s condition,” Father said, rubbing his eyes. “I have to say, Clodagh, that although this is a wonderful marriage for Deirdre, I, too, wish the timing could have been different. It’s too much for Aisling right now, even with you handling the arrangements so efficiently. She seems . . .” He broke off, unwilling to put his thought into words.
    I laid a hand on his shoulder; he covered it with his.
    “I know, Father,” I said quietly. “But the festivities will be over by tomorrow afternoon. And Muirrin should be staying until after the baby is born.” My eldest sister was a healer; this was the job she and her husband carried out at Johnny’s establishment on Inis Eala, where combat injuries were frequent. We were lucky she had been able to come to Sevenwaters.
    “I’m sad that Maeve cannot be here,” Father said. “I know she shies away from such gatherings, but she’d want to see her sister married. I miss her, Clodagh. You girls are all precious to me in your different ways. I hope you know that.”
    “I do, Father.” I heard what he was not saying: that Mother’s fervent desire for a son—she was unshakeable in her belief that she was carrying a boy—could all too easily be taken to mean that she cared less than she should about her six daughters. I had heard my youngest sister, Eilis, say that Mother did not love her as much as the child who was coming. Sibeal had hushed her, telling her that mothers love all their children equally, always. I did not really think this was true. “And we love you. You’re the best of fathers. It will feel odd, won’t it, when Deirdre is gone? Once Muirrin leaves again you’ll only have three of your girls left. And Coll, of course.”
    Father smiled. “You asked me if there was anything else I needed done. I suppose I should ask if I can be sure my nephew will be on his best manners before our distinguished guests