Irish Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

of
Breanne’s father, Ula’s husband, Niall O’Donnell took his role as
their guardian and protector on earnestly.
    “Tomorrow morn.”
    “Has Heremon related to you your progress?
When will you complete it?”
    Even his voice grew direct. Breanne breathed
deep and didn’t fidget. “Nearly a year, depending on frequency of
meeting and lesson quantity.”
    “Too long,” Niall said to himself and shook
his head. “Too long,” he said to her. “I’ll not meander about.
Breanne, you’ve been asked for. It is time you marry.”
    There they were, the words overheard in her
head and from the shadows, real and alive before her. Breanne
exhaled inaudibly and sat up a bit straighter.
    “I agree.”
    Niall stopped, scowled at her. “You
agree.”
    “I agree,” she said again
and felt the strength in the declaration. No longer did she feel
helpless. Now, it was her decision. “I would like some time to
choose , of
course , but not
an unreasonable amount.”
    Niall’s scowl darkened. Ula’s hands twittered
to her chest.
    “Are you not curious who asked?” Niall
demanded, his eyes narrowing.
    She realized she should be and used the first
excuse that came to mind. “Quinlan Blake made his intentions clear
enough this very morning. I assume he spoke with you.” His
intentions were likely wagging tongues already after the display of
flowers. Which meant Rose must know, Breanne suddenly thought.
    “Quinlan Blake?” Niall looked appeased and
the tension in his face lessened. “Nay, not him.”
    “I have another suitor?” Breanne said to her
mother, her hand to her chest.
    Ula nodded and smiled sweetly enough that
Breanne’s chest pricked a bit. She wanted Breanne to marry?
    First Rose and now her mother. She was going
straight to hell to burn a thousand deaths for the deceits coming
out of her more readily and convincingly each hour.
    “Gannon O’Shannon, your uncle’s most
promising scribe,” Ula said and leaned forward to touch Breanne’s
knee. “A learned man, a student. You will have so much in
common.”
    Breanne certainly didn’t have to feign her
surprise. Her shock might be the first honest thing about her day.
Gannon? Sweet, shy, Gannon? Breanne and Gannon O’Shannon? Laughter
tickled her. She coughed to rid her throat of the entirely
inappropriate, not to mention rude, response. Gannon was a dear
sweet young fellow after all. But, in all her days and nights, she
hadn’t guessed he held affection for her.
    “When will you decide?” Niall asked, making
her feel dissected, exposed.
    “Decide on Gannon?” How could she? Her mind
still spun from the notion. Kiss Gannon? Feel Gannon press his
bulge into her? No. Gannon wouldn’t be lewd and overbearing like
Quinlan. He’d be gentle.
    “How long before you planned to choose?”
Niall asked with an exasperated sigh. He bent forward and crossed
his arms, in wait for her answer.
    Breanne’s eyes shot from him to Ula and back
to him. Her mind slammed to a stop. He was asking her to name a
deadline. The sense of control she’d momentarily lost grasp of
returned. She licked her lips and laughed. It sounded affected but
she didn’t care.
    “No later than All Hallows Eve. I will have
been officiated and that offers me enough time to consider among
these men,” she said and nodded sharply at the end.
    Niall met her gaze steadily. A grin grew on
his face and for a wonderful moment, Breanne thought she’d cleanly
averted disaster.
    “Beltane,” Niall said. “Not a day later. You
may choose in the tradition which has kept you from your
choice.”
    “Beltane? But, my lord, that’s nigh two
months hence. You canno’ possibly expect me to….”
    “If you do not. I will.”
    “You will.” Breanne shot to her feet. Her
voice rose. “You will? I am not chattel to be given away at your
discretion or whim.”
    “No,” Niall said. “You are
not. But you are my responsibility and you are not going to live
the life of a hermit , which for some