Free Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

tell me. Go on, say it, whatever it is. They’ll be finished singing soon.”
    “Since you ask so nicely, I will. My advice to you is to stay out of Aidan’s way. Tell your father not to put him on your list of eligible suitors.”
    “There is no list. Why would you say this? Isn’t Aidan your childhood friend?”
    “Oh, he’s been telling you stories, has he? I bet he didn’t mention that he’s betrothed to a girl back home. Two years at Inis Eala, then it’s back to Whiteshore, a nice wedding to the daughter of the neighboring chieftain, and a life of domesticity. Let him pursue his obvious interest in you and you’ll be breaking that young woman’s heart. Or your own.”
    I stared at him, dumbfounded. Aidan with his honest eyes and open smile; Aidan, who had not so long ago told me all about his future plans in a manner that suggested he would like me to become part of them, betrothed to someone else? He’d never spoken a word about any girl back home, either last year or this year. But then, he hadn’t mentioned Cathal either. “You’re lying,” I said, but there was a lack of conviction in my tone.
    “Ask him if you want,” said Cathal, offhand. “They’re just about finished. Go on, ask him now. I dare you.”
    The singing drew to a riotous close. I applauded along with everyone else, just to give myself a moment. I watched as the young men bowed, smiling. I should have been pouring cups of mead and handing them around. Aidan looked about, spotted me next to Cathal and headed in our direction.
    “Not my finest performance ever,” he said as he came up. Was I imagining things or was his smile somewhat strained? “We should play again, Clodagh. I might be able to compensate for my limited vocal talents. What were the two of you talking about?”
    I’d been right. There was a note in his voice that reminded me of the way he’d looked last night: jealous. “Cathal was telling me about Whiteshore,” I said. “I understand you have a young lady waiting for you back home. Your betrothed.” I saw him flinch, and made myself go on. “It makes sense of your wish to stay with Johnny only a year or two—I wondered about that, since most men who win a place amongst his chosen few would not trade it for anything in the world. If they marry, their wives are expected to go to Inis Eala and join the community there, as Muirrin did when she wed Evan. You must be very fond of this girl.” I worked hard to keep my tone light.
    Aidan’s cheeks flushed. He looked straight at Cathal, and now the expression in his nice brown eyes was one of undisguised fury.
    “Don’t look at me,” said Cathal. “I was just making conversation.”
    “What’s her name?” I asked, unable to stop myself.
    “Rathnait,” said Aidan tightly. “And the situation is not quite as Cathal has painted it to you. If you would allow me to explain—”
    “There’s no need for that,” I said, wishing profoundly that I was somewhere else. “Your home situation is none of my business.”
    “But I must—”
    “Didn’t you hear the lady?” As Cathal spoke, Aidan clenched his fists.
    “Cathal! Aidan!” The voice was Johnny’s; the tone made this a command. “Gareth has suggested we counteract the effects of mead, good food and a day’s inactivity with a display of single combat. Knockout bouts, the six of us, with weapons of choice. Since you didn’t favor us with your singing, Cathal, I’ll expect a particularly fine effort from you.”
    Cathal straightened from his leaning posture. “Of course,” he said, then added in an undertone that only Aidan and I could hear, “What very fortunate timing. This gives my friend here time to work out what possible excuse he can offer, while you, Clodagh, are spared having to listen to it in a hall full of people. Meanwhile, both of you can hope I suffer an unfortunate accident on the field of combat. Come on, Aidan, he did say all six of us.”
    Aidan turned his back and walked