Chapter 61

Moira set about making the tea and Sean gathered enough chairs for all of them to sit by the fire. With the tea properly served and their fingers and toes beginning to thaw after the hours spent out of doors, Sean turned his attention to Áedach.

“Now, lad,” Sean said, “none of us here hold any fault against ye for what took place. But ’twould serve you well to be forthcoming with anything you know.”

Áedach shifted in his seat and looked nervously at each of them.

Moira reached out and patted his hand. “It’s alright, Áedach. You’re safe here.”

Sean couldn’t tear his eyes from Moira and the way she cared for the lad. The poor creature was scared half out of his wits. Compassion radiated on her face, and though Sean knew she was exhausted, she somehow poured the same level of energy into caring for him as she had caring for Peg the night before. And for Áedach the weeks he lay dying in his hovel. And for her students each day she’d been charged with their care. Whatever doubts could have remained in his heart about his love for Moira vanished in that moment. Sean blinked hard to keep the tears at bay. Focus, man. ’Tis not the time, nor place. He glanced at her face once more. But it will be soon.

“Go on, now. Let’s hear it.” Sean willed his voice to be calm and soothing.

“Whan ye first arrived, Miss Doherty, Uncle Buach pulled me aside.” Áedach swallowed hard. “I’d not seen him in a long while . . . not since the night he first introduced me to the poitín.”

Sean ground his teeth. Just like that snake of a man to hook a child on drink. He nodded to encourage the lad to continue.

“He told me the story of how he’d caught yer mammy with that fella over at Glenveagh.” He leaned his head toward Moira. “An’ how ye’d come to make sure he’d paid fer his crime. But he told me he hadna done it—that yer mammy had lied about that to keep him quiet about her romancin’ yer man Adair.”

“Is that why you were so angry with me?” Moira’s face was the picture of calm as she questioned him.

He nodded. “Aye, marm. And I’m verra sorry. Had I known—”

“No need, lad. You couldn’t have known your uncle was lying.”

“Anyway,” Áedach continued, “Uncle said I needed ta make sure ye didna cause any trouble, and to threaten to spill yer saicrit if ye did.”

“‘Set yer tongue a’waggin’,’” Moira whispered, staring a million miles away.

“Well, yeah.” Áedach looked surprised. “Tha’s exactly wha’ he said. But I had no idea he was plottin’ ta harm ye. I know I done some things ta ye, Miss, that desairves punishment far worse than ye’ve ever given me.”

“Yes, you were rather hateful.” There was a twinkle in Moira’s eye, despite her firm tone of voice. “But I figured a long illness that nearly killed you tamed you some.” She winked at him, and the first smile Sean had ever seen on Áedach’s face shone brightly.

“Aye.” The boy nodded. “But that’s not really why I came today.”

Every eye was trained even harder on the lad. “Well,” Peg said slowly, “why did ye come, then?”

Áedach rose and paced the room. “Ye and Colm were so good ta me. I didna set that fire, but I didna stop it either. I know ye have no wee ones ta continue lookin’ after ye now that Colm’s gone. I came to offer my services, such as they are.”

Peg pressed a hand to her mouth, stood, and enveloped the boy in an embrace. “I’d be honored to have ye look after me, Áedach.”

“I’d only ask one t’ing in return, if I could be so bold?” His face turned crimson.

Peg’s brow furrowed slightly. “What might that be, lad?”

“I only ask that ye and Miss Doherty—if she’s willin’—keep reading to me from the Bíobla.” He ducked his head and chewed his thumbnail nervously.

Sean, mouth agape, looked from the lad to Peg to Moira and back before the room erupted in laughter.

“I think I speak for all of us,” Moira said, “when I say that we can definitely do that.”

“Amen!” Peg looked to the ceiling, hands clasped and fingers laced together.

“Only if I can join too,” Sean said as he laid a hand on Áedach’s shoulder.

“That settles it,” Moira said. “Weekly prayer and Bible reading at the Sweeny house.”

The group cheered before a revered silence settled over them. As Sean studied each of their faces, awe washed over him, and he was humbled that such beauty could come from such darkness.