Carwyn squirmed in his seat. “I… I didn’t tell her I was leaving the Church.”
A pan clattered in the sink as Maggie whirled around. “Why not?”
“I wanted… well, I wanted her to accept me as I am. Collar or not. She knows I was married before.”
Maggie’s mouth gaped. “Men are idiots no matter how old they are!”
“And I asked her to marry me.”
Maggie walked to the icebox, took out two more beers, opened them, and sat across from him. “I think you’d better start at the beginning, Father.”
Gemma frowned, a tiny line marring the delicate pale skin between her groomed brows. “So… you took her to Max’s, then left her there for a year. Returned. Declared your love for her within weeks… left again, then showed up three months after she’d asked you to. Upon meeting her again, you physically assaulted her employer—Terry’s going to enjoy that story, by the way—stormed out of the room, then asked her to marry you. Do I have the facts correct?”
Carwyn thought. It sounded so much worse when his daughter said it. “Yes.”
“I’d laugh, except I feel rather sorry for Brigid.”
“I’m starting to feel sorry for her as well. Think I should drop the whole thing?”
“Not unless you want me to kill you myself.”
They were walking through the dark streets of London while Carwyn and Gemma updated each other on family news. Since Ioan’s death, Gemma was the oldest of his children, and as she was also one of the ruling vampires of London, it was important to keep her informed.
Gemma fluttered a hand. “I have no doubt that she would have shoved you off if she wasn’t interested, so I can only assume that she returns your affections. As well as liking the young woman, she’s extraordinarily bright, a fire vampire who’ll be less volatile than Cathy, and has direct loyalty to our clan through Deirdre and soon, you. She’s an excellent choice, Father. Will you be basing yourself in Dublin? I’d try to move you both to London, but I have a feeling Murphy is going to need the help, and he’s an ally.”
He tucked the mention of Murphy away with a mental note to ask her later. Trust Gemma to put the most pragmatic spin on the situation. “I love her, as well,” he said. “There is that.”
Her face softened into a smile, and she tucked her arm into his. “I can tell. You look very happy and very frustrated at the same time. Obviously a man in love.”
“I have a rather uncertain future at the moment. I need to go to Rome, help Gio and B figure out this mess with his father’s books, speak to a cardinal, and try to convince Brigid to marry me.” He frowned. “I need a clone, actually, so I can be in two places at once.”
“Or a minion. I’m very fond of my minions for that reason.”
He had to smile. Gemma may have put on a hard front, but it wasn’t one of her numerous employees walking through the seedy neighborhood late at night scoping out buildings for another shelter.
Carwyn said, “I love you, Gem. You’re a grand friend and a wonderful daughter.”
“I’m your best daughter, and you know it. But I promise not to tell the others you said so. I am surprised about Brigid, though. She’s far too sensible for you. I remember seeing her when she was first working for Murphy. So bright. I was hoping she’d choose immortality like a good girl. She was too valuable to waste on one lifetime. How ever did you persuade her to fall in love with you?”
“I’m not entirely sure I have yet, to be quite honest.”
“Well good. A woman deserves to be courted. It’s your job to convince her.”
“Courted?” It was an old-fashioned concept, but he liked it. He’d consider it his own personal campaign to prove to Brigid why she should marry him.
“Of course, courted. You’re rather rusty at this, aren’t you?”
“My last marriage was arranged. Courting never happened. But I’ll keep it in mind, my wise daughter. Now, tell me what you meant by Murphy needing the help. I may not like him personally, but I have a vested interest in that city remaining stable.”
She shook her head and a keen edge came to her eyes. “He’s keeping it quiet, but there’ve been problems. Some of the same problems we’re dealing with here. More vampires than usual showing up in town, then moving out quickly without notice. A surge in minor criminal activity—drugs and such.” She looked around and lowered her voice even more, despite their location. They were the only people he could see on the street. “All this is from our own sources in Dublin, but they’re reliable. There have been challenges.”
“Challenges?” If Murphy’s leadership had been challenged, that meant Brigid might be walking into a minefield working for him.
“It started out rather casually in his club. Just some boys from out of town who made trouble, then left.” The buildings seemed to loom over them as Gemma continued speaking. “Did you know Murphy was a Traveler as a human? He doesn’t speak of it much, but he’s kept a close relationship with the gypsies, and one of the groups near Dublin—one he has family ties to—was attacked. Their caravans burned. They never discovered who did it, and it made him lose face with them. He’s been slowly consolidating his allies. Visiting the MacGregors in Edinburgh, meeting with Terry more. He’s being very smart about it, but I’m glad he has Brigid there. Having a fire vampire from Ioan and Deirdre’s clan among his people is sure to smooth some channels and instill fear at the same time.”