Page 47 of A Promise Through Time

Tina was surprised to hear Bethia try to start a conversation with her.

“I know. It’s not bad enough that he’s lost his wife, but then to find out he had a child the way that he did.”

“Wife?” Bethia asked, fumbling with her apron.

“Yes. Sionaid. I think she used to work here.”

“They werenae married,” Bethia said as she puttered around the kitchen grabbing a basket, then a napkin to line it. “He didnae even ken her name.”

Tina was shocked. “Are you sure?”

“I am. Donal likes the ladies, but tires of them quickly. A few weeks after Sionaid spent time with Donal, she went home to her family.”

“Did she say why?” Tina asked to her back.

Bethia gathered a bowl and two cups from a high shelf. “Nae. She didnae tell any of us, but I’m nae surprised. He’d alreadymoved on to someone else, a tavern girl from the village. Tara? Tilly?”

“Tess?” Tina asked.

“Yes, I think that was it. Then there was Isla, her father is a fisherman. And then Ava, she sells fabric and does sewing.”

“How do you know all this?”

“I’ve eyes in me head. Before ye came it was me he wanted. I knew he would get around to me eventually. He is sweet and verra handsome but everyone knows he isnae serious about anyone or anything, really.” She shrugged. “Nothing happened between us. I had to go home for a few days and I’m happy I did. I cannae afford to be with child. I feel terrible that Sionaid passed. She was a good friend and we laughed a lot.”

Tina didn’t know what to say. Donal had lied to her. The happiness she’d felt a short time ago vanished to be replaced by a gut wrenching feeling of betrayal. Donal was turning out to be the type of guy she’d avoid at all costs back home. She didn’t need a man who used women until he tired of them. Tina didn’t want to be another notch on his bedpost. She had some thinking to do. It was obvious to her now that she couldn’t be with a man who had not only lied to her about being married, but was the worst kind of womanizer. He’d had plenty of chances to tell her the truth and he’d chosen not to. She had no idea what Edna had been thinking. She could not be with Donal, not now. She would focus on Elena. It wasn’t her fault her father was a player. She would stick around to make sure Elena was going to be okay, then she was going home. Alone.

“Here ye are,” Bethia said, handing her a basket. “Be careful with the broth. Dinnae spill it.” She smiled at Tina and for the first time seemed to realize the impact her words had. She looked very uncomfortable.

Tina needed to stop her hands from shaking. She pulled in a long, slow breath, closed her eyes and willed them to be still.“Thank you, Bethia. I’ll be careful.” She seemed a sweet girl who’d obviously been caught in Donal’s web of deceit.

“I’m sorry that ye didnae know.”

“I do now. Thank you.”

She couldn’t remember her walk back to Donal’s room because her head was spinning. How many women had there been before she’d arrived? Were there anymore surprises about Donal that she’d discover? She took a deep breath before opening the door and entering his room.

“Yer back,” Donal said, popping up from the bed to take the basket from her hands.

“Be careful. There’s broth in there.” Her voice was devoid of emotion. She simply had to control herself or she’d start to yell and that was the last thing she wanted to do. Elena was tucked into the cradle with blankets. Her little cheeks were pink but she seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

“Is everything alright, lass?” he asked.

“No.” She took a moment to compose herself before speaking again. “No, it’s not.”

“What’s happened?” He put the basket down on the table and came back to take her hands, which she yanked away. She didn’t want him to touch her. If he did she might lose her resolve and she couldn’t afford that.

“You lied to me,” she said, stuffing down the urge to scream at him.

“What do ye mean?” He seemed honestly baffled by her accusation, but she knew better.

“You told me you were married and you weren’t.” Adrenaline pumped through her body and the shaking returned. She folded her arms across her chest and tucked her hands under her arms where they wouldn’t give her away.

“I…never said I was married. Ye assumed I was,” he said without raising his voice.

“You should have told me I was wrong, but you didn’t.” The words tasted bitter as she spoke them. This was too much, he was making excuses for his behavior.

“I needed ye to help me. I thought if ye felt bad for me it would be easier.” His eyes seemed to plead with her to believe him.