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Caitlin’s gaze didn’t waver from the white mask of the priest’s face. “My father warned me about Michael. He probably gave you the same warning. We should have listened to him. Michael didn’t mean to hurt you, Padraig. He tends to keep his feelings corked inside him till they either cool off or explode. He’s very sorry for what he did.”
“Yes, I know.” Padraig glanced at Caitlin and looked away again. “He came that same evening in Liam Devlin’s car to see me in the hospital in Ardross. It was Michael who told me about Finn’s death.”
“Michael went to Ardross to see you? He didn’t tell me.”
“Well, he did,” Padraig insisted. “He wanted to let me know how sorry he was. He was a very frightened man. He would have done anything to atone for his behaviour. He was extremely grateful to me for not exposing him.” Padraig looked straight at Caitlin for the first time since she arrived. “He thinks I treated him with magnanimity. He, of course, did not use such a word, but it is what he meant. Michael is a real gentleman, Caitlin. You are fortunate in having him as a future husband.”
“Yes, I know,” Caitlin murmured, and this time it was she who turned her eyes away from Padraig.
“Have you come to apologise too?” Padraig asked. “I had expected you sooner but then I realised how preoccupied you have been with your father’s passing.”
Caitlin stared at Padraig, and her eyes hardened. “I came to see you about my wedding,” she answered coldly. “I was not aware of the fact that I owed you an apology.”
“I see.” Padraig was a little deflated. “You cannot believe, surely, that your conduct was entirely blameless.”
“And I cannot see,” Caitlin retorted, “that the blame was entirely mine.” Her hard eyes turned fiery, like coal ignited. “You gave in to your own lust, Padraig, not to me. If lust is one of your deadly sins, you must make your own peace with God.”
“That is what I am doing,” Padraig admitted. “I am subjecting myself to extreme mortification. I am suffering for your sin and for mine.” He jabbed a finger at the black shirt he wore. “Under this I have a tunic of rough, abrasive horse-hair. I wear it next my skin. I shall wear it till I go before God on Judgement Day.” Padraig paused, watching Caitlin’s face for signs of her reaction. Her face remained impassive. She said nothing. “In addition,” Padraig went on disappointedly, “I have eaten nothing since the hour of our sin. I have drunk nothing but water. I shall fast like this for forty days and forty nights.”
Libros Libertad 