"Can you think of anyone?" Marcello asked. "A family you would recommend, if it came to that? I think...I know my parents, and they'll want the baby with us before strangers."

"The trouble is I know too many. I know three women still in this house who've already miscarried this year." She pressed her lips together. "There'd be no question of taking her back, if another family took her."

"I know," Marcello replied. "And I don't think my family would agree to that." He frowned. "What's Cormac's family? Does he have a sister? Mother, cousin, anyone?"

Niabheara folded her hands and recited dutifully: "His mother is living with her sister's family in the south of Avalon. They are all that's left. I went o'er this with him when your mother first wrote to me."

""Maybe we should speak to them," Marcello said. "They wouldn't keep Mira away if they have a child in common, would they?"

Niabheara looked a bit distasteful. "I don't doubt. But I'm really not sure that might be the best environment for a child, dear."

Marcello frowned. "Why not?" he asked. "What do they do? Have you met them? I'm sure they'd love to have the baby, wouldn't they?"

"I don't know anything about his people but he's a guard. You don't pledge your body to fight and die for Cnoch-na-Niall if your family has any better options, love."

Marcello squinted at her. "So maybe they don't have much, but they're blood, at least," he pointed out. "We could give them money, or...something." He shrugged. "It's only a thought."

"Don't squint at me," she said. "I wouldn't mind if they kept the baby and stayed here. I've already offered Cormac, but he was waiting for Mira then."