Page 25 of Cottage in the Mist
“We’re cousins, are we not?” Ranald asked, his tone carrying his disbelief. “Nay, more like brothers. So, unless I’m no’ understanding, your enemy is mine.”
“Aye, ’tis true,” Iain agreed, and Bram felt a weakness he was loathe to admit. These were his brothers as truly as they had been born to him. He did them disservice to have doubted.
“So what happens now?” Bram asked, not sure what the next step should be, but knowing that if he were going to survive, he needed to take a stand.
Lily shivered as she stared out at the dark mountains surrounding Duncreag. Unable to sleep after her encounter with Bram, she’d followed the staircases up until she’d emerged onto the rooftop of the tower. Surrounded by crenelated edges and holes cut through the stone that must have been for droppingGod knows what on an attacking enemy, the floor was made of hewn stone. Despite the precipitous drop below, the view was quite stunning.
Stars twinkled in the sky. And a few lights winked in the distant fields and mountains. Signs that she was not alone. At least not in a literal sense. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d lost something more precious than even her parents. Although just entertaining the thought seemed sacrilegious. She was choosing a fantasy over the people she claimed to have loved most.
Her fingers closed on the cool silver of the wedding ring. Her parents would have wanted her to be happy. Of that she was certain. They wouldn’t have wanted her to drown in her grief. Or to let it drive her crazy.
She smiled at the thought, knowing somewhere deep in her heart that there was an explanation. Maybe not a logical one. But at least something real. She glanced down at the ragged cliff edges below, her mind trailing back to the vision, or whatever the hell it had been, of men climbing the narrow fissure, primed for attack.
There were no sounds carrying on the breeze, save for the whispering trees. No horses, no battle cries. No stronghold gate. Bram had mentioned that Iain kept men on guard.
But there was no gate. At least not here. Not now.
And no Iain either.
She tilted back her head, letting the cool night air soothe her. Maybe she’d been wrong to come. Maybe she was too fragile. Maybe Mrs. Abernathy was right and she should see a doctor.
Behind her a loose stone rattled, and she spun around, heart pounding, praying that it was Bram.
But instead a woman emerged.
“I’m sorry,” she said, holding up a hand in apology. “I didn’t know anyone was up here.” Her voice was deep, with just the slightest hint of a brogue.
“No.” Lily shook her head. “I’m the one that should apologize. I don’t even know if guests are allowed up here.”
The woman smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners with the movement of her lips. She was tall and curvy, her hair winking copper in the light from the doorway. In full light of day she was probably a beauty. But now, here in the moonlight, her expression was open and friendly. “You must be Lily.” She crossed the parapet and held out her hand. “I’m Elaine Macqueen. Or rather Elaine St. Claire. I’m still getting used to that part.” Her smile widened.
“Congratulations,” Lily said, taking the other woman’s hand. Her grip was strong and sure. “Mrs. Abernathy said that you were only recently married.”
“Aye. And now with the honeymoon behind me, I’m a married lady.” Together they walked back to the edge of the rooftop, both of them looking out into the night.
“And the owner of Duncreag,” Lily said, her gaze sweeping the darkened panorama. “That must feel amazing.”
“Actually it’s a bit overwhelming,” Elaine admitted. “Which explains the midnight sojourn. Jeff doesn’t worry as much as I do. He sees the magnificence and ignores all the things that cry out for fixing.”
“I’d imagine a place like this isn’t easy to maintain.”
“No. And it’s even more overwhelming to think about paying for it.” Elaine sighed.
“Then why do it? I mean, you only just found out that your husband inherited, right? So you don’t have to keep the place.”
“Ah, but we do. It’s a family thing. And honestly, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. So we’ll manage. It’s not as if we’retotally destitute. I just worry about the details. Part and parcel of being an attorney, I guess.”
“Right. Mrs. Abernathy mentioned that, too. But will you be able to practice here?” Mrs. Abernathy had explained earlier that Jeff and Elaine were both Americans.
“Actually, it is possible. I have dual citizenship. My father was originally from Inverness.” Which explained the hint of an accent. “I was born here before we moved to the States. So I still have my passport. All I’d have to do is pass the equivalent of the bar here. But for now, I think I’ll just be concentrating on Duncreag.”
“But doesn’t Mrs. Abernathy do that?” The question was out before Lily could stop herself. It really wasn’t her business but it did seem that Agnes Abernathy and her Jamie loved the place dearly.
“Of course.” Elaine smiled again. “I can’t imagine life here without her. Or Jamie either for that matter. They still handle the day-to-day things. And of course the hotel. But I’ll be dealing with restoration issues. And believe me, there are more than enough to keep me occupied.”
As if to echo the sentiment, a loose stone fell from the battlement onto the rocks below.
“Still, it’s stunning, isn’t it?” Lily said, her gaze moving back to the surrounding mountains.
