Page 7 of Cottage in the Mist
“Aye,” he said, pulling from his thoughts to focus on Katherine, “but they’re no’ here. And I canna put you and your bairn in danger.”
“I have quite a company of men at my disposal. Iain never leaves me without protection.”
Bram nodded, remembering that Katherine had been kidnapped not long ago. “I’d expect nothing less, but…”
Katherine raised a hand to cut him off. “And if that’s not enough security for you, I’ve also got fifteen of Ranald’s men here as well. They came with Ailis and Ranald, but weren’t needed in Moy. So they’re here waiting to escort their laird and his lady home as soon as they return. Anyway, as you can see, we have more than enough men to guarantee your safety. So I’ll not hear another word about your leaving.”
Bram nodded, surprised at the relief that flooded through him. When he’d set out to find Ranald and Iain, he’d not considered the possibility that neither man would be at home.
“They’ll be back before you know it,” Katherine said, reaching out to cover his hand with hers. “And in the meantime, I’ll be glad of the company.”
“But if my enemies were to come here, looking for me, then it would be dangerous for you. Even if ultimately your men held the day, there would still be a battle. I canna put you in that kind of danger.”
Katherine considered his words, then nodded resolutely. “Very well, then we won’t house you here. But I’ll still see you safely under my watch. There’s a cottage just across the river. It belonged to a crofter, but he died recently. So the place is empty. And it’s tucked away in a stand of trees. No one would ever think to look for you there. I’ll have Fergus assign men to keep watch. Then when Iain and Ranald come home, the three of you can figure out how to get your holding back.”
She rose and he followed suit.
“But before you go,” she said, “let’s get a hot meal in you. And I’ll have Flora put together a basket of food to take with you—along with anything else you might need.” She glanced at his threadbare clothing. “Like maybe a clean shirt and a plaid. If you dress as a Mackintosh, you’ll be that much less likely to be discovered.”
Bram nodded, grateful for her foresight. There was something comforting in handing oneself over to a woman. For a moment, his mind filled again with the memory of haunted green eyes, but he shook his head. There was no time now for dreams.
Instead, he’d fill his belly and then hunker down to wait for Iain and Ranald. Katherine had the right of it. He’d survived the horror at Dunbrae for one reason only—for the chance to avenge his father and take back that which was rightfully his.
3
DUNCREAG, SCOTLAND – PRESENT DAY
“Son of a…” Lilly slammed on the brakes, swallowing the rest of the curse as she jerked the wheel to the right, the rental car shuddering as she struggled for control. Directly ahead, a startled sheep emerged from the mist, its mouth open in bawling protest as both machine and animal came to an abrupt halt.
For a moment the animal stood frozen, its gaze locked with Lily’s and then, with a final chastising bleat, it was gone, the mist closing behind it like a tremulous gray curtain shimmering in the fog lights’ beams.
With a sharp release of breath, Lily forced herself to let go of her death grip on the steering wheel. Her heart pounded against her ribs, and she wondered, not for the first time, what in the world had possessed her to think she was capable of driving on her own through the wilds of the Scottish Highlands.
It was hard enough trying to remember that right was left and left was right on the steep curving roads without also having to deal with a startled ovine with a death wish. And to make it even worse, the mist had thickened to the point where nothing much was visible beyond the short swath of light cut by the headlights.
The day had been blustery when she’d left Inverness, but the innkeeper there had assured her that she’d make the castle long before sundown. The term was obviously a euphemistic one because there had been no sign of anything remotely resembling sunlight all day. The only hint she had that evening was turning to night was the deepening shadows amidst the swirling mist.
And there was no sign at all that she was nearing her destination. For all she knew she’d turned onto the wrong road.
Still, it could be worse.
She could be here with Justin.
With a sigh, she laid her head on the steering wheel. How was she going to manage without her parents? It seemed on the surface a simple question when one considered the fact that they’d more or less left her alone most of her life. But that didn’t mean they hadn’t loved her. And when they had all been together it has always been wonderful.
But now they were gone again.
Forever.
And she was driving alone in the middle of a Highland maelstrom.
She smiled at the exaggeration. So maybe it was only a little fog.
With a fortifying breath, she pressed her foot to the accelerator. Upward and onward and all that. Literally in this case, as the curving road wound its way up through the narrow valley.
On her immediate left, Lily could just make out the mountains’ craggy rocks jutting from between clumps of gorse and broom. On her right, she could see nothing but the swirling fog, but she knew that it cloaked a steep dropoff and was grateful for the protective strip of asphalt in between.
She’d been right to listen to Valerie. Staying at home would have been a mistake. Watching people paw over her parents’belongings. She’d taken what she’d wanted and stored it in Val’s garage. And the rest… well, maybe she’d wind up better off without it.
