Page 64 of Cottage in the Mist
Lily nodded with satisfaction, but her heart dropped. “Still, with Iain, his sending you away was for the best. I mean, you were hurt. And Elaine told me that you wouldn’t have recovered if you’d stayed here.”
“Well, we’ll never know that for certain, now will we? But I do believe that Iain did what he thought was best at the time. And I know what that choice cost him.”
There was silence for a moment, and Lily sipped the bitter brew, turning Katherine’s words over in her mind.
“Bram didn’t want to leave you, you know,” she said.
Lily lifted her gaze to meet Katherine’s. “What do you mean?”
“He told me, himself. He was full of regret. He only did what he did to protect you. It’s not that different from what Iain did for me.”
“But Iain was trying to save you. Bram pushed me away.”
“He wanted to keep you safe.”
Lily opened her mouth to argue, but Katherine waved her quiet.
“I’m not saying that I agree with Bram. I’m just saying that he thought he was protecting you. And making that decision cost him, Lily. He even told me that he went back for you.”
“He did?” Some of the fear that had been hounding her slipped away.
“Yes. But it was already too late. You were gone.” She smiled, her eyes kind. “He loves you, you know.”
“I suppose I do.” Lily sighed with a weak smile. “And I must love him. I mean, here I am in the middle of what could only be described as a fractured fairy tale. Who’s to say that I haven’t lost my mind completely? I mean, for all I know this is all some kind of demented fantasy.”
“Except that it’s not. And I’m proof. Me and Jeff—and Elaine. We’ve been through it before. And so we’re your touchstone. You’re not going crazy. At least no more than anyone would when they’d just traveled back in time.” Her smile was contagious and Lily felt better.
“Did Jeff tell you why we’re here?” she asked. “It’s about more than just my feelings for Bram.”
Katherine’s smile faded, worry creasing her forehead. “Yes. He explained everything. The battle. The outcome. All of it.”
“And my being a Comyn. Did he tell you that part, too?”
“He did. And you still have the ring?”
Lily lifted the silver chain. “Yes. It’s partly what helped me to get here, I think. That and the brooch Bram left for me.” With her other hand she produced the little cat from her pocket. “Do you think he’ll forgive me?” She hadn’t meant to say that. But the words had just come tumbling out. And now they seemed to hang there in the air, taunting her. “I mean, the Comyns are his worst enemy. And now it turns out I am one.”
“But you didn’t know. So there was no deception. And if he really loves you—it won’t matter. Besides, for all you know that’s the point of all of this.”
“Jeff told you about the legend?”
“He did. Of course Bram’s version is a little bit different, not surprisingly. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe fate is trying to right a wrong. Comyns and Macgillivrays reunited. Or at least a new bond forged.”
Lily blew out a long breath. “That makes it all sound so overwhelming. Less than a month ago I was living in Connecticut wondering how I was going to cope with the loss of my parents and now I’m planning to march off to try and stop a medieval battle. God, I am insane.”
Katherine laughed. “No. Just in love. And you won’t be the first woman to try and stop needless bloodshed. But first we have to be certain you’re ready for the journey. Drink.” She motioned to the cup in Lily’s hand, and she dutifully swallowed some more of the bitter brew, the ensuing warmth welcome.
“Where is Jeff?” Lily glanced again around the bedroom but there was still no sign of Katherine’s brother.
“He’s with Fergus, Iain’s captain. The two of them are getting together the things you’ll need. I’m afraid most of our men left with Iain, Ranald and Bram. But I’ll send Fergus to guide you. He only stayed here to protect me.”
“Then we can’t take him away with us,” Lily protested.
“Nonsense. He’s the best tracker I know. And you’ll need someone who is more familiar with the way of things than you or Jeff. I’d go myself, but I can’t leave Anna.”
“Your daughter.” Lily nodded. “Elaine told me about her. Although I don’t really understand how she knew.”
“It’s a long story, but let’s just say it was foretold.”
