Page 78 of Cottage in the Mist
“No. He’s still really out of it,” Jeff replied. “Keeps talking about traitors. And then cries out for Bram and someone named Frazier?”
“That would be Bram’s father’s captain,” William said.
“Aye.” Fergus nodded. “The man managed to escape the attack and make his way to Duncreag. Bram was much relieved to see him alive. Although, if I remember correctly, he believed that Robby was dead.”
“Bram told me that as well.” Lily blew out a long breath. “That’s how I knew who Robby was. At least that will be good news. Assuming I can figure out a way to circumvent all the misunderstanding.”
“If anyone can do it, you can.” Jeff’s smile was comforting.
“Aye, but in the meantime, we’ll no’ be going anywhere until the morning, so I say we pool our knowledge and try to get to the bottom of what’s happening.” Fergus looked to Alec, his expression masked. “There was another attack, ye ken. On Duncreag.”
“Right.” Lily nodded. “With everything happening, I’d forgotten that bit.”
Fergus’s grizzled gaze held Alec’s. “The attackers were wearing Comyn colors.”
Alec frowned. “’Twas no’ my men.”
“I believe you, lad. But someone clearly wanted us to believe that it was you.”
“And perpetuate the idea that your clan attacked Dunbrae,” Jeff said. “The whole thing seems really hinky to me.”
Alec lifted his eyebrows in question.
“I know that one.” William grinned, clearly catching Alec’s confusion over Jeff’s choice of word. “He’s saying something feels off.”
“Aye, well, I canna deny the right of that. Heen-key. As you say.” Alec’s lips twisted into a crooked smile.
Fergus frowned. “But if it wasn’t you? Then who?”
“That I canna even guess. Like Bram, I’ve only just returned to the area. When my father died, I had no other choice but to become laird ofTigh an Droma. I’m responsible for its people.”
“Your clan,” Lily offered.
“Yours, too.” His green eyes sparkled.
“Of that there can be no doubt,” Fergus said, his eyes moving from Lily to Alec and back again. “Even without the ring.”
“And in your time, you say thatTigh an Dromais gone?” Alec pulled the attention back to their story.
“The tower, yes. But not the family. Or the holding. Your people—my people—carry on. But Scotland is much changed.”
“And no’ for the better…” snorted Fergus.
“Aye, I suppose that is the way of things,” Alec mused, ignoring the other man. “And the Macgillivrays?”
“The family exists, of course. But they’re scattered. And Dunbrae is long gone. If Reginald—the present owner ofTigh an Droma—“ She paused, struggling with words. She supposed she really meant the future owner, since she was sitting here and this was her now, but it was all really too confusing “—was right, then you and Bram will fight and Dunbrae and the Macgillivrays will suffer as a result. Or at least that’s what I believe.”
“And what of Bram?”
Lily felt tears threaten. “I can’t say for certain. But Reginald seemed to believe he was killed in the battle. And that his death is what saved you. By ending things, I mean.”
“And the prophecy remained unfulfilled.”
Like Reginald, Alec had been aware of the legend of the ring. The story of Graeme and Tyra. Their love and Kendrick Macgillivray’s vicious betrayal. And the resulting belief that when a Macgillivray again wore the Comyn ring, both clans would rise to power again.
“’Twould seem so,” William said, all eyes swinging to him. “But you must also understand that the Macgillivrays—indeed Bram and his kin—believe Kendrick’s version of the story. That the attack was planned by the Comyns. And that is was Tyra herself who killed Graeme. So the truth, as they know it, allows for no prophecy.”
Lily’s heart twisted. Bram had no idea who she really was. But once he saw her with Alec there could be no room for doubt. And if he believed her ancestor killed his, and that the result wasthe destruction of his clan, how could he ever find it in his heart to love her? It was too much to ask. Justin couldn’t handle her loss of status and money. How could she expect Bram to love his sworn enemy? Even if he was wrong in his beliefs.
