Page 89 of Wild Highland Rose
Cameron met Marjory's eyes, recognizing the flash of anger there, a reflection of his own feelings. "Gone, Grania, he's gone."
She nodded, struggling to draw a breath. Her lungs made a gurgling noise as she inhaled. "Aida?"
Cameron glanced at Marjory, unsure of what to say.
"She's dead, I take it." Grania guessed.
"Yeah, she is."
"Poor thing. She came back to warn us. Fer what it's worth, I think she truly loved Ewen." Grania struggled to sit up. "Torcall is marching on Crannag Mhór. To hear the girl tell it, 'twas always the plan."
"But when he discovered his son wasna dead, surely that changed his plans?" Marjory's worried gaze collided with Cameron's.
"Perhaps fer a moment, but ye know as well as I that Torcall lives for his oldest son. And despite yer efforts, the man he found at Crannag Mhór was little more than a stranger." Grania coughed, her shoulders shaking with the force of it.
"Easy now. You've got to lie still." Cameron stroked her hair.
"But he left. I saw him go." Marjory's voice was carefully controlled.
"We'll ne'er know for certain what was in the man's mind, but once Aida had told him about Fingal—about what ye did, lad—Torcall was convinced ye'd been bewitched."
"And he wants someone to pay for what he believes has happened to Ewen."
Grania nodded. "Aida panicked. She'd no intention of starting a battle. And so she slipped away, planning to come back and warn ye. But Allen found her first."
"With you."
"Aye."
The word hung between them, and Cameron fought against his rage. "Was Torcall here?"
"Nay. No' at first. 'Twas only Allen, roaring about betrayal. Had Torcall no' arrived when he did, I've no doubt Allen would o' finished what he started."
Cameron clenched his jaw. "How long ago was this?"
"I'd guess no' too long, but I canna say fer sure. I'm afraid I blacked out." She paused, wincing. "Ye must go."
Marjory reached over to pat her hand. "Torcall's already well ahead o' us. A few minutes spent with you will no' make a difference."
Cameron met her eyes, willing her to understand the depth of his gratitude. He looked back at his mother. "Try not to worry about anything right now. You need to concentrate on getting better."
She struggled to lift her hand and he reached over, placing his around it, squeezing gently. She smiled faintly. "Dinna lie to me, Cameron. The sword's caused a great deal o' damage. Unless I miss my guess, 'twill no' be long before I bleed to death."
He lowered his head, grief overwhelming him.
Her hand fluttered beneath his. "Dinna take it so hard, son."
Son. The word resonated through his head. "You know?"
She nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because ye'd decided to go, and I knew telling you would only add to the burden o' yer decision." She squeezed his hand. "Besides, in truth I canna say that there's much of Eileen Even left inside me. Except my love fer you."
She jerked forward as a fit of coughing wracked her body. Cameron held her, while Marjory held a square of linen against her lips. When she calmed, Cameron eased her back down, noting the pinkish fluid on the linen as Marjory drew it away.
"'Twill no' be long now." Grania's words were low, but clear. She'd obviously seen the blood tinged phlegm, too.
