Cottage in the Mist Read online

  "Nay, lad." Frazier shook his head, pride flashing in his eyes. "I think I can manage well enough."

  "No point in suffering," Ranald said, coming to Frazier's other side. "Hand me your sword."

  For a moment there was silence, and then Frazier nodded, handing the claymore to Ranald. Then Iain and Bram propped up the older man, and slowly the four of them walked back toward the camp.

  "Truly it isna as bad as it looks," Frazier said. "Just a flesh wound, I've no doubt."

  "Still, it can't hurt to take the weight off it until we've had the chance to look and be sure."

  Frazier grumbled his acquiescence. And Iain grinned at Bram over the old man's head.

  "Seems odd they'd retreat the way they did." Ranald frowned. "Not that I'm sad to see the backs of their sorry hides. Still, I'd have expected them to make a better show."

  "We had them outnumbered," Iain said. "Their leader could see the way of it, and made the only call he could."

  "To run away?" Ranald asked. "That doesna seem like the Comyns to me."

  "I'll grant you that," Bram acknowledged. "Did you recognize the man on the horse? It canna have been Alec. The man had red hair. And Alec's is black as pitch, or so I've been told."

  "Aye, I've seen him." Iain nodded. "Black hair and green eyes. Definitely no' the man on the horse. Or any other I saw, for that matter."

  They'd reached the clearing. Iain's men were cleaning their wounds and gathering their belongings. Together Bram and Iain lowered Frazier down onto a large rock.

  "But why would Alec Comyn have bothered to set a trap, for that is surely what this was, and then not have seen to the fighting himself? It certainly doesna track with what I've heard about the man." Ranald knelt at Frazier's feet and began inspecting the gash on his knee.

  "Nor I." Iain frowned. "None of this feels right. It's as if we're missing something."

  "I think it's just as it appears," Frazier argued. "Alec Comyn hasn't the bollocks to take us on himself. He'd rather sacrifice his underlings." He bit out an oath as Ranald cleaned his wound.

  "You were right about the knee," Ranald said, tying a bit of linen around Frazier's leg. "'Tis no' much more than a scratch."

  Frazier nodded and pushed to his feet. "What next?"

  "We tend to my men's wounds." Iain's gaze moved over the meadow. "Bury our own and then we ride out."

  "Now?" Frazier asked.

  "Aye. There's still about an hour of light. We'll go back the way we came. I don't know about you, but I dinna relish making camp here amidst the carnage."

  "And besides," Ranald said, moving to have a look at the gash on Bram's side, "staying here would be tantamount to waving a flag asking to be attacked. Between the landslide and the mountains, there's only one way out. And I dinna want to make it any easier for the Comyns to take another swipe at us."

  "Aye, we'll find a safer place to make camp," Iain said. "And then tomorrow we'll ride on Tigh an Droma."

  Bram clenched a fist as Ranald poured whisky on his wound. "If Alec Comyn willna come to us, then we'll just have to take the fight to him."

  *****

  "Holy Mary, mother o' God," a second dark-haired man swore, crossing himself. "She could be yer sister."

  "Aye, that she could." The green-eyed man nodded, his gaze still locked on Lily's. "I'll thank you to drop the weapon, lass."

  "Only if you drop yours," Lily said, lifting her chin and holding tight to the bow.

  For a moment silence stretched through the clearing. Then the big man lowered his claymore. Slowly, Lily lowered the bow and dared to glance around. The rest of his men still held their weapons, as did Fergus, William and Jeff. All were staring at Lily and the green-eyed man. Their looks would be comical if the situation wasn't quite so dire.

  Lily swallowed the bitter taste of fear. "You're Alec Comyn."

  For a second the man's eyes widened in surprise, but just as quickly the expression was gone. "Aye. Have we met, then?"

  "No." Lily shook her head. "But I've heard of you."

  "And from the look on your face, I'd say 'twas nothing good." His face twitched in a sort of half smile and then he shifted his attention shifted to Fergus. "I take it you're the leader?" he asked, for the moment dismissing Lily. She fought a wave of resentment. It wasn't as if she wanted his attention, after all.

  The older man's shoulders straightened, his gaze steady. "Fergus Mackintosh. I stand as captain to Iain Mackintosh of Duncreag."

  "And your companions—are they Mackintoshes, too?" Alec eyed William and Jeff.

  "Aye, that they are." Fergus' nod was curt but respectful.

  "And what are you doing on my land?"

  "We're standing escort for the lady." Fergus' heavy white brows drew together as he watched the younger man.

  "I see." Alec shifted his attention back to Lily, his green eyes sparkling with some unnamed emotion. "And who exactly are you that they would be escorting you across my land?" Everyone's attention turned back to her, and she lifted her chin, her posture unconsciously regal.

  "My name is Lily Chastain."

  "A French name," Alec said, eyes narrowing.

  "My father's, yes."

  "And your mother's?"

  "If you're asking if we share blood as well as a face, then yes—we do. My great-grandmother was a Macniven."

  "It explains much." It seems Alec Comyn was a man of few words.

  Behind her Robby shifted, trying to say something, but the words were garbled, distorted with his pain.

  Alec's eyes narrowed again as he focused on the injured man. "And the man behind you? Is he why you're here, then?"

  "No." Lily shook her head, lowering her guard to reach over to touch Robby's shoulder. "We found him here. He's been injured. We've tried to help him the best that we can. But the wound is bad and there's no telling how long he's been on his own out here."

  "And do you know his name?"

  "Yes." Lily's gaze locked with Alec's. "Robby Corley." She waited, watching for his reaction.

  "From Dunbrae? And how exactly did he wind up here?"

  Lily struggled to answer, wondering how much she should admit to knowing. She flickered a glance at Fergus, who lifted an eyebrow and then at Jeff, who shrugged. Great, no help from that corner. She looked back at her cousin—a hundred times removed or whatever. The man was family after all. Murderous, barbarous family—but still. Honesty it was.

  "One of your men injured him. When you massacred the Macgillivrays." She sucked in a breath, watching her cousin for signs that she'd spoken rashly.

  "I've massacred no one. In fact, I've no' set foot on Macgillivray lands in years." His eyes glinted with unspoken anger.

  "Maybe you weren't there in person, but I was told that it was you who gave the order." Their green-eyed gazes collided, each of them sparking anger. It was like looking into some kind of fun-house mirror.

  "As I said, I've ordered no one killed and my men have been with me," he insisted. "But I've a healer with me. If you like, I can have him see to the man."

  "And finish what you started?" She pulled to her feet, blocking Alec's access to Robby, raising her bow again. "I hardly think so."

  "You're no' one for believin' a man, now are you?"

  Lily glanced over at her friends again. Fergus tipped his head, signaling her to answer. "No. I'm not." A lifetime of being the rich man's kid had taught her to be careful.

  "I canna say I fault you." Alec smiled, and the transformation was almost shocking. To say that he'd looked fierce was an understatement, and now he seemed almost to be laughing at her. Or, just maybe, laughing with her. "One thing canna be doubted," he said. "You're most definitely a Comyn. Stubborn to the core. I swear to you, lass, I mean the man no harm."

  Indecision washed through her. She didn't trust her cousin as far as she could throw him, but Robby needed help.

  "Have your men discard their weapons," she ordered. Alec's warriors—for there was no doubt that's what they were—had moved c
loser. Her pronouncement caused a ripple of amusement. Clearly they were surprised that a woman had the audacity to stand up to their laird.

  Alec's lips twitched, but he held her gaze. "You first." He nodded toward Fergus, William and Jeff.

  "How about we do it at the same time?" Lily fought against a grin. Who the hell would have thought she'd be orchestrating a cease fire in the middle of the fifteenth century? She was from Fairfield county, for God's sake.

  Alec nodded, sheathing his weapon.

  Lily laid down her bow, praying she was making the right decision, but something about Alec made her believe him. Although the idea of that left so many unanswered questions she didn't even know where to begin.

  Fergus released a gusty sigh and sheathed his claymore. The huge man beside Alec did the same. And the rest of the men, including William and Jeff, followed suit.

  Alec motioned to a smaller man at the back of the crowd. "Come, see to him."

  Lily stepped aside, but stood close as the man knelt beside Robby.

  "I've promised you I'll no' let him come to harm. And I'm a man o' my word." Alec's voice came from close to her ear and she jumped. "Now tell, me, Lily, why are you truly here?"

  Again she wondered at how much truth she should share. So much of it was overwhelming. Still she'd already admitted that she thought he was a killer—and he'd done no more than deny it. Maybe it was best to stick with as much truth as she could manage.

  "I'm here for Bram Macgillivray."

  This time the ripple in the crowd was anger, but Alec held up a hand, quieting his men. "And why would you be looking for him?"

  Lily's chin lifted again. "Because I love him." Her gaze collided with Alec's. "And because the two of you are on a path of destruction that has to be stopped before one or both of you wind up dead."

  "But I told you I dinna kill the man's father."

  "Ah, but you're aware of the fact. I certainly didn't mention it." She was glaring at him now, feeling heat wash across her face.

  "Blast it, woman, everyone knows about it. 'Tis no' a secret. And admitting that I know is no' the same as admitting my guilt." They squared off. "And while we're talking o' guilt, what does your mother think of her daughter conspiring with the enemy?"

  "My mother is dead." The words fell into the clearing with the power of a broadsword, silence holding as the big man next to Alec crossed himself again.

  "I'm sorry." Alec's voice was gruff with emotion. "And your father?"

  "Dead as well. But don't go getting ideas that I'm suddenly under your wardship or something."

  This last brought a smile. "I can see you're a woman with her own mind. But still—a Macgillivray?"

  There was no reasoning with a Scot, clearly. They all seemed to come with the same thick head. "You and Bram are not as different as you might think. And besides, you can't help who you love. It just happens." Even when said person is from another century.

  "And Bram Macgillivray—he loves you, too?"

  The flush across her cheeks burned brighter. "I believe so."

  "I'm not saying I doubt you. But you ken the last time a Macgillivray and a Comyn were together it dinna end so well."

  Lily pulled the silver chain from beneath her shirt and plaid, lifting the ring for everyone to see. "Yes, Alec, I ken it well."

  CHAPTER 25

  "I CANNA SAY 'TIS AN easy tale to swallow," Alec Comyn said, frowning at her. They'd withdrawn to sit upon a fallen log. Fergus sat across from her on a large boulder with William glowering over at Alec from just behind Fergus. Alec's man Dougan Macniven stood just opposite William, his hand never leaving the hilt of his claymore.

  Across the way, she could see Jeff keeping watch as the healer ministered to Robby. If the situation had been less serious, Lily would have smiled. But instead she moved her gaze back to her cousin's. Convinced that Alec was telling the truth about not attacking Dunbrae, they'd told him everything, including the bit about her and Jeff coming from the future. And Lily, had it not happened to her, doubted she'd have believed the story either.

  "Nevertheless," she said, opening her hands in supplication, "what we're telling you is true."

  "I said it isna easy to accept." Alec shrugged. "I dinna say that I doubted you. If for no other reason than the ring you wear. In all honesty, I find it harder to believe that you love a Macgillivray than that you traveled through time."

  "Which just shows you how ridiculous this blood feud really is."

  "I canna argue with you there. I have no trouble defending my honor or my clan when the moment calls for it, but I dinna hold with ancient grudges. Whatever truly happened all those years ago, it should no' affect what's happening now."

  "But clearly it is having an effect," Fergus answered. "And if it's no' you, then someone else must be using the feud to their own advantage."

  The conversation was interrupted as a rider galloped into the camp. Alec started to rise, but Dougan waved him down again. "I'll handle it." The big man strode off toward the rider just as Jeff walked up to the group.

  "One of my scouts," Alec said, as he waved Jeff to a seat on another stone. "How fairs Corley?"

  "Geordie believes that he's turned a corner," Jeff replied. "He credits Lily's intervention with having saved him. Especially cauterizing the wound."

  "Thank God," Lily said, relief flooding through her. Although in reality he was little more than a stranger, once she'd realized Robby's connection to Bram, her heart had become involved. If Bram cared about this man, then so did she. And she'd been so afraid he'd die on her watch. One more thing for Bram to have to forgive.

  "Did he say anything more?" Alec asked.

  "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 of Tigh 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 that Tigh an Droma is 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 of Tigh 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 was the 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.

  "What am I going to do?" she asked Jeff, forgetting for a moment the other people present.

  "You tell him the truth. All of it. And if he truly loves you, he'll understand." Easy for Jeff to say. Lily blew out a breath, running a hand through her hair.

  "But first," Alec added, "you're going to have to convince him that I'm no' the enemy. If you're right, he's coming for me even as we speak. And while I dinna wish you or yours any harm, if I'm forced to do so, I will defend what is mine."