Page 44 of Cottage in the Mist (Time After Time #3)
“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 seemed 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 closer. 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.”