Page 45 of Cottage in the Mist (Time After Time #3)

“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They’d withdrawn to sit upon a fallen log.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.”

Looking at the hardened warrior sitting beside her, Lily had no doubt that he meant every word he said.

Maybe Bram was right. Maybe she had no place in this world.

And yet even as she had the thought, she rejected it.

Bram wasn’t Justin. And she wasn’t going to give up. Some things were worth fighting for.

“All I ask is that you give me a chance,” she said. “Let me try to reason with him.”

“I’ve no taste for battle with the Macgillivrays. So you need have no fear of my initiating hostilities against your Bram. But if he attacks Tigh an Droma , I’ll have no choice but to join the fight.”

“I understand.” And she did. It wasn’t as if Alec could allow Bram to destroy him—especially for something he didn’t do. But her heart railed against the possibility that fate would win out and Bram would die.

“Remember that nothing is set in stone,” Jeff said, clearly reading the expression on her face. “There’s still time to change things. To explain to Bram.”

“Yes, but we have to find him first.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Dougan said, returning to the group. “I’ve just talked to a scout. Bram Macgillivray and his men are almost here.”

Long shadows stretched across the meadow, the trees ringing the clearing already blending together as the sunlight continued to fade.

Beneath his thighs, Bram felt his horse shift, muscles tensed, waiting for his command.

Iain and Ranald flanked him on either side, Frazier and the rest of Iain’s men arrayed behind them.

Across the way, Alec Comyn’s men too sat at the ready, weapons drawn, horses prancing.

But although he was aware of the warriors, it was the center group that held his attention.

By some fluke of placement a last golden ray of sun fell over the three people gathered there.

Alec Comyn rode with the command of a king.

His dark hair curled wildly around his head, his green eyes piercing even at this distance.

Beside him rode a tall man with blonde hair.

The man from Bram’s vision. His clothes were an odd mixture of familiar and strange, and although he seemed comfortable on his mount, it was clear that he was not as comfortable with the claymore he held in his hands.

If Iain was to be believed, this man was Katherine’s brother.

But why then was he riding with the Comyns?

And more importantly, what manner of lie had Lily perpetuated?