Page 48 of Cottage in the Mist (Time After Time #3)
“I don’t know what to think anymore.” Bram pushed to his feet and ran a hand through his hair. Dougan followed suit, although the big man’s hand was on his claymore. Alec waved him down again and he sat with a dissatisfied grunt. “From the way it looks, I’d say that Lily was lying, too.”
“Except that you know that isn’t the case.” This from Iain, who’d remained uncharacteristically quiet as Alec had continued to deny the allegations against him and his clan.
“Yes, I suppose I do. At least about some things,” Bram grudgingly admitted, dropping back down to sit on a fallen log. “But even so it doesn’t mean she’s not conspiring with Alec against me.”
“Are you crazy, man? She didn’t come here for me. She came for you. And believe me, she’s made that more than apparent to all of us.” Alec’s voice echoed across the open expanse beyond the trees, and Bram could see Lily’s head turn, her dark hair swirling around her shoulders.
He didn’t want to feel anything at all, damn it, but just seeing her, even from a distance, made his blood stir. Bram jerked his attention back to the conversation. “She’s a Comyn.”
“Who loves a Macgillivray,” Alec countered. “It doesn’t appeal to me either. But it is what it is.”
“A hell of a mess,” Fergus summarized as he joined the four of them.
“What of the men?” Iain asked.
“Ranald is watching o’er them. And for the most part they’re settled.
Although I canna say they’re pleased with the situation.
I suspect everyone will be sleeping with their hand on a weapon and one eye open tonight.
But for the moment at least, there’s peace.
” He sat down on the log beside Bram, first eyeing Dougan and then turning to Iain.
“I take it you’ve decided to believe Alec? ”
“We’re agreed to try and keep an open mind,” Iain said. “Partially because you believe him.”
The older man sighed, stroking his beard. “That I do. Or at least I have to admit there’s a ring of authenticity.”
“But then how do you explain Dougan’s sons trying to kill me?” Bram asked, still not trusting the other man. They’d told Alec of the attack at Duncreag but hadn’t gone as far as to mention the other attacks.
It was Dougan’s turn to look astounded. “What rubbish are ye spouting now?” His eyes narrowed as his gaze met Alec’s and his hand moved to his weapon. “I told ye we couldna trust the whoresons.”
Alec frowned, but waved his hand to still his second. “What makes you believe the men you’re speaking of were Dougan’s sons?”
“They told me themselves,” Bram said, frustration cresting. “First Murdoc Macniven when he attacked me in the mist and then his brother today in the mountains.”
Dougan sputtered and Alec’s amused gaze met Bram’s. “Ach, but you see there’s a wee problem with that notion.”
“And that would be?” Bram challenged.
“Dougan has no sons.” Alec shrugged and looked to his captain.
“Only three braw lassies,” the big man said with a shrug. “No’ fer lack of tryin’, mind ye. And even if I did, I’d no’ name one o’ them Murdoc.” He almost smiled, then seemed to remember the serious nature of the situation and his countenance darkened again. “I tell you true. I have no sons.”
And suddenly Bram felt his anger deflating.
As barmy as it seemed, he believed everything Alec was saying.
Which didn’t mean he’d start calling Alec Comyn friend.
But it did seem that someone else had betrayed him.
Betrayed his clan. Someone who wanted him to believe that his most hated enemy was behind it.
Alec’s green-eyed gaze seemed to pierce right through him. “I ken this is hard on you. And I accept that you dinna trust me. I canna say I trust you either. But for the moment, at least, it seems we share common interests.”
Without thinking, Bram’s head turned, his gaze moving to the lean-to and the shadowy image of Lily tending to Robby. Common interests indeed. His body tightened and he fought a wave of pure desire.
Bollocks.
She might not have been in league with Alec against him, but she was still a Comyn and common interests aside, Macgillivrays and Comyns were not meant to fall in love with each other. The last time that had happened his clan had practically been destroyed.
“I dinna see what we could possibly have in common,” he snapped, forcing himself back to the matter at hand.
“Alec’s right, Bram.” Iain laid a hand on his shoulder, and Bram jerked free.
“How can you say that? He’s a Comyn.” He knew he was letting his emotions hold sway, but somehow the idea that this man had a claim—albeit a familial one—on Lily made his blood boil.
Not that he had a claim anymore. Even if he could get beyond the fact that she was a Comyn, how could she ever forgive him?
He’d let her down in so many ways. It was all such a bloody nightmare.
“We’re no’ talking about Lily,” Alec said, cutting right to the heart of the matter. “We’re talking about someone trying their damnedest to play us off against one another. Someone who orchestrated the murder of your clansmen and tried to pin it on me.”
“And that same bastard is behind the rumors of your involvement as well,” Iain interjected. “They want your kin to believe that you betrayed your own clan.”
“But I didn’t.” Bram felt as if the world were spinning out of control. Again he looked toward Lily, this time with longing. But it was too late for comfort. “I’m no’ a traitor.”
“And I did no’ betray you either,” Alec said. “Which means that, at least for the moment, we’re fighting on the same side.”
There was no arguing the fact. It was time to put their differences aside. Alec might never be his ally. But the man was right—he was not an enemy. And truth be told, at the moment, Bram could use all the help he could get.
“So how do we go about identifying the traitor?” he asked, feeling as if he’d fallen into a deep, dark hole.
“I dinna ken,” Fergus said, “but I reckon the best place to find answers is to start at the beginning.”
“Dunbrae.” Just saying the name brought Bram’s resolve to bear.
“Bram?” He jumped at the soft sound of Lily’s voice, his skin prickling at her nearness. He’d been so engrossed in his mutinous thoughts he hadn’t even noticed her approaching. “Robby’s awake. And he’s asking for you.”