And now the hard part. Admitting her part in his death.
“I lied to him, Davina. I drew him to his death.”
“What?” Davina asked, rising and walking to her side. “What do ye mean?”
“I told him that Father kenned of our relationship and we needed to talk. Now, thinking back on it, I wonder if he did not.”
“Ye think yer father had some involvement in the fire?” Davina grabbed her hand. “Why would ye think that?”
“I think Father kenned about us meeting. He said some things at the time about my time spent away from the village, about being seen in the south. I think he had someone following me and kenned the truth.”
“Ye think yer father would burn a man to death?”
Davina’s whisper was furious. But then, she was the man’s wife. Ailis had seen the ruthless part of him before. He was first the chieftain of the clan. She’d thought on this the entire ride home today.
There were surely others who wouldn’t want Lachlan and Ailis to be together, in addition to her father. Lachlan’s father wouldn’t be happy, but he would never cause his son’s death. Nay, the most likely one behind it was Finnan MacKinnon.
“He wouldna want me married to his enemy’s son. He wouldna allow me the choice. …”
“If he had Lachlan killed, why wouldhe. …” Davina clamped her lips closed before she finished. “If yer father wanted him dead, then why. …”
Davina shook her head several times before letting out a shriek and stamping her feet. Ailis couldn’t ever remember seeing this kind of display and loss of control in her friend.
A terrible feeling crept over Ailis. Her stomach gripped at the tension growing within.
She closed her eyes and many images raced through her thoughts. Lachlan laughing and taking hold of her shoulders. Then the image changed and Iain was in his place. Lachlan murmuring as he touched her and brought her to completion. Then it was Iain’s touch last night.
Lachlan. Iain.
Iain.
Oh, God in Heaven, IainwasLachlan!
“How?” she screamed at Davina. “How could he have survived? I saw it burn, Davina. I saw it burn!”
Ailis held out her hands, sliding back her sleeves to reveal the burns she’d suffered. They were only superficial compared to what he’d suffered. Large areas of his skin had melted and reformed. She’d felt them. His back and legs. His head and neck. His face and jaw. And he’d survived?
Aye, he had lived through it.
“He is alive?” She grabbed Davina and shook her. “How long have ye kenned? Does Father know?”
Then the worst thought struck her. Did Iain know who he was? Had he known when they had … ? Had he known when he’d left?
“Did he ken that he was … is Lachlan MacLean?”
“Nay, I dinna think so,” Davina said, easing out of Ailis’ grasp. “Yer father suspected his identity and spoke with me. He asked many questions about ye and the possibility. Lis, I dinna tell him about ye.”
Lachlan was alive. Alive and gone from here without knowing the truth.
“I must go. I must find him and tell him. Where could he have gone?”
Now it was Davina’s turn to grab hold of her and bring her to a stop.
“Look at me, Lis!” she said, while shaking her. “Think a moment. If yer father planned that fire, why would he allow him to live even now with the knowledge he has? If Finnan had no part, as I believe, how safe will Lachlan be if he reveals himself? Ailis, he only remains safe if that person believes him dead.”
Ailis wanted to challenge her words, but they made sense. No matter that Lachlan was alive! How could she not find him? How could she let him go?
“He has no memory of who he is, Lis. He doesna ken his allies from his enemies. Or his kith and kin. If he looked on ye, kissed ye andlovedye, and dinna remember ye, what chance will he have if he faces the person responsible for his condition without kenning them?”
