‘You did?’ he asked.
‘I did. Though you tried to make me believe the worst would happen to him.’
He nodded, having difficulty coming up with words when she gazed at him with respect.
‘What will you do with him now?’ she asked, as she led the way outside. Rob stood waiting for him there. When he did not reply as quickly as she’d like, she gave him the answer she wanted.
‘You could send him back to my father. Negotiate with him to help settle this.’ Rob turned to look at him. It was not something they had not discussed already.
‘Your father will not do that, lady.’
‘If I asked him, he would consider it.’ She was lovely in her naiveté about her father, but then she seemed to need to believe the best of her father and the worst of him. ‘If you returned Alan as a sign of good faith.’
‘Do you really think he would even speak to the man who killed his son?’ he asked.
Even if he was the lesser of the Mackintosh evils, there was no way that Euan Cameron would allow him to live. Even without Caelan in the high seat, there would be no peace if Brodie was the one to replace him and rule.
The truth drew down the wall between them. He saw it in her eyes as she realised it. As it always would stand between them. No matter the respect she might have for him about his treatment of her cousin. No matter the shared desire that he felt every time they spoke or were together. No matter...
‘I should not have brought it up,’ she whispered, backing away.
He reached out, heedless of those watching, and tilted her face up with his finger.
‘Nay. I will always listen to your suggestions, Arabella. Just this one...’ He shook his head and dropped his hand.
‘I would see to his care this night, if you will permit it?’
Her soft words stunned him. Most of their conversations ended in anger or distrust. He just nodded this time and she went back inside. Brodie stood silent for a moment and then let out his breath.
‘Have a care, Brodie,’ Rob warned before walking off. He gave orders to one of the men to remain on guard there as he left. He did not mistake his friend’s meaning.
‘Have a care?’ he said under his breath, to no one but himself. ’Twas too bloody late for that.
Chapter Fifteen
The worst thing Alan suffered for his first drunken experience was a bit of an ill stomach and a headache. Margaret, at Brodie’s behest, sent over a noxious-smelling green potion that Alan stared at and refused to drink. For a time. Then when his symptoms became worse, he swallowed it down and complained loud and long about it. But it did help and by midday, he was asking for food.
* * *
For two days she did not see him...Brodie. Though her black was in the yard, she caught no sight of him in the camp. Was he avoiding her? She slept in either Margaret’s or Bradana’s tents, helped each of them see to tasks to keep the camp running, whether repairing garments, preparing food for meals or whatever needed to be accomplished.
She and Alan spoke many times and he brought word of many things from Drumlui and Achnacarry Castle. Alan said her father had left Mackintosh lands and, fearing Mackintosh aggression, was busy sending soldiers to protect their southern keep, Tor Castle. Worse, he was considering involving the king in this dispute. Although a prisoner, Alan’s youth gained him softer treatment than a man would have received. He was permitted outside several times a day and Bradana saw to his care.
Arabella remained convinced that her father would help if he knew the truth and decided it was time to hear Brodie’s side of this. If Alan could escape, if he had information to give her father, it might work out. So, she began to look for ways to help the boy escape. After all, he hadn’t given his word as she had.
All he would need would be a short time undetected to make his way off the mountain and find a way to Achnacarry. Alan said they were about two days’ straight ride to the northwest of Drumlui and almost to the shores of Loch Arkaig, so it would be about three or four days travel to Achnacarry by land. Shorter if they could use the loch and river.
Although she was in one of the caves visiting Alan, she continued checking the others. She’d noticed that the supplies could be organised a bit differently and it would make it easier to keep track of them as they were used up. And, if they needed to abandon the camp, something everyone she spoke to feared was coming, it would be easier to find and take the most essential items. Planning to take her suggestions to Margaret now that things had calmed, Brodie’s appearance surprised her.
And the fact that he looked as though he had not slept was more of a surprise. Dark circles smudged the skin beneath his eyes. His face was pale.
‘Are you ill?’ she asked, reaching up to touch his face. She stopped herself, but not before he saw the gesture. ‘Have you a fever?’
‘Nay, not ill, lady. Nothing to fear,’ he said.
‘If not ill, then what, Brodie?’
‘Bradana said you were seeking me?’ He neatly avoided answering her question.
