True. Caelan would take her back, if for nothing else than to prove he could best Brodie. But did he still plan to go through with his plot? To marry her and destroy the Camerons? If he wed her, and the betrothal yet stood as legal unless her father broke it, then he would control a fortune and be able to pay out the promised bribes.
‘And we know how to get into the keep.’
‘Aye, we do. But we cannot defeat all of them with the men we have. We’ve lost at least three just now and more are injured.’
‘Then our best weapon is our planning and stealth. That has kept us alive all these months. Do not play into his hand now.’
Brodie tried to bring his thoughts to clarity. Rob made sense. He nodded. ‘Our original plan but with a few changes. We need to get the others moving north, just as we planned. Then, once we have a better idea of how many can fight, we will know what we can do.’
* * *
They spent the rest of the day gathering up survivors, treating the injured and organising those who would leave in the morning. Just before they sought their night’s rest, Brodie called them together—men and women—to discuss their next step.
* * *
The next morning, after escorting those going to his uncle’s lands down to the road that would take them north, he waited until they were well away and then gathered those remaining and told them his true plan.
‘We do not have enough men to fight our way in or out of Drumlui Keep,’ he announced. ‘We have the proof we need but not enough of us to see it through.’
Rob cast him a dark look and Brodie shrugged.
‘We could...’ Rob began.
‘Nay. I will not be the one who orders you to your deaths. You have fought well at my side, for my quest.’
‘We didna fight for ye, Brodie. We fought for our families and our homes,’ Duncan said. ‘Well, we fought for ye also.’ A few laughs and chuckles echoed around them.
‘And now it is time to seek new homes with my uncle. Pledge your service and loyalty to him.’
‘What will ye do?’ Hamish asked. ‘Ye rescued the lady once. Will ye leave her to her fate now with that bloody bastard?’
Rob had been watching him closely and now stepped forward, arms crossed over his chest. ‘So what is your plan then, Brodie?’
Brodie had thought about this all night. Without enough men, he could never be successful in his challenge. Their conflict had already torn apart the Mackintoshes and split loyalties.
‘In order to put Grigor in the chieftain’s chair, we need to remove Caelan and destroy his right to hold that seat in the eyes of both our allies and our enemies.
‘The documents and evidence that’ve been gathered there—’ he stopped and pointed to the locked strongbox that sat next to him on the ground ‘—are part of it. The other part is getting the Camerons to agree to back this.’
The shouting he knew would erupt did, so he waited while they all called out their objections, some rational and calm and others seething mad. He said nothing, but only acknowledged their contributions, until everyone, even Margaret and the other women, had spoken their piece.
The lass had given him the only possible answer to this quandary when she’d said she would convince her father about Caelan. If Euan Cameron had not truly wanted peace, he would have broken the betrothal contract and attacked the Mackintoshes when his son was killed. That Lachlan had been able to work out a new truce and treaty spoke of The Cameron’s commitment to ending this feud, ending the relentless deaths and destruction.
Brodie planned to take advantage of knowing that when he approached Arabella’s father. If he lived long enough to actually speak to the man.
‘My plan is to go to Achnacarry and speak to Euan.’ At their shouts, he paused. ‘’Tis up to you whether or not you follow me.’ More shouts and objections. ‘I think the man wants peace. I think he wants his daughter back. I think he will help us.’
‘Before or after he guts you and hangs your innards from his wall?’ Rob said. Brodie walked to his friend and placed his hand on Rob’s shoulder.
‘That is where you will come and play your part. I will make my attempt and you and any who stand with us will wait outside Achnacarry with the proof that we have paid for with our blood and tears. If The Cameron agrees, we will attack Drumlui together to rescue Arabella and defeat Caelan.’
‘And if he does not?’ Jamie asked. ‘If you are dead?’
‘Then you must decide if your fight is over or not. Take the proof to my uncle. If nothing else, it will buy you all a place with him. It will be up to you to make that choice.’
Silence descended over them as they considered his words and their very limited choices. They had been at his back through every day and week since the moment of his exile. Rob had left with him, trailing him by only hours and finding him in their favourite hunting place. The rest came and, as word spread about his gathering flock, more and more had appeared. Everyone had done their part and given a full measure of effort and loyalty.
Never once had they refused his orders. But would they accept his plan now? And could it work?
