“Whether that is true or not is my concern,” Aileana answered, feeling her cheeks heat. “It shouldn’t influence you.”
“You’re my sister. Anything that happens to you influences me. Christ, you’re only in this predicament because of me.”
“Nay, I’m here because I chose to be. But if it pleases you to think yourself the cause of it, then you will also admit that I’ve given much for your sake already. Do this one thing for me now.” She took his hands in hers. “Do not kill the MacRae, Gavin. If there’s a way to keep him from raiding our clan, I’ll find it. I already have an idea. But I don’t want him killed.”
He looked exasperated, but she saw from his eyes that he was wavering.
“Please,” she murmured, pressing her point. “I’m asking you on the bond of blood between us.”
“Aye, lass,” he said finally. “A bond of blood I’d prefer we keep, without any of yours being spilled.”
“The best way to ensure that is to do as I say. Swear that you won’t harm Duncan.” She stared hard at him. “Swear it, Gavin.”
He looked as if he was swallowing something bitter, but when she stepped closer to him, he muttered a curse. “All right, lass! I swear that I won’t harm him—for now, anyway.”
She nodded. “Good. Leave the MacRae to me and go now to warn the others. Prepare them for his raid in case I fail.”
Gavin shook his head. “Nay. I refuse to leave you alone here until you tell me exactly what you’re planning to do.”
She gazed at him quietly, trying to finalize the nebulous bits of her idea. “I’m planning to escape from Eilean Donan, Gavin—and I’m going to go alone.” Her heart lurched at the thought, but she saw no other option.
“Escapealone?How?” He scowled. “It would be difficult enough for me to steal you out of here.”
She tilted her chin and tried to sound brave. “It will not be so hard. The only reason I didn’t leave earlier was because I thought it a risk to your life and the clan if I broke my agreement with Duncan. Now that he’s decided to attack whether I break it or no, I’ll simply climb from this chamber, swim the loch, and go to our allies at Dumfrie in the north. They’ll hide me and theEalachuntil this is settled peacefully.”
Gavin started to argue, but she leveled her gaze at him. “Just hear me out. If I escape with you and go to Dulhmeny as you wish, Duncan will most certainly follow me there, and people will die. But if I leave alone, he might give up the plan to raid in favor of searching for me and the amulet.”
“So you think serving as bait for a murdering MacRae is the answer? That’s the whole of your fine plan?”
Aileana winced at his description of Duncan.Murdering MacRae. It was what she herself had called him, both to his face and in her own mind during those first few weeks. But something had changed since then. She’d come to see him differently, watching him struggle to rebuild a life for his clan. She’d glimpsed the tenderness that lived along with the rage and the hurt inside of him.
Aye, her feelings for Duncan had changed much in these past weeks. Too much to explain to her brother right now…
Gavin made a choking sound and shoved his hand through his hair, bringing his voice to a whisper only when she motioned for him to be quiet. “What will you do, lass? Let the MacRae hunt all over the Highlands until he finds both you and theEalach? He’ll do far worse than confine you to your chamber then, I’ll warrant!”
“It won’t come to that. Not if you complete the rest of my plan as I tell you to.”
“Sweet Mother Mary,” he muttered, gazing skyward, “give me the strength to hear what’s left of this.”
She favored him with a dark look. “When the time is right, you will find the MacKenzie Chief and ask for a hearing of the clans. He is Chief of Kintail and laird over Duncan. I met him myself, and it is clear that he is sympathetic to our cause. He thinks our debt of honor long paid to the MacRaes, and I think he would support our dispute and petition for peace.”
Gavin looked unconvinced. “I don’t feel right about this, Aileana. What if the MacKenzie will not help us?”
“Then we will be no worse than we are right now. There will be a war between the clans, and we will all suffer for it.” Fear squeezed her heart as she took Gavin’s hand. “At least if we try what I suggest, there is a chance to avoid bloodshed. Please, Gavin, try it my way first. It cannot hurt.”
Gavin stood silent for a moment. Finally he shook his head and sighed. “Ah, lass, you wear me down, and in that you’re more like our mother than I ever realized.” Love shone warm in his eyes. “She would be proud of your courage, Aileana. As am I.” He cupped her chin and smiled. “When did you turn into such a fine woman? It seems only yesterday that you stood no higher than my knees and lisped up at me through the spaces in your teeth.”
She smiled back at him and kissed his cheek. “Ach, be off with you, now. Our time is running out. But it will all work out in the end, Gavin, I promise. Go and make haste.”
Nodding, Gavin climbed half out the window, then twisted to face her again. “I am conceding to try it your way for now, lass, though I do not like it. But understand that if anything goes wrong, or if the MacRae harms one curl upon your bonny head, I will kill him with my bare hands. This I vow.”
Aileana nodded, mutely, and he blew her a kiss. Holding her breath, she watched him disappear through the window, climbing up his rope to the battlements again. The twine skittered up after him, retrieved from above. She knew that he’d leave nothing that might be seen and lead anyone to suspect he’d been there.
But once he was gone, cold emptiness settled over her.It was done, then. She’d have to be leaving Eilean Donan and Duncan. Soon.
And forever.
As grim purpose faded and reality struck her, she stumbled back from the window. Tears clouded her eyes. The thought of leaving hurt her, more deeply than she’d thought was possible. Duncan bullied her and tried to control her. He’d locked her in this room and blackmailed her.
