She’d changed the subject to raise everyone’s spirits—and her own—and Lachlan clamped his left hand under his thigh so he wouldn’t wrap his arm around her shoulders and draw her close. She fit so nicely to his side.
After everyone discussed holiday traditions and finished every scone crumb, Cilla stood and picked up her plate. “Mrs. Mackenzie, may I help with the dishes?”
“Nonsense. Enjoy your afternoon before the rain comes.”
“I’d rather staysafelyinside, out of the wind. But you wanted a walk, Lachlan, yes?” Cilla stacked Lachlan’s plate on top of her own and subtly inclined her head toward Neil.
Lachlan had said nothing about roaming. He didn’t want to leave Cilla alone, but she’d said she’d be safe inside—meaning something quite different from what his parents would hear.
Cilla skewered him with her gaze, then spun away with the stack of plates.
He had told her he wanted to talk with Neil. Until now, when that talk stared him in the face. A promise was a promisethough, and he firmed his jaw. “Neil, would you fancy roaming?”
Neil’s eyebrows hiked up. “Aye. I would.”
From her spot in the corner, Effie raised her head and perked her ears. She loved roaming.
Ducking his chin to avoid his parents’ gazes, Lachlan clucked his tongue at the collie and headed out the back door toward the sea.
A bumpy layer of clouds hung low, a gray veil of drizzle blurred the firth to the east, and the wind ruffled Effie’s fur as she trotted alongside the brothers.
Neil fell in step beside Lachlan, and his kilt swayed around his knees. “The rumors in town dinnae mention me or Free Caledonia. Thank you.”
“Aye, the newspapers willnae mention you either, but you can take satisfaction in knowing your description of the man led to his arrest. Thank you.”
“What’s going on?”
Lachlan’s black officer’s shoes trod the springy heath. “I know you have questions, but we cannae discuss this.”
Neil shook his head. “The spy knew about Free Caledonia. How? Why did he think we wanted to commit sabotage?”
Because of Cilla’s messages, but Lachlan shrugged.
“We’re not violent.” Neil’s blue eyes blazed. “You need to understand. Aye, we want Scotland to be free, but not by attacking England and certainly not by committing sabotage in Scotland.”
“I know.”
“That’s what Germany wants, aye?” Neil flung his arm eastward. “To set the Scots and the Welsh against the English, so we tear each other apart. Then they can mop up the debris.”
Their path curved along the edge of the cliff, and Lachlan schooled his voice to softness. “Once you told me Scotland would be better off under the Germans.”
Neil grimaced. “Aye, I thought that. But the more I hear about what’s happening on the continent ... it’s wrong. I dinnae want that here or anywhere.”
“Aye. That’s why I’m fighting.”
“I know.” Neil’s glance carried respect and regret.
Lachlan cleared his throat. “Thank you for what you did yesterday. Not just telling the police but telling me. It was good of you.”
Neil gazed to sea and shrugged.
For weeks they’d been inching toward each other sideways, not looking each other in the eye, not addressing the offenses that loomed between them.
Offenses so large wouldn’t disappear for wanting them gone.
Lachlan tossed up a prayer and hauled in a deep breath of cool sea air. “I’m sorry my actions led to your expulsion, and I forgive you for getting me expelled. And I’m very,verysorry for taking over a decade to forgive you. We’ve been a house divided for far too long, and I bear a great deal of the blame.”
Neil stopped, set his hands on his hips, and lowered his head. The muscles in his neck and back tensed and shifted beneath his black jacket.
