Robert fully intended to follow his uncle into the castle. He did not, however, intend to kill Callum MacGregor. He prayed Katherine was alive and unharmed. Graham had been truthful with him, and he had been so in defense of his friend. Robert did not believe a man like Graham could be loyal to a heartless beast. He did not believe they had harmed his sister. He would find MacGregor and plead to speak with him. Nae, he decided an instant later, the laird would slay him the moment he discovered Duncan was inside the castle. Robert had to find a way to get inside without Duncan and his burly friends.
They were Menzies, who likely would not give a rat’s arse about Duncan’s crime against his brother. But would they feel differently if the earl was guilty of killing the earl before him?
Robert turned to him and, in a voice loud enough for the others to hear, said, “Colin was your father’s favored son.”
Duncan met his gaze. “What?”
“You said earlier that your father’s favored son had returned to Kildun, aye?”
Duncan did not flinch, but his eyes sharpened on his nephew. “Aye, Liam favored him.”
“You said your father would forgive him anything, even for being a MacGregor sympathizer. You hated Colin for finding favor in your father’s eyes when you suffered humiliation in them.” He looked over Duncan’s shoulder at the Menzies and was pleased to see them listening intently. “Tell me, uncle, did your father suspect you of treachery when his favored son was killed after MacGregor escaped? Is that why you killed him?”
Without even an off-pitch breath to betray his intention, Duncan reached for a large rock and smashed it into Robert’s temple. When his nephew fell limp to the ground, Duncan pushed back the hair that had fallen over his own brow from the force of his blow, drew his dagger, and turned on the men gaping at him.
Duncan Campbell stepped into the mists with a single purpose, to destroy the Devil and regain what had been taken from him.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
KATE OPENED HER EYES and then closed them again at the glaring beam of sunlight pouring into the chamber from the window. She really would have to have a word with Callum about hanging some draperies—very thick ones. At the thought of him, she smiled and turned over in the bed, intending to help him welcome the new day with a few strategically placed kisses.
She squeaked when she saw Maggie sitting in his spot instead, her legs crisscrossed beneath her and a comb clutched in her fist.
“I thought ye’d never be waking up.”
“Maggie, what are you doing here so early? Where is your brother?”
“He’s around somewhere,” Maggie advised her hastily. There was no time to answer silly queries now. “Are ye intending to sleep all day? My hair and I are waiting for ye.”
Kate could not help the smile Maggie always brought to her lips. “I’m awake.” She hauled herself out of bed and tried to run her fingers through her own hair. She tugged on a few tangled curls. “My hair is waiting for me, as well.”
“Hurry, Kate. He’ll be up and about soon.” Maggie sprang from the bed and pushed Kate toward the stool where she usually prepared Maggie for the day.
“Who?” Kate tried to conceal her knowing smile, but it pulled at the corners of her mouth.
“Who? Why, Jamie, of course. Who else? Honestly, Kate, sometimes I think ye and Callum are more suited to each other than either of ye realize.”
Kate gave her a surprised look and then burst into laughter. “Goodness, poor Jamie hasn’t a chance against you.”
Maggie cast her an askew look, but then her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “At least not after today, I hope.”
“What happens today?” Kate asked her, sobering. “What are you going to do?”
“I am going to tell him what I think of him before we are both too old to care,” Maggie said, thrusting her comb into Kate’s hand. “And I would prefer to look bonny doing it. So, if ye please?”
Kate nodded, taking the comb. How braw this wee woman was. Even Kate had begun to wonder when Jamie would finally begin their courtship. The poor lad was afraid of Callum, but Kate was certain Callum would be as happy as she was about their union.
“I think a lovely blue snood in your hair will bring out the beauty of your eyes,” Kate said gently, offering Maggie the stool to begin.
Kate and Maggie made their way down the stairs, peeking left and right in hopes of spotting Jamie and sauntering past him. It would take him no time at all to follow. Maggie intended on leading him directly to the barn, where she would finally reveal her heart. She was so disappointed when they did not find him, she stomped her foot and muttered an expletive that would have made Brodie proud.
They were about to exit the castle when they walked straight into Callum. “I was just comin’ back to bed,” he said, pulling Kate into his arms. “Where are ye off to?”
“To the barn,” Maggie brooded.
“Give me a moment and I’ll come with ye.”
“Nae!” both women exclaimed at the same time, which earned them a fierce scowl.
