Page 45 of Edge of Yesterday

Chapter Nine

The following afternoon when the door to Haven Cottage opened, Cailean looked up from the table where he sat staring at the small leather pouch in his hands, Julianna’s pocan cheann. Her brother stood in the doorway.

Cailean met the man’s stare. “There really are heads in the bag. I didn’t believe it.”

“You should no’ have touched the bag.” Lennox entered and crossed to the table. “The Beatons gave Julianna that healing bag. Even I would not put my hands on it.”

“I’m sorry I did.” But not for the reasons Lennox would think.

“Aye, well, if you value your hide, I wouldnae tell Julianna you touched it.”

Cailean grunted. “If you’re willing to keep my secret, then mum’s the word.”

“I see ye are wearing the plaid Julianna gave you.”

Cailean had done as Julianna instructed and set his sword aside, then donned the plaid she’d given him. He hadn’t been surprised that the wool was heavier and scratchier than his plaid. After all, Val had gone to a great deal of trouble to convince him that he resided in medieval Scotland. The man wasn’t about to make the mistake of giving Cailean modern manufactured wool.

Cailean stood. “I’m to meet your mother today. It’s only right that I wear a fresh plaid.”

“Ye think well of yourself,” Lennox said. Despite the firm tone, Cailean detected no rancor. “Many lairds and noblemen will be presenting themselves to my mother,” Lennox went on. “She has little time for simple warriors. You are lucky to be attending at all.”

“I would be content to go my merry way,” Cailean said.

“Where would you go?” Lennox asked.

“Where else? Heatheredge.”

“Who would you visit in Heatheredge? No Rosses live there.”

“Mackays live there.”

“What business has a Ross with a Mackay?” Lennox said.

“Are the Rosses and Mackays feuding?” Cailean asked.

Lennox’s gaze sharpened. “Why continue to act as if you know nothing of your clan’s business?”

“You act as if we are at war. That is not what I learned.” Cailean crossed to Julianna’s cupboard and put her bag of heads back where he wished he’d left it.

“I didnae say we are at war,” Lennox said. “We have...kept our distance.”

Cailean chuckled. “They didn’t keep their distance in my family. My father was a Ross, my mother a Mackay.”

Lennox’s brow rose. “What Mackay woman would marry a Ross?”

Cailean didn’t break from the stare. “My mother.”

Lennox held the connection another two heartbeats, then shrugged. “Who am I to gainsay a Mackay woman?”

Cailean couldn’t help another laugh, this one genuine. “You wouldn’t want to contradict this Mackay woman.”

“Julianna was right,” Lennox said slowly. “Your speech is strange.”

“No’ where I come from.”

Lennox crossed his arms over his chest. “Who is your family on the Mackay side?”

Cailean wondered what Lennox would do if he told him his relative was the Bear. Broc ‘the bear’ Mackay had died in thirteen eighty-five, ten years before now, thirteen ninety-five, which meant Lennox would remember him quite well.