Page 74 of Edge of Yesterday

Cailean shook his head impatiently. “Yes, I understand that. What I’m saying is that the history you have been taught is different from the history I was taught. There has to be a reason for that.”

Lennox opened his mouth to reply, but his sister cut him off. “What were you taught?”

“Our history says that Elizabeth Ross and her clan arrived in Heatheredge as the bride for Patrick Mackay. However, Patrick and his men slaughtered the wedding party. Elizabeth lived, but Patrick gave her to his men to be abused. You said that was true.”

“Aye,” Lennox said.

“She became pregnant,” Cailean went on. “Valdar searched and searched for her until he found her giving birth. She died in his arms.”

“I never heard the story of her dying in Valdar’s arms,” Julianna said. “Did you, Lennox?”

“Nae. And I am no’ sure it isnae the ravings of a madman.”

“Och, Lennox, you are being silly,” she said.

“Do you know this Valdar?” Cailean demanded.

“We know of him,” she replied. “He was clan Ross’ seer and healer and rumored to be very powerful.”

Cailean couldn’t deny a small measure of relief. At least not everything he believed was a lie.

Julianna looked at her brother. “See, Valdar is another example of a great seer.”

Lennox gave her a deprecating look. “We have no proof he was a seer.” Lennox’s gaze shifted to Cailean. “And we know nothing of these stories you tell of him loving Lady Elizabeth and finding her in childbirth.”

“What did happen to her?” Cailean asked.

Julianna shrugged. “We do no’ know.”

“Did Valdar return to Heatheredge years later as a monk who helped the village redeem itself after the murder of Elizabeth and her clan?” he said.

Lennox frowned. “It wasnae Valdar Ross who brought Heatheredge to forgiveness. It was Father Andrew.”