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.Sleep as late as you like.”“Thank you, Maddie.You have been most kind.”After Maddie left, Gillian undressed and climbed into bed.She was so weary, she fell instantly asleep.She awoke the next morning after a deep, dreamless sleep to the sound of movement in the tiny kitchen.As much as Gillian hated to leave the warm bed, she knew she should depart before she lost her nerve.If she could prove the McHamish was the renegade who had attacked Ross, he would be made to pay.“Did I wake you?” Maddie asked when a short time later Gillian entered the kitchen carrying her bag.“Nay, ’twas time I was up and on my way.”“Sit down and break your fast with me and Duncan, Gillian MacKay.Only a poor host would send a guest away hungry.”Gillian noticed the lad standing near the hearth and smiled at him.“Good morning, Duncan.”Duncan touched his forelock and smiled back.“Good morning, lady.I’ll saddle your wee mare when you’re ready to leave.”Gillian moved to the table and sat down.Duncan joined her.Gillian wasn’t about to leave without breaking her fast.She had no idea when or where her next meal would come from.Mayhap she wouldn’t be alive to see another meal.Besides, she couldn’t resist the platter of eggs and ham, fresh bread, and hot tea Maddie placed before her.“Dig in, lassie,” Maddie said as she joined Gillian and Duncan at the table.The food was delicious, and among them they cleaned the platter.“ ’Tis time I was off,” Gillian said.“I’ll fetch your mare,” Duncan said, ducking through the door.Gillian reached into the purse attached to her waist, removed two silver coins, and handed them to Maddie.“Oh, nay, lassie, ’tis too much,” Maddie demurred.“You saved my life, Maddie McHamish.If anything, ’tis not enough.”Maddie accepted the coins and fetched Gillian’s fur-lined cloak as Gillian buckled the sheath and sword across her body.“Will I see you again, Gillian MacKay?”“I doubt it, Maddie.”“Then God go with you, lassie.”Gillian opened the door, pulling her cloak tight about her as a blast of cold air took her breath away.Silver was already saddled and waiting; Duncan handed her the reins and gave her a boost up.“Do you need directions?” Maddie asked from the front door.“Nay, I know the way.I thank you most kindly, Maddie McHamish.”Gillian wondered what Maddie would have done if she’d known Gillian was on her way to accuse her kinsman of a terrible crime.She probably would have turned her out in the cold to freeze to death.Gillian sighed.If McHamish was responsible for wounding Ross and leaving him to die, then he deserved punishment.For all she knew, Ross could be dead by now.That thought firmed her resolve to learn the truth.After more than an hour of slogging through light snow, Gillian saw McHamish Keep sitting atop a hill across the glen.She urged Silver onward, not surprised to find the portcullis closed and armed men stationed atop the wall walk.“What do you want, lady?” a man armed with bow and quiver called down to her.“I wish to speak with Douglas McHamish.Open the gate.”“Who are you?”“Gillian MacKay.Ask your laird if he is afraid to face a woman.”The man disappeared.Gillian huddled in her cloak as she waited, her patience hanging by a slim thread.Did McHamish intend to keep her outside until she froze to death? Apparently not, for moments later she saw Douglas McHamish himself striding through the bailey toward the gate.“What do you want, Gillian MacKay?” McHamish asked warily.“I’ve come a long way to see you.Are you nae going to invite me inside to warm myself by your fire?”Gillian knew McHamish would comply.Hospitality was sacred in the Highlands.It was unthinkable that McHamish would deny a guest entry.McHamish nodded to the gatekeeper, and the portcullis was slowly cranked open.Gillian urged Silver through the opening.A lad ran up to take the reins from her.“Follow me,” McHamish said, turning abruptly toward the keep.McHamish Keep was small compared to Braeburn and Ravenscraig, but the inside was attractive and fragrant with the scent of fresh pine rushes.McHamish’s second wife, a haughty blond, swished over to greet her.McHamish made the introductions.After a cursory glance at Gillian’s flaming hair, Eileen McHamish asked, “What brings you to us on a raw day like this, Gillian MacKay?”Gillian.thought Eileen’s manner a bit chilly.“I but wish a private word with your husband.”Eileen’s eyebrows arched upward.“Did you nae wed the MacKenna? Where is your husband?”Slicing an accusatory glance at the McHamish, Gillian said, “Ross is.presently indisposed.”Eileen frowned.“Your business must be important to warrant traveling alone.Will you warm yourself by the fire and have a bite to eat?”Gillian shook her head.“Nay, my business canna wait.” She turned to McHamish.“I would speak with you in private.”The wary look she had noticed earlier had not left McHamish’s eyes.“Shall I take Gillian MacKay to the solar?” Eileen asked.“No one will bother us there.”“What I have to say is for McHamish’s ears alone,” Gillian said, earning a scowl from Eileen.When his wife started to protest, McHamish said, “Verra well, lass, but I doona know what we might have to discuss.”Gillian felt Eileen’s eyes boring into her back as she followed McHamish up the winding staircase; she prayed she wasn’t about to accuse a man falsely.Had Ross really spoken the name in his delirium, or had he said something entirely different? Nay, she had heard the name clearly Squaring her shoulders, she formed in her mind the words she wished to say.McHamish motioned Gillian toward a bench before the hearth.Gillian shook her head.“A dram of whiskey, then?”Gillian shook her head again.Mustering her courage, she asked, “Did you attack my husband? Did you run him through with your sword? You must have caught him unaware, for I see no mark from his sword on you.”McHamish remained silent a long time.Then he seemed to collapse inward, his stance less confident.“He isna dead, then?”“Damn you to everlasting hell!” Gillian shouted as she threw off her cloak and pulled her sword from its sheath in one smooth motion.“You didna kill Ross, but even as we speak, he lies near death.” She waved her sword threateningly before McHamish’s face.“How could you? What reason did you have to run him through and leave him to die on the frozen ground? What did Ross ever do to you?”“Put your sword away,” McHamish ordered.“I was in a rage and sought revenge after Angus Sinclair informed me of Ross MacKenna’s insult to my daughter.”Gillian thrust her sword toward McHamish’s gut.McHamish whirled away, surprisingly agile for a man her father’s age.“What lies did Angus tell you?”“Step back and I’ll tell you, though I doubt they were lies,” McHamish added.Gillian retreated a step, but did not let her guard down.“Go ahead and speak, though your excuses will make no difference.Ross did naught to Seana.”“According to Sinclair, MacKenna tossed Seana aside like dirty laundry when he wed you.And that was after he forced her to whore for him.Then he gave her to one of his rough kinsman, a man who beats her regularly.Seana sent me a message that she isna happy in her handfast marriage, but MacKenna willna let her leave Ravenscraig.I did what was necessary to avenge my daughter’s honor.”Shocked, Gillian lowered her sword a little.“You were a fool to listen to Angus Sinclair
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