Everything but my head remained submerged beneath the water and, without him next to me, the water grew very cold once again.
“Aye, sir.” The man started to turn his horse but paused and faced Baodan once more. “I forgot to tell ye, sir. Yer brother, Niall, has stepped in to watch over things until Lady Cameron is found and new arrangements can be made. He must have been only miles from the castle when Laird Cameron passed for he arrived at the castle only moments after they found his body. ’Twas fortunate timing.”
My entire body shivered at the thought. There was nothing fortunate about it. While Baodan knew what a monster Niall could be, I doubted he suspected him of murder. I, on the other hand, could see it all too well. The timing of the incident just seemed too strange.
Baodan frowned and stepped closer to the messenger. “Why was he there, lad? Do ye know?”
“I believe he intended to pay a visit to yer mother, sir. But she had already moved on to Conall Castle by the time he arrived.”
Thank God. I didn’t like the idea of Kenna being there amongst the madness that now consumed Cameron Castle. She would be well-protected with the Conalls.
“Ah, I see. Thank ye, lad. Now ride as fast as ye can to the village for I need them to return quickly, aye?”
“Aye, sir.”
With that, the man left. Baodan quickly grabbed my dress before moving to stand beside me so that I could climb out of the water to dress.
Once I completed my task, Baodan pulled me against him, wrapping his arms around me, not to warm me but to comfort himself.
“I’m so sorry.” I whispered it against his chest, and he kissed the top of my head gently.
“As am I, lass. I canna make sense of it. I can think of none who would wish my cousin dead.”
I shivered against Baodan. I didn’t know what to say. With Nairne gone and Niall suddenly running the castle, I couldn’t imagine what ran through his mind.
“Let’s get ye inside, lass. I canna leave ye here alone, but I willna take ye to Griogair’s burial. No with Niall there.”
“What about his mother? Do you think…?” I couldn’t finish.
Baodan reached for my hand as we proceeded to the castle. “I think that she is alive and well. She was either no there when Griogair died or she made her escape. I willna allow meself to believe otherwise until we know for certain. She deserves our hope, and I will give it to her. I am only glad that me own mother left before all of this occurred. ’Tis a relief to know that she is in safe hands.”
“Yes, I’m glad, too.” He walked quickly, and eventually I pulled away from his hand. It was easier for me to keep up with him that way. “What about Eoghanan?”
“I doona know where he is, but it doesna matter. I canna wait on him to arrive here, for I doona know when that will be.”
“Will they…will they bury your cousin if his mother isn’t there?”
We now stood inside his bedchamber, and he quickly started a fire, wrapping me in a blanket so I would warm. Despite all that happened, he still took the time to show me care. It didn’t matter that he’d been unable to return my feelings with his words. I knew how he felt, and I knew that’s what he’d been about to do when the messenger had arrived. There would be other days for sharing.
“Aye, lass, they willna wait to do so. As soon as Rhona arrives, I will leave. I need to be there for his sisters. I doona wish to let Niall near Griogair’s wife and child.”
My eyes widened at the thought of him creeping in on a widow. Niall wouldn’t hesitate to do so. “Yeah, I don’t blame you.”
“Aye, he doesna need to get settled in his new position, for he willna be laird of Cameron Castle. Whether it be me own territory or no, I willna allow it.”
“Ye willna allow what?” As if summoned, Rhona appeared in the doorway and Baodan rushed over to greet her.
“Niall to be laird of Cameron Castle. Laird Cameron is dead, and I must ride for there at once.” He leaned forward and grabbed her hand so that he could kiss it. “I’m happy to see ye, Rhona. I owe ye an apology, lass. I know ’twas no yer fault, I never believed it to be. But ’tis me own fault that I behaved in such a way that ye would expect me to be angry with ye.”
Rhona’s face softened dramatically, and she reached up to lay the back of her hand against his cheek. “I am sorry as well. I know who ye are inside, Baodan, and in me own distress I dinna trust it. Be gone with ye. I’ll take good care of the lass while ye are away.”
“Aye, I know that ye will.” He moved over to stand next to me, grabbing both sides of my face as he kissed me gently. “Ye are the loveliest lass I have ever known. I shall think of the way ye feel in me arms every instant that I am away. I will return to ye soon. Make no mistake.”
He left quickly and I stood at the window as I watched him ride away, not moving until he disappeared from my view.
*