I reached out to gather Edana in my arms, who now cried freely, terrified of her father’s wrath.
Eoin touched Edana briefly on the shoulder. “Doona worry, lass. We willna let him hurt ye again. I’ll no say I’m not relieved, despite the betrayal. Now that we know he’s planning to turn on us, we should have a much better chance in battle.”
Arran nodded. “Aye. Would ye like me to go and kill the bastard now? I doona think his men will fight us, unless under his command. They all know the wretched arse he really is.”
Eoin shot Arran a look of disapproval before glancing in Edana’s direction. “Nay, we need to discuss a plan of attack first.”
Before anyone else could respond, yet another visitor entered the room hurriedly, and I was nearly knocked to the ground as Mary threw her arms around me.
“Oh me God, lass. I thought for certain I’d missed ye. I’m so pleased ye were smart enough not to listen to the foolish lad.” She reached out from my side and wacked Eoin in the side of his arm. “What is the matter with ye? Ye are a foolish boy!” She returned her attention back to me. “I went down to the spell room to stop ye from doing the spell, but ye were gone. I found someone else in yer place.”
It was only then that yet another figure in the doorway caught my focus.
“Mom?” I broke free from Mary’s grasp as I charged in her direction. I could feel everyone’s eyes on us as we clung to each other tightly, both of us weeping into the other’s hair.
After what seemed like ages, she pushed me away and smiled. “If you weren’t going to come back to me, I decided I was just going to have to come to you.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. Is Blaire with you, too?” I didn’t miss Arran, as his eyes grew wide at the mention of my look-alike. “I placed the ring on the spell book, hoping it would possibly transfer to her.”
Mom shook her head, and Arran quickly masked his expression, doing his best to hide the pain that only I could see. “She didn’t want to come. She allowed me to go in her place.”
“Oh.” I was unsure of what to say and was glad when my mother interrupted, easing the tension in the room.
“Bri, honey. I can certainly see what made you decide to stay. Which one’s yours, and is it okay if I touch them both?”
Chapter 43
After taking a few brief moments to introduce my mother to everyone in the room, Eoin hushed us all, taking his place as leader among us so that we could make a plan of attack.
“It’s nearly dark, and we must decide how to act quickly.”
Arran gave him little chance to continue before interrupting. “I doona see why we need to decide anything. The best thing to do would be to cut the bastard down, at once.”
“Nay. I want to allow him the opportunity to change his mind. Perhaps, he will take it, and no blood will be shed.”
It was Edana’s turn to speak up, albeit nervously. “He willna do it. Once he’s set his mind to a task, doona expect him to back down only because he’s been found out.”
“Ye may be right, lass, but I will no kill a man for something he’s yet to do. Mary, do ye think tis too late to prepare a meal?” Eoin looked in Mary’s direction, smiling at the irritated expression on her face.
“Do ye really think that’s what we should be speaking of now, lad? I know I’m no warrior, but that seems a shoddy battle plan.”
“Aye, Mary. Ye are quite right about that. But if Ramsay willna change his mind, he will call his men to battle when I confront him. If we are sitting down for a meal, at least it will take them a moment to gather for a fight. It will give us an advantage. Ramsay will wonder why I would have us sit to eat when we should be preparing for battle. It will make him nervous, and I’d like him to be so.”
Mary crossed her arms and looked exasperatingly in his direction. “Aye. I expect he shall think ye’ve gone and misplaced yer brain, and I’m no likely to disagree with him. But if ye want food, ye shall have it. I know better than to try and change yer mind, ye stubborn fool.”
Eoin smiled. “I’d ask something else of ye, Mary, as well. We canna let Ramsay see Edana again. Give yer kitchen maid instructions as to the meal, and then make yer way up to the top tower to hide with Adelle and Edana.”
“Aye, o’ course. Where do ye expect Bri to be?” Mary glanced in my direction as if she thought he’d forgotten me.
“Ramsay will expect to see Bri at the table. He knows that at Conall Castle, the laird dines with his wife. He thinks it mad, but he knows tis our custom. Twill arouse suspicion if she is no there.” Eoin paused and turned his gaze to Arran. “If fighting begins, ye are to take Bri away at once. Doona let anyone harm her. I must handle Ramsay, myself.”
Arran nodded. “Aye, she will no be harmed, Eoin.”