Ronan hugged his mother’s hand. “I do feel crazy. How does one fall in love with one’s enemy?”
“How did you fall in love with her?’
Ronan told his mother all about it. From the very first time he had met Hope to his discovery of the true possibility that Carissa and Hope were one and the same, to his utter confusion and utter hope that the matter would somehow miraculously resolve itself.
“Perhaps the question you need to ask is,” his mother said, “is Carissa truly your enemy?”
“That is the way I have thought of her for the last two years. And it is the way Cavan continues to think of her.”
“You and Cavan are no longer captives. You are home in the safety and love of your family. Think as you wish and reach your own conclusion. It is what your family expects of you, as does your laird.”
He took her hand. “Somehow you always manage to make it seem as though things will go well.”
“And you,” she said proudly, “somehow always managed miraculously to solve your problems.” She smiled. “You not only need to know who Carissa is, you need to remember who you are.”
Chapter 28
Carissa couldn’t believe what Septimus was telling her. Cregan, a warrior whose heritage was in dispute, as some believed he came from nobility while others believed him no more than a bastard, had surfaced once again. Cregan had battled on her father’s side on occasion, though remained far removed from the battle with the Sinclares. She had known that some of her father’s warriors had fled to Cregan’s stronghold following Mordrac’s defeat, while others had left beforehand, having lost confidence and respect for their leader.
“You’re telling me that in these past two years, he has been building his fighting force?”
“It seems that way,” Septimus said, warming his hands by the campfire flames. “And he’s on the move.”
“How has he managed to build such a force with no one hearing about it?” Dykar asked.
“He resides on the fringes of the northernmost regions of the Orkney Islands, an isolated area and not an easy place to live or to reach. It would take time for news of his activities to reach here; and then only if word was sent from the inhabitants themselves,” Carissa said.
“Which means Cregan has purposely sent word that he’s headed this way,” Dykar said.
“I don’t like this,” Carissa said.
“There’s more,” Septimus said reluctantly.
“What is it that you’ve obviously been hesitant to tell me?” Carissa asked.
Septimus rubbed his hands together and peered across the flames at Carissa. “It’s rumored that Cregan comes for you.”
She snapped her head back as if she’d been slapped. “Why?”
Septimus explained. “From what I’ve learned, it seems that your father had made plans for you and Cregan to wed. And Cregan plans to claim his intended.”
Carissa could only shake her head. She had worried that the time would come that her father would choose a mate for her, with no consideration to what she wished. She couldn’t believe that her father reached from beyond the grave to continue to command her life. And to a man who in many ways was similar to him.
“How did you come by this information?” Carissa asked.
“One of Cregan’s men appeared at our camp seeking protection,” Septimus said. “It seems that he doesn’t want to remain part of Cregan’s group any longer.”
“Or as I’ve said”—Dykar nodded—“Cregan sent someone.”
“And I suppose this man acts as if he doesn’t know that I lead the group,” Carissa said. “That he believes you simply a strong group of mercenaries.”
“It appears that way, but, like Dykar, I don’t believe him,” Septimus was quick to say.
“Are Evan and Piper still with you?” Carissa asked.
Septimus nodded. “Yes, they plan to visit with Alyce and Lachlan before they return home.”
“See if they would be willing to scout for us before they go, and explain how they must keep it a secret,” Carissa instructed. “And send some of our men out to see what they can discover.”
“Are you going to discuss this matter with Ronan?” Dykar asked.
Carissa gave his question thought. If she confided in Ronan, she could very well place his life and his family’s lives in danger. Cregan was after her, and if anything, he wasn’t stupid. While he might have amassed a small army, she didn’t believe his intention was to defeat the Sinclares though that didn’t mean that one of them wouldn’t be caught in the conflict. Undoubtedly, he sent someone, or more than one person ahead to find out where and how accessible she was. Only then would he decide on a plan of action. Thus it gave her time to wade through this mess and decide on her own course of action.