“Aye, if ye say so,” Keir bantered back.
It was a little light relief in a serious circumstance, which could have ended far more seriously. Neither brother would have allowed the other to get hurt. However, in the battle with Finn, either of them could have fared far worse. A silence fell between them, though hecouldn't tell if Keir was thinking the same thing he was;their chances of escaping Finn's machinations unscathed.
Eventually, Keir looked across at him once more. “So, what word o’ Elaine? How is she?”
Duncan shrugged. “I cannae tell ye, for I havenae seen her yet. I came straight from the dungeons tae talk tae ye, for there is much tae tell.” He was feeling surprisingly anxious about going to see her. Though his heart ached to do so, the remorse he felt for the way he treated her ate away at him. Perhaps that was why he was taking his time.
“Did ye dae as I asked and give him what he deserved?” Keir asked.
“Aye, I did. I could’ve done much worse, but I was afraid if I started, I would never stop.”
“I can hardly say that would have been a bad thing.”
“Aye, I ken what ye saying, Keir. But we’re nae Finn. We’re nae murderers.”
Keir shrugged, looking both uncertain and guilty.
“That was different, Keir. Ye didnae set out tae murder Angus McNally. In fact, what I have tae tell ye will quite take yer breath away, for he was part o’ this entire thing.”
Keir suddenly frowned. “I dinnae understand.”
Duncan then repeated everything Finn had told him while watching the various expressions on his brother's face.When he got to the end, Duncan put the final piece of the puzzle together, knowing it would upset his brother. “I had tae strike a bargain with him, Keir.”
Keir glared at him suspiciously. “What sort o’ bargain?”
“I ken ye might be upset,” Duncan raised his hands, “but hear me when I say, it was a bargain that was well worth it. I could have tried tae discover the whereabouts o’ Rhona McNally on my own or agree tae exile Finn for the information. Believe me, while I would relish the thought o’ his rotting in the dungeon and being eaten alive, if there was a chance tae retrieve Elaine’s sister, I had tae take it.”
“Ye did the right thing, Duncan. It doesnae give me quite the same satisfaction, but it’s a small price tae pay for a child’s life.”
“I agree. I sent Colum and a troupe o’ men tae retrieve her. If they mak’ good time, they’ll return by nightfall tomorrow. Knowing Colum, it could be even sooner.”
With everything aired, there appeared nothing more to say. Duncan’s thoughts were no longer on Finn and all that had happened. He now thought about his future and what all this would mean for him and Elaine. Was there even a future for them?
After a long period of silence, Keir finally looked across with an expression of consideration. “Ye have done well today, brother. And yet, there is something more on yer mind.”
“Aye, there is,” Duncan sighed. “With everything that has occurred, I am wondering where I now ought tae go from here?”
“In regards tae Elaine?”
Duncan nodded. “A lot has happened, and while my feelings have nae changed for her, I dinnae ken if the feeling is reciprocated. I dinnae want tae force anything. She has been doing things under duress for long enough. Besides, I wouldnae want tae be with her if she doesnae want tae be with me.”
“All this discovery was bound tae affect the two o’ ye,” Keir said, nodding knowingly.
“I ken.” Duncan nodded in agreement. “I now need tae ken how she feels,” Duncan said simply. “But how am I tae ascertain that without asking her directly. Surely, the lass has suffered enough without me adding tae her burden—putting her under pressure o’ an answer when she may be neither willing nor able.”
“Yer dilemma is nae an easy one, Duncan. Yet, my view is this. Enough time has been wasted already with the deceit Finn has forced upon the both of ye. Tae drag it out now, I believe, would be tae punish both o’ ye even more. If there is tae be nae future between ye, then it would be better for all concerned if Elaine was allowed tae go on her way, and ye tae get on with yer life. Dinnae ye think?”
Duncan had had a similar thought, but attributed it to his impatience to find out. However, his brother was right once more. For either of them to move forward, their emotions must be expressed, and whatever the outcome, they must face the consequences. During their time together, Elaine had looked at him with longing and desire. There had been hints of affection, but nothing had been said. He needed to find out if Elaine had feelings for him.
His fear, of course, was whether she would tell him what he desired to hear.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
“Drink, Elaine,” Lady MacDougall said kindly.
The older woman had whisked her away from the commotion. The Lady had sat herin one of the large chairs facing a huge fireplace insider her own bedchamber. Elaine had simply let her because she could neither feel nor think. Lady MacDougall handed hera goblet and encouraged her to drink, but the uncontrollable shaking made it impossible.
“Here,” Lady MacDougall said. Taking the glass carefully from her trembling hands, she brought it to Elaine’s lips for her to take a long sip. She neither tasted the liquid, nor felt much effect at the beginning, but Lady MacDougall continued until all the contents of the goblet were gone. It was a little time after that the whiskey finally did its job; her shaking slowly settled, eventually passing altogether.