Lady Eilean

Chapter 55

As Innis and I rejoined the group, it was clear that a plan had not been devised. I took Alex's offered handkerchief and doused it at the water pump. Swiping the cool fabric over my face helped me gather myself and focus on the task at hand.

"And she calls us the crazy ones," Ian clucked when I had seen myself to rights.

I laughed, feeling more lightness and joy than I had since my family's return. "The eyes of the seer carry the scale," I quipped. "Alright, how do we save Ellesmure?"

"I wonder..." Alex looked at Calum. "Could you take Eilean to the Delegation? Have her argue her case and let the other Lairds meet her? Get to know her?"

Blinking at the suggestion, I wondered why I had never considered it myself. Then the answer came. "And leave Stormway? Bess was right, I couldn't abandon the people, even for the Delegation."

"I don't suppose one of us could go?" John asked, looking sick at the prospect. "I hate politics." He said in response to my raised brows.

Calum shook his head, shoulders rounded in defeat. "No MacLeod is allowed on the premises."

"Father's legacy, making everyone else suffer for his choices," Walther grunted.

"I never questioned it before, but that seems harsh." Alex frowned. "How do the other Islands expect Ellesmure to bow to the influence of the Charter if they will not involve us in its creation?"

"The rules are out of my hands," Calum said, shrugging.

My annoyance sparked. "Are we to be forever cut off, then? Communicating only with intermediaries? That's a waste of time, Calum. Yours especially. You promised me a new world, remember? This isn't it. Bowing and scraping for crumbs from the master's table."

"I'm trying, my lady, I promise you." He pleaded, his heavy brows knit in frustration. Then, as if struck by lightning, he jumped. Calum took a few steps backward, eyes unfocused and jaw slack. He looked between Alex and me with a grave face. "Are you both refusing to leave?"

"I am not leaving Stormway," I affirmed.

Alex nodded, "I'm staying right here."

Calum beamed, "May I have the Laird's permission to commandeer the ships in the harbor?"

"Piracy?" Ian asked, eyes bulging.

I laughed, having always expected Calum to be somewhat of a blackguard. "By all means, take what you need. Are you going to tell me why?"

"Of course not," Calum said, wrapping me in a tight hug and kissing my cheek. "But I am leaving, this instant."

"What?" I was bewildered. "Now? What about... what about our plan? Whatever it may be."

"The plan is afoot, and I know my part in it." Calum kissed me again and then bolted across the courtyard and into the castle; his golden leg glinting in the torchlight.

"Where are you going?" I called after him.

He only laughed, and the sound bouncing off the castle walls was less than reassuring.

"Again, we're the unstable ones?" Rupert asked, chuckling.

With a sigh, I shook my head. "Calum has never betrayed me. Whatever he's got brewing in his head, I'd rather have him acting on it than sitting here running his mouth."

"Such a trusting little Laird," Walther teased me, laughing. He reached across the circle and ruffled the top of my head.

There were no words to express how hearing my title spoken by my brother made me feel. I could have melted into a puddle. They were on my side. All of them. Standing beside me in the sweltering night, exiles of Mother and Father's coldness. My brothers were hurt and healing and ruined, but they were no longer dutiful little soldiers ready to fall in line at our parent's behest.

"What are you going to do about The Standing?" Walther asked Alex.

Alex shook his head. "I'll figure something out. If I have to abdicate my title, renounce my family name, have Calum adopt me, it doesn't matter. I'll do it."

Walther nodded once, approving.

"I think we're all overreacting," I said, throwing up my hands.

They met my statement with a chorus of disagreement and complaints about how I had just been sobbing into the dirt moments prior.

Relenting, I chuckled, "Maybe not. But I can't think like this. I need to sleep. We'll figure it out tomorrow."

"It will take time to send word of a Gathering," Bess said. "At least for now time is on our side."

I grunted, overcome with exhaustion. "Aye, so long as my mother doesn't concoct any other plans."

"No more elopements! That seems to throw her into a fit," Walther said grimacing at John.

My eldest brother shrugged, unflinching. "Just following your example."

"We could elope," I looked at Alex, half-joking.

Innis shook her head, "Then you'd be the property of your husband, I know — I know!" she said when I protested. "Calum is working on that, too. But it's likely your mother would banish you and Alex from Stormway and you'd be in the same place you are now. Trying to protect your people from your parents' influence."

I let out a long breath. It was endless, the twists and turns of the problem snagged in our lap like a dropped skein of yarn.

"Eilean had the right idea. Let's sleep, and figure this all out in the morning." Robert yawned. "It's too goddam hot to think."

"Rest assured, brother, that in thanks for your support I won't throw you in the dungeons as I threatened as a child," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Robert only smirked, "Might be you who ends up in the dungeons, now, Eilean."

I didn't have a retort for that.