Laird of the Mist by Foery MacDonell Page B

sat sipping the tea, and told Morag everything that had occurred since Carrick‘s arrival in her time. Morag listened with intense interest to every word. By the time Cat finished the tale, her headache was gone.
―‗Tis clear there are things we must do,‖ Morag said, finally.―First, we must get ye to the great house. They can properly care for ye there.‖
―To Molly and Ian?‖ she questioned. It was all surreal to her. How did this happen? Here she was in Carrick‘s time and he was stuck in...
―Aye, lass.‖ Morag nodded.―I will take ye there the now. But first,‖ she said, taking an end of Cat‘s arisaidh , ―we must hide this away. Tartan is outlawed since the rising. Ye would suffer severe penalty should it be found.‖
―But the Act of Proscription doesn‘t happen until August,‖ Cat argued, unpinning it from her gown. ―No one will care until then.‖
―Mayhap so, lass,‖ Morag admonished.―But word has come that Cumberland has banned it the now and ye dinna wish to beg the issue, aye?‖ Morag carefully folded the arisaidh and hid it away.
―I ken ye are Caitriona,‖ she went on.―But the others, they ken ye as Jenny. Ye must answer to it now. And ye need to speak like a Highland lass. Do ye ken the way?‖
―Aye, I do,‖ she answered, smiling.―I ken it well. I will practice yer advice, Morag.‖ She grabbed the ends of the shawl Morag placed around her shoulders.
―I hope Carrick finds a way to come soon,‖ she said. She was both sad and worried sick. She knew what history had in store for them all.
―As do I, lass,‖ Morag answered gently, leading her toward the door.―I ken the lad well, and he will move the heavens to find ye. Ye‘ll see.‖
―Morag,‖ Cat ventured.―There are things I must tell ye as we go along. Things of the future.‖
―If ye must,‖ Morag answered as they walked through the forest.
―I must.‖ Cat felt a responsibility to warn her. Morag would believe her, after all.―‗Tis for the safety and protection of ye all.‖
―I ken, lass.‖ Morag smiled at her.―I ken it will be bad. The runes ha‘ told me so. I will hear ye and help where I can.‖
―The first thing is that we must get away from here.‖ Cat was urgent in this.―We must find a place in the hills to hide for a time. Cumberland‘s troops will be here tomorrow or the day after. They will murder, burn, and pillage the entire glen.‖
Morag stopped in her tracks and looked at Cat.―Ye ken this for certain, do ye?‖
―Aye, I do,‖ Cat answered, grasping the old woman‘s hand in hers.―They will burn and pillage the castle tomorrow.‖
―Ye have seen this in yer time?‖
―I have seen the history of it in my time, aye,‖ Cat assured her.―And I have seen the ruins of the castle myself this verra day before I...‖
―I will help ye.‖ Morag nodded in understanding.―We will tell them ye met wi‘ soldiers coming here.‖
―A good plan,‖ Cat answered as they arrived at the door to the great house where Morag knocked and gave Cat a conspiratorial look.
―Good day to ye, Anne,‖ Morag said to the young woman who answered.―I ha‘ brought Lady MacDonell home. Would ye be so kind as to tell the Laird and Lady Molly we are arrived?‖
Anne instantly recognized Cat and threw her arms around her in greeting.
―Oh my!‖ she squealed.―We thought ye dead! Come through, come.‖ She pulled Cat by the hands into the sitting room.―I‘ll fetch Ian and Molly. Don‘t ye dare move!‖ She hurried out of the room, barely containing her excitement.
―Quite a welcome,‖ Cat said to Morag as they stood waiting for Molly.―And aye, I do remember her.‖
Before Morag could answer, an ebullient Molly flew through the door and stopped dead to look at Cat.
―Oh, my good Lord! Jenny MacHendrie, ye are alive!‖ she cried, reaching to enfold Cat in her arms. ―I didna believe it when Carrick said ye were alive and he was gone to find ye. Oh, thank God!‖ She tightened her