Highland Seer Read Free Page A

blue kirtle. She’d been told the Lathans were on their way down from their chambers, but saw no sense ruining a fancy dress when she had work to do in the sickroom.
    Others were in the hall breaking their fast, passing through on the way to their chores, or, judging by the slight hum of tension in the air, waiting to see what would happen when the strangers arrived. Some of the neighbors had caused trouble lately. Would these men add to MacKyrie’s problems? Ellie hoped not. So far, they’d done the clan a service in saving Fergus and the others, not to mention the whisky. If she’d truly seen one of them in her dream, they were destined to do so much more.
    She spotted Micheil and joined him. They rarely sat at the high table. Both preferred to sit with everyone else, moving to a different table for each meal as whim took them. “Mornin’,” she said, greeting him simply as was their custom. Dark haired, dark-eyed, and heart-stoppingly handsome, Micheil was her closest in age of the surviving MacKyrie men. They’d grown up together, mourned their losses together. Some thought they would make a good match. Even Micheil. But he had always been her friend, never her lover. She couldn’t think of him in that way.
    And after the dream she’d had, the one she fervently hoped for the sake of the clan was a true Seeing, she believed her destiny led her to another man, one with lighter hair, sharper eyes, and a Roman nose broken more than once. “Our guests havena arrived, then?”
    “Nay,” he replied, signaling to a serving girl for Ellie’s breakfast. “But when they do, they’ll be properly thanked, rewarded, and sent on their way, aye?”
    Ellie glanced around the room, avoiding his question. Micheil thought the clan should solve its own problems. Ellie didn’t think it could.
    She wished Fergus could be here to greet the Lathans, too. Fergus had a calming presence, despite his reputation as a ferocious fighter in his youth. Micheil sometimes let his temper get the best of him. She needed this meeting to go well. The future of the clan might depend on it.
    She glanced at her companion and pursed her lips. But before she could frame an answer, the Lathans appeared on the stairs leading down from their quarters in this tower. Ellie stood. Micheil rose to his feet beside her as a serving girl pointed in their direction. As the rest of the clan stood, giving honor to their heroic guests, the Lathans moved together toward them. A tingle of anticipation curled around Ellie’s ribs. Was he truly here? Which one?
    “We thank ye for yer hospitality, Laird MacKyrie.” A man with hair the brownish color of old copper addressed his comment to Micheil. “We have a proposal we’ve been sent to discuss with ye by Laird Lathan, to the benefit of both our clans and others in this region.”
    Ellie and Micheil exchanged a glance. They did not know? How could they not? Fergus hadn’t mentioned discussing the clan with the Lathans, but surely...or one of the lads?
    “Indeed?” Micheil prompted.
    “Perhaps ye’d like to be seated,” Ellie interrupted, giving Micheil a pertly arched eyebrow before she continued, “and break yer fast before beginnin’ such a serious conversation. I’m Ellie MacKyrie and this is Micheil, whose manners have apparently deserted him this fine mornin’. We owe ye a great deal more than a part of our simple repast.”
    Ellie let her gaze travel over two other men who resembled the one she’d seen in her dream. The blond? Or the one with light-brown hair, streaked with gold? Either of them might be the one. The man in her dream had golden hair.
    The man who’d spoken moved into a shaft of sunlight. His hair suddenly blazed with copper highlights. Ah, definitely not him, then.
    He broke into a grin. “Jamie Lathan, at yer service, lass.” He indicated each of his companions. “Bram, Forbes, Alpin, and Innis Lathan. That brooding presence to my right is Donal MacNabb, arms master to Clan