The only way she could answer was bluntly. “From what I read, there was confusion among the leaders on how to proceed at Culloden.”
His eyebrows rose. “At Culloden? That makes nae sense, particularly since Lord Culloden has already ordered Colonel Campbell to move their troops into Sutherland ahead of Prince Charlie’s force of thousands arriving. The English are already gone.”
“So I heard.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. There was still suspicion that she might be relaying information to the colonel since they shared the same name. She shrugged. “It was all anyone could talk about.”
Niall waved a hand dismissively. “Aye. It makes it easier for the prince’s troops to lay siege to the fort, too. I doubt it will stand for long.”
She nodded, grateful he didn’t press the subject. “The major will surrender.”
He knit his brows. “Did ye read that too?”
Was he being sarcastic? He didn’t sound like it, but in any case, she might as well tell him what she knew. Maybe it would convince him—if he didn’t think her some sort of witch—that she actuallyknewthe future because she wasfromthe future. She was going to have to risk it.
“What I read is that the Jacobite troops will burn Fort George. They’ll do the same with Fort Augustus. They won’t be as successful with Fort William, though. They’ll abandon that siege.”
He stared at her silently. She fought a moment of panic, wondering if she had gone too far with trying to convince him. Finally, he shook his head.
“Those mostly sound like victories to me, lass.”
“I suppose they are.”
“Then why would Prince Charlie’s men be going to a boggy moor at Culloden?”
She strove to remember. War strategy was not her strong suit. “I think the Duke of Cumberland will be advancing along that way from Aberdeen.”
Niall sat back and folded his arms. “He is in Edinburgh. Why go north?”
“I don’t know why.”
“It makes nae sense, lass. He’ll nae doubt winter in Edinburgh. If what ye said is true about the forts, we are growing stronger each day.”
“You may be, but history says the prince wanted to meet the Duke of Cumberland head-on even though his generals opposed the idea.” She hesitated, not wanting to sound like a traitor. “Prince Charlie wouldn’t listen.”
“Hmph. That does sound like something the prince would do.” He shook his head again. “’Tis a lot of information ye’ve given me, lass. I’ll have to think on it.”
“Will you believe me if what I’ve told you about the forts is true?”
He considered, then slowly inclined his head. “I doona think I will have any choice if things turn out as ye say.”
“Thank you! I hope…” She paused again. “I hope it’s possible to rewrite history and prevent the battle at Culloden from taking place.”
“And this battle is so important?”
“Yes. It will be Scotland’s final defeat.” She thought how to word the rest. “And it will be a massacre.”
He went quiet and she stayed silent too, giving him time to absorb the words. When he spoke, he was hardly audible.
“Do ye ken when this is supposed to happen?”
“Yes. April 16.”
Niall looked away, then up at the ceiling, then back to her. “Ye are sure?”
“That is the date in the history books.”
He turned contemplative, expressions flashing across his face until his features hardened like stone Finally, he nodded.
“Then we still have time.”
