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Tior intervened

“Duncan, lad ’S been a long time”

Duncan appeared to freeze on the spot His eyes swiveled around to Gregor’s and widened

“The Laird,” he whispered “Dear God, ’tis you”

Gregor nodded so he wasn’t about to slide off his chair into a puddle on the floor “What do y’here, Duncan? And in s-such fine cohty looks “A’ f-firssht I thought sh’ was an angel,” Gregor added in a el in trews-s-s”

She flushed, but her voice was heavy with disgust “He’s drunk You told me he was someone we could depend upon Do you still think so, Duncan?”

“He is” A new voice,them turn around A man stood behind the He looked as if he had worn the same clothes for a week, and slept in them too There was a tear in the sleeve of his shirt, and a hole in his plaid where it wrapped across his shoulder

Meg are of Duncan stiffening like a dog on a scent beside her, but she kept her gaze warily on the stranger

“And you are?” she asked haughtily

He bowed a head covered in wild fair hair “Malcolor, my lady I am Captain Grant’s man”

Being someone’s man should have sounded subservient, but when Malcolm Bain said it, it was a matter of pride

“Malcolm Bain is from Glen Dhui,” Duncan added woodenly “He was”

“I see” Meg cast her eye over hi unresolved between Malcolor and Duncan Forbes, but that must wait until later At least Malcolm Bain appeared sober, which was more than she could say for his master, who had dropped his head onto his ar

“We have coreat importance Unfortunately he is…tipsy”

Malcolor Grant, resting his hand on the otherto this lady?”