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The faor up froh, where wo to him and men ild, dark eyes waved pistols in his face He blinked and then focused on the worn, lined face that he kneell as his own

“Malcolm Bain,” he said, and his mouth twitched into the smile that

was not seen by or Grant was another matter entirely “Where were you?” he asked “What do youme here in the hornet’s nest?”

Malcol a red-haired hornet? What does she want of ye? I have a feeling that one is used to getting her oay”

Gregor shrugged “She’s no ly

Malcol his thoughts to himself “Did ye know Airdy’s wife has run away fro the whole day, swearing one moment to kill her and the next that he canna live without her ’Tis a pitiful sight, mon!”

“Then it’s one I’ned my captaincy?”

“That pleasure yet awaits him”

Gregor nodded, shivering, and carefully pulled the covers around hih “You’re not surprised by the news, then?”

Malcoled “It was only a matter of time, lad Ye’ve been restless for oons doesna have the sa as ye’re certain ’tis the right thing to do…?”

“Aye,” Gregor said softly, “I’o hohed, but there was sorrow and bitterness in it, eh, I’ll use the h to live on”

“No life for a Grant laird,” Malcolm Bain murmured

“I aer a Grant laird,” was the retort “Tell me, what do you know of the Duke of Abercauldy?”

Gregor was detere the subject Malcol aspects of the roo up the fire “I know little enough of hi the 1715 and made himself rich on the estates and fines of those who dinna He’s a clever man, but as far as I know that is not a crime”

“No, it isn’t Did you ever hear that he had a wife?”