Page 20 (1/2)

Kenneth s, in a htly left

out Meg experienced a catch in her throat and wondered, as she always did in their presence, whether she would ever find a man who loved her and whom she could love, as Shona and Kenneth loved each other

Anything less than that was not to be contemplated

It was a stance she had taken long ago, and one her father did not understand For hie, family ties, and ihter’s fancy for love

They began to dis realized so She turned swiftly, just in tior sink liain in an instant, pushing hiht and the sweat shone on his skin like dew

“What is wrong with this one?” Shona demanded sharply “Is he sick with some malaise?”

Meg found her voice, for she seeor fainted “No, no, nothing like that He ounded, his arood”

Shona atching her, a glint of a? When ’tis known up and down the glens that Lady Margaret Mackintosh faints at the sight of blood?”

“I am ashaed to stay on my feet Shona, can you look at Captain Grant’s wound? You are skilled with such things, and I would count it a special favor”

Shona searched her face athere, and then she nodded her head “Of course I will, my lady”

Meg felt such utter relief she hardly heard the rest of what Shona said And her relief confused her, because it see him home safe to her father

“Come inside now, my lady, and settle him by the fire, and I will take a wee look Kenneth! We need whiskey for these men, and see to their horses, won’t ye?”

With Malcolered into the cottage Meg followed, helping to ease hi the cup of whiskey that Shona poured to his lips He took a deep s and seemed to revive, for his dark lashes lifted and he looked at her with fever-bright eyes

“I aht,” he insisted

Meg shook her head “Anyone can see you are not all right, Captain”