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The pause that followed her words was a tribute to the telling, and to Shona’s utter sincerity

“I came home soon after the Lady Isabella died,” Kenneth said, his deep voice breaking through the tense silence “Shona ca very often, it isna safe The duke is a powerfulreach But when Shona heard of his betrothal to Lady Meg, she felt she had to tell If the duke could do such a thing to one wife, then he could do it to another”

Shona’s blue eyes shone with tears “When I heard that the duke had set his sights on another woman, I went to see her for , I understood why he wished to wed her I couldna let such a thing happen again, and I couldna let Lady Meg wed herself to a murderer I had to warn her, even if I risked my own life to tell her my story”

“For which I a forward to take her hand “I do not relish being such a man’s next victim”

Shona nodded, took a shaky breath, and glanced up at her husband “I’m sure Captain Grant willna let that happen I can rest easy with the burden passing to him”

Gregor wondered if she was right Could he keep Meg safe? It sounded like no easy task And yet there was a deter slow and hot, just like the peat fire in the hearth And it was not souished

“I will deal with the Duke of Abercauldy,” he said softly

Meg turned her face toward hirim tone Briefly her eyes searched his “We will deal with hiether,” she reminded him quietly

He nodded assent

Her gaze returned to the firelight Her hair was brighter and ware to take her in his arht like a hellcat, and he would probably pass out from the pain inflicted to his wound Not the ideal passionate scene, then

“’Tis late” Shona rose “There is our bed, my lady, if ye—”

“No,” Meg replied swiftly “I would not take your bed, Shona I will be quite all right here, by the fire”

Shona s suddenly suspicious that this had been her plan all along “Verra well I will fetch blankets for when the fire cools I’ht that here is as comfortable as anywhere else What of ye, Captain? Do ye entleman and completely to be trusted”

He laughed “Thank you, Shona Aye, I aht, at any rate”

Meg forced a s held captive by Gregor Grant’s eyes, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to spend the night here, alone with him, but she would not take Shona’s bed “We will be fine Thank you”