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Major Litchfield’s face cleared “Of course, I res about you, Captain, froyll, and the people of Glen Dhui But that still does not explain what you are doing here, noith Lady Margaret I really do need an answer”

He glanced at Meg as he said it, and suddenly she had the inkling that perhaps the Major was being so insistent because of her He was being protective of her

“We have traveled a long way, and Captain Grant is weary Is this really necessary…?” Meg began, in turn finding herself protective of Gregor There was surely no need to interrogate him for her sake

Gregor turned his head and looked at her in surprise His ahly in less time than it took for her to draw a sharp breath, and they see felt the color in her cheeks again; she couldn’t help it Clearly her urge to protect him was misplaced; he could well look after himself

“I have resignedto thethe general while I decide upon rin “But I was a Jacobite in those days, Major”

Gregor was baiting hi bit her lip, and waited

But the corners of Major Litchfield’s mouth lifted “I remember You are not a Jacobite now, I comprehend?”

Gregor laughed “Och, no! I do not think it worth my life to set a man upon Scotland’s throne ill care no more for its

people than the English king in London They are reat men I prefer to leave them to their work, and for them to leave me to mine”

The reed with those sentiments, for he nodded Satisfied his questions had been answered, he turned again to Meg “I will call, my lady”

Meg nodded and sed her horse onward, down the steep road that led into the glens, heron the air currents Meg tilted her head back to gaze up at it, and at the sah of relief For a reason she didn’t properly understand, there had been tension between Gregor Grant and Major Litchfield She told herself it was to do with their pasts and their politics, but that wasn’t entirely true

She had the oddest feeling that it was to do with her

As the road wound lower they found thereat pines and firs, and the finer, silvery birches Above them, to the northeast, Liath Mhor lifted its soan Dhui peeped around its shoulder A bitter little wind reminded them that summer would soon be done, and in a fewshadows of evening, the landmarks of home were visible all around them, and one by one thefor their loved ones and other familiar faces

Just as was she

The general would be pleased She had done exactly as he had asked She had sought out Gregor Grant and brought him home with her She still did not understand just how he could help the the men of Glen Dhui But it hat her father had wanted