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Shona’s soft heart could take no more She reached out a sympathetic hand to pat Barbara’s shoulder, at the sah Lady Meg would no’ be so cruel as to turn away a creature in distress” She looked at Meg as she said it, convinced that Meg would do everything in her power to comfort Barbara Campbell

Meg found she could not disappoint her “No, of course I wouldn’t turn her away You must come inside, Barbara, and rest your feet”

Malcolust, while Kenneth rolled his eyes at his wife

But Shona was s “There,would not let ye down” And she bustled ahead toward the castle, her ar behind

As Meg moved to follow, Malcolm Bain put out a hand to stop her

“My lady, this isna a good plan,” he said with a quiet urgency “Barbara Campbell is no sweet lassie She has an eye to what’s best for Barbara, and she dinna care who gets hurt in the process”

Meg iven way to a tentative hopefulness Perhaps Gregor would not cast Meg aside for Barbara, perhaps he would realize it ith Meg that his real future lay

Either way, it was up to Gregor to make the choice

“Thank you, Malcol,” she said, her decision or to say whether Barbara stays or no” Yes, Gregor would decide his own future And hers

Malcol ye should ” He looked uncomfortable “He has a soft spot when it comes to the lassies He canna be

ar to hurt a single one, however they ht treat hi her ith hiht Trust me, m’lady, he needs ye to stand firm for him”

Meg frowned This did not sound like the Gregor she knew Captain Gregor Grant of the Ca his pistol, waving his sword about? A soft spot when it comes to the lassies? Well, that was probably true, but why should he allow hi renation, he had requested payment from her, when she asked for his help!

No, if Gregor allowed Barbara to have her ith him, then it must be because he wanted to It was as si learn it as quickly as possible

“Lady, dinna ye want him?” Malcolm Bain spluttered “If ye want him, then ye need to send Barbara away Now!”

Send Barbara ahen Gregor could very easily do it hi didn’t think so!