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“Oh, no,” she gasped

One of herher back toward the door and safety As they reached it, Airdy drew his horse to a rattling stop and slid to the ground

“Barbara!” he shouted “Co like the cowardly baggage you are!”

Meg placed her hand on her man’s ar up at the s, his head tipped back, and despite the lack of blood in his cheeks and the fact that he was relatively sober, he was still just as frightening as he had been outside the Clashennic Inn

“Barbara isn’t here,” Meg said carefully Hoould she tell him the truth? What would he do? A

And then, in an instant, a plan blossoor would not be happy with her; he would probably be very angry But Meg knew she couldn’t stay here, waiting for his return…If he returned It was not in her nature She had been her oo decisions and carrying theh

Gregor needed her, and she must not fail him

Airdy had lowered his black gaze to her and was frowning “I’ve followed her trail,” he explained, as if she should knohat he was talking about “My uncle the Duke of Argyll has given me the post of military commander at the pass, and when I cah there She’s here, now, I know it You are lying!”

Airdy, taking over fro was notto consider for later

“No, Airdy, I’ She was here, but she was taken prisoner by the Duke of Abercauldy”

He looked at her as if she were thedidn’t blame him It sounded mad Airdy turned to the house, considered it, and then looked at her again “Where has he taken her? I want her back I willna rest until I have her back”

Meg hesitated ainto those relentless black eyes Airdy wasn’t rational; was it fair to set him on this road? But then she reor Yes, it was fair, and she would do it!

“Come inside, Airdy, and ill talk”

He calance at the“I know you,” he said to Meg, as he reached her “Ye were at the inn at Clashennic, with that bastard Gregor Grant This is his house Barbara ca to him, dinna she?”

“Yes, she did, and yes, I was I aor Grant’s wife, Airdy We are wed”