Beyond a Doubt - By Felicia Rogers Page 0,73

was expecting her second babe. Nothing had gone according to plan.

Weeks had passed and Bryce assumed the hurt would ease. Then a missive had arrived. Everyone in the keep had feared the worst. Grant was still in Ireland, but on his way home, and he needed assistance. Grant had gone to Ireland to help his younger brother, Samuel. The young man had left his home in Scotland to witness to the Protestants of Ireland.

Bryce and others in the clan had left to assist their future laird. Bryce had only recently returned with Grant and his new family.

The sad news of Samuel Cameron’s passing held the clan in deep mourning.

That day, as Bryce worked the fields and stared at the blue sky, he gathered his courage. A message had arrived at Laird Valan’s home and been delivered to him yester eve. The heavy parchment rested in his sporran.

Sitting down, he pulled out the parchment. Warmed from the closeness of his body, it tickled his nose as he smelled the paper. The scent was familiar. Carefully breaking the seal, he unfolded the pages. The fine script gave him pause. Taking a deep breath, he began to read.

My dearest Bryce,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good health. I know the Highland air is much agreeable to you.

As I pen this missive, I wonder what you’re doing. Are you watching your flock? Are you sitting in front of a toasty fire? Are you alone?

My fervent hope, however selfish it may seem, is that you are indeed alone and miserable. Therefore we will at least be in a similar circumstance.

First off, I must beg your forgiveness. Each time I longed to write you, the words seemed tense. It has taken time for me to explain to myself, much less others.

You must understand that after we arrived back in London, many letters came. Queen Mary publicly wanted to thank me for discovering the plot, but in truth she was concerned for herself. She feared I was spying on her as well. She received me to her chambers and questioned me extensively as to my background and my allegiance. Some soothing was acquired by my French heritage, although not much.

My past activities caused everyone in my association to become suspect. Because of this I couldn’t possibly bind myself to you. If I had, the whole Cameron clan would have been in grave danger.

Although this is the case, I must admit your proposal came as a bit of a shock. I had loved you for some time but was unclear of your feelings for me. However, since my issues with the crown have been resolved and the responsibilities of my position ended, I would like to inquire if the offer still stands?

There the letter abruptly ended. Bryce flung it on the ground and lifted his foot to grind the pages into the mud. Changing his mind, he bent over to pick up the parchment and in his sight were a pair of black, shiny boots. Slowly lifting his head, he saw a long skirt. He stood. Extended to his full height, he dropped his mouth open.

“Does the offer still stand?” asked Lucy.

Before she could change her mind, Bryce scooped her into his arms and charged down the hill to find the minister.

“Aye, it does.”

Author’s Note

By all accounts my story is fiction, but in truth on August 22, 1572, Admiral Gaspard II de Coligny was the object of an assassination attempt. When the attempt failed, all claims that King Henry II of France was involved were denied.

Coligny’s goal was to have a Huguenot colony in Brazil to secure a way to religious freedom for French Protestants.

About the Author

Felicia Rogers, born and raised in the southern part of the United States, is a Christian wife and mother. She is just your average, ordinary woman, with a side interest-- writing. For eleven years, every waking moment of her life was consumed with changing diapers, wiping noses, and kissing scrapes. But now that her children have grown and she enjoys a modicum of freedom, in addition to taking care of hearth and home, she writes! She enjoys adding a flavor of realism and humor to her all too real romance stories. For what is love without a little laughter?

Also by Felicia Rogers:

Prologue

Grant had prepared for months to leave the Sinclair keep, but something would always detain him just a while longer.

The last he had heard from his little brother, Samuel was headed for Ireland to spit in the faces