Beyond a Doubt - By Felicia Rogers Page 0,74

of the Catholic clergy and preach the word of the Lord in the King’s English.

Grant, I wish I had time for pleasantries and all the normal platitudes I share with ye, but I am afraid this time I write for another purpose. I believe I am in grave danger. I have included a map and directions of my location. Come quickly, Grant. I need ye.

Ye brother, Samuel.

It seemed his brother’s antics had gotten him in a spot of trouble, and he needed his big brother to come and rectify the situation.

Grave danger? That could mean anything. Did the boy need to be rescued from incarceration or did he need an army? Why couldn’t the lad have been more specific? He guessed it didn’t matter, for he was the only Cameron left at the Sinclair keep. The rest had gone home months earlier. He would just have to be enough.

After digesting this new bit of information, he went in search of Duncan. In the yard, the Sinclair Laird ran and played with his son and daughter. His pregnant wife sat to the side under a shade tree engaged in needle work. Grant had been away watching Lyall, Duncan’s sister — in — law, during the first pregnancy and Boyd had filled him in on the moodiness and weirdness that occurred. Watching the mistress first hand he determined the oddness Boyd spoke of must have come from the twain babes warring inside Arbella, because this time she seemed at peace with the child growing within.

At times Duncan and Arbella’s happiness was annoying. The secret smiles, the brief touches, the lingering stares, why couldn’t they just love each other in private? It was made even worse by their love of the Lord. They constantly quoted scripture to one another, about Christ loving the church as man should love his wife, or argued the meaning of passage after infuriating passage.

As much as Grant cared for the couple and their family, he was glad to be leaving this den of love. At least before Lyall had perished in the fire, there had been some excitement and peril. The way things stood, he hadn’t lifted his sword to an enemy in months.

He sighed. When he arrived home, it would be much the same. His father was progressing in age. Grant, as the eldest son, would be required to take on more responsibilities of the clan. He might even have to settle down and have children!

Duncan stopped to catch his breath. The corner of his lips lifted into a grin. “Aye, can I help ye?”

Grant shook his head to clear it. “Aye. I am just coming to say good-bye.”

“Today is the day, is it?”

“Aye, today is the day. But alas, I am still not headed to Cameron lands,” Grant said, dejection lacing his words.

Duncan arched his brow. “Ye aren’t going home?”

Grant shook his head.

“I hate to pull it out of ye, but where are ye going?”

Sighing deeply, Grant kicked at the dirt. “Samuel sent a missive from Ireland, and he needs some assistance. Who knows what for? He has probably gotten into an argument and needs my help to get the answer.” He grinned at the thought, shrugging his shoulders. “Whatever the case, I thought I would make a slight detour and offer him aid.”

“Do ye need assistance on this ‘detour’?”

“I don’t know. He wasn’t detailed.”

“Ye know if ye need a companion all ye need do is ask.”

Grant looked away. “Aye, I know.”

He wasn’t one to ask for help. He was a leader. He led and others followed. His head bowed, he saw Dorcas leaving her hut. Maybe he should ask for her companionship on this journey. Her head rose, and he was caught in his lustful leer. Her lips twitched in a knowing grin.

Grant had informed her he was leaving. Dorcas had spent hours begging him to stay, or to at least take her with him. But as much as he enjoyed her company, she would never be his life mate. His life mate would be unknown to any other man. He would spend hours, days, months, years, training his wife in the art of loving and being loved.

Duncan glanced at Dorcas, tilting his head in her direction. “Taken a fancy to that one have ye?”

“Nay, not truly. She served a purpose.” Grant recognized the callousness in his attitude, and clenched his teeth.

Duncan must have noticed as well, because he frowned. “Dorcas is a decent woman.”

“Aye, she is.”

“Ye know one day ye are going to lose