Beyond a Doubt - By Felicia Rogers Page 0,75

yer heart to someone ye would have never expected.”

Grant leaned his head back and roared with mocking laughter. Suddenly he became serious. “My wife will be worthy of the Cameron name. She will be Scottish born and bred, and pure as the driven snow. I will be her only master. And she won’t care one wit for religious drivel.”

Duncan leaned back and crossed his arms. “Is that right?”

Grant mimicked his pose. “Aye, it is.”

Stance relaxed, Duncan said, “Let me ask ye one question, without the words of the Good Book, why should she remain pure?”

Grant was at a loss. Duncan continued, “Certainly not pressure from society, because men like ye and me don’t give a second glance to a lass that is not willing to share her pleasures. But the Lord, He encourages a woman be of only one man and that man her husband.”

Grant would have responded but he was saved by Arbella’s bulging appearance. “The conversation appears to be serious. I could feel the frowns from across the yard.”

Duncan responded, “Grant is leaving us today.”

Arbella shielded her eyes from the blinding sun and leaned back to look up at Grant. “We will miss you. Know you are welcome to return anytime.”

Grant leaned forward and embraced Arbella. Next he grasped Duncan’s hand, and gave him a pat on the back. Belongings picked up off the ground, he hoisted the small sack over his shoulder, and headed toward his waiting horse. Once in the saddle, he took one more look around the place he had called home for many years, before galloping out of the gates toward Ireland and his destiny.

Chapter One

Ireland 1557 – One month prior

During the reign of Bloody Mary

Samuel used the bottom of his brown woolen robe to wipe the sweat from his brow. His small congregation worked side by side, planting crops for the growing season. They didn’t do this for themselves but for him. The whole community had come out to help plant the garden for their new minister, the minister that would bring them the words of life from the Good Book.

As he worked, his eyes unconsciously drifted toward her. Although round with child, she still toiled in the garden like the rest of the villagers. She was the most beautiful woman Samuel had ever seen.

Today her auburn hair was arranged in a bun and covered. When her hair was unfettered it hung to her waist in soft waves. When it was in such a state, she spent her time pushing it out of her eyes and placing it behind her ears. Her green eyes radiated warmth. Freckles dotted her nose and cheeks, only adding to her charm.

Since becoming acquainted with the townspeople, he had wanted to speak with Sorcha, but she had remained elusive. The others in the community said she rarely spoke. He found this hard to believe. Her mouth seemed to beckon one to have speech. Her plump red lips begged to discuss all sorts of matters.

****

Sorcha stood up and leaned, stretching her back. Her hand unconsciously came forward and stroked her swollen abdomen with affection. She felt him again. Raising her head, she sent him a shy smile. Why did the new minister stare at her so? Her mother said he was interested in her, but she couldn’t understand why that would be.

Gaze shifting downward, she went back to work. As she worked, she realized planting seeds in the ground and waiting for them to grow, was just like spreading God’s word and waiting for it to grow in someone’s heart. Samuel had preached a message about seeds dropping on good soil, how they sprouted and grew. But if they fell on rocky ground, they would be choked out by the cares of this world.

Sorcha was happy to say her soil was fertile and ready to be tilled. She could have been bitter about her lot in life, but had chosen to take what her mother had coined the “Joseph approach.” She had decided that what man had clearly meant for evil, God could turn for His good. Therefore, she didn’t let her misfortunes keep her from the Lord, but rather bring her closer.

When she was done, she headed home. Her mother had left an hour before to set supper on the table. Tonight was their night to serve Samuel Cameron, the community’s own Protestant minister. Her stepfather, Lorcan, wouldn’t like it. But it was the one thing her mother insisted upon and the only time her stepfather had given