*

Connor rode into the courtyard and found Kevin waiting on the landing for him. He dismounted, handed his reins to a waiting boy and walked up the steps. But when he started to speak, Kevin interrupted, "Come in and rest."

He followed Kevin inside and then closed the door behind him before he spoke. "They have seen no Englishmen but his proposal of marriage is all over the Highlands. Some of the clansmen are enraged just as you suspected they would be."

"Our clan will hear soon enough as well." Kevin poured wine into a goblet and handed it to the younger man. "We must set a guard for Charlet."

"Aye, a rather large guard. Thomas suggests we hide her. Both the Englishman and the Highlanders know she is here and Thomas thinks we should make her harder to find."

Kevin rubbed his forehead. "How does he propose we hide a bonnie lass with red hair?"

"He thought of that. He sent Blair to wait in the forest for you to bring her to him. If anyone can hide her, Blair can. She will be safe with him." Connor took just a sip of wine. He didn't really want it, but he knew Kevin was usually in pain and the wine dulled his aching bones. Drinking with him put Kevin at ease.

"Blair is a good lad, but I hate to send her away. Charlet will be miserable and she will feel punished for something she has not done."

"Perhaps, but at least she will be alive. It is only until we know what is happening," said Connor.

"Were you able to learn anything about the Englishman?"

"The Camerons have heard nothing, but they will try to find out. Kevin, I am worried. There are rumblings the MacDonald laird wants her."

"He has not seen her either. He only wants to keep her out of the hands of the English. Besides, he is older than I am."

"Aye, but if the other unmarried lairds think MacDonald will have her, they will want her too. We could well have a Highlander war right on our own land."

Kevin took a long breath and let it out. "I will take her to Blair."

*

Kenna didn't trust Charlet to keep her promise. In her mind, she had only one choice; if the MacGreagor men preferred red hair, she would find a way to please them. She was on a mission now and knew what she was looking for. She walked across the drawbridge, glanced at the top of the trees and then walked into the forest toward the loch.

*

His name was Blair Cameron, he was Laird Thomas Cameron's second in command and he had it in him to be the kindest or the meanest man on earth. All of the Cameron women were afraid of him and most of the men feared him as well. He didn't feel himself to be that fearsome, but it served a purpose so he didn't try to change anyone's opinion. He was honored to help the MacGreagor laird. He hoped someday to find a wife among the MacGreagor beauties and he thought a friendship with Kevin MacGreagor would further that goal. But when Kevin brought the woman to him, she was not on her horse. Instead, she was slumped in Kevin's arms. Blair walked his horse closer and looked at her. "Does she sleep?"




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