Chapter Seventeen

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Chapter Seventeen

 

The table became eerily quiet after Evelyn told everyone what was said on the missive.  

Grant stood up and handed Donald over to his Da and went to stand in front of the fire.  He leaned his muscular arms along the hearth and rested his forehead on them as he closed his eyes thinking about what he had just heard.   He wanted to destroy something, and he was about to with his goblet when he remembered his nephew in his arms.   The children were all around the table, showing violence around them was not was Grant wanted.  

He was furious.  How dare her father marry her by proxy to a man that she doesn't even know?   Is Laird McGregor really that cruel of a man?    Grant knew little about his father-in-law but the little that he did know, he wasn't impressed with.  He ran Clan McGregor with an iron fist, demanding obedience from all of his clan members, including his wife and children.   He was a hard man and while he was Laird, there would be no bending.

Grant was surprised the way Gavin turned out.  He seemed to be the complete opposite of his father.   He had met the other brother Jamie a couple times before but knew that Jamie was also like Gavin.   He remembered Evelyn telling Emma that after Gavin and Evelyn became betrothed, Gavin spent more of his time at Clan Campbell then he did his own home.   And Grant didn't blame him because Donald Campbell was more like his Da.    He loved his family, had no qualms of showing it.  

Warm hands wrapped around his waist now and he knew who the person was before he opened his eyes.   Her soft floral scent assaulted his nostrils as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.   He kissed the top of her head as he put her head over his heart to let her hear his steady beat.   "I am your wife Grant," Kathryn whispered into his chest.  "Nothing will change that."

"Aye, my love," Grant murmured softly in her hair.  "I will fight for us, tis nothing that will keep me from ye Kathryn.  No your Da, no this man your Da has pledged ye to."   His tone turned very bitter now, "Ye are mine Kathryn and willna let ye go."

Grant looked over Kathryn's head to see Evelyn and Gavin standing nearby, his brother's Andrew and Ian not far behind them as well.  All of them with concerned looks on their faces.

"Tis more on the missive," Evelyn said looking regretful.

"Go ahead then Evelyn," Grant said nodding to her, caressing Kathryn's back, trying to comfort her.

"Tis said that Laird McGregor wishes for Kathryn's immediate return to Castle McGregor, that the wedding will conduct in a fortnight," Evelyn sighed out.

"How dare he!" Kathryn shouted now as she stepped out of Grant's arms.   She looked at her brother, sympathy and anger on his face.   "Gavin, how can Da do this to me?    Pledge me to man that I dinna even meet."

Before Gavin could answer her, Evelyn continued on.  "Tis said the man's name is Sir Douglas McFadden.    I never heard the name before."  Evelyn looked at everyone with questions in her eyes.

"Nae, neither have I," Gavin responded shifting Keely in his arms as she has fallen asleep.

"I have," Grant responded angrily.    All eyes turned to him now, but the only eyes that Grant connected with was Gavin's.   "Your Da, tis a bastard that he is.   He dinna suppose to ask questions of the man he pledged his daughter to?"  Grant shouted the rest out and Keely woke crying.  Grant turned his eyes to Andrew now..."Have the barins removed from the hall Andrew for I willna control my anger anymore."

Andrew just looked over at his wife and Emma knew to do Grant's bidding.   She took her sons hands as Jenny took Keely and collected the girls and they headed upstairs to the nurseries.

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