Was he right? Iain wasn’t certain, but he would help in any way he could.
“I think thisisall about ye.” Graham stood. “I’m finished with this conversation. Ye’ll no’ have my support in destroying this proud country.”
He turned to walk out, then turned back and looked pointedly at Iain, reminding him that despite his age, Graham was a formidable clan chief. “Ye keep clear of Cait, Campbell. I don’t want her involved in yer schemes.”
“I think you gave up the right to dictate her life long ago.”
Graham glared at him and walked out.
Chapter 11
The next morning Cait was dusting and gathering her clothes for wash day when a knock on her door startled her.
Black Cat was sitting in front of the door, looking at her in accusation as if saying that Cait should have been down long before the knock.
Cait opened the door and squealed like a young lass as she catapulted herself into her cousin. “Rory Graham,” she said.
He caught her and laughed as she pulled back to look at him. “Cait Graham. Excuse me. Cait Campbell.” He shook his head and put her down. “I’ll never get used to that.”
“It’s been eight years.”
“I’ll never get used to thinking of ye as a Campbell.” Though his lips twisted when he said the name, his obvious hatred of her clan couldn’t dim her happiness at seeing the cousin she’d grown up with who was more a brother to her.
“Why are ye here? No’ that I don’t want to see ye.”
“Grandfather seems to think that ye’re starving out here in the backwoods and that Campbell is no’ taking care of ye. He sent me with provisions.”
She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Campbell is no’ taking care of me because I don’t need him to. I can take care of myself.”
Rory looked skeptical, but Cait was tired of defending herself and her life choices to these overbearing men. She looked behind him to the cart loaded with provisions. “There’s enough to feed an army here,” she said as she walked around it. “I have nowhere to put all of this.”
“Well, I’m no’ taking it back or Grandfather will have my head.”
“There must be an entire cow here,” she said as they began unloading the cart.
“Most likely.”
“And so much flour and cloth! When am I going to find time to sew, and where would I wear gowns made of this fine cloth?”
Rory grunted as he hefted a large sack of flour over his shoulder. It had been four years since she’d seen her cousin, when he’d come to pay his respects after John’s death. She didn’t fault Rory. No doubt he was following Grandfather’s orders. She was happy to see him now.
“Stay and I’ll fix ye a meal,” she said. “Obviously, I have plenty of food.”
“I have to get back, but I’ll return and we can have a proper visit.” His look turned serious. “Grandfather is worried about ye.”
She sighed. “I’ll be fine. I’ve lived out here for years, and nothing has happened.”
He looked around as if assessing the security of her home. “There are more redcoats in the area than usual. I keep hearing about the things they’re doing to our people, especially the women. It’s no’ as safe as it used to be.”
“I’ll be fine, Rory. I’ve treated a few English soldiers, and they know I mean no harm.”
His gaze narrowed. “Ye’ve had redcoats in yer home?”
“If they know they can come to me for salves and poultices and healing, they’re more likely to protect me.”
“I don’t like it.”
She patted his arm and smiled reassuringly. “Trust me. The soldiers patrolling this area know me well, and they’ll watch out for me.”
