Chapter 20
Cait didn’t need Black Cat to tell her that Iain was coming. She could feel it in the way her blood rushed through her. That and she’d been expecting him ever since Rory had told her that Iain was meeting with her grandfathers.
She was standing outside her cottage when he came galloping around the bend, his face its usual mask. He slid off his mount as soon as it came to a stop and marched toward her.
“Did you neglect to tell me something?” he asked so calmly that it was almost frightening.
“Nay.”
He raised his brows. “Nay?”
“Nay.”
“You don’t think it was important that I know you are the granddaughter of GrahamandMacGregor?”
“Nay.”
He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, obviously struggling for composure. In any other circumstance, it might have been humorous, but she knew he was truly angry.
“The Grahams and the MacGregors are nothing to me.”
“Nothing?” he sputtered. “You are the only heir to both clans. You could be leader to two very important clans.”
“Nay. Let Rory rule the Grahams, and I could care less who rules the MacGregors. They weren’t there for me when I needed them, and I see no reason to lead them.”
“And you still think I didn’t need to know?”
She lifted her chin. “There was only one person who needed to know, and that was John. When he discovered that both my grandfathers disowned me, he wanted to back out of the marriage for my sake, but I wouldn’t let him. I chose being a Campbell over being a Graham or a MacGregor.”
Iain’s lips twitched. “I’m certain both grandfathers were furious.”
She grinned back. “Furious does no’ come close to what they felt.”
“John was a brave man to suffer the wrath of those two.” Iain shook his head. “I just came from a meeting with them and I’m not certain I left in one piece.”
“Rory told me. Was the outcome what ye hoped for?”
“MacGregor admitted to stealing my cattle and burning my land, and he agreed to stop. Graham made him repay me in winter feed. MacGregor wasn’t happy, but I feel it’s fair compensation for the field I lost.”
“I’m not at all surprised that he was the one stealing the cattle, but I’m surprised and disappointed that he burned yer land.”
“He said he didn’t mean for it to burn out of control. I believe him.”
“Ye’re more forgiving than I would have been.”
“When was the last time you saw him, Cait?”
“The night he told me I was no longer welcome in his home.”
“He’s still angry, but I think he has regrets.”
She raised a disbelieving brow. “Did he tell you that?”
“Not in so many words.”
She shrugged. “It’s too late.”
“Don’t be like them, Cait. Don’t wake up one day with regrets.”
