He looked up. “I was bred fer war. ’Tis the only thing lasting and constant in this life. Love is fleeting.”
“I see you laughing quite often with Aileen,” Kate pointed out, “Do you mean to tell me you feel nothing for her?”
“Aye, I care fer her deeply. She is my sister.”
“Och, forgive my hasty assumption.” Kate blushed all the way to her roots.
“My sisters Sineag, Murron, and Mary live in the bothys outside the castle with their husbands and bairns.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “How many sisters have you here?”
“Just the four. But I have eleven sisters in all.”
“How wonderful to grow up in a large family.”
“Nae.” He laughed. “I learned more about women than I’ll ever need to know. The rest live in Edinburgh and Moray. One has even taken a Campbell fer a husband.” He nodded when Kate raised an eyebrow. “This feud began long ago, and though it wasn’t our feud to fight, the Grants have always been good friends to the MacGregors. Yer grandsire was a cruel man, but not all Campbells are like him. Ye, fer one, are quite enchanting.” He couldn’t help but grin at the delicate flush painting her cheeks. “And I did grow fond of Robert during my stay at Kildun.”
Kate’s eyes grew misty upon hearing about her brother. It felt like centuries since last she saw him. “How is he, Graham? I miss him terribly. Tell me, how did you come to know him?”
The commander dipped his eyes to his drink and then quaffed the remainder of its contents before he spoke. “I was sent to Kildun to befriend yer uncle and gain his trust.”
“Why?”
“Because Callum could not infiltrate Kildun. I was to lead Argyll’s men to—”
Angus and Brodie saved him from having to continue by crashing open the solar door. “There ye are, ye knave.” Angus entered first, a flagon of brew clutched in his giant paw. When Kate belched and waved at them, the brutish Highlander smiled like a puppy that had just been petted behind the ears.
“I guessed Graham was spendin’ his night wi’ a bonny lass. I was right.”
“That makes one time in yer accursed life.” Brodie snickered and moseyed inside. He found a seat, fell into it, and closed his eyes.
“Brodie, why are ye not in bed with yer wife?” Graham asked him, ignoring the string of oaths muttered by Angus while he searched for a place to sit.
“Because there’s nae room fer me in our bloody bed. If Netta doesna deliver soon, I’m leavin’ her.”
Angus howled with laughter, but Kate frowned at them all. She wanted to chastise them, and she knew she should. She just could not remember what for. She did suddenly remember her conversation with Graham, though, and turned back to him.
“Did Robert send you all to Glen Orchy?”
“Nae,” Graham said. “In truth, he was against our going.”
“Think ye he’s still wrapped aroond that gate ye tied him to?” asked Brodie, opening one eye.
“Tied . . . to a gate?” Slowly, Kate turned to fasten her eyes on Graham. “You tied my brother to a gate?”
“Brodie, ye bleedin’ whoreson,” Angus barked at him. “Ye made her weep.” He looked around the solar. “Where are all the fokin’ chairs?”
“Angus, mind yer damn tongue,” Brodie admonished him sternly.
“Well, did you?” Kate demanded, untangling herself from the blanket. She would have leaped from her chair, but she felt dizzy and clutched the arms instead to keep from spinning. “Was he not your friend?”
Graham was about to tell her when the door opened again and Callum filled the doorway. His eyes fired with something so dangerous, Graham instinctively bolted to his feet. Callum’s gaze wandered over each of them in turn and then came to rest on Kate.
“Ye’ll tell me where yer goin’ from now on, Kate.”
“And you will never speak to me again, you heartless ruffian.” She yanked the blanket completely off and sprang to her feet. Then almost toppled over. Graham caught her by the elbows. She didn’t take her eyes off Callum while she righted herself. “You tied my brother to a gate?”
“Nae, Graham did,” Callum told her.
