Page 42 of The Best of Madeline Grant

Nothing was said in the hall, everyone waiting for Alex to speak and declare who was his first descendant of the next generation, but he never did.

Jake flew out of his room declaring, “Our laddie was first.”

Jamie must have heard him, for he bolted out of his chamber. “Our laddie is the firstborn.”

The door of Kyla and Finlay’s chamber opened, and Maddie and Caralyn, assisted by a maid, dragged Finlay out of the chamber. They left him there on the balcony above the hall. Maddie leaned over the edge and said, “Nicol, come get your son. He fainted.”

Alex beamed with pride. The crowd around him all awaited his pronouncement. “I couldn’t have planned it any better than nature, and I never argue with her.”

He ran a hand through his thick hair and said, “Three laddies all born at the exact same time. What a blessing!”

***

And so the story was told for generation after generation.

Alasdair, dark-haired son of Jake (John) Grant and Aline Carron.

Elshander, fair-haired son of Jamie (James) Grant and Gracie Grant, and

Alick, fire-haired son of Kyla Grant and Finlay MacNicol.

All three were born on the same day, at the same exact time, all descendants of the renowned Alexander Grant, the finest swordsman in all the land.

When their time comes, the three shall lead Clan Grant together to be one of the strongest clans in Scottish history.

Highland Devotion

Gregor and Linet

Chapter Two

Maddie Grant takes on a new mission—the bairns in the Channel of Dubh

Gregor and Connor sat at the Grant dais in the great hall that night, a veritable feast in front of them, though Connor’s family had received no notice they’d be visiting. Uncle Alex and Aunt Maddie, Connor’s parents, ate with them, along with his older brothers, Jake and Jamie. His three sisters were with Gracie at her mother’s cottage. Merewen and Gavin had already settled in for the night abovestairs.

By the time they finished their account of all that had taken place in Inverness, the food had gone cold on everyone’s plates.

“You think there are more men in the Channel?” Jake asked, setting his goblet down and pushing his chair back from the table. “Is this a never-ending saga of torture or what?”

Connor said, “Nay, I believe we’re close. Maggie and Will said the men in charge of the organization are English. We’ll see what we can find in Edinburgh, then, if need be, finish in England. If we can stop the leaders, we’re hopeful we can put an end to the Channel for good. Besides—” he added, casting a glance at Gregor, “—we’re trying to help Linet Baird.”

Gregor nodded. “I believe Linet’s being forced into some kind of servitude. I intend to get her away from it, even though she told her sister she wishes to stay with her companions.”

Uncle Alex, one of the wisest men in the Highlands, looked at his youngest son and asked, “And what is your other reason for traveling with Gregor?”

Aunt Maddie said, “I think ’tis obvious, Alex. He wishes to put an end to this before these villains come to Grant land. They took poor Linet from her bed. What will stop them from trying the same thing here?”

Uncle Alex leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek, lingering a bit. “You have a valid point, sweeting, but I’d like to hear our son’s answer.”

Connor cleared his throat, his way of delaying his response. Gregor knew his cousin strived to be like Uncle Alex—although Connor wasn’t quite as good at concealing his thoughts and emotions, he was improving.

When Connor spoke, he looked his father in the eye and said, “Another woman is tied up with their organization. Sela, who ran the fighting and whoring in Inverness. She’s as cold-hearted as any I’ve ever met.” He paused again, considering his words.

Jamie grinned, his brows waggling. “But she caught your eye, aye, brother?”

Although Jake started grinning, too, he said nothing but waited to hear what Connor would say.

“And why would you go after a woman who has no respect for other women?” Uncle Alex asked.