By God's Grace by Felicia Rogers Page A

forehead.
    â€œWho, my laird?”
    His hands grabbed Bryce by the neck, pulling him closer. With a menacing tone, Duncan mimicked, “’Who, my laird?’ Ye know whom! Where is Arbella? Ye were not to leave her!”
    The words came out in a strangled whisper. “She is locked in her rooms with Tamara. I told her I was coming to check on the noises I heard.”
    Duncan released Bryce. He should kill him where he stood. But it was dangerous to take the life of one of the few individuals who might be loyal to him. “I am sorry for my overreaction,” passed through his gritted teeth.
    The apology was ignored as Bryce asked, “What happened?”
    â€œThe informant was killed.”
    â€œDid he tell ye anything?”
    â€œNay, nothing of value.”
    â€œThat is too bad. Is there anything ye need, or shall I return to my post?”
    â€œGo back and stand guard. I will be there soon.”
    ****
    Bryce had been gone for only a few moments when another banging started. Tamara pushed herself to a standing position and went to answer the insistent pounding.
    Disengaging the lock, Tamara was slapped in the head as the door was knocked inward. Arbella gasped in surprise as she rushed to the maid’s side. Tamara was now a heap on the floor. As she attempted to wake Tamara, the visitor pulled and tugged on her arm.
    â€œCome we must leave.”
    Glancing upward, Arbella questioned, “Leave?”
    The agitated visitor worried his lip. “Aye, there has been a terrible tragedy. One of the servants was killed, and Duncan is being blamed. The villagers want to hang him!”
    Arbella hesitated. She didn’t want to leave Tamara unattended, but she also couldn’t let Duncan hang. Breathlessly, she asked, “What can I do?”
    â€œWhy, ye can stand up for him, of course.”
    Pointing at her friend, she said, “I can’t leave Tamara after you just hit her with the door.”
    The issue was waved away. “Oh, she will come to and be just fine. But Duncan canna come back from a hangin’.”
    With a quick glance at Tamara, Arbella agreed to go with the mysterious individual. The figure was hooded. The dark woolen cloak reached the ground, covering every inch.
    The stranger led Arbella down an unknown hallway that ended at the kitchen. Next the intruder opened a door Arbella had never seen and told her to enter. The stranger agreed to follow in a husky voice.
    With a hesitant step, Arbella went into the dark, dank-smelling room. Once inside, she heard the squeaking noise of the closing door. Spinning on her heel, Arbella witnessed the last vestige of light disappear. The stranger had left, and she was alone.

 
Chapter Fifteen
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    When Bryce arrived at Arbella’s room, the door was ajar, cracked open as if someone had tried to close the door, but something was in the way.
    With a jerk, he pulled. When he saw what held the door open, his heart plummeted. A protruding leg! Duncan was furious with him for just leaving his post. What would the Laird do if something actually happened to his future bride?
    He’d warned Grant that he was a sheepherder, not a warrior. Grant’s answer was, “Keep your mouth shut, and no one will notice.” Grant had always looked out for him, the youngest Cameron cousin. He told him all the time he looked the part of a Highland warrior.
    Since he looked the part, all he needed was sword training, which Grant was happy to supply. Now Bryce feared the training needed was not so he could protect the keep, but so he could fall on the sword.
    Unable to back down no matter what might be waiting on the other side, Bryce pushed harder. A gasp escaped his lips. It was Tamara. Covered in a jumbled mass of skirts, she was a small heap on the cold floor. Her inanimate body was what had kept the door from closing. Shock caused him to falter. Numb from the last couple of events, he watched as Tamara stirred.
    Leaning