In the Highlander’s Bed by Cathy Maxwell

Author:Cathy Maxwell
Language: ron
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Everyone will bring what they have to you,” Constance said. “We will all share, and you will cook for the clan.” Her words were quickly seconded with offers of food and other aid from everyone.

The tension eased from Linnea’s shoulders. “Very well, yes, I will cook.”

“I have meat,” Grace said, mentioning an item that few of the others had claimed.

The clanswomen turned tight-lipped. No one spoke. Constance realized it was up to her to answer. “Thank you—” she began.

“I don’t know that we should include her,” Sarah challenged.

Emma Reivers, the wife of the couple Gordon had put in charge of Constance the day before, stood beside her, nodding agreement. Others shifted uncomfortably.

“She’s a tart, plain and simple,” Sarah said. “Good folks don’t associate with her. She gives our daughters bad ideas of how a woman should act. There are many of us who question the Lachlan’s judgment in allowing Thomas to keep her.”

Constance understood what Sarah was saying. Whenever there were men and women together, this was always an issue. The clanswomen were content to let Grace do what they didn’t have the courage to do—such as confront Fiona—but that didn’t mean they wanted to break bread with her.

Grace lifted her head in defiance, but a bright spot of color rose on each cheek.

Constance stepped between them. “You don’t have time to pick at each other. You are in a dangerous situation. Why else would Gordon want the Sword of the MacKenna? However, Grace is one of you. And I will say, I know how hard it is to survive as a woman alone. I don’t know that I would turn to a man for protection, but I won’t hold it against any woman who is forced to place herself in those circumstances. We”—she used the word deliberately—“can’t afford outcasts. We are all we have, until we convince others to join our cause.”

Dead quiet met her announcement.

And then Sarah said to Grace, “Bring your meat to Linnea.”

That was it. Afterward, three of the women volunteered to help sort the food supply and others came up with ideas about what they could contribute. Constance stood in the middle of the chatter, bemused that her words had actually inspired them.

Grace looked to her. “What of you? You can’t be digging in dirt in those clothes.”

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