Lord Lovat goes to extreme lengths to fulfill a prophecy. Dougal attends a clandestine meeting that could spell political disaster for the MacKenzies.
Luceo Non Uro opens with a cattle raid on the Grant lands and a hint that Malcolm Grant is soon to become the Laird of Clan Grant.
Baptism
Simon wants his child to be legitimate—though that ship has sailed—but before Julia goes inside the church Brian baptizes the baby William Henry Beauchamp.
Inside, Simon isn’t getting the turnout he’d hoped for though there are some of the women who had come to help Julia give birth—though they didn’t help much. They share their felicitations with Davina because they’ve heard Julia and Simon are married. People have heard all the news, but they aren’t showing up. Seems like Simon is less than loved. Or maybe it is because they ceremony isn’t Catholic but at the moment it is currently against the law for a Catholic to sit on the throne, so his son needs to be protestant. But guess what—it doesn’t matter, baptized is baptized. Of course, the baby is baptized Simon Fraser.
Back at the Castle, they get “married.” Julia had worried he’d want to do it in church, but Davina reminds her he’s been telling people they are already married. Plus, if he does it at his home he can pay off the priest to change the dates. They’re official wedding date is November 17, 1714 while the baby was born July 5, 1715.
Hindering Relations
Now that Julia and Davina are working together, the two devise a way to keep Simon from being able to perform in the bedroom. Julia finds the herbs and Davina puts them in Simon’s food. It prevents Simon from “showering” his attentions on Julia but also other women working at the castle.
It works and Simon loves the new herbs in his food. But is he going to realize the new spices is affecting his ability to perform? I mean I don’t know that anyone back then correlated these things and even if they did, I can’t see Simon being that smart.
In Simon’s room, Julia noticed papers from the Grants and recognizes Henry’s handwriting—after all she’s read enough of his letters—and realizes he’s going but the name Henry Grant. He’s in the past and he’s alive!
Henry Wants to Leave
Believing Julia is dead, Henry just wants to return to his own time. But first he has to go back to the brothel where he lost his St. Anthony necklace. If you remember Julia gave it to him back in A Soldier’s Heart. St. Anthony was the patron saint of lost things which seems apropos. When Julia gave it to him, it was because he was lost in his trauma but now it represents losing his family and being lost in the past.
Seema, the prostitute, is hoping Henry will save her from the situations she’s in but he’s not interested in anyone else’s problems. Unfortunately, he tells her way too much information and she tells Arch his plan to go to Craigh na Dun.
Jacobites
Ellen is preparing for her wedding when Colum learns Dougal is being accused of stealing cattle from the Grants. It wasn’t him, of course, instead a Jacobite named Rob Roy MacGregor. Dougal is interested in their cause.
Dougal is off to the Nairnes for cattle options, but Ellen knows they don’t have cattle but are instead Jacobites. Dougal wants a Stuart king which Colum is against, but Ellen knows the Grants are loyalists so this could cause problems.
Ellen goes after Dougal to stop him from giving her dowry money to the Jacobite cause.
Brian and Murtagh are also at the meeting and not on good terms as Murtagh confronts Brian about being in love with Ellen. Murtagh isn’t willing to be friendly about it either.
Malcolm comes to the meeting, the British Army in tow, to capture Rob Roy. Malcolm is shocked Ellen is there. Ellen explains she came after Dougal and his rash decisions. She pretends she was worried about it spoiling their nuptials. Malcolm is putty in her hands and believes everything she says. He protects her from the British who plan to arrest everyone present. They announces their attentions and Brian fires a gun into the floor sending everyone into a frenzy.
Outside, Ellen and Brian conspire but Dougal catches them and punches Brian. Ellen tries to convince him not to tell Colum but he’s not planning on keeping quiet. Murtagh’s horse is taken and instead of fleeing with Brian, Murtagh flees with another.
Castle Leoch
Ellen tells Colum whatever Dougal told him isn’t true. But it isn’t about that. The Grants are demanding proof she’s still a virgin. She will be inspected. It is really Isaac Grant’s doing. Henry looks very uncomfortable.
Colum says she better pray she passes.
Castle Leathers
Brian returns upset he went on a fools errand to spy on the Jacobites and nearly got himself arrest and accused of treason. Simon instead congratulates him for ensnaring the MacKenzie lass and hugs Brian—as if Brian is doing something sinister. Brian tries to tell him it is honest feeling between them, but all Simon is interested in is the scandal of a ruined woman.
