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proud.
    It had been whispered that when Duncan laid up his sword Ian would take his place as leader of the clan. Surely it seemed an honor he could well fulfill for he had proven himself in battle time and time again. When he was still  but a lad he had distinguished himself fighting at Robert the Bruce's side, defeating the English. 
    "You sent for me?"  There was a hint of an English accent to his brogue from years spent at the  Anglicized court in Edinburgh.  Ian  had been sent there  after his resounding show of bravery, to secure a place for the Campbells in the future being molded for Scotland. It had been whispered that Duncan hoped for a noble, nae even a royal bride for his favored nephew, though Ian had balked at the mere mention of marriage.   He was a bold rogue to be sure with all of the courage and stubbornness Duncan possessed.   He walked forward  now with a slight swagger which said that he was sure of himself, used to being in a position of importance and leadership.  Even Duncan did not cower him.
    "Aye, that I did. I sent for ye. "  Giving Cameron a look of warning, cautioning him to hold his tongue, The Campbell grabbed an empty flagon and filled it to the brim with whiskey, a brew of scotch he had saved for the occasion.  "I'm sending ye on a most important mission."
    "A mission?"  Ian took the goblet, lookin g questioningly at his uncle.
    "A pleasant one."  Duncan looked at the handsome youth over the rim of his own flagon, suppressing his smile.
    "Tell me what it is and it shall be done." 
    "I want ye to help me bring about peace."
    "Peace?"  It seemed the last word the b old young man expected to hear. "Peace you say?"  Holding the goblet to his lips he drank deeply of the contents, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
    "I've had enough of fighting, I want to bring about peace.  I've proposed that Robbie marry one of MacQuarie's  four daughters."  The mouth surrounded by the peppered mustache and beard at last gave in to a grin.  "Ye are to be my emissary, to arrange the betrothal and ceremony. A sort of cupid, if ye will."
    "Cupid?"  Ian Campbell filled the room with the sound of his laughter.  "If it's cupid you are wanting then I fear I'm not your man.  Any arrows that I may aim will be for myself.  I do not like to share my spoils."  By his own admission he was a ladies man, one who had left many a broken heart behind wherever he went.  Ladies and milkmaids alike had fallen under his spell.  In truth Ian  had lost count of all the women he had wooed and won.  "But if its a sword arm you need to keep the MacQuaries in line, then I'm your man!"  Holding out his flagon , he watched as Duncan filled it again to the brim, then drained it dry again.  By his manner and smile it was obvious that he thought his uncle to be jesting.  "A Campbell marry a MacQuarie, indeed."
    "It's deadly serious that I am.  The glen has rumbled with our warfare but now I offer peace.  Dare ye to refute me on this?"  Standing up, Duncan crossed his massive arms across his chest, looking as menacing as he had intended.  He would not take argument from this young pup no matter how skilled at arms Ian might be.
    "Refute you?  Nae.  It is your place to d ecide.  I'll not be quarreling. But it’s glad that I am I'm not the intended groom.  I would not want to settle down with any maiden. With the whole meadow abloom with flowers who would want to choose only one?"
    "Spoken like a true Campbell."  Cameron could not hide his own mirth.  He liked young Ian's spunk. Duncan was too used to being treated with deference.
    "Robbie doesna feel that way.  He will do as I bid him."  Duncan knew well how hard the younger man always tried to win his approval, as if somehow Robbie could sense his so-called "uncle"  had no true fondness for him.  Ian, however, was a different matter.  He was a constant source of irritation and had the effrontery to disagree now and then.  "Robbie