"Did you come from within the walls?"
"Aye."
"Who holds this castle?"
MacFadden narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw. "The Earl of Rebbinglen."
"Ah. Is he the Highlander with dark hair and dark eyes? Fearsome-looking fellow who rides a black stallion?"
"Aye."
"Did he arrive with a bonny, flaxen-haired lady?"
"Aye."
So, LadyStanbury'srescuer was an earl, was he?The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Claybourne had already taken down one earl—Stanbury—and he could easily take down another. All that was required was more cunning, which he had in spades.
"Who are the other men who just arrived?" Claybourne asked. He knew aboutDraughon, for he'd asked in the village.
"The Earl ofDraughon, the Earl of MacGrath, andRebbinglen'sfather, theMarquessofKilverntay."
"God's bones," Claybourne muttered. So many powerful men. And Rebbinglen was heir to amarquess? A thrill shot through him when he imagined bringing such high and mighty aristocrats to their knees. "What relation are the other two to Rebbinglen?"
"Draughonand MacGrath are brothers and they are friends of Rebbinglen."
"And why are they here?"
"The lady was…"MacFadden'seyes widened as his gaze darted from one to the other of them.
"Aye? Go on?" Claybourne pulled a dagger from its scabbard. "What about the lady?"
MacFadden'sbreathing quickened, and his face blanched white as a corpse in the dimness. "L-L-Lady Stanbury," MacFadden stuttered so severely, Claybourne wondered if he was going to get the word out.
Claybourne smiled. He loved hearing LadyStanbury'sname. "Aye?"
"She was attacked by-by… someone and Rebbinglen rescued her. His friends brought a garrison of three dozen guards to protect the lady on the way back to… wherever they came from."
Claybourne nodded. He'd already guessed that much. He was outnumbered, so confronting them directly was out of the question. He wanted no loss of life over this, especially among his own men.
"Are you the steward?"
"Nay," MacFadden snapped, appearing affronted at the suggestion.
"Do you work in the castle or are you a guest?"
MacFadden lifted one shoulder and shifted upon his feet. "T-This castle belonged to my family… many years ago. My grandfather sold it toRebbinglen'sgrandfather."
"And?"
"I-I was staying here, watching over the place… and Rebbinglen returned."
"Does he pay you for that service?"
"Nay."
Claybourne frowned. The man made no sense. "You are good friends with him?"
