Page 185 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“I should ride,” Lady Rhoslyn said. “We can ride faster if I am riding my own horse.”

She was right, but he didn’t like it. “You will do exactly as I say,” he said.

“Beware giving too many orders, English.”

“I will brook no argument, Lady Rhoslyn. You will do as I say or ride with me.”

“What is your command?”

Her voice was calm, but he heard the steel. He had steel of his own.

“At the first sign of trouble you ride with me and Baxter to Castle Glenbarr as fast as possible.”

“The last time I left a fight I was captured by you.”

“Then you need not fear,” he said, “for I am not the one chasing you this time.”

They reached Castle Glenbarr without incident, but Talbot knew the trouble had only begun. Seward knew it as well. He and Ingram arrived half an hour later, and they sought out Talbot in the great hall where he sat with Ralf.

“The vows are not yet said, and ye already have enemies,” Seward said in greeting.

“Sit down,” Talbot said, then ordered a waiting lad to bring ale before returning his attention to the old baron. “I had enemies before I ever set foot in Scotland.”

Seward sat down. “Is the wealth my granddaughter brings to the marriage worth living among enemies?”

“A few enemies is paltry in comparison to war campaigns,” Talbot replied.

The old man grunted. “Ye underestimate the Highland temperament. These men have a great capacity for hating you.”

Talbot shrugged. “I would find no less if I lived amongst my own.”

The boy brought two mugs of ale and a pitcher. He set them before the two men, then stepped back, awaiting further instructions.

“Then it must be your sweet nature that makes ye so loveable,” Seward said.

Despite the sarcasm, Talbot detected grudging respect. “About as loveable as you,” he replied. “Only yesterday, Aodh Roberts was ready to send you to your reward.”

“I should have dealt with Aodh years ago, but I grew up with his cousin. They wouldna’ forgive me if I killed him.”

“You are a fortunate man to be surrounded by so many relatives.”

“They are your relatives now, too,” Seward replied.

Talbot laughed. “Do they see me as a relative?”

“They will when they want something from ye. God help you when that happens.”

“I have a feeling that is exactly what is about to happen.”

“Aye. Ye can begin by telling me who your new friends are.” He nodded to Ralf, Ingram, and the other two men who set across from him.”

Talbot recounted the story, ending with, “They tell me that Dayton claims he and Rhoslyn are married.”

“Married?” The old man’s eyes narrowed in anger. “I will kill him for what he did to my granddaughter.”

So Seward had guessed that Dayton raped Rhoslyn. Talbot wasn’t surprised. The man wasn’t stupid. “You will not have the chance,” he said. “I claim the right to kill him.”

“Ye canna’ follow him to England. ‘Tis too dangerous to leave Rhoslyn unprotected.”