Page 197 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Sweet God,” she breathed. “Ye are insane. Edward could no’ have known Alec would die. Edward has done what any king would have done by marrying me to one of his own. Our own leaders marry us to the English without thought for what we want—and some have taxed us into near poverty.” A fact she conveniently ignored when she sequestered herself in St. Mary’s. Duncan wasn’t completely wrong on that score.

“Is that so?” he said. “I wager the men Edward forced to hand over control of their royal castles would no’ agree that he is like any other king.”

“What are ye talking about?” Rhoslyn demanded.

“While you were in that convent, the high and mighty King Edward declared himself Lord Parliament of Scotland and, only two months ago, ordered every Scottish royal castle be put under his control. Temporary, he said, but he has yet to return the castles to their rightful owners.”

Rhoslyn stared, unable to speak.

“Ye think that was enough?” Duncan went on. “Nay. Every Scottish official is to resign his office and be re-appointed by Edward. Two days later, the Guardians and our leaders swore allegiance to Edward as Lord Parliament of all the Scots. But even that wasna’ enough for the power hungry bastard. Only a month ago, he ordered all Scots to pay homage to him personally or at one of the designated centers. Your grandfather went.”

“Grandfather?” she whispered.

Duncan nodded. “Now do ye still think Edward is doing what any other sovereign would do?”

She could find no reply.

“He has no right to rule us,” Duncan hissed. “And St. Claire has no right to even a fistful of Scottish soil.”

The feverish light in his eyes snapped her from her shock. “None of that means I will countenance murder.”

His eyes narrowed. “Ye would side with St. Claire after everything I just told you?”

“I will side with honor,” she shot back. “And I will not have you interfere in my business. I warn you, Duncan.”

His mouth curved upward in disdain. “You pretend to be as hard as a man, but ye are still a woman.”

“A woman who is capable of killing you. Dinna’ doubt it.”

He sneered. “What would Alec do if he were here?”

“He would kill ye for speaking to me this way—cousin or no.”

“Alec understood the meaning of loyalty.”

Rhoslyn nodded. “Aye, and you show no loyalty to me or Alec by threating my husband. I warn ye, Duncan, if so much as a hair on St. Claire’s head is harmed, I will not ask any questions. I will kill you. And, in case ye might wonder, my grandfather will bury your remains.”