Page 243 of Wicked Highland Heroes

All was quiet for a few moments, then the tread of boots on stone told her St. Claire had left. Only then did she let the tears flow.

* * *

At the knock on the door, Talbot called, “Enter.”

Ross entered. Talbot noted his mud-caked boots and grimy hands and hair—and the blood crusted, gaping hole in his left shirts sleeve.

Talbot laid his quill on the parchment and rose. “Did you find Seward’s attackers?”

Ross glanced at his wounded arm and grunted. “We ran into a band of marauders. Fools tried to relieve us of our horses.”

“It seems Buchan is riddled with thieves and cutthroats,” Talbot observed.

“No more so than England, I imagine,” Ross replied without rancor. “I hear ye took one of Kinsley’s attackers alive.”

Talbot nodded. “He died before reaching Castle Glenbarr.”

“I suppose we should be thankful our enemies are no’ as hardy as we are,” Ross said. “Or mayhap we are better killers.”

Talbot grunted. “Did you locate Seward’s attackers?”

“Not exactly. There were about twenty men. They split off into three groups. On a hunch, I took Cullen with me and we followed the northernmost riders. Those men broke off and we were able to follow only two men into Elgean. We lost their trail there, but that village falls under the protection of Sir Jason Boyd. I canna’ believe thirty men could plan an attack without Boyd knowing.”

“Then you believe he is behind the attack?” Talbot asked.

“He at least knew of it,” Ross replied. “But beware. That will no’ be easy to prove.”

Talbot nodded. “If he sent the men but did not go with them, he can claim they were acting of their own accord. And you did not actually find any of the men?”

“Nay. We lost the tracks in the village.”

“I imagine that was the plan,” Talbot said. “What reason would Boyd have to attack Seward?”

Ross grunted. “Boyd has lusted after Castle Glenbarr since he was a boy. But he hasna’ the power to take it alone. His laird is Domhnall De Quincy, the Earl of Maddsen. De Quincy is a rival of our laird Eoghan Neachdan, the Earl of Lochland. De Quincy wouldna’ mind tipping the scales of power in his favor. If any of his knights managed to seize Kinsley’s power, well,” he shrugged, “all the better for him.”

“What a coincidence that one of his men chose now to attack.”

Ross nodded. “Ye find that odd, as well?”

Now Talbot understood what Dayton might have to gain by attacking Seward.

* * *

Rhoslyn refused to move from her grandfather’s side, and the following night, when the door quietly opened behind her, she thought St. Claire had returned as he had last night, to insist she come to his bed.

His bed. A mental picture flashed of lying safe and warm in his arms. Tears pricked, then guilt followed with a hard stab. How could she consider sharing the man’s bed who was responsible for her grandfather lying at death’s door? She placed a palm over her belly. How could she hate the father of her child?

She started from her thoughts when Mistress Miura appeared beside the bed.

“I am all right, Miura,” Rhoslyn said. “Ye need no’ worry about me.”

“I know well enough to worry about ye, my lady, but that isna’ why I come. I thought you should know that Lord Lochland is here.”

Rhoslyn looked up sharply. “Here? Now?” Fury rammed through her. “Grandfather is in bed but a day and already Lochland picks the bones.” She shoved to her feet, then hesitated.

“Go on,” Muira said. “I will sit with him.”

Rhoslyn still hesitated. If anything happened while she was away from his side. If he died... She shook her head. “Nay. I canna’ leave him.”