Page 245 of Wicked Highland Heroes

St. Claire nodded. “They may try.”

Lochland gave a slow nod. “You can defend Seward’s people. Still, I would prefer to avoid a war.”

“Have you not the power to stop them?” St. Claire asked.

“I am no’ their laird, and their laird is no friend of mine. In truth, he would love nothing better than to gain a foothold in my territory.”

“Who are these men and their lord?”

“Their laird is Domhnall De Quincy, the Earl of Maddsen. He rules the land to the south. The two I suspect of plotting against Kinsley are Baron Balcaskie and Sir Jason Boyd.”

Something flickered in St. Claire’s eyes. “De Quincy would risk a fight with you?” he asked.

“Mayhap ye dinna’ understand how powerful Kinsley is,” Lochland said. “Within Buchan, he is second only to me. He commands fifteen hundred men-at-arms, and easily that many warriors amongst his tenants, if need be. If they were to gain control of his land, it would be no small matter for me to drive them out.” Lochland studied him. “You have the skill to defend his land, but can ye inspire his men to follow ye?”

“If they want to win, they will follow me,” St. Claire said.

A shiver snaked down Rhoslyn’s spine. St. Claire’s confidence recalled the memory of him slicing open the neck of his enemy. Would he view her grandfather’s death with the same dispassion as he did fighting an enemy?

Lord Lochland’s eyes rested on Rhoslyn. “I should have married De Quincy to your wife. That would have solved this problem.”

Marriage to Domhnall De Quincy? Sweet Jesu, that was worse than marriage to St. Claire. Though she would marry De Quincy if it meant her grandfather lived. But she couldn’t buy her grandfather’s life. God didn’t barter. She’d learned that first hand.

Rhoslyn said to Lochland, “If it is true De Quincy wishes to seize your power, then my marriage to him would only ensure war upon my grandfather’s death.”

The earl gave a slow nod. “Ye are right. Which is why I have decided to betroth Lady Andreana to him.”

* * *

Shock registered in Rhoslyn’s eyes, then was gone so quickly Talbot almost doubted he’d seen it.

“Ye canno’ marry Andreana to Lord De Quincy,” she said.

“I can,” he replied.

She shook her head. “Forgive me, I am not making myself clear. You canna’ marry her to anyone. She is already married.”

“Already married? To who?” he demanded.

“To my husband’s captain, Sir Baxter D’Angers.”

Lochland turned his hard gaze onto Talbot. “Is this true?”

“I am sorry, St. Claire,” she quickly replied. “This is all my fault. It was my idea to marry her to Sir Baxter. She is of marriageable age, and I felt it better she marry a man my lord husband knew to be of a good character.”

My lord husband? Talbot wanted to laugh. It seemed his wife wasn’t above stroking a man’s ego when it served her purpose.

“When did the marriage take place?” Lochland demanded.

“Four days ago,” she replied.

His gaze sharpened. “I heard nothing of the marriage.”

“We had a very small wedding,” Talbot interjected before Rhoslyn could reply. “Given the trouble with my brother, I decided against opening our doors to visitors. We had a small ceremony in the chapel.” He smiled at Rhoslyn. “After all, that is what Lady Rhoslyn and I did.”

The earl’s mouth thinned. “I imagine Edward will be well pleased at the progress you have made in so short a time.”

“As my wife said, Baxter is of the highest character. I betrothed them to please her, nothing more.”

Relief flickered in her eyes, then was gone when Lochland shifted his gaze onto her.

“I am surprised, Lady Rhoslyn, that you would agree to your stepdaughter’s marriage to an Englishman—even one of high character.”

“I am sure you have heard how St. Claire defended us against marauders,” she said. “He saved us. I have come to trust his judgment.”

Talbot was startled to read true gratitude on her face. Only last night she had accused him of being responsible for the attack on her grandfather.

“Marauders?” Lochland’s brow lifted. “I was told the men who attacked were employed by your brother.”

“That is what I believe,” Talbot said.

“Surely there must be some way other than marriage to Andreana to avoid fighting with De Quincy?” Rhoslyn said. “There is no guarantee he would have agreed to the marriage, anyway.”

“He would have agreed,” Lochland said. “But it seems your husband will have to deal with him.”