Page 270 of Wicked Highland Heroes

So she recognized the reality of the situation.

“John Comyn is pleased,” she said.

“Aye,” Talbot said.

“What will you do when Edward commands our daughters to marry an Englishman?”

Talbot stretched out on the bed and pulled her back flush against him. “We have no daughters yet, and already you have them married.”

“I know what lies in store for them.”

“To be cared for by a good man.”

She turned in his arms and faced him. “Will you promise me that will be so?”

Staring down into her dark eyes, he could refuse her nothing. “I promise.”

“And our sons,” she said, “will they fight English wars?”

“We have all fought English wars,” he said.

She studied him. “Will they serve an English king?”

“They will serve the King of Scotland.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Ye believe Edward will rule, that is why you say that.”

“I do not appoint kings,” he said.

“Oh, but ye do. The Earl of Baliman has much power.”

“I have no interest in choosing kings.”

“But you will,” she said, and his chest tightened at the sadness in her voice.

* * *

Rhoslyn stood on the parapet staring west. What seemed like an eternity passed before she spied several moving specs in the distance.

“Please, Saint George, bring the Dragon home,” she murmured.

At last, she discerned the riders and sent up a prayer of thanks.

Ross appeared at her side. “It is St. Claire.”

“Aye.”

When he and his men neared the castle, the warriors on the wall began the wide swing of the gate and Rhoslyn turned toward the stairs.

“Mayhap ye should remain up here until our visitors leave,” Ross said.

“I am safe enough,” she told him.

She had no intention of being absent when St. Claire confronted his grandmother’s relatives. His relatives.

Rhoslyn descended the stairs and stepped onto the ground as St. Claire shot through the gates with his men close behind. He turned his horse to face the half dozen mounted men who waited in the bailey, surrounded by a dozen warriors.

“I am gone from Castle Glenbarr less than a day and trouble enters my home,” he snapped.