Page 170 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“What did you learn from the harbormaster?” Talbot asked.

“A man booked passage for himself, two other men, and a woman. They leave tomorrow morning. Though the man does no’ fit the description of your brother, he is the only Englishman to sail. There are two inns near the harbor and one other reputable inn on the road leaving Stonehaven.”

“Did you inquire at the inns?” Talbot demanded.

“We stopped at the inn on the road and had a wee drink. That establishment is so busy, no one took heed of us. The cook is a talkative woman and I learned that no English passed their way in the last day. The inns near the harbor house are for those booking passage or for travelers with more money to spend than most who stay along the road. I wager your brother is in one of the two. ‘Tis better, I think, for us to separate your men and make inquiries. Ye want numbers to ensure he doesna’ escape.”

Talbot nodded. “He will not escape.”

“Dinna’ lose your temper,” Ross warned Talbot forty-five minutes later, as they dismounted at the inn nearest the harbor. Talbot had sent Baxter with a dozen men to the inn west of the harbor and the dozen he’d brought with him waited among the trees, alert for his signal. The remaining five quietly searched the harbor for signs of his brother and Lady Rhoslyn.

“Let me do the talking,” Ross said. “Not all Scots like the English.”

They entered the tavern and Talbot scanned the crowded room.

Ross headed toward the bar, where a large man placed ales in front of two men. “Are ye the proprietor?” Ross asked the man when they reached the counter.

“Who be asking?” the man demanded.

“I am looking for a friend who might be staying here,” Ross said. “Large man with a dark beard.”

“That describes half the men here,” the man replied.

“Aye, but this one is English and he is with a gentle born lady.”

Talbot caught the glint of interest in the man’s eyes before he said, “’Tis not uncommon for such folk to be here.”

“I am willing to pay for the information,” Ross said.

The man’s eyes narrowed. “I dinna’ want trouble.”

Ross nodded. “Aye, but if I find out ye know something and you do no’ tell me, there will be trouble.”

The man’s gaze shifted onto Talbot. “Who are ye?”

“I am the lady’s husband.”

“English,” the man said in derision.

“Aye,” Ross said. “And a powerful English knight who will kill ye if he thinks you are lying to him. Then there is the matter of the lady’s grandfather, who will feed whatever pieces of ye that are left to the dogs. Now, be a good lad and tell us what you know.”

The man studied them for a moment. “How much?”

Talbot took a silver piece from the pouch at his side and tossed it. The man caught it mid-slide across the counter.

Talbot grabbed his wrist. “Where are they?”

“Mayhap this man is no’ the man you are looking for,” he said. “Said the woman was wife and he warned us to ignore any cries from her room. Said she isna’ right in the head.”