Page 215 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Chapter Fourteen

Rhoslyn opened her eyes and lifted them to the Virgin Mary in the nook of the small chapel. “Four more days have passed and still my flux has no’ come. Please, Holy Mother, beg your Son no’ to punish me in this way.” Desire rose to obtain the herbs to abort the possible pregnancy and guilt twisted her belly. “Forgive me,” she whispered while a voice inside her cursed her grandfather and St. Claire for imprisoning her in Castle Glenbarr. They were right, it was too dangerous to leave. Four of St. Claire’s guardsmen had died in yesterday’s attack. She couldn’t ask more men to die to protect her. But being confined meant she had no chance to find the needed herbs.

“Is it so wrong not to want this man’s child?” she asked, but silence was her only answer. “Have you also deserted me, good lady?”

Fear stabbed soul deep. She as much just told the Holy Mother she was beyond God’s grace. Sweet Jesu, God was sure to punish her further if he found her guilty of sloth. She racked her memory. What was the prayer for forgiveness for committing one of the seven deadly sins?

Rhoslyn prostrated herself on the stone floor and began to pray.

At last, Rhoslyn tore herself away from the chapel. If St. Claire noticed how much time she spent praying, he might ask what was wrong. She started across the bailey toward the storeroom and caught sight of her grandfather striding from the stables. He slowed and they met near the stables.

“We need to talk,” he said without preamble.

Unease prickled down her spine. “Is something wrong?”

He turned her back toward the castle and began walking.

“I was going to the storeroom,” she said.

“Later.” He waited for a group of men to pass, then said, “Ye are not living up to your wifely duties.”

Rhoslyn stopped short and stared. Two women passed carrying baskets and Rhoslyn started forward again, but waited until she was certain they were out of earshot before saying, “I wonder not only how you came to this conclusion, but what emboldens you to think ye have the right to speak to me of such personal matters.”

“I am your grandfather. That gives me the right. As to how I came to the conclusion, I have eyes. I can tell when a husband and wife are no’ sharing a bed.”

“If you doubt that St. Claire slept in my bed, ask Alana. She saw him there.”

“Sleeping in a woman’s bed isna’ the same as bedding her. The man doesna’ strike me as being anything like his brother. But if ye tell me he is cruel to you, I will kill him and face Edward’s wrath.”

“I think you have interfered enough, Grandfather.”

He barked a laugh. “Are ye saying that because I took you from the convent, your troubles are my fault?”

“Nay,” she grudgingly replied. “But you havena’ helped matters, either.”

“I disagree,” he said, “but that does not matter. What matters is now. Do ye despise him for what happened?”

“Nay.”

“Then why has he not bedded ye?”

“This is none of your affair,” she warned.

“Aye, it is. Since we are stuck with the man, I want great grandchildren while I am still able to teach them what it means to be a Highlander.”

Her heart twisted. She wanted that was well. What if it was Dayton St. Claire’s son she bore instead of Sir Talbot’s? Would her grandfather reject the child? They reached the postern door. He opened it and motioned her to enter. He followed and she veered right, toward the table at the far end of the great hall. He grasped her arm and steered her toward the stairs.

“We are no’ finished,” he said, and urged her up the stairs.

They reached the third floor and entered her private solar. “Why are ye doing this?” she asked when he closed the door. “You were the one who was most against the marriage. You even tried to marry me to Jacobus.”

“Aye, but that opportunity passed.” He met her gaze. “I know Dayton St. Claire did more than kidnap ye. I saw it in your eyes the day I met you in the inn.”

Rhoslyn startled, but managed to check the panic that shot through her.

“St. Claire has accepted you as his wife and he wants ye,” he said.

“What do you mean?” she blurted. “That is ridiculous.”