Page 258 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Aye, though I dinna’ think this is over.”

Such things were seldom over so easily. “Does Boyd fear Seward so much that he would leave just because the old man rose from his bed?” Talbot asked.

“Sir Jason knows Kinsley will no’ spare a man in the protection of Castle Glenbarr and Lady Rhoslyn. But I imagine the two hundred men the new Earl of Baliman was bringing helped make up his mind.”

“He need fear me above all men,” Talbot said. “Even Seward.”

“Ye are English,” Ross said, and shrugged.

“He will learn that this Englishman does not forgive so easily.”

When they reached Castle Glenbarr, Talbot found Rhoslyn sitting with her grandfather in the great hall. “You are looking well.” Talbot sat in his chair at the head of the table and motioned a boy to bring wine.

“I have been abed nine days,” Seward replied. “I should be in the peak of health.”

“Ye were nigh unto death,” Rhoslyn said.

“Not anymore,” he said, then looked at Talbot. “I understand I now address the new Earl of Baliman.”

“Lady Taresa believes she is my grandmother,” Talbot replied.

Seward lifted his brows. “The resemblance between your sister and her daughter?”

The remark was a question. Had Ross shared the details of Lady Taresa’s visit, Seward would have been more definitive. That could only mean Rhoslyn told him. So she, too, had noticed the resemblance between the two women. He cast a glance her way, but she gave away none of what she was thinking. She would choose now to hide her thoughts. The boy brought the wine and Talbot finished the first goblet in three long gulps.

“Ye dinna’ seem overly pleased,” Seward said.

“There is nothing to be pleased about,” Talbot said. “The resemblance is coincidental.”

“I doubt that. And I doubt Lady Taresa will give up so easily, especially after ye asked for her help. Ye know you encouraged her by asking for her help. Why do it?”

“Reports said Boyd had four hundred men on his way here.”

“Between the men at Dragon’s Lair and the men here, you easily have that many warriors. I would not have thought ye would be afraid of battle,” Seward said.

“Do you want your granddaughter and future grandchild besieged in Castle Glenbarr?” Talbot asked.

“Nay. I do no’.”

Talbot refilled his glass. “You know as well as I how easily the castle would fall if an enemy discovered the passageway that leads to the chapel.” He took another big swig of his wine.

Seward nodded slowly. “Who told ye? Rhoslyn?”

“I did no’,” she said.

“As long as no one unlocks the door from inside, ye are safe enough,” Seward said.

“I plan to bolt the door permanently,” Talbot said.

“No one in this household would open the door to an enemy,” Rhoslyn said.

“Do not underestimate my brother’s ability to find an ally.”

She frowned, then hurt appeared in her eyes and Talbot realized his mistake.

“I did not mean you, Rhoslyn.” He straightened in his chair and covered her hand with his. “What I meant is that Dayton will not give up. Do not be fooled into believing he has left Scotland. I would have heard if that were the case. This is why I must stop him.”

She nodded, but the hurt remained and Talbot wondered if he should take her upstairs. God, how he wanted to make love to her. Since the attack on her grandfather, she’d kept her distance. He’d lain awake much of the night beside her. She might as well have slept in her own bed instead of inches from him.

“Beware.” Seward’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Ye might one day regret no’ having a way out of Castle Glenbarr. Of course, you could always take up residence at Narlton Keep. That would please Lady Taresa. The great keep alone is half the size of Castle Glenbarr.”

“I have no intention of leaving Castle Glenbarr,” Talbot said. “This is our home.” He looked right. “Is that not true, Lady Rhoslyn?”