Page 272 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Rhoslyn nearly trotted in order to keep up with his long strides. “You called her your grandmother. St. Claire, are ye in a hurry?”

He looked down at her. “In a hurry?”

“You are practically running.”

“Forgive me.” He slowed, but his hold on her arm didn’t loosen.

“You called Lady Taresa your grandmother,” Rhoslyn said. “That means you have accepted her as your grandmother.”

“It means I had to make sure those fools did not try to coerce her into doing what they want.”

“You mean you only said that to frighten them.”

They reached the castle and he opened the door, then urged her in ahead of him.

“The Kenzies are gone,” she said. “Are you no’ going to return to Dunfrey Castle? Surely your work there isna’ finished. You were gone for only a few hours.”

He closed the door behind him and stopped, “What were you doing in the bailey? Those men intended trouble. If a fight had broken out you would have been in the middle of it.”

“They were six men, guarded by a dozen of your men. A hundred more are about the castle at all times. I was in no danger.”

“Men like Kenzie cannot be trusted. He easily could have reached you before one of my men could stop him.”

Rhoslyn heard genuine concern in his voice, and the furrow in his brow deepened. “I didna’ come down until you arrived, St. Claire. I was on the wall watching for you.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why were you on the wall watching for me?”

“I thought it odd that they arrived during your first absence in a month. I thought they...”

Her answer seemed to catch him off guard and she thought he might relent, but he shook her and said, “You thought they might have laid a trap for me, then come here so that no one would accuse them of attacking me?”

That was very much what she’d feared.

“Then you understand how dangerous they are,” he said. “When there is trouble—of any kind—you are to stay in your room.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, but released her and pushed through the door without a backward glance. Why had he gotten so angry? Surely he knew she was perfectly safe? Alec had never gotten angry with her. He had never so much as raised his voice. But St. Claire wasn’t Alec.

* * *

Merrymakers celebrating the marriage of one of Castle Glenbarr’s knights to a baron’s daughter filled the great hall and spilled out into the bailey. Talbot had furnished wine, ale, and food for the festivities. With the ceremony barely two hours past and the men well on their way to inebriation, he received word that Lord Lochland waited in the bailey with a dozen men. Enough men to protect him on the road, but a small enough number to assure him that Lochland had not come to fight Still, as far as Talbot was concerned, they’d had too many visitors in the two weeks since he’d accepted the title.

Talbot caught the glance Rhoslyn sent his way when the warrior delivered the message, but didn’t stop when he passed her on his way to the door. He reached Lochland, who still sat astride his horse.

“Good evening, my lord,” Talbot said. “Have you come to join in the celebration?”

“There is no need to pretend that I am your lord,” Lochland said. “I am well aware you are the new Earl of Baliman.”

Everyone kept reminding him of that. Talbot canted his head. “I am still growing accustomed to the title. Will you join the party? Your men are welcome as well.”

“Come on, then, lads,” he said, and dismounted.

The men gave their reins to waiting warriors and Talbot led them toward the castle.

“I suppose ye know this means I canna’ enforce Lady Andreana’s marriage to De Quincy,” Lochland said without preamble.