Page 163 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“That must surely wait until tomorrow, my lady. To take you from the comfort of your chambers so early is a sin Talbot would not forgive.”

And one he would not allow, Rhoslyn privately acknowledged.

“I do not deny that I was anxious to meet you,” he said.

“Were you?” Rhoslyn sipped her wine.

“I wondered what kind of woman would eventually capture Talbot’s attention.”

“I believe ‘twas King Edward whose attention I caught,” she replied.

He laughed. “Aye, but Talbot is one to go only where he pleases.”

Rhoslyn thought the opposite was true. He obeyed his king without question.

Dayton finished his wine and rose. “Would you like more wine, my lady?”

“Sheila will fetch it for us.”

“Perhaps your guard would like more?” He turned toward the man.

Dayton’s arm shot out. Sheila cried out as his fist rammed into the guard’s jaw. The man’s head snapped back. Rhoslyn leapt to her feet. The knight reared back, fist raised, but Dayton was quicker, and rammed a second fist into his belly, then another into his ribs. The guard swung. Dayton sidestepped and brought his clasped hands down with all his might across the man’s back. He slumped to the floor.

Rhoslyn whirled toward the door as Sheila screamed. Iron fingers seized Rhoslyn’s arm and yanked her back against a hard body. She twisted wildly in an effort to break loose.

“Lady Rhoslyn,” he said, “I swear, this is not what it seems.”

Sheila screamed again.

“Silence, woman,” he hissed to her, then said to Rhoslyn, “Please.”

His hold remained firm. Sheila would provide no help. The girl now whimpered. Rhoslyn stilled, breathing heavily, and nodded. He released her, but stepped between her and the door.

“This was the only way,” he said.

Rhoslyn backed up two paces. She wished she had secured one of the daggers from the storeroom. “Only way for what?”

“Edward commanded you to marry Talbot so that he could pay his debts with your money,” he said.

“What is that to you?”

“The king’s favor has turned my father’s attention to Talbot. Talbot even took my father’s name after Edward legitimized him. He is the elder brother, but that does not matter. He is a bastard. He has no right. I will not let my father disinherit me in favor of Talbot.”

“Your family problems are not my concern,” she snapped.

“But it is. Talbot’s marriage to you is what captured my father’s interest. He wants a grandson to carry on the St. Claire name.”

“So give him grandsons.”

His expression darkened and his handsome features twisted in resentment. “My father does not approve of the woman I would marry. He threatens to disinherit me if I defy him.”

Rhoslyn felt a stab of compassion. “I am sorry, but I do no’ see how that concerns me.”

“If you do not marry Talbot, my father will be forced to relent. I am here to help you escape.”

“What? St. Claire’s guards will never let us pass through the gates.”

“Surely, there is a secret passageway that leads outside the walls?”