Page 181 of Wicked Highland Heroes

The two men exchanged a glance.

Ingram leaned forward on the table. “There are those who would prefer to see your brother wed the Lady Rhoslyn, instead of you.”

“What makes you think my brother wishes to marry my wife?”

“Ye put the bounty on your brother’s head because he kidnapped her. It doesna’ take much intelligence to know why.”

Talbot nodded. “Why is my brother preferable to me? He is less disposed toward Scotland than I.”

Ralf snorted. “Ye dinna’ expect us to believe that the Scottish mother ye never knew will sway your passions for Scotland.”

“No,” Talbot replied. “But Dayton never cared for anything save his own pleasures. I, at least, want to live in peace.”

“That will no’ make any difference to the lot out there,” Ingram said. “They are willing to sacrifice Lady Rhoslyn if it means King Edward’s interests are tied up in a family feud.”

“You realize Edward will uphold my marriage to Lady Rhoslyn, whether she is here or not?” Talbot said.

“Aye,” Ralf replied. “But that will no’ matter if ye are in England chasing after your brother and wife.”

Talbot realized they were right, and silently cursed. He had already considered how to secure Lady Rhoslyn’s safety before he left on what he believed would be at least a month-long journey to catch his brother.

“Ye do know he is claiming he and Lady Rhoslyn are married,” Ralf said.

“Married?” Talbot blurted. “God damn him to hell. I will gut him.”

Ingram grinned. “That would solve your problem.”

Talbot studied the two men. He liked them. Aside from their willingness to jump into a fight that wasn’t their own, they had a direct manner he appreciated.

“Would you two be interested in entering my service?”

“If ye are asking if we will find your brother and kill him, nay, I am not interested,” Ingram said. “I canna’ speak for Ralf.”

Before Ralf could answer, Talbot said, “Nay. My brother will die by my hand and no other. However, I would pay handsomely to find him.”

“I have no interest in going to England,” Ingram said.

Ralf actually shuddered and Talbot laughed. “I would not ask that of you. I only want to know if he is still in Stonehaven. I must escort my wife back to Castle Glenbarr in the morning. All I ask is that you make inquiries and keep your ears open—and, if you hear anything, send word.”

“Then your brother and Lady Rhoslyn are no’ married?” Ingram asked.

“It would be hard for them to be married when she and I were already wed,” Talbot said.

“Have ye said the vows?” Ralf asked.

Talbot took a drink of ale. “Nay, but that is a mere technicality.”

“Ye are in Scotland, man. ‘Tis more than a technicality. Your king may make all the commands he likes, but if Lady Rhoslyn says the vows with another man, ye will have a problem on your hands.”

“Edward is more than just my king,” Talbot said. “He is the Sovereign Lord of Scotland.”

Ralf laughed. “Let him come to Scotland and enforce his sovereignty. We will kick his arse back to England.”

“I have fought with Edward. You are mistaken.”

Both men grinned.

“Aye,” Ingram said, “but have ye ever fought a Scot?”