Page 191 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Talbot started to point out that she had said the same thing about Dayton, then stopped. She knew Jacobus Auenel, and he was, after all, just a pup.

They went to the hall. Many of the people who had witnessed the marriage blessing milled about the room, along with Highland and English warriors. Preparations for the evening’s party were underway and women bustled between the great hall and kitchen, cleaning and preparing food.

Seward, Ingram, and Ralf, stood with Melrose at the hearth. The two Highlanders had made themselves at home, Talbot noticed. Baxter separated from Talbot and Rhoslyn, and continued on his way to the wall to check on the men as Talbot had ordered. Ingram and Ralf lifted quizzical brows when Talbot and Rhoslyn approached. Young Melrose’s gaze latched onto Rhoslyn like a lost dog. By God, he really was nothing more than a boy, and a lovesick boy at that, despite his twenty-one years. Talbot remembered himself at that age, already under Sir Hugh’s tutelage for thirteen years and knighted.

“Lady Rhoslyn,” Melrose said when they reached the group. “Are ye well?”

Talbot read genuine concern in his tone and a grudging sliver of respect surfaced.

“I am fine,” she replied.

“You would never say otherwise.” The boy turned his gaze onto Talbot. Ire flashed, which revealed more backbone than Talbot thought the lad capable of. “Less than a day under your care and she comes to harm. Ye dinna’ deserve to look her way, much less marry her.”

He had a point. Still...

“Yet we are married with a priest’s blessing,” Talbot said.

Shock registered on Jacobus’s face and he looked at Rhoslyn. “My lady, say it is no’ true.”

“When I didna’ reach Longford Castle, ye must have guessed, Jacobus.”

“I had hoped that when his brother kidnapped you that meant—” His eyes cut to Talbot. “Ye dirty dog. You have no right to marry her after what happened.”

For an instant Talbot thought Melrose knew the truth, then realized he was referring to Rhoslyn being kidnapped, which was, in truth, sufficient fuel for his anger.

“Ye canna’ blame the lad for being right,” Ralf said.

Talbot shot him a dark look, but Ralf only grinned.

Rhoslyn intervened. “Why are you here, Jacobus?”

His mouth thinned. “I wanted to be sure you were well.”

“I just said I was well,” she replied.

But Melrose clearly wasn’t convinced, for his hand fell to his sword hilt.