Page 238 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Chapter Seventeen

“I often wondered if Alec wasn’t at fault for your inability to conceive,” Seward told Rhoslyn.

Talbot liked the old baron’s honesty.

Lady Rhoslyn shrugged. “It would seem ye were right.”

Seward shifted his attention to Talbot. “Edward will be pleased to learn the news.”

Talbot shrugged and glimpsed the slight narrowing of Rhoslyn’s eyes. She hated it when he did that. She also wasn’t pleased that he had contacted her grandfather. She’d wanted a month. He’d given her three weeks.

“Edward might be pleased,” Talbot said.

“Ye know he will be glad,” Seward said. “But we will worry about that when the time comes. I am pleased.”

“That is enough,” Talbot said.

“When will the babe come?”

“Mid-spring,” Rhoslyn answered.

Seward’s gaze swung onto him. “Ye have had no word on the whereabouts of your brother?”

Talbot shook his head. “He seems to have disappeared."

“An adder waiting to strike,” Seward murmured.

Talbot had to agree.

“I assume the servants know about the pregnancy?”

“Aye,” Rhoslyn said, and shot Talbot a recriminating glance.

“It may no’ matter,” Seward said. “There is no telling what a madman will do. If we say nothing, Dayton may feel desperate enough to make a move. If we announce the pregnancy, he might become emboldened to make a claim. Either way, I wager he is still in Scotland.”

“There is the chance he realizes his folly and has given up,” Rhoslyn said. “He may simply be hiding.”

“Perhaps,” Seward said. “But it is more likely he is waiting for an opportunity.”

“Your grandfather is right,” Talbot said. “Dayton will not give up so easily.”

“Mayhap I should look for him myself.”

“Nay,” Rhoslyn blurted. She cast a pleading glance at Talbot.

“You can, but it would likely be a waste of time,” Talbot said. “I have men searching for him.”

“They are no’ doing a good job,” Seward said.

“You do not know my brother. He is a skilled warrior and hunter. He will not be easy to find. But he will make a mistake, and that is when I will catch him.”

The old baron glanced at Rhoslyn, then said to Talbot, “This will no’ be over until he is dead.”

“Aye,” Talbot said. “I know.”

Talbot happened to be on the wall when the rider was sighted in the distance, riding at breakneck speed.

“He is slumped in the saddle,” Baxter said.