Page 241 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Of course she does,” Rhoslyn said gently. “But she asked you to be patient and understand that her parents were no’ quite ready to let her go.”

“Aye,” he shot back. “They do no’ understand she is a woman grown.”

Almost a woman grown, Rhoslyn thought. But not quite. “Did it occur to ye that she does not want to hurt her parents?” Rhoslyn asked.

“They canna’ hold her forever,” he muttered.

“I doubt they want to do that. Do ye plan to have children?”

“Of course. I want many sons.”

“Mayhap a daughter or two, as well,” Rhoslyn said. “A sweet babe who will grow up into a beautiful woman.”

His cheeks colored. “Aye, a daughter would please me.”

Would her child be a girl this time? Would St. Claire be happy with a daughter? “Can ye imagine handing her over to a man?” Rhoslyn asked the young man. “Ever?”

His lips pursed.

“Her father has made his decision,” Rhoslyn said. “It is best ye abide by it. You are betrothed. You can wait a year for her fifteenth birthday.”

The young man looked as if he had been given a death decree, but he nodded. “Thank ye, Lady Rhoslyn.”

The door to the solar opened and St. Claire entered. The hard set of his mouth caused Rhoslyn’s heart to jump. Something was wrong.

“Ye may go, Lord Davis,” Rhoslyn said. “Lady Saraid, work on your needlework. It is on the table where ye left it.”

Lord Davis strode to the door. “Sir Talbot,” he said.

“My lord,” St. Claire said. “It is good to see you.”

The young man nodded, then left.

Rhoslyn rose and crossed to St. Claire.

“Will you speak with me in our chambers, my lady?” he asked.

“Aye. Lady Saraid, I will return later.”

They left and when they reached their solar, she said, “What is it?”

“Your grandfather, he is wounded.”

“Wounded? What do ye mean—Where is he? What happened?” The room spun. St. Claire grasped her arm. “Tell me,” she insisted.

“Someone attacked him on his return trip home,” he said.

Rhoslyn gasped. “Is he—”

St. Claire shook his head. “Nay, but I will not lie. He is seriously wounded.”

“Where is he?”

“In your chambers.”

Without another word, she ran across the room to her door and burst into her quarters. Mistress Miura sat on the edge of her bed beside her grandfather. In an instant, Rhoslyn took in the bloody bandages on the table beside the bed and the gash in his ribs.

She hurried to the bed. “How is he, Mistress?”