Page 248 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“But you told Lord Lochland that we were already married. How will you hide the truth from him?”

Rhoslyn patted her hand. “Leave that to us.”

Andreana shook her head. “I must know, for Sir Baxter and I are to live this farce.”

“It is no farce,” Rhoslyn said. “You will truly be married. Father Crey will date the wedding’s church records four days past.”

Her brows rose. “That is a dangerous game.”

“The risk is worth keeping you from De Quincy,” Rhoslyn said.

Andreana nodded. “Aye.” She shifted her attention to St. Claire. “Thank you. This is a terrible risk. I am in your debt.”

Annoyance pricked. Rhoslyn had risked just as much as St. Claire, but Andreana acted as if she had nothing to do with saving her from De Quincy. Though, St. Claire hadn’t had to go along with the lie. He could have told Lord Lochland the truth and left Andreana to her fate. He did, in truth, have more than Rhoslyn to lose if the earl discovered their lie. Was he doing this to make up for her grandfather’s injury? Of course he was, he—Another knock came to the door. St. Claire bade them enter. The lad and Sir Baxter entered the room.

“Sit, Baxter,” St. Claire said.

The man’s brows rose, but he obeyed as St. Claire strode to the writing table in the far corner of the room. As he wrote something on a parchment, Rhoslyn noticed the furtive glances Andreana cast in Sir Baxter’s direction. Rhoslyn recalled the day Andreana returned to Castle Glenbarr, and her reaction to Sir Baxter when they were introduced, then the way she had watched him during the games. The girl was attracted to him! So this marriage might not be the prison sentence Rhoslyn had feared it might be.

St. Claire rose from the table with the parchment, folded and sealed. He instructed the boy to deliver the note to Father Crey in the village. The lad left and St. Claire faced them.

“Baxter, you will be pleased to know that I have betrothed you to Lady Andreana.”

Startlement flickered in the knight’s eyes. “Forgive me, my lord, this is somewhat...abrupt.”

“Aye,” St. Claire said, and recounted to Sir Baxter what had happened.

Sir Baxter gave a slow nod. “I have heard of De Quincy. It is said he does not deal fairly with his tenants.”

Rhoslyn snorted. “That is but one of his faults. He would rule all of Buchan, given the chance, and he would do it on the backs of those who work the land. He is a cruel man.”

“I suppose it is fortunate, then, that I am free to save Lady Andreana.”

The words were sweet, but Rhoslyn was sure she heard bitterness in his voice.

“Aye, it is,” St. Claire said. “Father Crey will perform the ceremony immediately, then you and Lady Andreana will leave for England tomorrow.”

Andreana gasped and Rhoslyn shot to her feet. “England? But why?”

“As long as Lochland believes his power is in jeopardy he will do anything necessary to protect his position. I can better ensure Lady Andreana’s protection if she is beyond his reach.”

“If she conceives right away, she will be of no use to the earl.”

“Just as you thought you would have been no use to me?” he asked.

Her face heated as much with anger as embarrassment. “There are a dozen other ways you can protect her,” Rhoslyn insisted.

“None so well as to send her to England. It is not permanent. Only until your grandfather recovers. Once he is well, he can take his affairs in hand and Lochland will not fight him on this issue. So long as your grandfather agrees with the marriage.”

“Ye need not worry,” Rhoslyn said. “Lord Lochland needs you as an ally. You saw for yourself, he understood and accepted your decision.”

“I saw a man who understands the value of strategy. Do not think he will give up so easily, Rhoslyn. It is not inconceivable that he will ask Father Crey to annul the marriage. Four days is not so long as to make an annulment difficult, and De Quincy would consider the loss of his young wife’s virginity worth the power he would gain against the House of Seward.” She started to rebut, but he shook his head. “It is not safe for her in Scotland, surely you see that.”

“What I see is that it is safer for you if she is away from here. It is less likely Lord Lochland will discover that you lied to him if Andreana is not here.”

His mouth thinned. “We lied to him, Rhoslyn.”

She stiffened. “You would rather I had let her go to De Quincy.”