Page 254 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“He is in the village. Someone has gone to fetch him.”

“Will ye sit in the solar?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I will remain in the great hall.” He started toward the table nearest the hearth.

She hurried to keep up with his long strides. “I will have wine brought.”

They neared the kitchen door and she veered away from him. She secured goblets and a flagon of wine and took them to the table.

“Ye are well, laird?” she asked as she poured the wine.

He grunted. “Well enough.” He took the wine she offered and drank half the goblet in two swigs.

Rhoslyn made small talk—much to his obvious annoyance—and she was sorry to see St. Claire arrive minutes later. He must have ridden with the devil on his tail. He probably feared what she might say to the earl.

“My lord,” St. Claire said when he reached Lochland.

“I will speak with ye, St. Claire, and I want no interruptions from your wife.”

“Rhoslyn?” he said.

She nodded and the earl reached into his tunic, produced a parchment, and set it on the table.

“This is Lady Andreana’s annulment. I have betrothed her to De Quincy.”

Rhoslyn gasped.

“Dinna’ bother arguing, Lady Rhoslyn,” he said. “The deed is done. Ye of all people understand duty.”

“Aye,” she snapped. “I understand duty, and I have been sacrificed for that cause twice.” St. Claire’s gaze sharpened and guilt knotted her insides, but she ploughed on. “But I will no’ hand over Andreana to a cruel man.”

“Then it is good ye have no say in the matter.” He turned his attention to St. Claire. “You understand the need to honor a betrothal as well as any man, and ye will honor this one. De Angers will be amply rewarded for his trouble.”

“Trouble?” Rhoslyn cut in before St. Claire could reply. “A man has his wife torn from him and ye call that ‘trouble’?”

“Rhoslyn.” St. Claire’s sharp voice startled her. He looked at Lochland. “Lady Andreana is not here. Sir Baxter took her to his home in England.”

“What?” the earl exploded. “This is a trick. Ye sent her away on purpose.”

“I do not deny knowing that you might annul the marriage,” St. Claire replied. “But it was Baxter who decided to take his wife back to England. He is not an indentured servant. He is free to do as he pleases.”

“Aye,” Lochland replied. “He is. Lady Andreana, on the other hand, is not free to do as she pleases. By order of the bishop, she is no’ married to Sir Baxter. She will return and honor the betrothal to De Quincy.”

“You are free to try and enforce the betrothal, my lord, but I wager Baxter has already confirmed the validity of the marriage with a bishop in England. You may petition King Edward, if you like.”

Lochland’s face reddened in anger. “Ye know an English king isna’ likely to dissolve an English marriage in favor of a Scottish one.” He rose. “I will no’ be thwarted by a lowly knight.”

“Then send an army to take Lady Andreana from Baxter,” St. Claire said. “But, beware, that lowly knight is no fool.”

“I was no’ speaking of him,” Lochland snapped. “I speak of you. Ye will obey me, St. Claire.”

“I am not disobeying you, my lord. I cannot force Baxter to give up his wife. However, I am under no obligation to obey you.”

“Ye are under Seward’s rule, and therefore under mine,” Lochland said.

“I am not under Seward’s rule,” St. Claire replied. “I am married to his granddaughter. Nothing more.”

“Beware, St. Claire,” Lochland said in a low voice. “Ye dinna’ have the power to defy me.”