Page 271 of Wicked Highland Heroes

His gaze caught on her and surprise showed on his face, then his eyes darkened. Ross was right. He wasn’t pleased. He gave a sharp nod to one of his men. The warrior moved to Rhoslyn’s side, hand on sword hilt.

St. Claire pinned his hard stare on the men. “Which of you is Niall Kenzie?”

“I am.” The man riding a dark palfrey urged the horse forward a step.

“What do you want?” St. Claire demanded.

Niall narrowed his eyes. “I want to speak with ye.”

“You want to tell me that you are the rightful Earl of Baliman,” St. Claire shot back. “I have no time for family squabbles.”

“Then ye ought not to have joined our family.”

“Lady Taresa appointed me her heir,” St. Claire said.

Niall gave a derisive snort. “Taresa is an old lady who will do anything to recover a trace of her lost daughter. She isna’ capable of making such a decision.”

“And you mean to help her make a decision that names you Cailan’s heir,” St. Claire said.

“He has more right than an English knight,” a young man to Niall’s right interjected.

St. Claire shifted his gaze onto the man. “Not when that English knight is her grandson.”

“Even if ye are her grandson, ye are a bastard,” Niall said.

“You may debate my legitimacy with King Edward.”

“Ye mean to make war with us?” Niall demanded.

Rhoslyn didn’t like the nasty tone of his voice. Apparently, neither did St. Claire

“Lady Taresa made her decision. It is you who will not accept it.”

“She is no’ Scottish.” Niall spat the words. “The title belongs to a Highlander.”

“If you wish to discuss Scottish law, speak with your lord. He will explain your error.”

“‘Tis no’ I who err, Knight.”

“Leave now,” St. Claire said, “and do not return until you are ready to swear fealty to me.”

“Sweat fealty to Edward’s puppet?” Niall sneered. “Never.”

“Then never return.”

For an instant Rhoslyn thought Niall might draw his sword. Another of the men shifted and St. Claire said, “Beware, Kenzie. If any of your men make the mistake of drawing a sword, I will kill you first.”

Niall cursed, then yanked on his horse’s reins.

The beast started to turn and St. Claire said, “Kenzie.” the man’s head jerked in his direction. “Do not harass my grandmother or I will make war on you.”

The man stared for an instant, then kicked his horse’s flanks. The warriors moved aside as the palfrey lunged forward, and Niall’s men followed.

When the last man passed through the gate, St. Claire dismounted and strode to Rhoslyn. “My lady.” He grasped her arm and started toward the castle.

“You have accepted Lady Taresa as your grandmother?” Rhoslyn said.

“What?”