Page 281 of Wicked Highland Heroes

I understand your fears. We would risk all to protect our wives, even the wrath of our king. For this reason, I forgive your failure to heed my earlier command. However, there is a dire matter which requires your attention and cannot wait. Madog ap Llyweln is gathering forces for a rebellion. You are to leave immediately for Wales, where you will join my army at Gwynedd. Quell the rebellion and bring Llyweln to me.

The five hundred men-at-arms I sent with this letter will accompany you. You need not worry about Lady Rhoslyn. Five hundred more men are on their way to Castle Glenbarr. These, along with your men, will suffice to protect the castle until your return.

Send one of my men back with word that you are on your way.

When you quash the revolt, return to England. You will want to see your father. He is not well.

Talbot froze at the last line. Surely his father’s wife would have sent word if something was wrong? Talbot forced reason. This was a ploy—had to be a ploy—on Edward’s part to ensure that Talbot went to Wales. Still, worry niggled. His father hadn’t written. Considering the trouble with Dayton, their father should have replied to at least one of Talbot’s letters. Was Edward preventing him from writing? Had Edward intercepted the letters?

Talbot looked at Edward’s signature. He had signed the missive with a simple ‘Edward’ as if he and Talbot were close.He shifted his gaze past the battlement to the field beyond where waited five hundred men-at arms. Five hundred men who, without doubt, were commanded to besiege the castle if Talbot didn’t leave for Wales.

Edward believed unequivocally in his sovereignty—and believed that everyone should and would accept his authority. Which was why he would never send five hundred men to protect a knight’s family, even a knight turned earl. He expected obedience at all costs. Edward was not his friend.

Three weeks had passed since the abbess’s visit, with no word from Edward until now. She had told the truth. Edward intended that he die in Wales.

Talbot envisioned Rhoslyn and their son twenty years from now having lived with Dayton as their lord. Rhoslyn would never break, but she would hate the man who manipulated their son in order to maintain control over the earldom. It was highly probable Rhoslyn would kill Dayton long before that. She wasn’t a woman to let anyone hurt those she loved.

Edward’s letter meant that Talbot had to find Dayton—now. As the Earl of Baliman, Talbot could take a legion of men and upturn every rock until he found his brother. Then he would cut out his heart and send it back to Edward.

Talbot turned to Ross, who stood a respectful distance away. “Take your best man and leave through the secret passageway below the east tower. Send the man to Seward. You go to Lady Taresa. We need every man who can wield arms.”

“How long will the English army wait?”

“A day, no more. But that is of no consequence. They cannot take Castle Glenbarr before you return.”

He released a breath and looked again at the men who covered the field like ants. He had never run away from a battle. Staying behind, not going to Lady Taresa to gather his men felt like running away. His men. Whether by blood or by chance, he was the Earl of Baliman. The men who served Lady Taresa served him. The time was now to proclaim to all, Scottish and English, that this was his place in the world and no one, not a local warlord or the king of England was going to take that from him.

* * *

The door to the solar opened and Rhoslyn jerked her head up from the parchment she’d been staring at the last hour. St. Claire stood in the doorway. They stared for a long moment, then he entered, closing the door behind him. Rhoslyn sat frozen as he crossed the room.

He stopped beside the table where she sat. “The men will be here within the hour.”

She nodded. The knot that had been lodged in her throat since the English army arrived that morning moved higher in her throat.

“You have not forgotten what we planned?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“You will not falter?” he persisted.

She would, but she shook her head.

“Tell me,” he said.

How could she say the words?

He grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet.

“Say the words.”

She shook her head.

“Please me in this, Rhoslyn.”

She understood why he insisted. If she said the words then it would be real. But she didn’t want it to be real.

“You promised,” he said gently.