Page 290 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“While Sir Talbot stands aside and watches,” Ronald sneered. “You are not afraid we will attack when you return to Castle Glenbarr? I was certain you would ride with us clear to Edinburgh just to be sure we left. Or is there an army hidden somewhere along the way to ambush us? Or is it that the Scottish whore has bewitched you into betraying your king?”

“Is this how English knights speak of a man’s wife?” Lochland demanded.

“Nay,” Talbot said. Then he thought of Dayton.

Dayton was a master strategist—a strategist who would have a secondary plan. When he saw the army Talbot was able to amass, he would realized that Talbot had no intention of leaving with Edward’s army. And he would have set into motion his secondary plan.

Talbot took two steps and stopped inches from Ronald, “Tell me where my brother is and I will let you return to England unharmed.”

Surprise flashed across the knight’s face.

Seward swore. “By God, the whoreson has hatched a plot.”

“Tell me now,” Talbot demanded. “What Dayton has planned is not in accordance with our law. He intends to kill me then take my wife and child.”

“I obey my king, not you,” Ronald snapped.

“Take him,” Talbot ordered Lochland. “Then surround his men. Kill any who lifts a sword.”

Lochland stepped up to Sir Ronald. “Raise the alarm and I will slaughter every last man with you.”

Talbot whirled and strode back toward his camp. Seward fell in alongside him. Neither man spoke, but Talbot knew the old man was thinking the same thing he was: Rhoslyn.

She was safe within Castle Glenbarr. She had sworn she wouldn’t set foot outside the castle. His men wouldn’t allow her to leave. No one had entered since he left yesterday.

Excerpt Lady Taresa through the secret passageway.

His heart began to pound. If anything was wrong, Ross would have sent word immediately.

They reached the horses and Talbot leapt into the saddle. He dug his heels into his horse’s ribs and shot forward before Seward could mount. Seward caught up with Talbot as he veered around a group of men and headed toward the east tower.

“Where are ye going?” Seward shouted once they’d left the camp behind.

“The east tower,” Talbot replied.

Minutes later, they reached the heavy brush that hid the secret passageway two hundred feet beyond the rear of the castle. Talbot jumped from his horse with Seward close behind. A shout went up at the wall as he plunged into the thick foliage. No torch burned within the passageway, so they were forced to slow. Talbot felt his way along the damp stone walls. When a glimmer of light came into view up ahead his blood chilled.

They reached the door to find it ajar. The guard he had left lay on the ground. Talbot dropped to one knee and surveyed the bloody gash in his forehead. He felt for a pulse and found a strong heartbeat. Talbot rose, hurried forward, and was met at the stairs by Ross and half a dozen men.

“Where is Lady Rhoslyn?” Talbot demanded.

“In her chambers,” Ross replied. His gaze fixed on the man lying on the floor. “What happened?”

“My brother,” Talbot said. “Damn him. See to the man.”

Ross ordered two of his men to bring the wounded warrior upstairs, then followed Talbot. They reached Rhoslyn’s room and found it empty. Talbot looked in the solar and his room, but she wasn’t in either place.

“Where might she be?” he demanded.

“In the kitchen?” Ross replied. “Your grandmother stayed with her last night. I havena’ seen either of them this morning.”

Talbot cursed. He knew he should have been more forceful when Lady Taresa insisted on coming to Castle Glenbarr.

They checked the kitchen, but they weren’t there and the women hadn’t seen them.

“Get Cullen,” Talbot ordered Ross. “He can track for me. He and I will ride ahead. Seward, gather five hundred men and follow.”

“Ross can gather my men. I am going with ye.”