by Tarah Scott
“Aye, my la—er, Taresa. I would be pleased for ye to be with me when the babe comes.”
Sir Derek appeared at the table to Taresa’s right, leaned down and whispered something in her ear. She paused, listening, then nodded. He left and she returned her attention to Rhoslyn.
“He is very devoted to you,” Rhoslyn said.
“He is.” Taresa’s gaze shifted onto the knight, who made his way through the crowded hall toward the postern door. “He has served me for fifteen years. I trust him with my life.”
And more, Rhoslyn suspected. It was obvious the knight was in love with his mistress. Rhoslyn marveled. She never suspected a love affair could carry on so late in a woman’s life and with a man so much younger.
Taresa looked back at her. “I never hoped to have a grandchild, much less a great grandchild,” Taresa said. “I am very pleased. I hope you and my grandson will visit Narlton Keep soon.”
“St. Claire might come, but not me. At least, not until he finds his brother.”
Taresa frowned and Rhoslyn realized she didn’t know what had happened. Fear seized her. Lady Taresa didn’t know that the baby Rhoslyn carried might not be St. Claire’s. Rhoslyn glanced to her right to find St. Claire staring at her. Surely, he hadn’t overheard their conversation?
“Forgive me,” Rhoslyn said to Taresa. “I am suddenly tired.”
It was only half a lie. She found she was tired, and the smell of the food on the table wasn’t setting well with her stomach. She rose before the older woman could protest and hurried toward the kitchen. Her gaze caught on Sir Ascot, talking with a group of men near the kitchen door. He stared, brows furrowed. The knight was sure to tell her grandfather she had left the great hall upset.
Rhoslyn slowed, then entered the kitchen. She murmured greetings to the women, then took the stairs. She reached her chambers and lowered herself onto the bench in front of the fire. When St. Claire and her grandfather had come to the private solar accompanied by John Comyn, lord of Badenoch, the shock had been no greater than their announcement that St. Claire agreed to claim the Earldom of Baliman.
Her first thought had been that the title would endear Scotland to him. But the rigid set of his jaw had betrayed his thoughts. He had accepted the inevitable, but was determined to serve only Edward. That, she realized with the same trepidation she’d felt upon learning she was to marry an English knight, meant he would put his now-considerable support behind Edward’s efforts to crown John Balliol. St. Claire’s allegiance to Edward was the very reason John Comyn had taken note of him. Comyn supported Balliol, and knew St. Claire would as well.
Her grandfather seemed oblivious to the danger. He had planned to set fire to St. Claire’s Scottish blood without realizing that St. Claire was as much Spanish as Scottish—and he ignored the fact the knight was English through and through. A tremor rippled through her midsection. Now, that Spanish heritage sat in her hall celebrating the upcoming birth of a grandchild that might not be hers.
Lady Taresa wouldn’t be so willing to witness the birth of a grandchild who might be the result of a rape. Would the lady’s attitude affect St. Claire? He had sworn the child was his and, to his credit, he hadn’t once made her feel otherwise. But Lady Taresa was his blood, and say what he may, blood made demands that couldn’t be ignored. Wasn’t that what her grandfather had implied when he’d said St. Claire’s Scottish blood would fire in his veins? Aye, but St. Claire was dead set against any Scottish claims on his loyalty.
Tears pressed against her eyes. What would become of their son...their daughters? Would their fates have been less brutal had she married De Quincy? Yes. St. Claire was a good man. He would be a good father. Unlike De Quincy, he would care who his daughters married. He had cared who Andreana married. But what would he do if the command to marry them came from Edward instead of Lochland?
A light knock on the door caused her to jump.
“Lady Rhoslyn.”
Lady Taresa.
“May I come in?” Taresa asked.
Rhoslyn swiped at a tear she hadn’t realized was slipping down her cheek. If she remained quiet maybe Taresa would go away.
“Please,” Taresa entreated.
Rhoslyn rose and went to the door. With a fortifying breath, she opened the door. “My lady,” she said.
A moment of silence passed and Taresa said, “May I come in?”
Mortification sent a wave of heat to Rhoslyn’s face. “Of course. Please, forgive me.” She stood aside and the older woman entered.
“What a lovely room,” Taresa said.
“Thank you. Will you join me by the fire?” Rhoslyn asked.
“That would be lovely.”
Rhoslyn led her to the bench. “Would you like wine? I can have some brought up.”
“No. Please, sit with me.”
“Of course.” Rhoslyn sat beside her.
She started when Taresa took her hand. “Talbot explained what happened. Can you forgive me?”
“Forgive you?” Rhoslyn said. “Ye have done nothing wrong.”
“It was an accident, yes, because I did not know that Talbot’s brother had abducted you.” Concern furrowed her brow. “You are well, yes?”
“I am well, my lady.”
“No. Taresa, remember?”
Rhoslyn nodded shyly. “Taresa. I am well. Talbot saved me before Dayton could take me away from Scotland.”
Taresa brushed back a lock of hair from Rhoslyn’s face. “Talbot tells me he could not be happier that you are carrying his child.”
A lump formed in Rhoslyn’s throat. “He said that?”
Taresa’s eyes narrowed. “He did not tell you that? Men,” she said with vehemence. “They can be such fools. We will speak with him.”
“Nay,” Rhoslyn blurted.
“Do not be afraid, little one, I can deal with him. Remember, he is my grandson.” She leaned close. “He does not yet know what that means, but I will teach him.”
Rhoslyn laughed. “I am certain you will. But you misunderstand. Tal-St. Claire has assured me how pleased he is we are to have a child.”
Taresa studied her. “You are certain?”
She nodded. “I promise. In this, he has done all he should.”
“In this?” Taresa repeated.
“Forgive me, Taresa, I do no’ mean to speak badly of him.”
“But...” the older woman urged.
Rhoslyn hesitated, then realized Lady Taresa was not a woman easily fooled. It wouldn’t be long before she understood that Rhoslyn politically opposed her grandson. Would she guess how deep the division ran?
“Talbot has been good to me,” she said, and it was true.
“But that is not all,” Taresa said.
It should be enough, Rhoslyn mentally replied. But it wasn’t. “Do ye know John Comyn?” she asked.
“Of course. He is one of the Guardians.”
“He is the brother-in-law to John Balliol,” Rhoslyn said.
“Ahh,” Taresa intoned. “And you fear Talbot will follow his lead and support Balliol.”
“Aye,” Rhoslyn replied. “Balliol is too amenable to Edward. Robert Bruce is a far better choice for the crown.”
“Indeed?” Taresa said. “Have you forgotten that Robert has been amenable to Edward on many occasions? Not the least of which is agreeing to appoint him arbiter of Scotland?”
Rhoslyn nodded. “Robert hasna’ been perfect. Who has? But he is loyal to Scotland. Balliol is nothing more than an English puppet.”
“You fear for your country and, perhaps, how your children will be used as pawns?” Taresa said.
“I am sorry,” she replied. “I know this is no’ the familial harmony ye seek.”
Taresa laughed. “I am Spanish, my dear. Familial harmony only means we do not kill one another.” A twinkle lit her eye. “We love a good fight. I think you and my grandson will fight well.”
That was exactly what Rhoslyn feared.
* * *
Talbot
stared down at Rhoslyn, her back turned to him in her bed. He wasn’t fooled. She wasn’t asleep.
He sat on the mattress beside her. “Are you feeling better?”
“I am fine,” she replied.
“You are not pleased?” he asked. “Your children will be nobility.”
“My children will have my noble blood in them,” she replied.
So she recognized the reality of the situation.
“John Comyn is pleased,” she said.
“Aye,” Talbot said.
“What will you do when Edward commands our daughters to marry an Englishman?”
Talbot stretched out on the bed and pulled her back flush against him. “We have no daughters yet, and already you have them married.”
“I know what lies in store for them.”
“To be cared for by a good man.”
She turned in his arms and faced him. “Will you promise me that will be so?”
Staring down into her dark eyes, he could refuse her nothing. “I promise.”
“And our sons,” she said, “will they fight English wars?”
“We have all fought English wars,” he said.
She studied him. “Will they serve an English king?”
“They will serve the King of Scotland.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Ye believe Edward will rule, that is why you say that.”
“I do not appoint kings,” he said.
“Oh, but ye do. The Earl of Baliman has much power.”
“I have no interest in choosing kings.”
“But you will,” she said, and his chest tightened at the sadness in her voice.
* * *
Rhoslyn stood on the parapet staring west. What seemed like an eternity passed before she spied several moving specs in the distance.
“Please, Saint George, bring the Dragon home,” she murmured.
At last, she discerned the riders and sent up a prayer of thanks.
Ross appeared at her side. “It is St. Claire.”
“Aye.”
When he and his men neared the castle, the warriors on the wall began the wide swing of the gate and Rhoslyn turned toward the stairs.
“Mayhap ye should remain up here until our visitors leave,” Ross said.
“I am safe enough,” she told him.
She had no intention of being absent when St. Claire confronted his grandmother’s relatives. His relatives.
Rhoslyn descended the stairs and stepped onto the ground as St. Claire shot through the gates with his men close behind. He turned his horse to face the half dozen mounted men who waited in the bailey, surrounded by a dozen warriors.
“I am gone from Castle Glenbarr less than a day and trouble enters my home,” he snapped.
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?”
Rhoslyn nearly trotted in order to keep up with his long strides. “You called her your grandmother. St. Claire, are ye in a hurry?”
He looked down at her. “In a hurry?”
“You are practically running.”
“Forgive me.” He slowed, but his hold on her arm didn’t loosen.
“You called Lady Taresa your grandmother,” Rhoslyn said. “That means you have accepted her as your grandmother.”
“It means I had to make sure those fools did not try to coerce her into doing what they want.”
“You mean you only said that to frighten them.”
They reached the castle and he opened the door, then urged her in ahead of him.
“The Kenzies are gone,” she said. “Are you no’ going to return to Dunfrey Castle? Surely your work there isna’ finished. You were gone for only a few hours.”
He closed the door behind him and stopped, “What were you doing in the bailey? Those men intended trouble. If a fight had broken out you would have been in the middle of it.”
“They were six men, guarded by a dozen of your men. A hundred more are about the castle at all times. I was in no danger.”
“Men like Kenzie cannot be trusted. He easily could have reached you before one of my men could stop him.”
Rhoslyn heard genuine concern in his voice, and the furrow in his brow deepened. “I didna’ come down until you arrived, St. Claire. I was on the wall watching for you.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why were you on the wall watching for me?”
“I thought it odd that they arrived during your first absence in a month. I thought they...”
Her answer seemed to catch him off guard and she thought he might relent, but he shook her and said, “You thought they might have laid a trap for me, then come here so that no one would accuse them of attacking me?”
That was very much what she’d feared.
“Then you understand how dangerous they are,” he said. “When there is trouble—of any kind—you are to stay in your room.”
He didn’t wait for a reply, but released her and pushed through the door without a backward glance. Why had he gotten so angry? Surely he knew she was perfectly safe? Alec had never gotten angry with her. He had never so much as raised his voice. But St. Claire wasn�
��t Alec.
* * *
Merrymakers celebrating the marriage of one of Castle Glenbarr’s knights to a baron’s daughter filled the great hall and spilled out into the bailey. Talbot had furnished wine, ale, and food for the festivities. With the ceremony barely two hours past and the men well on their way to inebriation, he received word that Lord Lochland waited in the bailey with a dozen men. Enough men to protect him on the road, but a small enough number to assure him that Lochland had not come to fight Still, as far as Talbot was concerned, they’d had too many visitors in the two weeks since he’d accepted the title.
Talbot caught the glance Rhoslyn sent his way when the warrior delivered the message, but didn’t stop when he passed her on his way to the door. He reached Lochland, who still sat astride his horse.
“Good evening, my lord,” Talbot said. “Have you come to join in the celebration?”
“There is no need to pretend that I am your lord,” Lochland said. “I am well aware you are the new Earl of Baliman.”
Everyone kept reminding him of that. Talbot canted his head. “I am still growing accustomed to the title. Will you join the party? Your men are welcome as well.”
“Come on, then, lads,” he said, and dismounted.
The men gave their reins to waiting warriors and Talbot led them toward the castle.
“I suppose ye know this means I canna’ enforce Lady Andreana’s marriage to De Quincy,” Lochland said without preamble.
“Yes,” Talbot replied.
“Will you hold against me that I betrothed her to De Quincy?”
Talbot appreciated the man’s straightforward manner. “Nay, my—Lochland. You only did what you thought best. You must know that Boyd marched against Castle Glenbarr as you predicted.”
Lochland nodded. “I understand Kinsley rose from his bed and dealt with him.”
“Aye.”
“Ye would be a fool to think that is the end of things with Boyd,” Lochland said.
Talbot wasn’t fool enough to think that Boyd was finished with him any more than Lochland was. “I expect to see him again.”
They reached the castle and Talbot opened the door. Laughter and music poured from the room. Talbot allowed Lochland to precede him, then followed the earl, with the earl’s men close behind.