Highlanders (13 page)

“A woman who is capable of killing you. Dinna’ doubt it.”

He sneered. “What would Alec do if he were here?”

“He would kill ye for speaking to me this way—cousin or no.”

“Alec understood the meaning of loyalty.”

Rhoslyn nodded. “Aye, and you show no loyalty to me or Alec by threating my husband. I warn ye, Duncan, if so much as a hair on St. Claire’s head is harmed, I will not ask any questions. I will kill you. And, in case ye might wonder, my grandfather will bury your remains.”

Chapter Eleven

Rhoslyn whirled and hurried from the hallway into the great hall. Her mind raced. Her grandfather had said nothing about swearing fealty to King Edward—or any of the other recent political changes. He had taken an even greater chance than she’d realized by trying to marry her to Jacobus. If Edward learned that Baron Kinsley had conspired behind his back, he would imprison him.

She paused, scanned the crowded room, and spotted her grandfather near the small hearth on the left wall where a minstrel played a harp. She brushed through the crowd, but stopped when she came face to face with Lady Davina.

“Lady Rhoslyn, at last we have a chance to speak with you.” She startled Rhoslyn by pulling her into a hug, then drew back and surveyed her. “Ye look drawn. Are you well?”

Rhoslyn knew what she meant was, ‘What did Dayton St. Claire do to you?’

She hadn’t missed the looks Davina and other woman had cast her way throughout the evening. The other three ladies in her group murmured their agreement that she looked tired, and Rhoslyn replied, “A wedding and celebration in less than two days is taxing.”

“‘Tis more than the work.” A knowing light entered Davina’s eyes. “We heard what happened. For a man whose brother is challenging his marriage, Sir Talbot seems oddly at ease.”

“Lies,” Rhoslyn replied. “If Dayton’s claim had any substance, he would be here under the authority of Edward. Sir Talbot has the written command from his king that he and I are married.” In truth, Rhoslyn was relieved to have gotten St. Claire instead of his brother, but to hear the words from her own mouth tightened the knot in her stomach. She couldn’t, however, let these women see her fear. She shrugged. “Dayton is jealous of his brother and thought to use me as a pawn.” All the truth, and easily deduced.

“But he was alone with ye for a day,” Davina said.

Spiteful bitch
, Rhoslyn fumed. It wasn’t the villagers who spread malicious rumors, but those of her own social station.

Rhoslyn frowned as if confused. “What are ye saying, Davina?”

“I am saying nothing,” she replied. “I understand the way of things. King Edward betrothed you to Sir Talbot, and ye canna’ ignore his command, nor can Sir Talbot. But not everyone knows you as I do. If a child is born nine months from now—”

“If a child is born nine months from now, that will only prove that St. Claire is a lusty man,” Rhoslyn cut in. 

The other women tittered and Davina lifted her brows. “He is a bonny man. I can well believe he is lusty.”

A nervous flutter skittered across Rhoslyn’s insides. He was her husband in the eyes of the law and God, and could exercise his husbandly rights anytime he pleased, which meant she would soon learn just how lusty he was. She had known no other man save her husband. And Dayton St. Claire, she realized with a jolt. The weight of his body on hers as he shoved inside her suddenly pressed down on her as it had three days ago.

“Rhoslyn?” Davina said.

Davina’s face snapped back into focus.

“Ye looked as if you were somewhere else.” Davina exchanged a knowing glance with the other ladies. “You were no’ by chance remembering how
vigorous
your husband is?” Heat flooded Rhoslyn’s cheeks and before she could form a response, Davina added, “In truth, no one will dare gainsay the Dragon’s word, so it will not matter when your babe is born. In fact, the sooner the better.”

“Dinna’ call him the Dragon,” Rhoslyn snapped, then whirled,
the sooner the better
ringing in her ears. She steered around a crowd and halted when she nearly collided with Lady Elizabeth Broune. Rhoslyn blinked, startled to see her old friend.

“Elizabeth,” she blurted.

“Dinna’ look so pleased to see me,” Elizabeth said.

Under normal circumstances, Rhoslyn would have been ecstatic to see Elizabeth. But she hadn’t seen her since Dougal’s birth. Aside from her grandfather, Elizabeth was the person who knew her best. There would be no hiding from Elizabeth what had happened with Dayton.

“I-I am very pleased to see ye,” Rhoslyn said. “I am surprised, is all. What are ye doing in Buchan?”

“Iain had business. I came so that my son could visit my parents.”

“Son?” Rhoslyn repeated. A pang of sadness pierced her heart, but she said, “That is wonderful. How old is he?”

“Almost six months now.” Elizabeth’s expression sobered. “I am sorry about Dougal, Rhoslyn. I never had a chance to tell ye.”

Leave it to Elizabeth to address a mother’s concern before worrying about being married off by an English king. Might Elizabeth obtain the pennyroyal for her? Elizabeth had been her most trusted friend her entire life. If there was anyone she could trust... Nay. She loved Elizabeth like a sister, but this was a confidence that even a sister might betray.

A whisper rose from the darkest regions of her mind,
She will remind you that you are murdering your baby.

Elizabeth’s attention shifted past Rhoslyn, and Rhoslyn started when she entwined her arm with Rhoslyn’s. Elizabeth cast her a curious glance, then led her past a group of guests. A serving girl passed and Elizabeth stopped her and took two mugs of wine from her tray.

She passed one to Rhoslyn, then took a sip of hers before saying, “Why did ye leave without saying goodbye?”

“Because you were far away up north and I was too grief stricken to think clearly.”

Elizabeth nodded. “You could have told your grandfather to at least tell me where ye were. I would have written.”

“I was no’ allowed correspondence. Only my grandfather could communicate with me.”

Elizabeth dipped her head to take another sip of wine, but not before Rhoslyn caught the hurt in her friend’s eyes. “What would you have done?” Rhoslyn demanded. “Have ye any idea what is it like to lose a husband and a son in a fortnight?”

“Nay.”

“Then ye cannot judge me harshly.”

Wasn’t that what everyone was doing, judging her? Andreana, Duncan, Elizabeth, probably even her grandfather. He must believe if she hadn’t stayed away so long, she wouldn’t now be married to St. Claire.

“Forgive me,” Elizabeth said. “I didna’ mean it that way.”

Guilt rolled over Rhoslyn. She’d known Elizabeth her entire life. They’d seldom had more than a childish squabble. Elizabeth was one of the kindest women she knew.

“What of your new husband?” Elizabeth said. “I have yet to meet him.”

Rhoslyn shrugged. “He is English.”

“Is he terrible?”

Rhoslyn looked toward the head of the table, where St. Claire and Baxter sat in conversation. “See for yourself.” She nodded in his direction.

Elizabeth turned. “Sweet Jesu. He is very large and very...handsome.”

Frustration pricked. “So everyone keeps saying.”

Elizabeth’s attention returned to her. “Is he cruel?”

Rhoslyn barked a laugh. “Do ye call kidnapping cruel?”

“Are you speaking of his brother?” She laid a hand on Rhoslyn’s arm. “Did he harm you?”

“I am well,” she said too quickly.

It seemed as if Elizabeth would comment, but to Rhoslyn’s relief, she nodded.

“I must speak with my grandfather,” Rhoslyn said.

The hurt returned to Elizabeth’s eyes. “Mayhap we can talk tomorrow? I will be here for another week. ‘Tis fortunate I was here. I would no’ have known of your wedding celebration, otherwise.”

“I told St. Claire there was little time for anyone to attend, but he was determined to hold the celebration immediately.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Men do like to have their way.”

“Some more than others,” Rhoslyn muttered.

Elizabeth frowned. “What has he done, Rhoslyn?”

“Nothing.” And it was true. He’d done nothing—nothing terrible, that was. Aside from waylaying her when she’d fled the convent, he had been kind and even caring. She would rather he had been someone she could dislike. Someone like his brother, perhaps. A chill crept up her spine. Nay, not like Dayton. There was a difference in disliking a man and hating one.

“I must speak with my grandfather. It was good to see ye, Elizabeth.” Rhoslyn turned and pushed through the guests milling about the middle of the room. Her grandfather still stood where she’d last seen him. When she reached his side, he stopped talking and turned to her with a raised eyebrow.

She greeted his companions, then said to him, “Have ye a minute to speak with me?”

“Aye.” He nodded to the men and they left.

Rhoslyn drew him to the other side of the hearth, a little ways away from the musicians. With the music playing and the laughter and gaiety surrounding them, there was little chance of being overheard.

She leaned close and said, “You didna’ tell me that ye swore fealty to King Edward a month ago.”

He shrugged. “So?”

“If he discovers you defied him, you will end up in an English prison.”

Her grandfather snorted. “I did not succeed. He will warn me no’ to try such a thing again.”

“What better reason to seize your wealth than because ye disobeyed a royal command?” She shook her head. “And you call me naive.”

He released a heavy sigh. “Leave it be, Rhoslyn. What is done is done. I would have done it one way or another. I did no’ want ye to marry St. Claire.”

“Ye certainly have accepted him,” she said.

“Fate favored him. At the very least, he does protect his own, and ye are his. I can hope for the best.”

“The best?” she repeated. “Has Edward returned ownership of Banmore Castle to ye?”

“Aye. As well as all my other estates.”

“What of our nobles? Duncan told me Edward has yet to return ownership of their castles.”

“That is true of many,” he replied. “But Edward married you to St. Claire, and it was good business for him to ingratiate himself into my graces.”

“He is only grabbing power.”

“Aye, as are Bruce and Wallace.”

“But they want power for Scotland.’

“And themselves,” he said. She opened her mouth to rebut, but he stopped her. “Aye, they are our nobles and have Scotland’s interest at heart, certainly more than Edward. But they are working hand in hand with him. They fought amongst themselves like children. Someone had to step in and bring order. He made more progress in these last months than our leaders have in a year.”

Rhoslyn couldn’t believe her ears. “Ye sound as if you agree with him.”

“I agree with putting someone on the throne in Edinburgh. Not Edward,” he said quickly. “You underestimate our leaders, Rhoslyn. Do ye think they will let Edward dictate to them any more than I did when he ordered me to marry you to St. Claire?”

“Lot of good your rebellion did,” she muttered.

“Luck was not with us. Though how St. Claire knew ye were on your way I canna’ say. Did he say how he knew?”

She shook her head. “Nay. I would like to know that, as well.”

Her grandfather grunted. “I wouldna’ be surprised to learn he made a pact with the devil.”

“Just as you did with Edward,” Rhoslyn said.

“Dinna’ fash yourself over Edward, Granddaughter. Once he has settled the matter of the true successor to the crown, we will deal with him.”

“And how will you deal with my English husband?” she demanded.

“You really dinna’ know?” he asked.

Her pulse jumped. Was he in league with Duncan? “Ye cannot mean murder?” she said in a low voice.

He laughed. “I would consider it, but, nay. There is a simpler way.”

“And that is?”

“Fire up his Scottish blood.”

Rhoslyn stared. “
That
is your plan?”

“Scotland is a siren, and no Scot can resist her song.”

“God save us,” she muttered.

Before Rhoslyn could say more, she spied St. Claire. He stood now, casually looking down at Lady Isobel Herbert, and still managed to radiate danger. Rhoslyn wondered if it was the shoulders that filled out the mid-thigh length surcoat he wore, but realized it wouldn’t matter whether he wore chainmail or lawn. St. Claire didn’t look dangerous. He
was
dangerous.

Isobel laughed at something he said and laid a hand on his arm. Rhoslyn’s gaze riveted onto her fingers, small and elegant on the sleeve of his shirt. St. Claire seemed not to notice her touch, but Rhoslyn knew he did. He noticed everything. Yet he didn’t step away.

“Ye had best beware, Granddaughter,” her grandfather said. “Women like Lady Isobel have no compunctions about warming a married man’s bed.”

“I never had to worry about such things with Alec.” She silently cursed the tremble in her voice. What was wrong with her?

“Alec was no young man,” her grandfather said.

Neither was Isobel’s husband, which was one reason she had no qualms about seeking her pleasure elsewhere.

“I would no’ give St. Claire a reason to bed another woman,” her grandfather said.

“Men like him do no’ need a reason.”

“Ye canna’ condemn a man for being a man, nor can you condemn him before he has committed the crime.”