Chapter Twenty Three
Rhoslyn lifted her eyes to the Christ in the alcove of the small chapel. “I beg you, Saint George, heed my prayer and save, protect, and defend the Dragon, Sir Talbot St. Claire.”
Surely, Saint George would give aid, for St. Claire was fighting to save her and their child. St. George would understand that, this time, the Dragon fought for the right.
She bowed her head and whispered the prayer.
Her knees began to ache, but she pressed on, begging that her prayers be heard. Despite her efforts, her mind wandered to the battle that must be waging outside the castle. Here, within the chapel, she was insulated...as she had been in St. Mary’s. Yet, her grandfather’s men had shown up in the middle of the night and ripped her from her peace. Would it be St. Claire who appeared in the chapel to tell her all was well or would—Rhoslyn opened her eyes and looked up at the statue of Mary.
“Forgive me.” She grasped the ledge of the alcove and pulled herself to her feet.
She stood for a moment, catching her breath. Only a little more than seven months pregnant, yet she felt as if she weighed as much as a horse. Rhoslyn caught her breath and felt her legs steady, then hurried from the chapel and up the stairs to the north tower. Before she’d gone halfway up the stairs, her breathing came in heavy gasps and her legs felt as if she waded through sand. She stopped and rested.
Twice more she was forced to rest before she reached the top floor of the tower. St. Claire had forbade her from leaving the castle, but he could not stop her from watching the battle from the north tower. And she could no longer sequester herself away from the world.
Rhoslyn paused in the doorway, startled by the silence. Sounds of a battle this large would penetrate even the thick stone of the tower walls. She hurried to the window and drew back the shutters. Campfires dotted the field in the darkness beyond the wall. She squinted, but could discern no riders approaching in the distance. Had St. Claire decided to wait until morning to attack? He had said nothing of this to her. But then, he wouldn’t. The English army would surely have scouts watching for danger. Wouldn’t they know if St. Claire approached?
She placed a hand over her belly and gently soothed as if to quiet the babe. Castle Glenbarr could easily withstand a yearlong siege. St. Claire had seen to that. Not that he’d believed it would be necessary. Lady Taresa had seven hundred warriors, and her grandfather, five hundred. The two hundred men inside the castle walls would stay while those three hundred who lived in the village and on his land would follow him into battle. Altogether, St. Claire would ride with at least fourteen hundred men. They would easily beat the English army back. But none of that guaranteed St. Claire would survive the battle.
Thank God they had discovered Edward’s plot to kill him. At least, that way, he stood a chance of surviving. Rhoslyn gave a small gasp upon realizing she hadn’t thanked the abbess for warning them of the plot. She murmured a prayer of thanks and one asking forgiveness for her selfishness.
Gratitude brought the desire to cry. The abbess was so kind to deliver the message personally. Rhoslyn could only wonder how Sister Beatrice had heard of Edward’s plan, but the abbess was a powerful woman. In the time Rhoslyn spent at the abbey, she had seen some of the Guardians visit. Even William Wallace once came in the early morning hours. Like the wee hours of the morning when her grandfather’s men arrived to take her to Lord Melrose.
Rhoslyn had been unlucky enough for the abbess to be away the night the men came for her. How different might things have turned out if she’d been there. Might the abbess have counseled her not to go? Might she have known something that would have better guided Rhoslyn? Had things turned out so badly?
The abbess had said she knew St. Claire would be glad for the baby.
For an instant, Rhoslyn was back in her cell, feeling Sister Hildegard dress her. “She sent me,” Hildegard had said of Beatrice. Beatrice had been there. Why, then, hadn’t she intervened? The appearance of her grandfather’s warriors to take her away in the middle of the night in order to avoid marriage to St. Claire was no small matter.
Rhoslyn’s thoughts came to a screeching halt. Aside from the men sent to bring her from St. Mary’s, only her grandfather and Lord Melrose knew she would be leaving the abbey that night. Her mind jumped forward. Was it possible one of the warriors had betrayed them and sent word to St. Claire? Possible yes, but probable? More probable than the possibility that Beatrice was the one who told him?
Beatrice hadn’t seen Rhoslyn off with the warriors because she had left for Castle Glenbarr before Hildegard came and told her the men were there.
It couldn’t be. Beatrice would never betray her. Never.
If not her, then who?
Rhoslyn mentally counted through the men who had been there that night. She knew them all. Not a one would betray her grandfather. But one of them had. How could she possibly prove it? St. Claire would know. Maybe. The traitor might have sent an anonymous letter. If Beatrice stayed at the convent, why hadn’t she come to Rhoslyn when the warriors arrived? If only she could speak with the warriors her grandfather had sent for her.
Sir Ascot. Her grandfather had left him at Castle Glenbarr to help St. Claire.
Still no signs of St. Claire. Worry tightened her belly. Had something gone wrong? Either way, there was nothing she could do. In the darkness, she wouldn’t be able to distinguish St. Claire.
She turned from the tower and hurried from the room. She stopped at the stairs and stared down. The climb back up would be difficult. Rhoslyn glanced back at the room, then turned and started down the stairs.
Sir Ascot wasn’t in the castle and Rhoslyn was forced to wait as one of the lads fetched him from the wall. She ascended to her private solar and waited. At least once she was done speaking with him, she would be rested for the trip back to the north tower.
He arrived a little while later.
“Sir Ascot, thank ye for coming. Will you sit?” She nodded at the other end of the bench were she sat.
“Nay, my lady. I canna’ stay long.”
“Of course. Forgive me for calling you here. No signs of St. Claire?”
He shook his head.
“I expected him before this,” she said.
“Dinna’ worry. I am certain he is safe. It may be it is taking more time than anticipated to gather his men.”
That was true. She had no idea how Lady Taresa managed her men. “I am certain you are right,” she said.
“Is that all?” he asked.
“Not quite. Can ye tell me, Sir Ascot, the night you came for me at the convent, how long did ye wait?”
“Wait, my lady?”
“Before I arrived.”
“It was some time,” he said. “I am of the mind that had we left sooner, Sir Talbot would no’ have caught us.”
Rhoslyn couldn’t help a small gasp.
“My lady, forgive me. I did no’ mean to blame you. You could not have understood the need for haste. In truth, I didna’ believe he would stop us. How could he have possibly known?” Sir Ascot paused, then his gaze sharpened and Rhoslyn realized he’d deduced that she knew something. “Have ye an idea who told him?” He went down on one knee before her. “Tell me and I will deal with the traitor.”
Rhoslyn smiled gently. “Sir Ascot, do ye regret our current circumstances?”
“You shouldna’ be caught in the middle of someone else’s war,” he said vehemently.
“And if this war had been Lord Melrose’s?” she asked.
He didn’t answer.
She laid a hand on his arm. “I understand your fears.” And share them. “Did my grandfather no’ send you here to help my husband?”
He bent his head. “Forgive me, my lady. I am yours to command.”
“Continue as ye have,” she said. “When you protect St. Claire, you protect me.”
He lifted his head and determined glint shone in his eyes. “Aye, my lady.” He rose, bowed, and left.
Rhoslyn stared even after the door had closed.
Abbess Beatrice had slipped away from the convent while Hildegard delayed her grandfather’s men.
Why?
* * *
Talbot glanced past the warrior carrying the torch and caught sight of the approaching rider.
The man drew up alongside the torchman and said to Talbot, “There is a company of men, about two hundred, approaching from the rear.”
“Who are they?” he demanded.
“They are flying the banner of Lord Lochland.”
Talbot exchanged a glance with Seward, who rode to his left. “Have you any idea what he wants?”
Seward shook his head. “Nay.”
“They are riding fast,” the warrior said.
Castle Glenbarr lay two miles ahead. Talbot found it hard to believe the earl was headed anywhere but there.
“I will take my men and see what he wants,” Seward said.
“Nay,” Talbot replied. “I do not want to deviate from the plan. We will arrive at Castle Glenbarr together. When Edward’s army sees that they are outnumbered three to one, there is a chance they will retreat.”
“Ye are still intent on not killing them?” He gave Talbot no chance to reply. “They will only return with more men.”
“I will not slaughter my countrymen for obeying their king’s command.”
“Ye had best prepare to slaughter them, for they may no’ retreat,” Seward said.
Anger shot to the surface. “Aye,” he said. If that happened, he would deal with Edward. “Take your men and circle around behind Lochland,” he told Seward. “But do nothing unless you hear us attack.”
“I suppose I must obey ye, Lord Baliman.” Seward’s amused tone took the sting from the words. He called an order for his men to follow, and steered his horse to the right to circle back.
Talbot sent a hundred of his men back around the other side. Then he turned the remaining five hundred men, faced the oncoming riders, and waited.
Minutes later, a lit torch appeared on the road in the distance. The approaching riders Talbot didn’t slow, but Talbot knew they had to have seen the torch held by the man to his right. The thunder of horses’ hooves soon reached his ears. The men neared, then slowed and finally stopped fifty feet away. Lochland rode forward alone and halted in front of Talbot.
“I am pleased ye had the sense no’ to attack me,” Lochland said.
“What do you want?” Talbot demanded.
“I understand ye have English visitors,” Lochland said. “A few of my men are anxious to meet them.”
“I will not trade favors, Lochland,” Talbot said.
“Aye, eventually ye will, but I am no’ asking it of you.”
“Why do this?” Talbot demanded.
“Edward might be a good arbitrator, but he has no right to force any of us to our knees.”
“Do you forget that I am English?” Talbot said.
“Nay, just as Edward hasna’ forgotten that ye are a Highlander.”
The earl was right. Edward was all too aware of his Scottish connection, which Talbot suspected had a part in Edward’s plan to murder him. How much did Lochland know?
“What makes you think Edward sent his men to force me to do anything?”
Lochland laughed. “Edward does no’ send five hundred men to Scotland to ask for anything.”
That was also true.
“You will do as I command,” Talbot said. “If the men-at-arms retreat peacefully, I will allow them to return to England.”
A moment of silence passed before Lochland said, “What will ye do if they return in greater numbers?”
“Kill them.”
* * *
Rhoslyn once again stood in the north tower watching through the window when the door behind her opened. She whirled and startled to see Lady Taresa enter. Behind her came Mistress Muira.
Rhoslyn hurried forward. “My lady, what are ye doing here? St. Claire, is he with you?” She hadn’t seen them arrive.
Taresa clasped her hand. “No, child. He is not with me. He told me of your secret entrance and Derek brought me.”
“Ye should no’ have come,” Rhoslyn said. “I am surprised St. Claire allowed it.”
She laughed. “He has no power to command me. Though he did try. When I told him I was coming and he could not stop me, he instructed Sir Derek on how to enter through the secret passageway. It was necessary I come.”
“It isna’ safe,” Rhoslyn insisted.
“It is quite safe,” she replied. “The English army has no interest in me. I could have passed through their ranks and entered through the front gate, but to open the gate was too risky.”
Rhoslyn shifted her attention to the housekeeper. “How did you know I was in the north tower?”
“Ye were no’ in your apartment. It was an easy deduction.”
Rhoslyn nodded, then said to Lady Taresa, “Come, let us sit in my solar.”
Taresa’s gaze shifted to the window. “You can see the battlefield from here?”
“You can see the men. The battle hasna’ begun. St. Claire has yet to arrive.”
“Then we should stay and watch.”
“Nay,” Rhoslyn urged. “It is cold and drafty.”
She ignored Rhoslyn and crossed to the window. “You are wrong, child.” Taresa looked at her. “Talbot has arrived.”
* * *
Talbot sent Lochland to the west and Seward to the east. Sir Derek caught up with Talbot after delivering Lady Taresa safely to Castle Glenbarr. Her stubborn determination to join Rhoslyn reminded him of his sister. “Determination runs in our family, Talbot,” Taresa had said, and he’d half wondered if she’d read his mind.
She had pointed out that he would need Sir Derek to lead the men from Narlton Keep, so it would be easy for Derek to deliver her to Castle Glenbarr first. Talbot intended to refuse, to the point of locking her in her room, until she reminded him that Rhoslyn was very pregnant, and it would be a comfort to have family nearby while he dealt with the English.
Talbot sent Sir Derek south, while he approached from the north. Beside him, rode the warrior carrying the only lit torch amongst their ranks. As expected, when they neared the castle and the English camp, men mounted horses and met them before they reached camp.
Talbot brought his men to a halt.
“Who goes there?” called a man.
Talbot recognized the voice of the captain, Sir Ronald. “It is I, Sir Talbot.”
Ronald urged his horse forward. He drew near and squinted at Talbot. “You did not leave through the front gate, St. Claire.” The man’s voice dripped with accusation. “Who are these men?”
“My men,” Talbot replied. “Go back to England, Ronald. Tell Edward I know of his plot.”
“Plot? What plot?”
The man’s surprise sounded genuine. Talbot could easily believe Edward hadn’t chosen his captain as his assassin. If Talbot refused to return to England, Ronald would try to force him, while the assassin waited for an opportunity to kill him. That doubled Edward’s chances of making sure Talbot left Scotland.
“Return to England,” Talbot said.
“I cannot leave without you.”
Talbot glanced at his warrior holding the torch and nodded. The man lifted the torch high above his head. Three companies of men emerged from the trees beyond the field, from the shadows beyond the camp. They seemed to bleed from the darkness.
Shouts went up in the camp.
“You had better stop them,” Talbot said. “You do not stand a chance against my army.”
Sir Ronald stared at him for an instant, then called, “Evan, return to camp. No man is to draw a sword.”
Evan turned his horse. The beast lunged forward, then broke into a gallop.
“How many?” Ronald demanded.
“Sixteen hundred,” Talbot replied.
“You could be lying.”
“I am not. When the sun rises you will see.”
“Why not kill us?” Ronald asked.
“If you do not leave at dawn, I will.”
* * *
“It had to have been St. Claire.” For the dozenth time, Rhoslyn stalked to the window in her solar, despite knowing she could see little of the men camped beyond the wall.
After the two groups of riders met and talked, the English returned to their camp, and the riders followed, then camped beside them.
“Why is he staying out there?” she said.
“You did not think the English army would leave because he asked nicely?” Taresa said.
Rhoslyn looked at her. “Ye think they mean to fight?”
“No. I think they mean to wait until the light of day to be sure they are outnumbered. It will not be easy for them to tell King Edward they did not raise a single sword. They will have to be certain they are vastly outnumbered.”
Rhoslyn glanced at the window. “But ye do think they will leave quietly?”
“Everything is quiet, Rhoslyn. Have faith in Talbot. He does not want to fight his countrymen. He is giving them every opportunity to leave peaceably.”
“That does no’ mean they will.”
“Come, sit with me.” Taresa patted the bench beside her. “You do not want to overexcite yourself.”
Truth be told, Rhoslyn was tired. But she couldn’t think of sleeping.
“Come,” Lady Taresa urged. “Talbot will not be pleased if he returns to find you overwrought.”
Rhoslyn did as she asked and sat beside her.
“It is kind of you to come to me,” Rhoslyn said.
“You are my family. I would not be anywhere else.” She smiled. “Family is what matters, yes?”
“Aye,” Rhoslyn agreed. “There is nothing more important.”
“Tell me,” Taresa said, “have you and Talbot decided upon a name for the baby?”
Rhoslyn shook her head. “St. Claire has said nothing.”
Taresa snorted. “Men. Never mind. Have you a name in mind?”
“We could name him after his father.”
“Talbot is a fine name,” Taresa agreed.
“My grandfather’s name is Hugo. My father was named Henry.”
Taresa’s brow rose. “You are certain it is a boy? What if you have a girl?”
“I do no’ know. St. Claire seems to want a son.”
“All men want sons. But they love daughters, as well. An older sister will keep her brother in line.”
Rhoslyn laughed. “No’ if she is like me. I was always in trouble.”
“Not you,” Taresa said in a teasing tone.
“Aye.” She recounted the tale of how she had left Banmore Castle in search of her puppy. The animal had gone missing and Rhoslyn was sure he’d gotten lost outside the castle.
The evening wore on, and Rhoslyn at last was forced to give into Lady Taresa’s insistence that she sleep. Her eyes grew heavy, and despite her best efforts to continue watch through the solar window, she knew it was best for the baby if she rested.
“If ye hear anything, you will wake me?” Rhoslyn asked of Taresa, once she’d agreed to retire.
“I promise,” the older woman said. “But let us hope it is Talbot who wakens you in the morning, and not me.”
“Ye dinna’ have to go.” The words were out of her mouth before she could catch herself and she dropped her gaze.
“This bed is certainly large enough for two,” Taresa said. “Would you mind very much if I stayed with you?”
Rhoslyn lifted her eyes. “I would be very pleased for you to stay with me.”
Taresa leaned close and said, “It will teach Talbot a lesson if he decides to visit you in the middle of the night. He will think twice about leaving you alone, yes?”
Rhoslyn laughed and hugged the woman.
* * *
“You look as if you need sleep,” Talbot said to Seward.
The old baron didn’t look up from campfire he stared at. “Ye worry about yourself, St. Claire. I am well enough.”
Morning light nipped at the edges of the east horizon. None of them had slept. Some men lay sleeping, some talking in low tones, but Talbot listened to noises from the English camp. The sounds suggested men rousing and tending their horses. Unless Sir Ronald intended to attack, his men were preparing to leave. Talbot wasn’t a religious man—Rhoslyn was religious enough for the two of them—but if he thought praying would speed Edward’s army on their way, he would have passed the night on his knees.
Talbot glanced at the castle. From here, he couldn’t see Rhoslyn’s room or the chapel. He hoped she’d had sense enough not to spend the night in the chapel. If Lady Taresa directed any of her determination upon Rhoslyn, she might, at some point, have gotten his wife to go to bed.
“If they leave, it isna’ the end,” Seward said.
“Nay,” Talbot agreed.
“It seems ye have taken a stand against your king, after all,” Lochland said. He lay on the ground on the other side of the fire. “I wonder why.”
That does not mean I betrayed him,” Talbot said.
“Despite the fact he betrayed you?” Lochland said.
Talbot looked sharply at him. It was an obvious guess, but caught him off guard nonetheless.
“Do ye consider it a betrayal to protect yourself?” Lochland asked.
“Nay,” he said, but the knowledge didn’t stop the sting.
“Good.”
Seward remained silent, but Talbot knew the man still seethed. Edward’s desire to grab power by forfeiting a loyal knight’s life confirmed his worst beliefs about the English king.
“It has been a long night,” Lochland said.
“You and your men are welcome in Castle Glenbarr once Sir Ronald and his men leave.”
The earl grunted. “‘Tis the least ye can do.”
They fell silent as the sun lifted slowly and dawn finally made an appearance.
Lochland broke the silence. “We have company.” He stared at something beyond Talbot.
Talbot twisted and looked over his shoulder to see Sir Ronald approaching with one of his men. Talbot rose and turned as they neared. Lochland and Seward stepped up alongside him.
“We are preparing to leave,” Ronald said, when they reached Talbot. “You know what Edward will do when I return without you.”
“Would you prefer to fight now?” Talbot asked.
“So you can slaughter my men?” he sneered. “Have you any message for Edward?”
“As I told you last night, tell him I know of his plan.”
Sir Ronald hesitated. “Think of what you do. This is treason.”
“Is that what Edward told ye?” Seward interjected.
“Quiet,” Talbot commanded.
Ronald looked from the old man to Talbot. “I would speak with you alone.”
“Ye can go to the devil,” Seward growled.
“I must speak with you,” Ronald insisted of Talbot.
“Dinna’ be a fool,” the baron said. “Ye know what a snake Edward is.”
“Enough,” Talbot said. He nodded at Sir Ronald and started away from the two men.
“Remember your duty to my granddaughter and great grandson,” Seward called after him.
“Remember your vow to me,” Talbot replied. He hoped Seward kept his word and didn’t tell Lochland or anyone else about Edward’s plan to kill him.
They walked until they left the larger clusters of men behind. Up ahead, Ronald’s army prepared to leave, though, to Talbot’s frustration, they seemed in no hurry. Some were saddled and mounted while others still saddled their horses. Others still sat in groups talking.
“You are Sir Talbot St. Claire,” Ronald said. “You have been Edward’s favorite from the beginning. What have these Scots done to turn you against him?”
“Return and deliver my message,” Talbot said.
“Return with me, I beg you. Whatever has happened, Edward will forgive.”
“Edward will forgive?” Talbot shot back. “You know nothing of what Edward has to forgive.”
Ronald stepped closer. “He is our king Your king.”
“Aye,” Talbot said. Just as Talbot was his knight. But that hadn’t stopped the pontiff from trying to kill him—all so he could seize Talbot’s newfound power. “Have your men ready to leave within the quarter hour.” Talbot started to turn, then stopped and added, “Tell Edward this. I will be sending him my brother’s head.”
Shock shone on the knight’s face, then his gaze shifted past him. Talbot glanced over his shoulder. Seward and Lochland approached.
“I beg you not to listen to them,” Sir Ronald said in a low voice. “They have poisoned you.”
“It is not them who poisoned me,” Talbot said in a growl, “but the faithless king you say I serve.”
“Faithless? You speak treason.”
Seward and Lochland reached them.
“Your wet nurses have come to lead you home,” Ronald said. “I suppose I should not be surprised that you are allowing me and my army to leave instead of fighting. You have turned craven, St. Claire.”
“This one doesna’ know good fortune when it stares him in the face,” Lochland said. “If ye have an itch to fight, my men will oblige.”
“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.”
“I dinna’ understand,” Ross said. “If a stranger entered the castle and went to Lady Rhoslyn’s room, someone would have noticed. Your brother could no’ have gotten inside the castle undetected.”
“Aye,” Talbot agreed, “but he could have found someone willing to bring Rhoslyn to him.” And when that traitor found the women together, he took the two of them instead of killing Lady Taresa. What were the chances Dayton would consider that a good idea? Her death furthered his interests. That gave Dayton control of the title once he married Rhoslyn.
“They canna’ have gotten far,” Seward said. “Do ye think your brother would chance returning to Stonehaven? You have a mighty big price on his head there.”
Talbot had a big price on his head in all of Scotland. Dayton couldn’t hope to outrun Talbot while burdened with Rhoslyn, who was heavy with child. He wanted the baby almost more than he wanted Rhoslyn. Where would he go? Then Talbot knew.
“Seward, you remember John Comyn’s cousin, Davey?”
“Aye,” he replied, then understanding dawned on his face. “Your brother doesna’ plan to leave Scotland.”
“Why leave when I will be dead any day?”
Seward nodded. “Then he will emerge from whatever rock he has hidden under—married to Rhoslyn.”
A man entered through the postern door. Sir Derek. He crossed to the staircase where they stood.
“What has happened?” Derek demanded. “Ye have surrounded the English army.”
There was no avoiding the truth. “Lady Rhoslyn and Lady Taresa are missing.”
“Missing? How is that possible?”
“My brother must have taken them.”
Derek stepped toward Talbot. The three men with Talbot surged toward Derek.
“Hold,” he commanded, and they stopped.
“Why did the kidnapper take Lady Taresa?” Derek demanded.
“Maybe he found them together and preferred that to killing her,” Talbot said. “I do not know.”
“She was under your protection,” Derek snarled.
“You can aid in finding her or stay,” Talbot said. “Either way, I am going.”
Derek stared for a long moment, then gave a curt nod.
Minutes later, Talbot stood with Cullen, Seward, and Derek beside the secret passageway’s door.
Cullen inspected the floor. “Two men,” he said. “Though only one ascended the stairs.”
They went outside. A warrior waited with horses for Cullen and Derek.
Cullen took only a moment to study the tracks. “Four horses. They rode north.”
“Is Davey’s home north?” Talbot asked.
“Nay,” Seward said. “But what do ye wager the tracks turn east toward his home?”
Two riders. His brother and the traitor who let him in. Guilt rolled over Talbot. He sat in the camp on the other side of the castle while someone entered and kidnapped Rhoslyn and Lady Taresa.
“I should have blocked the passageway before I left,” he muttered.
“Why did ye no’?” Seward demanded.
Talbot vaulted into the saddle. “Because I am a fool.”
* * *
To their surprise, the tracks turned west. When they reached Colliston Gorge, Talbot realized why the riders had gone that way. The tracks were lost amongst the rocky terrain and even Cullen couldn’t be certain which way they’d gone.
“East,” Seward said. “I feel it in my gut.”
Talbot felt the same. His instincts had served him well in the past, but he couldn’t afford to be wrong. “Cullen, you will wait here for the men Ross is bringing. Send him east with half on my trail, and you lead the other half. Study the tracks, follow the freshest trail you can find.”
Cullen nodded, and Talbot headed east with Seward and Derek.
Seward had told Talbot that Davey’s keep was well fortified and would withstand a siege long enough for Rhoslyn to birth their child. Once cornered, though, Dayton would be more dangerous than he already was. They had to catch them before they reached Davey’s home. Talbot kept his gaze on the ground and prayed they picked up the trail again.
They found tracks an hour later. Another hour passed before Talbot glimpsed a red silk half-hidden by calf-high grass. Sir Derek cursed and shot ahead. Talbot caught up with him and, together, they reached the spot at the base of a hill where Lady Taresa lay.
Talbot dropped to one knee beside her, Derek opposite, as Seward reined up beside them and dismounted. Derek slid an arm beneath her back and gently lifted her upright. That’s when Talbot saw the blood that coated the grass beneath her.
Her eyes fluttered open.
“Where are you hurt, my lady?” Derek said.
A gentle smile touched her mouth. “I knew you would come,” she whispered, her soft accent marred by a raspy breath. Her eyes shifted to Talbot. “And you, my grandson.” She lifted a hand and he took it. “Find your wife and my great grandchild.”
“I will.” Talbot’s heart thundered. “Are they well?”
She gave a tiny nod. “He has not harmed them.”
“He?” Talbot repeated. “My brother?”
“He is one. The other is Bret Carr.”
“I know him,” Seward said.
“He came to Rhoslyn’s room.” Lady Taresa swallowed. “You would have been proud. Your wife is brave.”
Talbot’s blood chilled at the thought of how Rhoslyn’s bravery must have put herself and their child in danger.
“They ride fast,” she said. “It is not good for Rhoslyn.” Taresa released a shuddered breath.
“I will take you back to Castle Glenbarr,” Derek said.
Her eyes shifted to him. “No. I will not be returning.”
“My lady,” he began.
“Derek.” He went silent and she returned her attention to Talbot. “I am so happy to have found you.”
“And I you,” Talbot said. “But save your strength. Sir Derek will take you back to Castle Glenbarr. I will find Rhoslyn. Do not fear.”
“There is a small village twenty minutes north,” Seward said. “They have a healer.”
Lady Taresa shook her head. “They are not far ahead. Find them, Talbot.” She looked at the knight. “Derek.” The word came out so weak Talbot thought it had to be her last.
“My lady,” Derek replied.
She motioned with her hand for him to come closer. He bent his head and she pulled him close so that his ear touched her mouth. Talbot couldn’t hear what she said, but Derek’s “Nay, my lady,” told him the knight was hearing the truth he couldn’t accept. Taresa released him and he lifted his head and looked down at her.
“There is a healer twenty minutes away. You are strong. I will take you there.”
She grasped his arm. “Swear.”
“Taresa.”
Talbot heard the raw plea in Derek’s voice and exchanged a glance with Seward, who gave a tiny shake of his head.
“Derek.” The strength in her voice startled Talbot and for an instant he thought she might survive her wound. Then she coughed a wet cough he knew went soul deep.
“Swear,” she insisted, then added in a gentler tone, “my love.”
Derek bowed his head. “I swear.”
Relief washed over her features and she turned her face toward Talbot. “Tell Rhoslyn I am sorry I could not see my great grandchild born.”
Talbot considered telling her all would be well, she would be there, but he saw the light dimming in her eyes and the plea that her request be honored. She did not want her family to forget her.
“She will understand, Grandmother.”
Her mouth parted in surprise, then relaxed into a weak smile. “Remember, you are my grandson. Our family does not accept defeat.”
She closed her eyes and released her final breath.