Highlanders by Tarah Scott Page A

“Hold,” Talbot ordered the men. Then to Roberts, “You dare draw a weapon under a white flag?”
    The man’s face mottled with rage. “Are ye daft, man? Think what you have to gain by joining forces with me.”
    “What have you to gain?” Talbot demanded.
    “Longford Castle.”
    That was probably the most honest thing the man had said all night.
    “Then take it when Seward is not there.” Talbot sheathed his sword and stepped into his saddle. “You have until I return to my army to leave before I attack.” Talbot whirled his horse toward the trees.
     
    Roberts lingered a few minutes before leading his men past Talbot and his warriors. It was the Highlander’s way of saving face and letting Talbot know he wasn’t cowed. But leave he did. Talbot waited until the last of the men filed past before taking Iain and leading a dozen of his men and all of Seward’s men to the gates of Longford Castle under his and Seward’s banners.
    “Call up to your lord,” Talbot instructed Iain.
    “Kinsley,” he called up to the battlements, “’tis I, Iain. St. Claire is with me. He is a friend.”
    A moment later, the gate opened and Talbot led the men inside. They were met by half a dozen men, Seward, and a young noble Talbot assumed was Melrose. Talbot swung his leg over his horse’s rump and stepped to the ground.
    “What are ye doing here, St. Claire?” Seward demanded.
    The baron was a large man, almost as large as Talbot, still well-muscled and more vigorous than many men half his sixty-two years. Talbot liked the man, and respected his desire to marry his granddaughter to a Scotsman. Seward understood King Edward’s power grab. None of that changed the fact that the old baron had miscalculated in defying him .
    “You are damned lucky I came,” Talbot said. “Especially given that you went behind my back to try and marry my wife to this pup.”
    Surprise flashed in the old man’s eyes. The younger man reached for his sword.
    Kinsley’s head snapped in the boy’s direction. “Keep your sword in its sheath, Jacobus.” He then said to Talbot, “Where is Rhoslyn?”
    “Where she belongs, at Castle Glenbarr.”
    “Ye devil. You have no right to take her.”
    “Take her? A man does not take his wife. I made sure she was delivered safely to her home. I did not take you for a fool, Seward. What did you hope to accomplish?”
    “What do ye think?”
    Talbot nodded. “She is my wife. Nothing will change that.”
    Seward studied him. “You could have left me to fight my own battle. Why interfere?”
    “Because my wife would hate me if I did not help you.”
    “Your king would have been better served if ye had left me to my fate.”
    “It is short sighted to believe that your money has greater value than your life,” Talbot replied.
    “‘Tis more likely ye wanted my gratitude by appearing to save my life,” Seward said.
    Talbot grunted. “I imagine I could arrive with a heavenly host and not receive your good graces. If you wish, I will send Roberts back to resume his attack.”
    Kinsley snorted, then turned his attention to his captain. “I suppose I have ye to thank for interfering?”
    “Roberts had another fifty warriors on their way,” Iain replied without hesitation. “’Tis my duty to see to your safety.”
    “’Tis your duty not to conspire with the enemy.”
    “Are you truly set on pitting yourself against your granddaughter’s husband?” Talbot asked.
    “I was set on you not being her husband.”
    At least the man was straightforward. “I am her husband. Nothing will change that. You know that as well as I.”
    “I have no intention of dying anytime soon,” Seward said.
    “I am sure Lady Rhoslyn will be relieved to hear that.”
    “You dealt easily enough with that dog Roberts. Did ye threaten to bring down the entire English army on his head?”
    “He was caught between my men and yours. He was wise enough to recognize the weaknesses of his position.”
    Kinsley glanced at