Read Online Highlanders by Tarah Scott - Free Book Online Page B

their father sent Dayton to the knight, as well. For the sake of their father, Talbot endured Dayton’s envy, jibes, and cruelty in those years before Talbot left to fight. But a father’s protection wouldn’t save Dayton now. Talbot would kill him.
    A rider approached. Another moment, and Talbot recognized Cullen, the scout he had sent ahead, and Ross, Alec Harper’s captain. When they met, the men fell into a trot alongside Talbot.
    “Their tracks enter Stonehaven,” Ross said, “but dinna’ leave it.”
    Talbot gritted his teeth. “He intends to leave by ship.” Would Dayton attempt to marry Rhoslyn before or after he left Scotland? Talbot had immediately realized his brother intended to marry her. At least that meant he wouldn’t kill her.
    “I spoke with the harbormaster.” Ross said.
    Talbot jerked his gaze onto the man. “I did not give you leave to speak with anyone. If you alerted Dayton—”
    “Dinna’ lose your temper, English,” Ross cut in. “I know how to be discreet.”
    “I advise you to remember that I am your lord,” Talbot snapped.
    “I advise ye to remember that you are in Scotland,” the man replied without rancor—or fear, Talbot noted. “The old harbormaster is more likely to talk to me than you, English. You might also remember that I have known Lady Rhoslyn since she was a lass of fifteen. I do no’ intend to let an Englishman steal her away from her home.”
    So there were those who knew the story of his father’s Scottish mistress, and how he took her and their son away to England.
    “What did you learn from the harbormaster?” Talbot asked.
    “A man booked passage for himself, two other men, and a woman. They leave tomorrow morning. Though the man does no’ fit the description of your brother, he is the only Englishman to sail. There are two inns near the harbor and one other reputable inn on the road leaving Stonehaven.”
    “Did you inquire at the inns?” Talbot demanded.
    “We stopped at the inn on the road and had a wee drink. That establishment is so busy, no one took heed of us. The cook is a talkative woman and I learned that no English passed their way in the last day. The inns near the harbor house are for those booking passage or for travelers with more money to spend than most who stay along the road. I wager your brother is in one of the two. ‘Tis better, I think, for us to separate your men and make inquiries. Ye want numbers to ensure he doesna’ escape.”
    Talbot nodded. “He will not escape.”
     
    “Dinna’ lose your temper,” Ross warned Talbot forty-five minutes later, as they dismounted at the inn nearest the harbor. Talbot had sent Baxter with a dozen men to the inn west of the harbor and the dozen he’d brought with him waited among the trees, alert for his signal. The remaining five quietly searched the harbor for signs of his brother and Lady Rhoslyn.
    “Let me do the talking,” Ross said. “Not all Scots like the English.”
    They entered the tavern and Talbot scanned the crowded room.
    Ross headed toward the bar, where a large man placed ales in front of two men. “Are ye the proprietor?” Ross asked the man when they reached the counter.
    “Who be asking?” the man demanded.
    “I am looking for a friend who might be staying here,” Ross said. “Large man with a dark beard.”
    “That describes half the men here,” the man replied.
    “Aye, but this one is English and he is with a gentle born lady.”
    Talbot caught the glint of interest in the man’s eyes before he said, “’Tis not uncommon for such folk to be here.”
    “I am willing to pay for the information,” Ross said.
    The man’s eyes narrowed. “I dinna’ want trouble.”
    Ross nodded. “Aye, but if I find out ye know something and you do no’ tell me, there will be trouble.”
    The man’s gaze shifted onto Talbot. “Who are ye?”
    “I am the lady’s husband.”
    “English,” the man said in derision.
    “Aye,” Ross said. “And a powerful