“I’ve a proposition to make ye, Ranald. It’ll bring ye a lot of gold if ye’re interested.”
“Come into the house then,Mouse.”The giant ducked back under his doorway followed by Ian. Once his eyes became used to the gloom Ian could see about the huge room with its great fireplace. It was quite comfortably furnished. Ranald poured some whiskey into pewter goblets and thrust one into Ian’s hand, motioning him at the same time to be seated.
“Well, speak up, Mouse! How can I get myself this gold ye’re babbling about?”
“I’ll need yer word first that ye’ll aid me in a small undertaking of my own, Ranald. My undertaking will earn me a great deal of gold, too, but that gold I’ll nae share wi’ ye. Besides, it will take longer to get than the easy gold I hae in mind for ye.”
Ranald Torc shrugged. “Ye were always the smarter of us, Mouse. If ye say I’ll be satisfied, then I believe ye, for we’re kin, and I know ye’d nae cheat me because ye know if ye did that I’d kill ye. I’ll aid ye in yer undertaking, cousin. Now, say on!”
“Lord Bothwell is at this very minute on his way to Huntley wi’ BrocCairn. There’s a good price on his head, but no one can catch him. I know how to catch him, however. He and BrocCairn are cousins. He’s very fond of both Alex and Alex’s wife, who is expecting BrocCairn’s heir. Help me to kidnap Velvet Gordon, Ranald. Bothwell wouldn’t let anything happen to his cousin’s wife and child. He’s too much the gentleman. He’ll turn himself in, and I’ll gain the king’s reward for his capture, and ye’ll gain BrocCairn’s cattle, for we’ll steal them as well as his wife. He’s got a huge herd, Ranald! Since we’re at peace, most of BrocCairn’s men hae gone wi’ him, and the cattle’s unguarded.”
“Hae ye thought of how ye’re going to get Lady Gordon out of that fortress, Ian?”
“Aye! Ye can capture her when she comes to visit my wife atGrantholm.Ye know the stretch of lonely road between Broc Ailien and my holding. It’s the ideal place to take her!”
“And what’s to prevent BrocCairn from coming after her and killing me and mine?” demanded Ranald Torc. “A good wife can’t be replaced easily.”
“Ye need not fear Alex, Ranald. He adores Velvet, and the bairn she carries will be their firstborn. He won’t want anything to happen to her, and neither will Bothwell. They’ll cooperate, and we’ll both be rich men!”
“What does yer wife think of this, Mouse? Is she in agreement wi’ yer plan?”
“Annabella doesna know, Ranald. I’m leavingGrantholmwhen this is over.”
“Ah.” The giant smiled. “There’s another woman, is there?”
Ian laughed. “I’ll be leaving her, too,” he said. “I’m not of a mind to exchange one complaining woman for another. Here’s the best part, cousin. My mistress was Alex’s mistress! He brought her from England before his wife came, but he grew tired of her. She has his brat, a daughter. No one, not even my wife, knows that I’ve been using her.”
“Is she pretty?” Ranald Torc inquired.
“Aye. She’s got long yellow hair she wears in thick braids, and the biggest pair of tits I’ve ever seen on any woman, let alone one who just stands over five feet in height. Her skin is good, for she’s nae pockmarked like so many.” Then suddenly Ian had another idea. “Would ye like her, Ranald? I’ll gie her to ye! Alex’s cattle and Alex’s whore! ’Tis nae a bad deal, is it?”
“Well,” Ranald Torc considered, “I’ve nae had a woman in a long time. I dinna like hurting them, and ye know my problem.”
Ian did indeed know his cousin’s problem. Ian was himself very well endowed sexually, but his cousin was considered to be deformed, for his genitals were more like those of a stallion than those of a man. As young men are wont to do, the cousins had once compared the sizes of their cocks. To Ian’s intense embarrassment, Ranald was almost twice his size, and it wasn’t until Ian saw how he stood among other men that his confidence was restored. Ranald Torc was simply too big for most women, and even paid whores refused to risk injury when they saw his male parts. But he missed a woman’s warmth. Ian’s offer was a tempting one.
“If ye’re sure ye dinna want the woman anymore, Mouse, then, aye, I’ll take her. If I kill her it’ll nae matter since she’s an English whore, but won’t she object when she finds out ye’re leaving her?”
“Let me handle Alanna. I’ll tell her ye’ll nae help us unless she spreads her legs for ye. She’ll do it. She’s a greedy bitch.”
“How long do we have before BrocCairn returns?” Ranald was now making his plans.
“He’ll be gone five or six days, but we’d best do it quickly.”
“Aye, I’d agree wi’ that, Mouse.”
“Will ye bring Alex’s wife here?” Ian asked.
“Nay, cousin. That’s too obvious. We’ll drive the cattle south and sell them there. Then we’ll go to Edinburgh to await yer reward. I’ll hae my gold, and it’ll be harder for the Earl of BrocCairn to find us in the city than here. I’d like to live to enjoy my ill-gotten gains.” He chuckled.
“Lady Gordon is newly wi’ child, Ranald. Ye canna endanger her life or that of the child. Alex would kill me if ye did. I dinna like the bastard, but I’m no murderer,” Ian declared.
“Ye dinna think he’ll kill ye for leaving his sister, Mouse?” “Bella willna let him. I know her; she’ll be hoping that I’ll return to her.” “Will ye?” Ranald asked.
“Nay. I’m for France where I’m told a man can live well wi’ a goodly pile of gold. I never thought to hae such a chance, but Alanna is a wise wench and ’twas her idea, all of this.”
“I’m thinking then that ye’re a fool to let such a woman go so easily, Mouse.”
“A woman, Ranald, is a woman, be she wife or mistress. Keep one around too long, and they all begin to sound alike, to say the same things, to carp and complain without ceasing. From now on I intend to have a different woman every week, and that way I’ll never be bored again!”
