Thomasina walked toward the opening to the cave. Her father followed behind and spoke over his shoulder at Sean.
“Dunna be giving me any trouble.” Her father’s ominous words carried to her. “Ye dunna want to ken what I can have done to the likes of ye.”
“The likes of me?” Sean’s voice was tight. He followed them. “And what likes would that be?”
“One hoping to get between Tommy’s legs then leaving her behind.”
“Ye dunna even ken me. How do ye ken I’d be leaving her?”
Her father halted and turned toward Sean. Thomasina stopped as well. Her feet refused to move.
“Why would ye stay?”
She didn’t dare breathe. Her father must hate her.
“She’s a bonny lass. I find her much to my liking.”
“So what are ye offering me for her?”
Her breath caught in her chest. She couldn’t get it out. The bastard. How could her mother have ever loved this man? No wonder she died so young.
“I hear ye found yerself owing the man? Her betrothed?” Sean’s voice was warmer now as if they were just discussing the weather. A quick glance showed her he appeared relaxed. But then he crossed his arms in that we’ll-just-see-about-that pose. “Tell me what the other man offered.”
Her stomach dropped. They were discussing her worth? No. Not Sean. Father rubbed the unkempt gray beard at his chin in his pretense at thoughtfulness. “Well, well. Maybe I need to reconsider my options. Have ye anything of value?”
Sean smiled at him. The kind of smile that isn’t sincere. The kind of smile that doesn’t reach your eyes. The kind of smile that says you’ve outwitted someone. Sean had no idea how wrong he was. God help him.
Chapter 8
Sean’s heart was in his throat. This man was the cruelest bastard he’d ever met. He all but screamed Thomasina was worthless. The way he spoke to her. The way he scowled at her. And now the way he was willing to bargain for a better price and sell her to a total stranger.
It had required every ounce of strength to not take this man down. Sean had actually broken into a sweat when her father had struck her. Sean’s entire body locked up to keep from reacting. He had never had to work so hard to hold back his reaction. The man’s behavior merited a beating and so much more. Yet he was her father.
Sean couldn’t look at Thomasina. He didn’t dare. She’d see the truth. No one deserved a father like this. No one. He felt pity for her. So here he was bartering with this horse’s arse for his daughter. What would Sean do with her then? He had to protect her—one way or another. He could never let this strong spirited woman be at this man’s mercy again. He’d break her for certain. How she’d survived this long was a miracle.
“All that I have is of great value to me.” Sean received a frown for that answer. He wasn’t certain where the idea had come from. “What doyevalue?”
“What are ye asking?”
“Clearly ye dunna value yer own daughter.”
“Of course I do. I value her greatly. It would only be a great debt that would have me parting with my lovely Tommy.” He stopped to stab a finger toward Sean. “But that’s only if she’s a virgin still.”
“Ye’ve been told she is.”
Thomasina’s father scowled at him and slapped his hand down in a dismissive gesture. “Enough!”
He turned away from Sean. His stomach dropped.
“Get on the horse, Tommy.”
“Stop.” Sean froze, afeared his desperation came through in his voice. He took a hard swallow. “I am not done with my offer.”
The older man turned, his head shaking even before he started talking again. “Ye have nothing I can use. I need to have something of value.”
“I have gold.” Sean blurted it out without pausing to think first. His heart pounded faster. As fast as the desperation threatening to swamp him. “Ye’ll not need to be taking the lass back.”
Her father shook his head in a most pitying gesture. “Get another one, lad. She ain’t worth it.”
