‘I have come to talk to you about my sister.’
He frowned. ‘Come and sit beside me, lass, and take your ease, for you are pale with cold.’ He pushed one of his men off a stool. ‘Be gone, all of you,’ he snapped at his companions. ‘I need to have this bonnie one all to myself.’ The others melted awaywith curious stares in her direction, and Jasper beckoned with his hand.
Rowenna was reluctant to get close to the man, for he was so intimidating. ‘I will not sit. I have come about my sister, Cecily.’
His blue eyes held her prisoner- intent, malicious, probing. ‘What of her? I heard she had run away.’
‘Do you have her?
‘Have her?’
‘Did you take her?’
He sneered. ‘Why would I?’
‘Because you stared at her the whole time you were at Fallstairs.’
‘That is because I was trying not to look at you, lass,’ he replied.
Rowenna stumbled over her words. ‘But…you…Cecily is beautiful, everyone says so, and you showed an interest in her.’
‘How could I not when your father threw her at my head? Is he doing the same now, sending his second-best daughter to tempt me? MacCreadie is in his dotage, but surely he could have mounted his bony arse upon a horse and sought me out for an answer about Cecily instead of sending you. Though I am glad you have come in his stead because you are a good deal easier on the eye than that old goat.’
Rowenna gulped down her fear at the bite of anger in his voice. ‘You must tell me if you have her,’ she cried.
Jasper Glendenning rose smoothly to his feet like a sleek hound, all six feet of him - towering, menacing, and Rowenna took a step back. Then he smiled, and it was as shocking asthe scar across his cheek, for it softened his face to the point of beauty. His eyes held hers, and Rowenna was shocked at how fine they were – the dark blue of the sky at twilight. There was a hint of red in his stubble and a pale line down his lower lip, an old scar. Oh, she was staring. She must not, so she looked down at her boots instead.
He gave a snort of laughter and tilted her chin up to meet his mocking eyes. ‘Do not fear. I have not taken your golden sister, nor would I ever, as I have no interest in her. But I am interested in you, lass. It takes courage to come and demand answers of me in a place such as this.’
‘Do you swear you do not have her?’ said Rowenna.
‘Aye, I swear it, for I’ve better things to do than steal silly lasses. Are you satisfied? Can I return to my ale now and send you back to your father. Is he waiting outside? Is your grub of a brother here?’
‘No. I came alone, and I will take my leave now.’
Rowenna rushed away, pushing folk aside in her haste, heart hammering. Outside, she hurried over to the smithy. The sun was already low, sending an orange glow into the clouds, and she had a long ride home. She hastily paid the smithy and was about to mount her horse when a grip on her arm pulled her up.
‘Fool,’ spat Jasper, his face in hers. ‘Everyone heard you in there. All those men now know you are travelling back to Fallstairs alone. It is miles away, and you’ll be lucky to reach it before dark.’
‘Then I have no time to lose. Unhand me.’
‘No. I will escort you.’
‘You cannot. No. I don’t need your help,’ cried Rowenna.
‘Take it all the same,’ he snarled. ‘There’s fell creatures about and wolves creep from the forest at night.’
‘The way I see it, there’s wolves here too.’
He laughed. ‘I suppose you mean me. Do you think I would tear at your flesh with my teeth? I would not cause you pain, lass, quite the opposite if you would only let me show you.’
What on earth did he mean?
‘Come, let us hurry, unless you long to be alone with me in the darkness,’ he said with that wicked smile again, implying all kinds of sin.
She squirmed to free herself, and Jasper jerked her towards him. ‘It was not a request, Rowenna.’
‘I will not go with you. I am not safe in your company.’
