Wymon was incensed. ‘I am a worthy suitor, and I have vast holdings in the East March.’
Jasper smiled into Rowenna’s eyes. ‘His holdings may be vast, but in all the essentials, trust me, everything else shrinks with age.’
Rowenna stared wide-eyed at him, then blurted out, ‘He is not my choice. I don’t want to go with him.’
‘What? I will not stand to be disrespected like this,’ said Wymon. ‘I came in good faith, and I’ll have you know I am a laird.’
‘And I am a villain, so begone, before I open your flapping old gullet,’ shouted Jasper, blasting the old fool with his white-hot anger.
Wymon and his men scuttled out, and Jasper tried to calm himself. He would commit murder otherwise. He tore his gaze from Rowenna and marched to Rufus, towering over him. ‘I demand the debt I am owed and an answer for your son's treachery, or else there will be bloodshed this day.’
‘I know nothing of treachery,’ said Rufus. ‘Bran is a good lad. He has lost his way of late, but you will get your coin, even if I have to sell all of Fallstairs. But it is a small debt, really. Nothing to you.’
A small debt. Yet Rufus was prepared to put his daughter into an old lecher’s bed to get his hands on enough coin to pay it. How he hated the man as he glanced at Rowenna, so bonnie, vulnerable and sweet, sending an unwanted thud of lust to his loins. She deserved better than her family. Better than this life.
Jasper jerked his head towards Bran. ‘Your son owes me. So I will take him back to Kransmuir and clap him in irons. Let us see how a few months in the black bowels of my castle suits him.’
‘No. You cannot,’ shouted Rufus.
‘Then pay what you owe in coin or blood, MacCreadie.’
‘You know I cannot pay.’
‘Blood it is then.’ Jasper swept his sword out and held it at Rufus’ throat.
‘Stop. Please.’ Rowenna’s pleading cut through his rage. ‘My father is in his dotage. He cannot fight.’
‘I must have satisfaction, and he has had fair warning,’ spat Jasper.
‘Please. I beg you.’
To his horror, Rowenna fell to her knees at his feet and pressed her hands together in supplication. Raging inside, the cruel part of Jasper enjoyed seeing her beg.
‘I am sure Bran will account for himself. There must be some bargain you are willing to consider, Laird Glendenning,’ she pleaded.
‘Bargain?’
‘Aye. There must be some other way to settle this debt.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘Are you offering to settle the debt for these two fools?’
‘I will try, but at present, I have no money. But you will get satisfaction, I swear.’ She gave her father a pleading look.
‘Daughter, hush your mouth,’ said Rufus, shaking his head.
‘Hush yours, MacCreadie,’ said Jasper. ‘There is more than one way to settle a score. I am prepared to take the lass as payment for the debt, and you should be thankful for that mercy.’
‘No,’ cried Rowenna, leaping to her feet. ‘You cannot. I didn’t mean…’
‘You cannot take my daughter and defile her,’ cried Rufus. ‘She is a virtuous lass, untainted by the hand of a man.’
‘I can take her, and I will. What are you going to do to stop me? And who said anything about taking her virtue?’ said Jasper. ‘I mean to take her as a hostage until I get my money, though, now you mention it, her virtue seems like a good trade.’
Rowenna looked at her father for help, but that was a fool’s errand. Her hands clutched her skirts.
‘Look at me,’ said Jasper to Rowenna, taking her jaw in his hand to force her to face him. ‘Come with me as surety for your brother’s paying up, or stay here and get sold off to the next old man with deep pockets.’
‘I won’t be sold to you or anyone,’ she said.
