‘This is not a negotiation where I am bargaining for your hand, lass. This is the price of your brother’s life. You put yourself in my path, so you will remain at Kransmuir and work off the debt until it is paid.’
‘On her back?’ snapped Rufus in a rare display of defiance.
‘Any way I see fit,’ said Jasper. ‘But I will not dishonour her.’
How the hell could he not dishonour her when lust was taking flame in his loins every time he looked at Rowenna MacCreadie, when she had stalked his thoughts these last weeks?
Taking the lass fit his desires so well that he thought the MacCreadies might have planned it this way. He jerked a thumb at Rowenna. ‘Go and fetch whatever you need for your stay at Kransmuir.’ But the lass was frozen, stricken, just staring at him. ‘Go, I said.’
It was only when Rowenna rushed off that Jasper happened to glance at Randel. He looked thunderous.
‘Jasper, hold and consider,’ he said.
‘No. Make sure she does not run away like her sister.’
‘If you like,’ said Randel evenly.
‘What? Speak.’
‘Are we to go here again, Jasper? I know why you are drawn to the lass, but it will only end badly, and you know it.’
‘Coming with me is safer than staying here to have her virtue sold to the next old lecher who comes calling.’
‘And you think that lass’s virtue is safer with you? This is not the honourable course.’
‘Since when were we honourable? You want to see her in the bed of that old maggot or someone worse. Rufus will do it, you know that.’
‘But to take the lass and ruin her. ‘Tis not right.’
Jasper had no answer for that, so he turned away and fixed his gaze on Rufus, who had collapsed to the floor with his hands to his face. Jasper could barely contain his contempt for the old fool. He was not bemoaning the loss of his daughter, more the loss of Wymon Carruther’s money. An idea wormed its way from Jasper’s loins to his head, bypassing his heart, for that was shuttered for good.
‘How can this be?’ whined Rufus, a picture of self-pity. ‘How can my daughter be shamed in this way? I would have done right by her with a respectable marriage.’
‘Alright then,’ said Jasper. ‘I will forget the debt if you give me Rowenna’s hand. How much did that dried-up old husk offer?’
‘Jasper, stop. See sense now,’ cried Randel.
Rufus’ eyes lit up. ‘I…er…her hand?’
‘Speak, fool.’
‘It was a large sum, with land and cattle.’
‘I will let you ponder on a sum for a while. Send word to Kransmuir when you have come up with an amount which does not insult me or your daughter.’
Randel took his arm. ‘Jasper, this is reckless. You have only just lost your wife.’
‘And I need a mother for my child.’ He shook Randel off and stood over Rufus. ‘I need to ensure an heir comes, so Rowenna will be handfasted to me for a year. If she does not conceive, I will return her to you, and you can do whatever you want with her. Are we agreed, you drunken old wretch?’
Rufus nodded, and it was done.
‘God save you, Jasper. There will be hell to pay for this,’ said Randel. ‘And that lass will as soon slit your throat as share your bed.’
Chapter Nine
Rowenna’s hands shook as she threw her few possessions into a sack.
‘Tis best not to show fear with Jasper Glendenning. He is a terrible bully, and fear just spurs him on,’ Morag said unhelpfully from the doorway.
