‘How can I not fear when I am to be torn from my home, family, everything I have ever known?’
‘Your father said you are to go with Glendenning before he changes his mind, so there it is.’
But Cecily was still missing. How could she recover her when she was at Jasper’s mercy. Did he even have any mercy?
‘You must help my father find Cecily, Morag.’
The woman snorted. ‘She’s not coming back, and I’ll not have a minute to myself now you are gone, and I must do all the work,’ she said.
Rowenna stifled the urge to slap her hard. ‘You will do your fair share, or I shall hear of it and punish you.’
Morag pouted and picked at a nail. ‘Shame you did not take Morgan when you had a chance. A fine match, he was, and too good for the likes of you, but you turned your nose up. I don’t know what that Glendenning fellow wants with you, but whatever it is, I don’t envy you, Rowenna. If you fall foul of that man’s temper, you’ll not be coming back any more than yoursister is. You’d best flatter him. All men like that. And never laugh at him, or you’ll get the back of his hand.’
‘Morag, I will not flatter that monster.’
‘Then you will have to bear your banishment as best you can and keep your head up, no matter what occurs.’
‘What do you mean? What will happen? What will he do?’
‘Tis clear as day, he fancies the look of you, lass. Many do, though you are blind to it. Jasper Glendenning is a man like any other, always sniffing after a bonnie face. If you want my advice, use his desire to your advantage.’
‘He will not try to dishonour me,’ said Rowenna. ‘I am to be a hostage and work off the debt until my brother pays what he owes.’
The woman snickered. ‘Bran will not pay. We both know that. And a man will say he is honourable right up to the moment when the urge to dip his wick grows too strong. And then he will take what he wants with violence and rip into your innocence and ruin you, lass. If you want to avoid a Glendenning bastard in your belly, you need to be cleverer than you are.’
Rowenna tried to drown out Morag’s spite, but the woman sauntered over, hands on hips. ‘Desire denied, love denied - that is power lass. You are a clever one. Bring him on a little and then repel him.’
‘Is that how you handle my father?’ said Rowenna quietly.
They locked eyes. Both knew it was true. Morag coloured. ‘Whatever you think of me, lass, I am just making my way in this world and using what I have. And my advice is kindly meant, for ‘tis a dangerous game to toy with men’s feelings. You need guileto manage it, and that Jasper Glendenning is terrifying, so I’d not push him too far.’
‘I do not take your meaning?’
‘Aye, you do. Glendenning is ruthless, greedy, lustful and no worse than most hereabouts. Men are all the same in the Marches, taking what they please, whenever they please. And he is better by far than that Wymon – all cold hands and withered cock, nought but a bit of gristle. Aye, you’ll get some rough handling from Jasper Glendenning, what with his appetite for flesh. But you can be more than a soft body to cushion him, is what I am saying.’
‘Since when have you cared about what’s best for me?’
‘That’s fair. But, listen. It is best for all our fortunes if you stay on Glendenning’s good side, and it’s better for Cecily to stay lost than come back here to another vile suitor. You may not like it, but that’s the way it is. Nought you can do about it but survive.’
‘Morag, I will not listen to you anymore. Be gone.’
But the woman hovered like an annoying wasp. ‘Believe it or not, you have my pity, lass. And you should know there is another reason that brute chose you, beyond your bonnie face.’
‘What reason?’
Morag just shook her head and cast down her eyes.
Rowenna grabbed her arm, digging her fingers into the flabby flesh as hard as she could. ‘You will tell, Morag, or I will slap you.’
The woman glowered. ‘I cannot say with any surety, but all I know is this. Jasper Glendenning was once in love - passionately, truly. ‘Twas a great love which would not be denied. He defied his family to pursue the lass, and then hewas let down and humiliated. She all but gelded him with her rejection. That fiend bled for love, you see, and he can bleed again.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I have seen her, the lass he wanted, so I know why he wants you, though you are but a shadow of Brenna Curwen.’
‘Stop your blathering woman.’ Jasper Glendenning leant against the doorframe. The words were softly spoken, but they held an undercurrent of steel. His eyes slid from Morag and fixed on Rowenna. What a strange look he bore - not anger, more a sudden devastation, gone as soon as it came, like a sudden squall of rain. He beckoned with his hand. ‘Come. It is time to go.’
There was no point in arguing. Jasper pushed his bulk off the door frame and grabbed her pack, and with a backward look at Morag, Rowenna followed him out of the castle with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
