‘We will see. I am a patient man. And Rowenna, you threw yourself into my path, coming in search of your sister. If you are being taken, then the blame lies with you.’
‘I did not throw myself at you. And you should have taken my brother. He is responsible for slighting you.’
‘Aye, but if I kill him or lock him up, how will he get me my money? Besides, I don’t want your brother. I want you.’
She dared to look at him, and there was something hungry about his expression.
‘Want me?’ she croaked.
Jasper brought his face in close. ‘Aye, want, lass.’ Then he put his hand on her waist and brought her up against him. Rowenna did not give him the satisfaction of fighting him. She made herself a statue in his embrace as his lips touched hers.
‘Jasper! You are wanted in the hall.’
Randel’s voice echoed across the yard, and Jasper looked around him as if he suddenly realised they were the object of much interest. His hand fell away from her waist, and he took her hand and dragged her into the bowels of Kransmuir.
***
Jasper strode into his hall to find his mother and sisters before the hearth. They had company. Seated at a table, drinking ale, was an old adversary and sometimes ally, Fraser Beattie. A lass stood beside him. She was skinny and plain, and therefore, beneath his notice.
They all rose, and his mother caught sight of Rowenna and narrowed her eyes. Glenna gasped and put a hand to her mouth.
‘I did not know we were to have company,’ said Jasper, swallowing irritation. He wanted to get Rowenna alone, not explain himself to this company of fools.
Fraser rose and bowed, eyes flicking to Rowenna. ‘Ah, Glendenning. I was hoping you would return. I have come on business, accompanied by my daughter, Emiline. I do not believe you have ever met, for she has been educated at a convent in Edinburgh.’
The lass stared at him with wide eyes as if he were a fearsome bear coming to devour her. Emiline’s voice quavered as she said, ‘Tis an honour to meet you, Laird Glendenning.’
Jasper doubted that very much but gave a curt bow in return.
‘And it seems we have another guest this day,’ said Glenna spitefully, looking Rowenna up and down.
‘I am no guest. I am a prisoner,’ spat Rowenna.
Emiline looked stricken and turned to her father. Maeve giggled.
Jasper tightened his grip on Rowenna’s hand. ‘This is Rowenna MacCreadie. She is to stay with us for a while as surety for her brother’s debt to me. She will be making herself useful, so use her how you wish, Mother.’
‘Will you do the same, brother?’ sneered Glenna, who received a glare from her mother.
‘He will not,’ snarled Rowenna, trying to tear out of his grip.
‘She’s a little insolent for a servant, is she not?’ sputtered Fraser.
‘I am as I should be, and what is it to you?’ replied the lass.
‘You will bite your tongue in my hall, chit, or I will rip it out,’ shouted his mother.
‘You will do no such thing,’ growled Jasper. ‘Rowenna is under my command, not yours.’
Fraser took his daughter’s hand. ‘It seems we have visited at an unfortunate time. Come, Emiline. We are leaving.’
Once they had departed, a tense silence fell. Jasper glanced at Rowenna who was outstaring his mother. He sensed a fight brewing and tried to head it off.
‘Did you really think that frightened rabbit of a lass would interest me?’ he said to his mother.
‘I will not have you speak ill of that lass while you have your hands all over this…this…creature.’
‘Have you had your say, Mother?’ he spat.
