‘He is as devious as he is corpulent and ruthless to a fault. He smells like a stoat and tends to kiss his favourites on the lips. You will have heard the rumours of the young men who frequent his bedchamber.’
‘I cannot believe that.’
‘Well, you should. The English court is a licentious place with all manner of sin and corruption on offer. Once I left, I wanted to scrub myself for days to get the taint off.’
‘That is not what I imagined court to be.’
‘Ah, so I have disappointed you. Did you expect the place to be gilded and sophisticated, full of noble men and virtuous women? Trust me, lass, the men of the West March could give the English nobility a lesson in manners. Yet they say we are savages who need to be stamped out.’
Rowenna fell silent, no doubt cowed by the taint of anger in his voice. Jasper tried to be gentler. ‘You have not travelled much, have you, lass?’
She sighed. ‘I have not travelled beyond Threave and a few nearby villages, so I suppose you think I am just an ignorant peasant.’
‘No, and you were safer staying close to home. If you went to the English court, they would devour you in a moment, steal away your virtue and ruin you.’
‘Isn’t that what you want to do?’
‘I dearly want to steal your virtue. I cannot lie. The thought of it has plagued me these many nights.’ She coloured at this admission. He must guard his tongue. ‘But I would lift you up, not bring you low, Rowenna. I would make you my wife.’
‘You would make me your brood mare.’
‘There is nothing wrong with that. A man without sons is a man without a future.’
‘And I suppose your daughter is worth nothing?’ she said, turning from his gaze.
‘Caitrin will have every comfort, and she will have a good life. I hear you met her.’
Rowenna looked at him in alarm. ‘I was exploring Kransmuir and happened upon her. Was I not supposed to see her?’
‘No. I am glad you did. But remember, I know everything that happens in this keep. What did you think of her?’
‘She is a fine bairn, sturdy.’
‘And in dire need of a mother.’ He leant in. ‘I fear my mother and sisters are not up to the task, but you might be.’
Rowenna frowned. ‘And why would you trust her with me?’
‘I don’t rightly know. But I think you have a good soul.’ He put his hand on her arm, for he could not resist touching her. ‘Will you not see me as a good prospect, Rowenna? Can you not reconcile yourself to becoming mine?’
‘I won’t be some man’s possession.’
‘Every woman is some man’s possession, eventually. Best to choose the right man, that is all. I would have you come to this marriage and my bed willingly.’
‘Oh, I can grit my teeth and manage that. But willing is not the same as wanting, is it, Jasper?’
She had sliced open his weakness with a few words, and he could not stop himself. ‘Rowenna, I have long since dreamed of being wanted by a woman, not for riches, power, or position, but just for myself. I want a woman who will miss me when I am gone and welcome me when I return home.’ He stared into her eyes and found them beautiful. ‘I want warmth, sweetness, and loyalty, something to fight for, and I thought I might find that in you.’
‘If that is what you want, a dog will do just as well.’
‘But I am a vigorous man, and I need a woman who runs eagerly into my bed and never wants to leave it.’
‘While you go whoring all over the West March, leaving her with a swollen belly.’
He took her hand and kissed it. ‘That is the old Jasper Glendenning. I sowed my oats in my youth, but it brought me no peace. I am wiser now. Once I am wed, I will take no other, this, I swear.’ Rowenna’s lips were so close, he wanted to kiss her, now, before all his clansmen, but she would only recoil and shame him.
She stared up at him, blinking rapidly, and her colour rose. Desire was a flame in his belly, and just for a moment he thought he saw it in Rowenna.
A discreet cough broke the spell. Randel stood before them. He nodded at Rowenna. ‘You look very well this eve, mistress,’ he said with a grin.
