The whores he took with coin and a smile were probably just the same – enduring rather than enjoying, using him for money or advantage. In his youth, he had rolled in the hay with many a sturdy farm lass or merchant’s daughter with loose skirts, driven by an overwhelming, adolescent lust. He recalled those couplings fondly, for there had been mutual pleasure and merriment, smiling, laughing, hanging together belly to belly in abject sin. But since he had risen in power, people feared him. Did women who coupled with him now do so for fear of retribution if they did not?
Jasper sighed. There was nothing for it but to be kind in the hope he could arouse Rowenna and stir in her some kind of feeling for him. He had to gather the shreds of his pride and attempt to be a better man than he had been.
Movement along the trees below had him tensing until Randel emerged and galloped towards him, sending clods of earth up behind his horse’s hooves. Damn. He was in no mood for company. Jasper affected indifference as Randel skidded to a halt.
‘I heard you had ridden out in great haste. What is amiss?’
‘Nothing. I needed the air.’
Randel shivered and frowned at that. ‘How was your wedding night, Jasper? Did it go well?’
‘Rowenna held a knife to my throat.’
‘Oh, so better than expected then,’ snorted Randel.
Jasper could not help but laugh.
‘The lass has courage. I’ll give her that,’ said Randel. ‘But you did your duty by her?’
‘Aye, as best I could, for she is not fond of me,’ he said smoothly.
‘Women are a mystery, are they not? Hard to please.’
‘Aye, they are.’
‘Is that why you not abed enjoying yourself now? Tis weather to shrink a man’s balls out here?’
‘I will not press the lass to lie with me again too soon. She is a little reluctant, so I must be patient until she warms to me.’
Randel raised his eyebrows. ‘And if that doesn’t happen? I mean, you did threaten to kill her brother.’
‘Then I must get used to riding at dawn.’
‘And not in a good way, eh?’ smirked Randel. ‘Do not vex yourself, Jasper. Wives are for breeding, and there are other women for your pleasure. No point in tasting only one dish at the feast, eh.’
Jasper’s temper soured further. Usually, he laughed at Randel’s coarseness, but not today.
‘And speaking of her brother, I come with news,’ said Randel.
‘What has he done this time?’
‘A man has come forward. One of the Gunns, name of Baird. He saw our cattle being slaughtered, and he says one of the men responsible is Bran MacCreadie.’
‘I already suspect this. And how can we trust anything a Gunn says?’ spat Jasper.
‘Well, on that score, you’d best judge the man yourself.’ Randel whirled his horse around. ‘He is at Kransmuir awaiting your pleasure, and we’d best hurry, for he’ll not tarry long in case he is found out in his treachery and gets his throat slit with a Gunn dirk.’
Randel thundered away, and Jasper could only follow him. ‘What fresh hell is this,’ he muttered.
***
Baird Gunn was a whip-thin weed of a man. He clutched his cap nervously, twirling it in his hands. Jasper stared him down.
‘This report of Bran MacCreadie. How can I be sure you are not mistaking him for some other fellow or lying to rile me?’
The man suddenly found his courage, along with a good deal of anger. ‘I would know that son of a whore anywhere. He has been tupping Alwyn these past three months.’
Randel leant over. ‘His daughter.’
