‘Mistress, did you say? I’d not heard of one.’ Strachan had come up to them.
‘I’ve met her,’ said Rowenna.
‘Tell me everything,’ said Strachan.
‘She was breathtaking to look at but as horrible as the Warden. There was something evil about her, a cruelty in her eyes.’
Strachan frowned, and a grim look came over his face. ‘She would have to be a hard bitch if she is bedding Sir Henry. I cannot imagine him being kind to women.’
‘He is revolting, and he made me squirm, and strangely, the woman was not jealous. She seemed to enjoy my distress.’
‘Distress? What did he do?’ said Jasper, grabbing her arm. ‘You said he was nasty, not that he molested you.’
‘It was nothing I could not handle, so do not vex yourself.’
‘If he has laid hands on you, he will pay for it.’
‘I think the best way to make him do that is to ruin his plans to kill you,’ said Strachan.
‘No one cares what you think,’ said Jasper. ‘Rowenna, go back to the horses.’
‘I will not. I am staying until you tell me what we are doing.’
Strachan smiled down at her. He seemed to find her amusing. ‘Stubborn, eh? Is that in your blood, Rowenna, or has this one’s pig-headedness rubbed off on you?’ he said, nodding at Jasper.
‘Do not speak to her,’ snarled Jasper.
‘Very well. I have come with my message, so you may ignore it at your peril. Run to your doom, or run for your life. It is up to you.’ He took Rowenna’s hand and kissed it. ‘I do hope you survive, bonnie lass, for I hope we will be friends one day.’
Good God. Was the man flirting? Behind the big, brutish exterior, there was a certain rough charm which might appeal to some, but Rowenna was afraid Jasper might explode into violence at any moment. She was relieved when the man took his leave, and before he could berate her, Rowenna rounded on Jasper.
‘How can you even consider going further when there might be danger? And it’s not as if Maeve is keen on Carstairs. There will be other alliances.’
‘I know, and I have no intention of continuing.’
‘But you said…’
‘I said I didn’t believe Strachan because I won’t give that smug bastard the satisfaction of being in his debt.’
‘Well, it seems you are. Honestly, Jasper, it would be easier for you to tell me the truth now and again.’
‘I’ll not argue with you there. Let us go and tell the others to turn around.’
He took her hand and led her up the bank. Anger was coming off him in waves.
‘We lose nothing by being cautious, Jasper,’ said Rowenna, trying to placate him. ‘And I hope this does offend Carstairs enough to call off the wedding, even if Strachan is wrong and there is no plot.’
‘I disagree. Maeve has to be married.’
‘But you do not need Carstairs.’
‘You do not understand.’
‘I know this is a matter of clan pride, but you can find another alliance, Jasper. ‘Maeve can marry someone else.’
‘She cannot.’
‘Why?’
