‘Think what a sweet feeling it would be to share my bed,’ he coaxed. ‘You can get a bairn with me. You can thwart Griffin’s plans, take revenge on his son for forcing your marriage, make a cuckold of your husband, and gain your freedom.’
His voice was so persuasive, so gentle.
‘I agreed to the arrangement with Cullen, and there is no forcing.’
‘Don’t lie. That’s not how I hear it.’ Butcher grabbed her arm. ‘I can make your body sing, lass. I can free your friends with one snap of my fingers.’
‘Take your hands off me. I want nothing to do with you.’
Butcher’s expression changed from seductive to suppressed fury. ‘If you can whore yourself for Cullen to get your way, then you can whore yourself for me. Think about it, Lowri. Time is running out for those lads, and I always get what I want.’
‘Did Griffin put you up to this?’
‘Do you think that snivelling weasel could make me do anything?’ His lips were an inch from hers. His grip was like iron, and there was no gentleness in his tone now, just hunger.
***
Cullen watched Lowri’s mouth come within inches of Butcher’s. Rage flooded his veins like poison. He had been delighting in her dancing, watching her black hair fly around her face and her red skirts swirl as she lost herself in the music. She had been wild, free, and his heart did a double-beat at the sight of her. Then it had twisted with anger as Butcher pushed her ageing partner aside and took hold of her.
Cullen’s first thought had been to rush in and punch Butcher’s grin off his face, but he held himself back. He wanted to see if Lowri favoured his rival, and by the way she was letting him whisper in her ear, with her face pink and eyes wide, it seemed she did. Lowri tolerated Butcher’s hands on her, sliding over the red silk dress, his face leaning in for a kiss. They hung together, belly to belly, eyes locked, lost in each other. Lowri let him caress her wrist as if he was going inside her.
Cullen’s dam of rage broke, and he launched himself at Butcher. ‘Get your hands off her,’ he snarled. He tore Butcher’s hands from Lowri’s arm and threw him sideways with such force that the man staggered into the other dancers.
‘You dare to touch me,’ screamed Butcher, and the whine of the fiddler faded away.
‘Aye, and I’ll do worse if you don’t take yourself off.’
Butcher’s snarl turned to a grin. ‘Your whore likes me touching her,’ he shouted, so that everyone could hear.
Cullen drew back his fist and smashed it into Butcher's face. There were gasps all around.
‘My nose. You broke my nose, you cur,’ snarled Butcher, bending double, blood seeping down his fingers and onto the floor. Then he leapt at Cullen, and they tore at each other, fists flying, knees to bellies, hands to throats, like two wolves trying to tear each other apart. Butcher’s fist slammed into Cullen’s belly with a sickening thud, but it did not slow him down. He hardly felt it. His next punch sent Butcher reeling backwards and, in a flash, the man pulled out a knife.
Captain Rabham appeared between them, risking life and limb. ‘Hold, lads. ‘Tis enough already. The lady’s honour was besmirched, and it has been avenged. No harm done. Isn’t that right, lassie?’ he said, turning to Lowri.
‘Aye,’ she nodded.
‘Shake hands and let it go, now,’ said the Captain.
Butcher spat at Cullen’s feet. ‘It’s lucky for you, I have somewhere I have to be. Next time, I’ll gut you, Macaulay.’
‘Come on, Cullen,’ said Lowri. Her voice shook, but she pulled him away with surprising strength for a woman. ‘Leave it. He is not worth the trouble. Come on.’
‘This isn’t over,’ he snarled back at Butcher.
‘I welcome our next encounter, Macaulay, and I’ll enjoy getting your drab under me in good time.’
Outside, the cool night air was like a balm to his battered face. Cullen leaned over with his hands on his knees. He’d taken a couple of good punches, and his head spun a little. Lowri lifted her dress and wiped blood from his nose.
‘Stop. You will ruin it.’
‘It is already red. It won’t show, and you are a fool, Cullen Macaulay.’
‘I didn’t like him pawing you.’
‘Well, I did not want him to dance with me, and you left me alone and unprotected.’
Cullen winced when he smiled. ‘You never struck me as the sort of lass that wanted nor welcomed my protection.’
