He reached for her face, and Keely jerked away. But she could only retreat so far in the confines of the tent. He took another step and crouched down in front of her.
“Ye’ve missed the most important thing,” he declared. “Ye are no longer in the MacKays custody. And whoever and whatever is on Sutherland lands belongs to the earl. And my sire…” This time he caressed her cheek. “Gave ye to me to wife.”
She scoffed at his words. “The earl canna give away what belongs to another man.”
“Damn ye,” he muttered as he traced the arch of her eyebrows with his fingertips. As his hand moved down to her mouth, she waited until his thumb edged along her bottom lip, then bit him hard.
He screamed and shot up, shaking his bloody hand out like it would ease the pain.
Keely spat the piece of skin she’d bitten off on the ground.
“Ye little bitch.” He slapped her face, but Keely dinna feel anything.
Her fear had turned into rage which numbed her senses. And if she ever got her hands free, she’d beat him to a bloody pulp. As long as she fought for her own honor, there was nothing Struan could do to hurt her, even if he raped her.
“I will forgive ye for that bit of violence, Keely. But if ye ever attack me again, ye will be very sorry.”
She believed him.
“We will stay the night in camp. In the morning, I will take ye home. Helen will be overjoyed to have her companion back—her future sister.”
She could scarcely think or speak at the thought of ever stepping inside Dunrobin Castle again. The place represented everything she hated, now. “Does Helen know about any of this?”
“What difference does it make? She’s a woman and will do what she’s told. As will ye.”
“I am sure Helen would disagree.”
He shrugged, and it infuriated her that he could remain so calm.
“Let me explain it in simpler terms, my sweet. Behave, and I shall reward ye. Cause trouble of any kind, and I will show ye how cruel I can be.” To prove his point, he knelt in front of her again, only this time, he dinna touch her face. He lifted the hem of her skirts. “What are ye going to do?”
Keely sucked in a breath, weighing her options quickly. She could kick him, but then he’d beat her.
“Good lass,” he whispered as his hand slipped up her thigh. “Aye—dear God…” He cupped her sex. “This belongs to me now.”
She closed her eyes tight, picturing Alex’s face—pretending it was his hand between her legs, anything to ease the mental agony of knowing Struan was touching her.
“Open yer eyes, woman,” Struan commanded. “I willna take ye on the hard ground for our first time.”
Relief washed over her as she dared to look at him again. “Where will I sleep?”
“In here with me.”
“On the same bed?’
“Aye.”
“Am I expected to sleep with my hands tied behind my back?”
Struan studied her. “That willna make for a restful night for either of us. I will send the guards in to make ye more comfortable.” He started for the opening of the tent.
“Where are ye going?”
“Miss me already?” he asked, flashing his white teeth. “Doona worry, sweet, I will be back soon enough.”
After he left, Keely tried again and again to break free. The chord was too strong and tight, and her wrists burned from the friction.
“Alex,” she whispered aloud. “If ye ever loved me, please find me before it’s too late.”
