“Now you want a husband? Your brother told me you were not particularly fond of the idea of an arranged marriage.”
“That was beforeyouviolated every code of chivalry that restrains men in power from taking advantage of their inferiors. I don’t care one bit where you come from, I am sure these rules are recognized on your side of the water, too. You have destroyedanyhope I have for a comfortable future. Any man, if one will still have me, will demand explanation as to why I am no longer a virgin. What shall I tell him, sir?”
“Who?”
“My future husband.”You blundering idiot.
His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something in return. He must have thought better of it, because he clenched his jaw and simply glared at her so intensely it looked like his head might implode.
“Did you not offer yourself to me with extraordinary willingness for such an innocent?” He nearly paced a hole in the floorboards. “Think you so poorly of what we shared together? Think you so little of me?”
“What can I base my judgment on? As you can see,” she moved off the bed and jammed her fingers into the sheets where flecks of blood stained the linen. “Until recently, I was an unfortunate maiden, completely unlearned in the ways of passion. Ineverencouraged your affection, but who am I to refuse my master? I am your slave, am I not?”
Secretly, she burned for him. However her body reacted to his, at least she still maintained control of her heart. And that would never belong to him!
His gray eyes zigzagged around the cabin. He looked away for a long time. And was denied any warmth the moment his attention wandered back to her.
“You displayed ample skill between those sheets,” he said, grabbing a hold of her arms. “I might question your reputation if I weren’t a gentleman.”
She snorted at his preposterous suggestion.
“A gentleman,” she scoffed. “You of all things are not. You’re a bloody conqueror who pillages and rapes without conscience! If we’re going to discuss anyone’s reputation,” she shot back, “do we have enough time to discuss your history before we anchor?”
“My actions have never been in question, madam.” His body swelled with rage; she could tell he was quickly losing patience.
Wearily, she touched his arm. The strength to argue abandoned her entirely. Half a truce was better than none. “I’m sorry, Randvior.”
He acknowledged her effort with a nod.
“Let us make our peace,” she said.
But he was not finished speaking his mind. He gripped her arms. “Did I not discuss the proposition of marriage with you before we sailed?”
She twisted and he let go.
“It was my understanding,” she said, “that you have a specific use for me. Perhaps offering my hand in marriage to someone for financial gain or to a political rival.”
He looked positively disappointed and drummed his fingers on the hilt of his sword. “If my intention was to auction you off or give you to a political rival, why should I risk devaluing my investment by claiming your maidenhead for myself?”
This question was unanswerable. She refused to be part of this conversation any longer and abruptly changed the subject. “What is aconcubine?”
He threw his hands up exasperatedly. “Something you shallneverbe!”
“What is it?” she pressed.
“A woman who provides the same duties as a wife without the benefit of marriage.”
Noelle scowled.
“Damn it, I know what you’re thinking, Noelle,” he said, taking her by the arms again and giving her a small shake. Randvior seemed to be mentally scrambling to find a way to convince her she wasn’t his mistress.
“I owe you nothing,” he said, deep lines creasing his forehead.
“Yes,” she replied. “You owe me nothing, but still own me.” The damage had already been done.
“I underestimated you,” he said. “You criticize too harshly for such a young woman. It’s a wonder your brother didn’t beat you to within an inch of your life before I came along.”
“He did, on many occasions.”
