"Yes, I seem to recall that you have always been anunusualyoung woman, dearest. Playing those card games with your father, flouting the rules that the rest of us are obliged to play along with. It always rather impressed me. Of course, the qualities that draw a man to a woman are not usually suitable once that woman becomes a wife. That's the unfortunate truth of it all, isn't it? Once a woman is married, her role changes. You know, my late wife understood that very well."
The hairs on the back of Paisley's neck prickled. She was still standing, swaying ever so slightly, and couldn't quite make herself move towards the door.
What was the point? Those thugs were outside. Waiting. What if Lord Ainsley decided that she needed to be taught a lesson? Would he let the thugs fall on her like wild animals? She shuddered, feeling sick.
Lord Ainsley's smile widened, as if sensing her fear.
"Yes, my dear wifeunderstoodthese things," he continued meditatively. "She'd been raised to be a wife, you know. Well-bred women always are. She knew not to ask questions, when to stay silent, and of course was always extremely obliging and obedient. Naturally, we had a few... a fewhiccupsin our early married life, but I am a patient and determined man, and soon all was well."
"That poor woman," Paisley muttered.
"Hm. She had one failing, which I'm sure you've heard of. She could not produce children. A rather serious failing, unfortunately. A disobedient wife can be...persuadedto obey. Character faults can be corrected over time, but producing children is another matter," he sighed, shaking his head, and began to polish his nails. "She had to go, unfortunately. It was most inconvenient. Now I have to go through the tedium of finding and training a replacement. I really must have an heir, you see."
"You... you killed her," Paisley stammered.
In a flash, he was on his feet, nail polishing forgotten, his nose only inches from hers. Paisley gave a squeak of fear, eyes widening.
He gripped her upper arms, fingers digging in painfully, nails no doubt leaving little red crescent-marks on her skin.
"Of course I killed her, you stupid girl," he hissed, eyes flat and dead as a shark's. "I am a man who knows what he wants and knows exactly what he is willing to do to achieve it. I was willing to play your silly games – courtship, pretending to care for you, but we all know that was a lie, don't we? I must say, I rather overestimated your intelligence, didn't I? You will come back with me, smiling and happy, and we will announce our engagement. There'll be some talk, of course – mostly about my generosity in taking you back after you shamed yourself so thoroughly. If you ever set foot out of line again, in deed, word, or even thought, I'll make you wish that I killed you, here andnow. You'll be sorry you crossed me, Paisley. I can promise you that."
She struggled in vain, trying to get away from the pinprick pain of his fingernails.
"I'd rather die," she spat.
He grinned widely. "Not a clever way of saying it, don't you think? I'm afraid you have no choice. If I'm to recoup my reputation, I need to marry you, and if I am to get an heir, I need to marry again. Don't worry, if you produce an heir within a year, I'm sure you can have a little more freedom. If not, and no baby at all appears... well, I've gotten over any scruples I had with my first wife, andyouhave forfeited any affection I might have held. I shall simply try again."
Fear washed through Paisley when she realized she couldn't escape. Perhaps it was foolish, but it was only now that the full horror and hopelessness of her situation hit home. How far away was she from the Keep? They were in the forest, but it was huge. They could be lingering near the borders of England, and no one would ever know where she had gone.
I never said goodbye,Paisley thought, tears starting to her eyes when she thought of Dominic.
"So, are we in agreement?" he asked, his smile widening at the sight of her tears.
Paisley wasn't entirely sure what made her spit into his face. Fury, perhaps, helplessness, and certainly rage. He flinched back, taken by surprise, but then the moment was gone. Lord Ainsley carefully withdrew a handkerchief and dabbed at his cheek.
"Before I leave, though," Lord Ainsley continued thoughtfully, "I think I shall pay a visit to the friends you made over here. There was one gentleman in particular who referred to himself as yourbetrothed. Well, we can't have that, can we? A dirty, ignorant Highlander, muddying the waters. Yes, I can see that I'll have to take action at once."
She felt sick. "He... he's not really involved with me. It was all pretense, you see. We aren't really betrothed. Please, you mustn't hurt him. I won't let you hurt him! It's not fair. Wearen'tbetrothed."
"Oh aye, we are."
The voice at the door made Lord Ainsley flinch, letting go of Paisley's arms and spinning around.
Dominic was leaning against the open doorway, and only then did Paisley feel the draft running through from outside.
"You," Lord Ainsley spat.
Dominic grinned cheerfully. "Aye, me. I heard ye were wantin' to speak to me, eh? I'm not sure I can condone the way ye havebeen speaking to me betrothed. We ignorant Highlanders tend to take great offence to that. I'd argue thedirtypart of that insult, but I am a wee grubby from me ride. Fair's fair, ye ken? Well, then, no time like the present, eh? Let's hear what ye have to say, man. Or better yet, let's see yer steel."
Dominic withdrew a long, sharp sword, glistening silver in the moonlight.
"Come on, then," he said softly. "Ye are a big man with a lot to say. Let's see ye pick on someone yer own size."
20
Dominic and Lord Ainsley stared at each other, the minutes stretching out.
"Well," the earl said at last. "It seems like I may have underestimated your intelligence. A tiny amount, at least."
