As if she’d allow that old man to stuff his flaccid tarse into her body.
Something would have to be done soon, though. Her ingredients for the dwale were running low and it wasn’t likely the traders who sometimes visited the castle would carry opium and hemlock among their regular wares.
Perhaps she could convince her new husband to allow her a visit to Inverness. Once there, it should be simple enough to slip away to that little shop as she had before. The young merchant had been more than willing to barter for the items she’d wanted and he’d filled all her needs.
Allher needs.
Too bad the old laird didn’t look more like that merchant. It would have been exceedingly pleasant to have all those needs tended to this night.
Now the MacDowylt, he was another story altogether. There was a laird she’d welcome into her bed without hesitation. He had the look of a virile man, one who’d have no trouble planting his seed in her belly.
And not carrying a child would soon become an issue to be dealt with. The people expected it, and certainly the laird did.
Once again, her father’s thoughts for the future centered on making his life better, not hers. For too long he’d taken advantage of her for his own benefit. Underestimated her.
His thinking her the malleable fool would only make it easier for her to surprise him one day. For now she’d played the part he expected of her, following along with all his schemes, knowing a time would come when his plans would open a door of opportunity for her to walk through.
His rush to set his plans in motion, however, came as more than an untimely inconvenience. He’d pushed ahead so quickly, she hadn’t yet decided on a proper course of action.
She slipped into her small bed, pulling the covers up around her neck, her mind a whirl of possibilities.
There were so many challenges she’d need to consider, her not being with child and the lack of any prospects to become pregnant chief among them. Isabella and her handsome guardian would be a problem, and perhaps it would be best to let her father deal with them as he’d planned, though she didn’t like the idea of his killing Isabella. Not that she’d ever been fond of her strange cousin. Still. The idea of murder didn’t sit well with her.
And definitely not the old laird. Not yet. And not MacDowylt.
Agneys could see too much potential for MacDowylt to allow her father to succeed in eliminating him right away.
No, she’d need to think on this situation. There were too many loose ends to satisfy her.
Still, she had time. A few weeks, at least, before she’d need to implement any plans of her own. Until then she would relax and enjoy her new life as the laird’s wife.
Chapter 18
Even with his eyes shut, Robert sensed the morning light trickling through the gaps in the room’s wooden shutters. It would be a wondrous day. Thanks to one beautiful redhead, he felt refreshed, alive, invigorated. And ready for seconds.
He opened his eyes to find her staring at him from her perch on a chair a few feet away. She sat with her hands primly folded in her lap. Fully dressed.
He could change that quick enough.
Propping himself up on one elbow, he extended his free hand and wiggled his fingers in an invitation to join him.
“It’s growing late, Robbie. And though I wouldn’t mind doing...”—here she paused and a lovely pink flush colored her cheeks—“thatagain, we need to be on our way.”
She was right, of course. It would take a good two days of riding hard to reach MacQuarrie Keep.
With an exaggerated sigh, he reached for his plaid and stood, wrapping the garment around him. He plucked his shirt off the stool where he’d tossed it last night and dropped it down over his head.
When he looked back in her direction, he saw she sat unmoving, her gaze fixed on him. The expression on her face told him she’d spoken the truth earlier. In fact, he suspected that not only would she not mind doingthatagain, but that she’d likely welcome the opportunity as much as he would.
A good thing to keep in mind. Though they’d a long ride ahead of them, there was no reason they couldn’t have a pleasant overnight along the way.
“Yer all ready, then?”
At her nod, he opened the door and held it for her.
“We’ll collect Jamie and take him along with us, aye?” she asked, rising from her seat. “I promised Annie I’d see he was taken care of.”
Annie. He couldn’t tell her about the old woman now or he’d never get her out of this place. Her sense of justice would demand that they confront Lardiner, and that was something he simply couldn’t allow.
