Page 7 of Tempting the Highland Captive

“I will take care o’ yer family when ye are gone.”

“I dinnae have any family left tae care for.”

“I will pay the executioner tae give ye a quick death.”

“I am tae hang, lass. There is nae way tae guarantee such a thing.”

Growling in frustration, the lass turned, her vivid green eyes filled with fury. “What do ye want, then?!”

Ron sat staring into her eyes for a moment in thought, then nodded. “I will wed ye, lass, but only if the marriage is consummated. If I am tae die, then I will bed a bonnie lass afore I go.”

“What?!” she shrieked, clearly horrified. “I would never do such a thing!”

Ron could not blame her for reacting the way that she did. He was certain that to a refined lady such as she, his imprisoned filthy state must be reprehensible, but that did not stop him from lashing out in anger at her. She came to him for a favor, not the other way around. “Then leave and dinnae return.” Rising, he strode over to his pallet and laid back down closing his eyes in conclusion of their meeting.

He expected her to leave his cell in a huff and try her insanity on another lad elsewhere but was once more surprised when her soft whisper fell upon his ears. “I will do as ye ask.”

Shocked, Ron was on his feet in the blink of an eye and covered the distance between them in one long step. Grabbing her by the arms, he held her gaze intently. “Ye will give me yer body, willingly and without reserve? I dinnae hold with rape.”

“I will,” she agreed softly, her eyes locked on his. “Ye will have my body freely tae do as ye wish.”

Unable to help himself, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like the condemned man he was. He could feel her trembling under his touch and wondered if it was more out of fear than desire until she moaned and her body gave way to his, proclaiming her surrender and need. Ron’s mind and body thrilled at her response, and he took a step toward his bed pallet before he realized what he was doing. A low warning growl and a punch to Ron’s kidneys from the red giant separated them. Ron staggered back, gasping for breath.

“Do ye swear it, lass?” he asked. His breath was labored and his eyes watered, but the effects of their kiss still mirrored in hers.

“I swear it,” she promised. She held his gaze even as the red giant moved her toward the open doorway.

Ron gritted his teeth and stood as tall as he could manage, pushing back the pain as he watched her go. “Then let it be so.”

* * *

“This is a mistake, lass.” Father Jacob fretted as he paced back and forth in front of St. Giles’ Cathedral. “What o’ the banns being read? How can the marriage be valid if the proper observances are nae taken?”

“Faither, ye ken well enough that such marriages happen throughout the Highlands. Consent tae be wed is enough tae allow ye tae perform the ceremony so that ye need nae lie tae my faither when we say that I am wed.”

“Aye, I ken it, but I dinnae like it.”

“Ye dinnae need tae like it, Faither, just tae do it.”

“I will nae let ye give yer body tae that man,” Lucas growled from behind her. “I will nae allow it.”

“Ye are nae my faither, Lucas. ‘Tis nae yer place tae decide who I give myself tae. He will be my husband.”

“I will nae have it!” Lucas shouted in protest.

“The man is about tae die. He is giving me the precious gift o’ freedom. I can give him this one last request.”

“Then ye will have tae walk o’er my corpse tae do it, lass,” Lucas growled menacingly, not toward her but at the situation in general.

“That will nae be necessary.” Amelia gave him a stern look reminding him who was in charge of their little band. Lucas might be captain of the laird’s warriors and her own personal guard, but when it came to rank, Amelia was a lady of noble blood and Lucas was not. “I will make this a real marriage so that the validity o’ it cannae be challenged by anyone. If ye are asked if the marriage was consummated, then ye will be able tae tell the truth.”

“This is madness!”

“Aye, it may be, but it is our best hope for a better future.”

Maggie stepped past the two men and took Amelia’s hand. “Are ye certain, lass?”

“I am.” Amelia nodded.