Page 46 of Tempted
Beth and Kirsty gasped, some whistled, others applauded. A man’s voice said, “I’d like tae pierce her wi’ ma arrow!” The women’s faces hardened, the men hardened also. Davie, who never did anything without a little malice, led her directly to the king. Tina tried to lead him toward the queen, but he made a great show of yanking her chain, so that she had to obey him. Tina looked as if she were about to claw him. When Davie gave the chain into the king’s hand, some swore their monarch had selected a new concubine.
James Stewart immediately released her from the chain and led her out to start the dancing, gallantly exclaiming, “The captor becomes the captive” Black Ram Douglas stood at the far end beside the fireplace As the couple danced toward him, the fireshine played over Valentina’s molten hair and tawny gown, turning her into the most breath-stopping creature he had ever seen. Desire flared in him like banefire. He wanted something wild to tame.
When the dance ended, the queen asked her where she could get such a gown for herself, and Tina was relieved that she hadn’t taken offense that James had partnered her in the first dance.
Valentina looked up as a strong hand took possession of her wrist. Her golden eyes widened so that the tiger stripes slanted exotically as she realized who had taken hold of her. “No, thank you, I don’t wish to dance,” she said in a cool voice. Ram’s eyes changed from pewter to midnight black. “Ye owe me a dance.” His voice cut like the crack of a whip, and the pressure of his powerful fingers on her wrist became painful. She set her will against his. “You are hurting me,” she retorted.
“I hope so,” he replied with relish.
“You base-born dog!” she muttered low.
“Perhaps it is the dog in me that attracts the bitch.”
“Oh!” she gasped as he swung her into the pavane. She knew an overwhelming need to say something equally outrageous, and the scandalous words she had overheard at court were off her tongue before she could stop them. “It takes more than six stiff inches to attract me.”
“More?” He raised an amused eyebrow. “I have more.”
Her cheeks flamed. A witchy look flickered in her golden eyes, telling him she was about to walk off the dance floor again. He reached out a powerful hand to clamp her to the spot. Tina found it intolerable to be overruled. She almost pretended to faint rather than dance with him, but upon reflection she realized if she fainted, rumors would fly about her being in a delicate condition.
She moved with fluid grace, dipping, revolving, her breasts rising and falling in time to the pulsing music. She saw that his brother Gavin would be her next partner, and she sent him an inviting smile, knowing he would rescue her. When the measure changed and Gavin approached, Ramsay said, “Bugger off.” Gavin Douglas, disconcerted for only a moment, had no choice but to gallantly partner the lady Ram had ignored.
Tina glanced about and saw she was surrounded by Kennedys, her own clan. Again his powerful hand reached out to stop her from leaving. She smiled and said through her teeth, “If you try to use your spurs on me again, I shall create a scene you will never live down!” His lip curled, and then he simply walked off the floor, exactly as she had done to him, embarrassing her before the whole assembly.
He was a lout without scruples. It was a lady’s privilege to rebuff a man, but for him to openly scorn her in such a public manner humiliated her to the core. If it was the last thing she did, she would even the score. Douglas was certainly not indifferent to her, she knew. Was it her beauty that attracted him, perhaps, or did she represent a challenge to the dominant male? Whatever it was, she would use it to her advantage to best him and prove a Kennedy was a match for a Douglas.
Chapter 15
The next morning, when Angus and his Douglas escort were ready to depart, he sent a message requesting Ramsay to ride with him. Now would be as good a time as any to lay down the law. He learned, however, that Hotspur had departed late last night, taking his borderers and leaving behind only his brothers and Colin.
Gavin dutifully attended the earl, whose escort was usually close to a hundred. Gavin didn’t know why Angus should need Ram, but Archibald’s lips disappeared in annoyance when he learned Ram had left. “Can Colin or Cameron or myself be of any service, my lord?”
“I’m tae ride with Arran and his bloody Hamiltons on the king’s orders, tae repair some o’ the havoc yer raiding has wreaked. Tell Ram I’ll see him at Douglas tomorrow nicht!” Gavin stared hard at the ruthless earl. His words had an ominous ring.
Patrick Hamilton strode purposefully toward the stables. He would not keep his father, the admiral, waiting. On the king’s orders they were to ride with the Douglas earl in a show of unity.
Nan Howard beckoned to him urgently, and he stepped into the herb garden to bid her good-bye. Her sister Kat, whom he hadn’t seen bending over to pick a sprig of thyme, suddenly straightened, and he knew this was some sort of confrontation. He frowned as his instincts warned him to bolt.
Nan said, “Patrick, there’s no way to wrap this up in pretty words I’m afraid I’m going to have a child.”
He swallowed as he felt the trap closing on him. “Christ, surely yer not accusing me of being the father!”
Her eyes narrowed against tears, and Kat spoke for her. “Deny it all you want. You have bedded her, and I am the witness.”
“I bedded you both!” Suddenly he understood that Nan had baited the trap with the irresistible lure of two voluptuous bodies at one time. What a gullible fool he’d been! There was nothing so devious as a slut, unless it was two— two English sluts!
“I am betrothed to Lady Valentina Kennedy,” he said stiffly.
“Not yet, you’re not,” Nan said.
“And you’d better not pledge yourself, if you know what’s good for you,” warned Kat. “The queen will be furious if you bring dishonor to one of her ladies-in-waiting.”
He almost blurted, “Get rid of it!” before he realized this was her means to marriage with the heir to the Earldom of Arran.
Tina rode back to Doon in high spirits. The wedding at Stirling had proved to be an exciting diversion, and the party that now traveled south was quite large. The newly-weds were on their way to Castle Kennedy in Wigtown, and a large number of Campbell retainers were going with the bride. Donal had an equal number of Kennedy household servants, and it had been decided that some of the tenants from Doon would move with him permanently.
Archibald, Earl of Cassillis, traveled to Doon with the family, and Rob, ever suspicious, wondered if he had an ulterior motive. Tina was blissfully unaware of the undercurrents that would change her life forever once they were revealed.
When she parted company with Meggie, she promised to ride down for a visit with her new sister-in-law very soon; then she headed for home, vowing to be the first to clatter into the castle courtyard.
