Page 51 of Tempted
“Valentina Kennedy is exactly the right woman for Ramsay. I know all about it.”
“Damn you, Alex! I listened to them. He doesn’t even want her. My brother offered him money and land and even his beloved ships, and Ram was hardly even tempted. Help me to find a way to stop this marriage?”
Alexander grinned at her. “He wants her, all right, almost as much as I wanted you. Nothing stopped me, Damaris, and nothing will stop Ram. You know Douglas blood.”
“Yes, much to my sorrow, you ruthless, cold-blooded bastard!”
Alexander’s eyes were alight with pleasure. He threw back his head and laughed with pure joy.
“Why are you laughing like a bloody heathen?” she demanded indignantly.
“Because yer talkin’ tae me, sweetheart!”
She raised her hand to strike him, and he caught her wrist and pulled her into his arms. “Never mind that we are fightin’ like cat and dog. After fifteen years of silence, I love it. I love ye.” His arms tightened about her, and his mouth came down to crush hers. Damaris faded, but not before she had been thoroughly kissed.
When Rob Kennedy returned to Doon, the entire household was avid to learn what had transpired at Douglas. Elizabeth was the first to corner him. “My lord, put me out of my misery. Did he insist on having Beth?”
“He did not,” Rob answered truthfully.
Elizabeth sagged to the bed. Tears blurred her vision as her husband removed his dress tartan. “I can tell ye no more, except that Black Ram Douglas will ha’ it his way or no way. I hope yer satisfied, woman. I’ve sacrificed Tina tae save yer precious Beth. He’s a hard mon, she’ll ha’ none o’ her ain way anymore.”
“Perhaps it’s a good thing. Valentina has always needed a curb. The things Kirsty tells me about her are enough to make my hair stand on end.”
“Wizened-up auld spinster! She’s jealous because ma lass is so vibrant and filled wi’ life. Even in a roomful o’ beautiful women, Valentina is extraordinary.”
Elizabeth wasted no time announcing to Beth the reprieve from her death sentence. Some color crept back into her face, and Ada excused herself so that she could take the news to Tina. She had just come in from a ride, and as Ada helped her change from her habit, she offered advice.
“When the Douglas comes to declare himself, you must be wearing your most becoming gown. You must make him aware of the value of the prize he is getting. Keep your sharp tongue folded behind your teeth and be all sweet, womanly submission. A man feels most masculine when he’s in the presence of a soft, feminine woman. It will avail you nothing to rail and shout and set yourself against him. It will avail you everything to begin his enslavement the moment he proposes.”
“You are wise in the way of men, Ada. I shall behave as you advise. Butter won’t melt in my mouth.”
Her woman picked up the fragile garment she was making. It was a transparent wisp of shell-pink gossamer she was fashioning into a nightgown for the bride-to-be.
Suddenly Tina felt weak at the knees. “Ada, I cannot do this thing without you. Would you be willing to leave Doon and come with me to Douglas?”
“Gladly, if you can persuade your mother to let me come.”
“I’ll go to her immediately. I shan’t ask her, I’ll inform her, and while I’m at it, I may as well tell her I’m taking
Mr. Burque. She was the one who said we all have to make
sacrifices,” Tina said in a brittle voice.
* * *
For three days the apricot silk gown lay in readiness so it could be donned quickly when Douglas came a-calling. And though he took his own sweet time about it, come he did.
Ada slipped the gown over Tina’s head, fastened the tiny pearl buttons on the square bodice, then sat her down before the mirror to thread creamy pearls through the loops of piled-up copper curls. Valentina felt confident. She knew she had never looked lovelier. When the summons came, she was ready.
As she approached the chamber, she heard his deep voice say clearly, “Fetch her in, and I’ll have a look at her.”
The arrogant son of a bitch sounded as if he’d come to buy a mare! Tina counted to ten, remembered Ada’s instructions, and swallowed her anger. She took a deep breath, lowered her lashes, and stepped into the room.
Her beauty took him unawares. His features hardened so she could see no response in him. His pewter eyes held hers so long, her confidence faltered. His face was hard, his mouth sensual, his jaw stubborn. She saw clearly the arrogant pride in every line of his powerful body. He was garbed in black from head to foot, relieved only by his crimson badge, the Bleeding Heart of Douglas.
Valentina knew she was confronting her destiny. She resisted the narcotic of his presence and glanced away from him. Remember your eyes, remember your mouth, she told herself.
“Ye fly a high hawk, lady,” Douglas accused tersely.
