Page 88 of Tempted
“I’ve use for a man wi’ your qualities,” Ram said.
“Aboard the Revenge?” asked Heath, revealing just how much he knew about Black Ram Douglas.
The corner of Ram’s mouth lifted. “If that’s what ye fancy, but I had something else in mind. It seems tae me yer nomadic lifestyle would be a perfect cover for a bit of spying. You usually winter in England?” Ram asked.
“We do, but I’ve seen the raiding, and I’ve been undecided about going this year.”
“Gypsies are considered a breed apart, neither English nor Scot. I don’t think ye’ll run intae any trouble. I want tae know if Henry Tudor is amassing an army. It would be fairly simple for a man such as yerself, moving from town tae town, tae find out. Our king must know if he is tae muster the clans fer war.”
The two men talked for so long, Tina feared murder had been committed inside the confining caravan. When at last they emerged, she ran toward them with her hand at her throat. Ram flicked a glance at her. “Get yer horse,” he ordered, then strode to where his own horse was tethered.
“Dream on, Douglas!” she called insolently.
Heath gave her a sharp slap across her bottom. “Your husband gave you an order. I’d advise you not to keep him waiting.”
She turned on him, eyes blazing, and flew at his face, intending to scratch it to ribbons. He caught her wrists firmly. “He indulges you too much. If you were my woman, I’d beat you.”
Her mouth fell open. His dark face was forbidding and closed against her. What in the name of hellfire had Ram Douglas said to make Heath take his side against her? She ran toward Douglas. “You lying, conniving whoreson— what have you said to him?”
In a terse voice he said, “I would prefer it if my wife did not curse and swear every time she opens her mouth.”
“I’ll never be your wife!”
“Ye may just be right,” he warned.
She turned to find Heath holding out Indigo’s bridle for her.
Ram said coldly, “I suggest ye mount before yer arse is too sore tae sit yer saddle.”
She set her jaw stubbornly, refusing to mount. Heath simply handed the reins to Ram, who shrugged his shoulders. “Ye can ride or walk, ‘tis all the same tae me.”
Even when defeat stared her in the face, she hated to admit it. Black Ram Douglas was five hundred yards away before her reluctant feet began to follow him.
Chapter 26
With each successive step she wished that Ram would turn around and come back for her Then she wished he would slow his pace enough so that she could catch up with him. Finally, she took off her boots and wished only that her feet would stop hurting.
She knew full well he intended to make her walk the three miles to Castle Douglas. Ram took his time stabling the horses. He timed it so that they entered the hall together. Tina limped in barefoot, her face streaked with grime, her hair a windblown tangle. Though the hour was advanced, none at Douglas had retired for the night, and they all stared at the bedraggled creature who was usually so elegant.
Tina stiffened as she saw the priest. She intended to resist with her last breath. Hotspur could beat her to a jelly, but she’d never wed him willingly.
Ram said coolly, “I’m sorry tae have wasted yer time, Father There will be no wedding.”
All eyes were on Flaming Tina Kennedy, who had been brought home in disgrace. She flushed, drew herself up to her full five foot two inches, and quit the hall. Halfway up the stairs, Ram’s voice followed her. “Pack yer things. We sail on the morning tide.”
“For where, pray?” she asked haughtily.
“We make port at Ayr,” he said coldly.
Ayr? My God, he was returning her to Doon! She was hurt, piqued, downright furious. She was the one who wished to repudiate him! How dare he make it seem that he was packing her off home because he’d had enough?
Ada stared at the disheveled picture Tina made. “Is Heath all right?”
Tina said, “He threw me out.”
“Well, you couldn’t look more wobegone if Douglas had made you walk all the way.”
“He did!” Tina flared, and Ada could not stop herself from laughing.
