Page 95 of Tempted
James was asking him to put his neck in a noose. “I believe I’m more effective in the borders or aboard ship than acting as ambassador,” Ram said truthfully. “Will ye issue me letters of marque against the English, sire?”
James lowered heavy eyelids over his shrewd eyes and realization dawned. “Sooo, now I know. I’ll draw them up myself and bypass the admiral, but I warn ye, they won’t do ye a damn bit of good if yer captured. Henry Tudor will hang ye fer piracy!”
“England’s new admiral, Thomas Howard, is nothing but a bloody pirate, so it will take a pirate tae outmatch him.”
“I don’t mean now, but later, before I declare war— would you consider going to Whitehall?” asked James.
Ram placed his hands between the king’s and solemnly repledged his oath. “This man is yours. I’ll winter at Douglas—but what of the borders?”
“I’ve already sent reinforcements. The Kerrs of Cessford, the Hepburns, and Logan of Restalrig are on their way.”
Though the hour was advanced when Ram returned to the townhouse, he immediately dispatched a message to his stronghold, Castle Douglas, telling Colin to return to Douglas and to fetch Mr. Burque with him. Tina would be disappointed that they wouldn’t be going to court, but her chef would certainly make life at Douglas more palatable. He hesitated to disturb her at this late hour, but the lure of her was irresistible. Inside his doublet lay the jewels he had purchased for her, and his fingers fairly itched to clasp the emeralds about her throat. His mouth went dry when he thought of lifting the silken mass of her hair from the nape of her neck to fasten the necklace. He turned the doorknob softly and cursed when he found that portal locked against him.
“Tina, unlock this door,” he commanded.
“Go away,” came her heartless reply.
“Tina, I’m warning you!” he growled.
The silence told him she heeded him not.
“I’ll count to three,” came an ominous ultimatum.
“You may count to three thousand, if your intelligence level enables you, but I shan’t open the door.”
Her challenge fanned the fires of his fury. “Little bitch! If ye think ye are safe behind a locked door, think again.” He strode to the top of the stairs, where an Italian sculpture stood upon a pedestal He snatched up the pedestal and proceeded to batter down the door.
Tina, now exceedingly apprehensive, cried, “If you break down the door, it will do you no good—so you’d better go and seek one of your other mistresses!”
The door caved in under Ram’s insistent battering, and his eyes were dangerously black. “Where the hell do ye think I’ve been fer the last eight hours?” he taunted.
She gasped. “Lecherous swine! You’ll have no more of me.”
His eyes swept over her neatly braided hair and pristine white nightgown. “You need a disheveling,” he said with relish. He fastened a strong, brown hand in the neckline of the gown and tore it to shreds. Her lovely full breasts rose and fell rapidly with her agitation. She reached up to rake his cheek with her nails, and he laughed at her. “Ye need a lesson in obedience, lady. Know this—I will have ye any time I please, any place I fancy, on the bed, on the floor, or on the bloody high street! Ye will yield tae me as many times as I desire ye. Never, ever deny me again!”
“You can beat me senseless!” she cried with bravado.
“I won’t just beat ye, I’ll ravish ye,” he said with quiet intent.
Her chin went up, and sparks of fiery hatred flashed from her golden eyes. “You wouldn’t dare!”
With deliberate hands he removed his belt and wrapped it about his knuckles. He sat on the bed and with an iron hand dragged her across his knee. He raised the belt with every intention of beating her.
“Douglas, no!” she cried, “I think I’m with child.”
He dropped the belt and cupped her shoulders in his massive hands. “Is this another of yer tricks, like losing yer memory?”
“Nay, I have morning sickness,” she said faintly.
Hope soared in his breast. “Ye little vixen, ye provoke me tae violence!” His arms enfolded her, “Honey love, did I hurt ye?”
“Yes! You hurt me this morning when you treated me like a strumpet, and you hurt me again when you stayed out carousing until midnight. Then you come home reeling drunk, smash down the door, and rape me.”
“Reeling drunk? I haven’t had a drop,” he swore.
“Then your behavior is inexcusable!” she cried angrily, taking full advantage now she had him on the defensive.
“Christ, Firebrand, I can’t win with ye!” She struggled from his arms and slipped on her bedgown. “Have you only just realized that, Douglas? When we get to court, I shall tell the king it is finished between you and me.”
