Heath said, “She’s always been such a little vixen. I’ve kept an eye on her without smothering the spark of passion that is her essence. I know she’s spoiled and vain and willful, but dammit, she’s magnificent. She’s funny and generous and as courageous as any man. She’s the best one of the litter,” he said with a grin. “We have a sister who is a sniveling little rabbit. Donal and Duncan are good men, but our brother Davie is a nasty little turd.”
“I’m aware,” acknowledged Ram. “I’ve had dealings with him.”
Heath searched Ram’s face. “She tells me this trouble between you cropped up because you want to marry her.”
“I do,” acknowledged Ram.
“The last Kennedy-Douglas union ended in tragedy. Old Meg claims she put the poison in your hands,” said Heath.
“She tells the truth, but I swear tae ye that that poison was meant for wolves for our tenant farmers. That year we lost hundreds of lambs. Even so, I still bear the guilt of carrying the poison tae Douglas.”
Heath nodded, satisfied. “Shed your guilt, man, it serves no useful purpose.” His white teeth flashed in a smile. “Tina is fit for a king, or a Douglas,” said Heath, giving his approval.
Their hands were covered with each other’s blood as they clasped wrists in a pledge.
“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.
Tina glared at her. “You may well have hysterics. We are being sent home to Doon.”
Ada sobered immediately. The thought of being relegated to the ranks of Kirsty and being at the beck and call of Elizabeth and Beth was hard to swallow. “Men want a woman to be sweet, accommodating, pliant, and obedient,” Ada said with regret.
“But that’s begging for unhappiness. A woman must be able to have opinions and needs of her own. A real man would feel no threat,” Tina insisted.
“If you think Ram Douglas no real man, you are deluding yourself, Valentina.”
“I’m tired and filthy. I’ll need a bath before …” Her voice faltered. She had almost said “before he comes,” but she knew he would not come. Damnation—in bed she could make him do anything. Upon reflection she admitted that the opposite was also true: In bed he could make her do anything. She crushed down the empty feeling of loss that threatened to overwhelm her. “I’ll need a bath before we tackle the packing,” Tina said with dull resignation.
It was the Antigone that Tina and her ladies boarded in the early light of dawn. The Revenge was nowhere in sight, but six other vessels, all English prizes, accompanied them The weather was not promising—an early autumn gale threatened, and Ram knew he’d need eyes in the back of his head to assure that all the ships reached Ayr without damage.
Tina stood alone at the ship’s rail, holding her emerald velvet cloak close about her. She had plaited her hair and fashioned it into a flaming coronet and looked as regal and remote as a queen this morning. The screaming herring gulls set her nerves on edge, but she’d be damned if she’d go down to the confining cabin with Ada and Nell and her mountain of baggage.
She felt utterly alone, as if no soul on earth gave a tinker’s damn about her. Then she laughed at herself and lifted her face into the wind. There was nothing quite so pathetic as self-pity.
They were no sooner out into the Irish Sea than a squall blew up. Ram sent one of his men to order her below, but she sent him back to the bridge with a rude retort. Minutes later he was back. “Lord Douglas wants ye on the quarterdeck If ye willna go, I’ve orders tae carry ye below and lock ye in yer cabin.”
She could make her way on the tossing deck only by clinging to the ship’s ropes. By the time she reached him, they were both soaked to the skin. Ram did not trust himself to speak to her but gripped her firmly and pushed her into a somewhat sheltered alcove behind him, where it would be impossible for her to be swept overboard.
She watched in fascination as the storm
took possession of him. Incredibly he looked as if he were enjoying himself. His dark face was running with water, and his clothes were plastered to his powerful body, showing clearly the bulge of his sex. She saw that he was in his element, at one with the sea. Both were wild, savage, and untamed. Ever restless. She had been able to lull him to calmness, but she could see that without her, he would be lonelier and wilder than ever.
The squall was soon over. It had swept down the North Channel from the Atlantic, then moved on to batter the coast of England.
With one hand still on the wheel, he turned and dragged her up to stand beside him. “Ye little bitch—ye enjoy defying me.”
“Aye,” she said defiantly, and he threw back his head and laughed. Exhilaration still gripped him, but now it was heightened by desire. His arm went about her like a band of steel to anchor her to his side, and he dipped his head to take possession of her mouth. His tongue soon mastered her. “Ye’ve no desire tae be a decent wife, ye much prefer playing mistress.”
“Not your mistress!” she spat.
His pewter eyes brimmed with amusement. “Do ye think I’ve never seen desire in a woman’s eyes before? Yer as hot for me as I am for you.” He spoke with the confidence of a man who is very sure of himself. “Since ye must remove yer wet clothes anyway, will ye hazard a toss wi’ me?”
She was outraged. “Profligate swine! You’ll slake your lust on me today, then pack me off to Doon tomorrow!”
“Doon?” he repeated. “I’ll never let ye go.” The amusement had left his eyes. He was deadly serious. He turned over the wheel to Jock and propelled her belowdecks.
Tina found herself in a tiny paneled cabin. The wardrobe was built in next to the narrow berth, and the only other thing there was room for was a table strewn with charts and instruments. He removed her soggy cloak and set to work on the fastenings of her gown.
“‘Tis ruined,” she said with a shiver.
“Never mind, I’ll keep ye in barbaric luxury,” he promised. Her gown and wet undergarments followed her cloak. She felt the excitement building within her. It was overlong since he’d made love to her, and she acknowledged to herself that she was longing for it.
Ram stripped then trapped her against the paneled wail of the cabin with an arm braced on either side when he saw she would elude him. “I’ve no time for games, just a quick tumble tae show ye who’s master.” He taunted her for the sheer pleasure of seeing her golden eyes blaze and smolder. Her body was chilled from the cold wet garments, and though she wanted to scream a denial, she longed for the touch of his hands, mouth, and body, which always scalded her.
His shaft stood out from his body like a lance, and she was in a fever of need as it nudged her belly, then jerked and bucked as it came into contact with her female flesh. For a man with little time to waste, he was making her wait for the impaling while he watched her pupils dilate and her mouth open with sensuality
She tongued his throat, then when he still did not give her what her body begged for, she bit his shoulders. Any moment she expected him to carry her to the berth, but he did not. His lips touched her ear. “I’m going to take ye standing up.” Her knees went so weak, they almost buckled. The head of his pulsing shaft teased her belly, yet still he did not begin making love to her His hot mouth again whispered into her ear: “Would ye like it right here?”
“Yes!” she cried
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, pleeease!” she begged. Tina could wait no longer. She climbed up his body. He bent his knees slightly so that she could stand on his thighs, then she grasped his marble shaft firmly in the position and angle she desired and slid down onto it until it was seated to the hilt. She cried out from the sheer bliss of the penetration. It felt like a sizzling-hot branding iron. His hands cupped her buttocks to support her as he lifted and plunged her onto his upthrust phallus. His mouth fused over hers, and his tongue thrust with the same rhythm as his sex organ. As his hands cupped her bottom, he was able to touch their bodies where they joined with the tips of his fingers, and the sensations he aroused were so wickedly thrilling, she screamed with excitement. He slowed, thinking he had hurt her, but she wrapped her legs about his back and urged, “Take me! Take me!” She knew not if he was her damnation or salvation. She felt no shame; since he had aroused her to madness, she opened wide so that he could satisfy her body’s needs.
As she rose and fell upon him, she exulted in his moans of helpless pleasure. They were like two savages. She sheathed and unsheathed him; he rammed her like a stallion. They both stiffened violently, their passion naked on their faces. She collapsed upon him as his silken seed filled her to overflowing. He covered her face with kisses before he set her feet to the floor. Then he opened the wardrobe and wrapped her in one of his shirts.
She leaned against the paneling for support, and as he dressed in dry clothes, he paused to kiss her lingeringly, his dark, triumphant, possessive eyes seeing everything, missing nothing. Inside, Tina felt her own triumph for the power she still had over him, that she feared she had lost.
When she joined Ada and Nell clad in only a shirt, she said simply, “We won’t be going to Doon after all.”
The flotilla of ships managed to reach the Port of Ayr before nightfall. The sunset stained the sky crimson and in the distance the mountains seemed to be dark purple shadows. Tina immediately recognized the Thistle Doon, and when she saw the burly figure of her father aboard, a lump came into her throat. When he had paid Douglas to take her instead of Beth, she thought she could never forgive him, but just the sight of him made her realize that she and her father shared a deep and abiding affection for each other. She heard the chain rattle through the hawsehole as the anchor was dropped, then Ram was at her shoulder. “I’ll send a note tae yer father inviting him tae dine tonight”
“Oh, let me take it! I’ve a fancy to walk the deck of the Thistle Doon.”
For one moment he wondered if she would return to him if he let her go to her father. Then he grinned at his own foolishness. He was her lodestone; she’d always return to him. “I’m inviting Admiral Arran and a lot of other captains also.” He hesitated, “Why don’t ye stay aboard the Thistle Doon tonight? I’d just as soon ye weren’t here. Ye are far too distracting when I have tae do business.”
“What business?” Tina asked.
“I have tae sell some ships.”
She saw Scotland’s flagship, the Great Michael, and wondered if Patrick Hamilton was aboard with his father. Probably not—he was more likely to be patrolling the borders.
Tina, accompanied by Ada and Nell, made their way along the wharf to where the Thistle Doon was anchored. They were accompanied by a forbidding-looking Douglas, which prevented the sailors and seafarers gathered in Ayr from touching, propositioning, or even whistling at the women but not from looking their fill.
Rob Kennedy enfolded his favorite daughter in his huge arms and winked at Ada. Then he set Valentina away from him so he could see for himself how she had fared in the hands of Douglas. He had to admit she looked radiant. “I’ve missed ye, lass. When ye left Doon, it was as if ye took all the sunshine an’ fresh air wi’ ye.”
“How are Mother and Beth?” she asked dutifully.
“Naggin’ and whinin’ as per usual,” he jested. “I’ve spent a lot of time at sea lately. Took Douglas’s advice and installed cannon. Sank one o’ the English bastards lyin’ in wait fer a Scots vessel behind Holy Island.” He flung out his arm toward the ships that had accompanied the Antigone “Looks like Douglas has wasted no time. How the hell did he capture so many?”
Tina shrugged and handed him Ram’s note. “Ask him yourself. He’s inviting you aboard to dine tonight, but I warn you, Mr. Burque is back at Castle Douglas.”
Rob shook his head “I never thought I’d say this, but I miss yon prancin’ chef almost as much as I miss ye. Ye dinna miss the water ‘til the well runs dry.” His eyes strayed to Ada, and he and Tina burst into laughter as he knew she had read his thoug
hts. “Davie’s aboard. Ah, here he is. We’re invited aboard the Antigone”
“Hello, Firebrand,” David taunted. “Ye might have tae put up wi’ Douglas’s demands, but I sure as hell dinna.” He swept Nell with a leer. “Hello, Nellie.” The girl shrank from him, and Tina frowned. “Ada, take Nell belowdecks, we can all share a cabin tonight. Come, Davie—you can entertain me.” She took his arm. “Been on any raids lately?” she murmured.
“This isn’t the entertainment I had in mind,” he grumbled. “I’ll spare ye an hour, then I’m off tae the Spotted Dick”
“Ugh—why do taverns have such disgusting names?”
“It’s no’ a tavern, it’s a brothel.” He chuckled
She accepted a tankard of ale, and they stood at the taffrail watching as darkness descended and the ship’s lanterns were lit all across the harbor. “Where were you going when the English ship attacked you?” she asked.
“We were returning from France.”
“Oh David, you’re so lucky to go to all these places! I wish I’d been a son instead of a daughter! Show me the things you brought back.”
He took her below to show her the rich furnishings they’d brought back to sell. There was a great demand for French mirrors, which were fast replacing the old keeking glasses. There were padded silk screens, display cabinets, graceful boudoir chairs, footstools, and writing desks.
“Oh, this little laptop desk is so cunning, I must have it. It’s a perfect gift for an old gentleman I know.”
Davie laughed. “If ye know any gentlemen, I’ll swallow my sword without gaggin’ Take it—I don’t suppose father will mind. Belonged to the mistress of a French duc. Wrote all her billets-doux in bed, and it’s more cunnin’ than ye realize. Here, feel the fancy fretwork around the edge of the drawer and press.”
Tina placed her fingers where he showed her. “Oh, a secret drawer within a drawer. How fascinating!” When she tired of the furniture, she said, “You didn’t go to France without bringing back perfume. Father will never miss one bottle.”