Mysty McPartland (5 page)

Breathing deeply, she was beyond sense; her rage was boiling and bubbling through her. Once he stepped back, she tossed her long dark hair out of the way and squared her shoulders. “Learn my place? How dare you tell me to learn my place, you blithering fool! I am not some servant or soldier that you can order about. I will not marry you now or ever. Go and marry your damn trollop for all I care.”

Outraged that she had spoken to him in such a disrespectful manner he roared with anger. “Enough! Dinnae ye dare say another word. If ye do I will toss ye over me knee and give ye the spanking ye need.” When he saw her pale at his threat, he softened his voice. “I will forgive ye for ye anger and ye words lass, for ‘tis tired ye are. But ken this. We will be married and I have nay lover.”

He knew the last
statement was a lie, but as of this moment, he knew that he would end his affair with Devena. He grimaced when he noticed that Trista did not believe him either. “Now I will leave ye to see to ye bath and ye clothing.” And without another word, turned on his heels and left the room, closing the door loudly behind him.

Fierce anger quivered through her but she remained standing where she was, her hands clenched into fists at her side. She knew that he had just told her a bald-faced lie about that woman and it not only hurt her, but kept her outrage burning inside of her. She would not let herself be forced or bullied into a marriage; no matter how much it enraged the Black Warlock.

When he came back down stairs, he quickly found the servant named Mary and ordered her to seeing about hot water for his bride’s bath. When he saw Gabe and Gregory bringing in her things told them to take them up to his bedchamber.

H
e moved over to the table on the dais cursing when he found Devena seated there watching him with eyes narrowed and filled with displeasure. No doubt plotting some mischief, he thought. “I think that ye should make yeself ready to leave. It willnae be right for ye to remain here with my lady now in residence.”

Devena
slowly stood, up hiding her anger with difficulty, she moved to stand in front of him and placed a hand on his large hard chest. “But why should I leave, darling? Surely that wee whey-faced English lass willnae please ye as well as I can?”

Tightly grasping her hand which lay on his chest, he removed it and let it go. “The lass might be wee, but she isnae whey-faced and as for pleasing me she does already. ‘Tis over, Devena, and has been for some time now. Ye just dinnae want to believe it.”

“
’Tis nay so, Rieph. Ye ken how much I care for ye. Ye cannae just send me away so cruelly.” She pleaded with him and knew that she didn’t seem to be getting anywhere close to changing his mind. Desperately she plotted to find some way to stay and suddenly she forced her tears. “Ye cannae send me away Rieph. For I suspect that I am growing with ye child.”

The last few words she uttered shocked him and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion, he did not believe for one second that she might be carrying his babe or any child. Because he always made certain he was very careful not to give her or any other woman his seed. However, he needed to be certain.

R
unning a hand through his hair in frustration, he moved away from her. “I dinnae think that ye carry a babe at all or if ye are that ‘tis even mine. Nevertheless, for the time ye may stay. But I warn ye, wench, I will have nay trouble from ye and ye willnae cause my wife any mischief. Ye best keep away from her ye understand?” He stood there waiting for her agreement and once she gave her nod, turned away and left her standing there alone, he strode away intent on making the arrangements for his wedding.

She curled her hands into tight fists of anger. If he thought that he could dismiss her so easily, he would soon find out how wrong he was. Her eyes narrowed spitefully and the way to make him pay would be through the Sassenach bitch he intended to wed and she would start now.

The moment he disappeared out of the hall, she lifted up the hem of her gown
, raced up the staircase and along the hallway. Not bothering to knock on Rieph’s bedroom door, she opened it and marched inside as though she had been there before and had every right to do so. Seeing the Sassenach woman in her bath, she scowled when she noticed the lushness of her small body.

Eyes narrowed, s
he wondered if he might have already sampled the womanly curves and gritted her teeth. “Rieph asked me to come and check on ye. To see if ye might have need of anything, but I can see ye are fine. So ‘tis ye who is to wed my Rieph.”

A pout on her mouth,
she tilted her head to the side. “He is a fine braw of a man and kens just how to please the lasses. Ye realize ‘tis I he really wants as wife. Ye ken that once he consummates the marriage, he will be returning to my bed and my arms. He is only marrying ye because he has nay other choice. ”

Trista quickly hid her shock when the door opened and Rieph’s lover waltzed into the chamber as though she had every right to do so. She held herself stiffly as she listened to the woman’s words.

H
ow dare this brazen hussy speak to her in such a fashion? “I do not know who you are and I really do not care. But I most certainly know what you are. I will tell you this and you had best listen. Do not ever walk into this room again without knocking. As for your coarse words, madam, it only shows me that you are no lady at all. And I will not have you speak to me again.”

Devena screeched and glared at the woman in the bath. “Why ye sniveling Sassenach bitch. How dare ye speak to ye betters in such a fashion. Let me warn ye, Rieph is mine and nay whey-faced child will take him away from me. Be warned for ye willnae ever have what is mine.”

Rage pouring through her, Trista had heard enough. “Get out. Get out now filthy harlot. You dare to threaten or speak to me again you, slattern, and I will tear out your tongue.”

Devena heard the disgust and threat in the other woman’s voice and knew that she said enough and giving the woman one more hateful glare, turned on her heels and marched over to the door. Swinging it open, she saw one of the servants standing there with a covered tray. She wondered how much she might have heard and if she would inform Rieph. At the moment though she did not care, pushing passed the servant walked angrily away.

Scowling her displeasure she watched the enraged slattern force her way passed the servant. Trista’s cheeks heated with shame and embarrassment at having some one witness the confrontation with the horrible woman. The maid couldn’t hide the disgust on her face as she watched her laird’s lover storm away. Humiliated she turned away it was just one more reason not to marry the odious man. Her mouth set in a grim determined line she finished bathing.

Still in the grip of her anger,
she stepped out of her bath as the woman named Mary stepped into the bedchamber with a tray of food. Quickly, she wrapped the large cloth around herself and gave the woman a weak smile still too angry to manage more. “Thank you, Mary. It is kind of you to go to so much trouble.”

Mary’s eyes widened at the lady’s words of thanks. “’Tis nay trouble, Mistress.” She placed the tray on a table near the fire and with shyness glanced over at her knew mistress. “Would ye like me to help ye with ye hair, my Lady?”

Though all she wanted was to be alone, but knew that if she intended to make these people like her, she could not refuse an offer of help. “Thank you Mary that would be wonderful.” Settling into a chair she let the maid fuss over her.

E
ven though her anger still burned within her, she had felt the tension leave her with the maid’s administrations. She gave a small smile pleased that at least she made one friend. When she was finally alone she finished eating her meal. She yawned and gazed over at the bed, would it be too risky and could she let herself be so vulnerable if she were to lie upon the soft mattress and sleep?

Another yawn decided she would use the bed.
She would need a sharp mind for the coming confrontation with the Black Warlock. Shrugging her shoulders, she climbed on to the high, large bed. Snuggling under the covers it wasn’t long before sleep took her into its embrace.

Chapter Five

Rieph came quietly into the bedchamber and stood staring down at the loveliness of the woman sleeping soundly in his bed. He breathed deeply when his groin started to stir. His fists clenched at his sides to stop himself from reaching out and touching her. He continued to stand there and let his gaze drift from her face. Aye she was a bonny looking lass, her soft beauty mesmerized him at times.

His eyes
wandered lower and he bit back a groan when he noticed the light sheet covering her breasts. He watched them rise and fall with each breath she took. This would not do, he told himself, he needed to get a hold of himself. Time enough to enjoy his bride after they were wed. He reached out and gently shook her shoulder. “Come, lass ‘tis time to wake up.” He removed his hand when he saw her eyelashes rise.

When she felt herself being gently shaken and heard the soft deep voice, she groggily wondered who could be waking her and within an instant, she knew. Her eyes flew open and stared into the handsome face of the Black Warlock, she saw him smiling tenderly down at her. She sat up and grasped the sheet to her chest. “What, what do you think you are doing?”

He grinned down at her. “’Tis time to ready yeself for our wedding.” But his grin faded as he saw the look of horror sweep over her face.

“
Wedding! You have gone completely and utterly mad. I told you I would not marry you. Now leave me alone.” She would not let him see how frightened she was.

With a great effort, he held on to his temper as he continued to glare down at her angrily. “Aye ye will wed me and I will have nay trouble from ye. Me clan is gathered and waiting for us. And I warn ye, lass, if ye refuse, I willnae let ye leave this room until ye do.”

The ugly threat made her heart stutter, she could only stare up at him in utter disbelief. “You cannot mean to do such a thing?”

Determinedly nodding his head, he smiled grimly down at her. “Aye, mistress, that I do. Now what is ye intent?” He replied with a shrug and started to undo his shirt.

Wide eyed with panic and worrying her bottom lip, she thought about his ultimatum and her shoulders sagged in defeat. “I will marry you, but that is all. I will not share a bed with you or anything else.” She said the last in a harsh whisper.

When she agreed he stopped undoing his shirt, but frowned over her last demand. “I am getting verra tired of hearing what ye will and willnae do, lass. But I have yet to force myself on a woman and I have nay likin to start now. So be it, but we will share a bed and ye can be sure that I willnae touch ye.” Spitting the words out, furious he spun on his heels and strode over to the door.

O
nce he pulled it open, he turned too glared blackly over his shoulder at her. “Mary and a few other women will be up shortly to help ye ready yeself and if ye try to change ye mind again ye willnae like the consequence.” And without another word, he turned away and left the room closing the door loudly behind him.

Though she hated to behave so cowardly what choice did she have? Flopping back down on the mattress she covered her mouth to stop the sob that threatened to break passed her lips. Oh Lord, what was she being so cruelly punished for. What could she have done that she deserved such a terrible future.

****

It was done, the ceremony joining him for life to a Sassenach lass was over and Rieph sighed with relief. He gazed down at the woman who now faced him. He smiled tenderly at her as he saw her pale, shocked face. He bent his head and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips. “It willnae be so bad sweet lass.”

He would woo her gently again
, to win her back to him. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take any time to regain her regard, for he wanted her naked beneath him and himself buried deeply within her lush body. The yearning and desire for her was in his blood.

J
ust the thought of making love to her made him ache. Ruthlessly, he buried the hunger. It was not the place for such cravings and thoughts. He led his wife to the high table to partake of their wedding feast

W
hen he noticed that she stopped walking, he once again gazed down at her and saw the anger on her face. He glanced around and grimaced the second he noticed Devena sitting at the table next to his chair.

D
amn the woman, he needed to get rid of her because her presence only upset Trista. He would have to think of something and quickly. “Come along, sweet, the clan is waiting for us to seat ourselves.” He scowled darkly when she wouldn’t budge and inch.

****

Still dazed Trista reluctantly let him lead her over to the high table, .when her husband leaned down and whispered that she continue, she glared at him. “I think not, Sir. The table looks over-crowded as it is and I refuse to share it with your harlot. Now if you will excuse me, I will retire to my room.”