Ada held the exquisitely embroidered white nightgown, as yet unused. Ill leave this on your pillow for one more night, just in case.

Tina laid down her brush and put in the last hairpin. I havent seen half of this castle yet. But as soon as Ive had something to eat, I shall rectify that.

At breakfast she learned that the Douglas had been up since dawn readying the wild horses for their journey to the border stronghold. Though not broken enough to be ridden, each horse had to become accustomed to a bridle.

The steward showed her the room he had assigned to Nell in the servants wing, then smirked, An this is the chamber yer fairy godmother chose.

Tina knew he meant Mr. Burque. She didnt dignify his remark with an answer. The Douglas steward would eat his words if Mr. Burque stole his woman. Thank you, that will be all, she said as she picked up her rustling skirts to ascend a stone staircase.

Where are ye goin? he asked shortly.

She turned, the corners of her mouth lifted, and she said, Wherever I wish.

Im sorry, my lady. I didna intend tae be rude. Mad Malcolm lives up there, and I would no trust him.

Her smile widened into a laugh. I wouldnt be foolish enough to trust any Douglas. She had heard oblique references to Mad Malcolm and had decided to see him for herself.

The old man in the high four-poster indeed looked demented, with his silver hair standing on end and a face as fierce as a hawk. He had been scribbling in a book and immediately pushed it beneath his pillows as if to guard it with his life. They stared at each other a full minute before she said, You must be Malcolm.

Ye mean Mad Malcolm, dinna ye?

She smiled. If you insist. She saw the jug of whisky beside him, smelled the fumes that emanated from the old laird, and wondered if he was mad or just constantly intoxicated.

So yer the lass Ram hand-fasted Im Lady Valentina Kennedy, she replied. He nodded.

The Kennedy lass. Have a care, he warned.

She suspected he was mixing her up with Damaris.

Yer tae be poisoned, he warned, but its no yer husband Alex wholl do the deedtis the other young swine.

She knew he meant Ram. How do you know? Tina asked, to humor him.

Im writin a history o the House o Douglas. Its all there!

Colin arrived on the scene carrying a breakfast tray. He looked alarmed to find Valentina alone with the demented laird I was just leaving, she explained. Good- bye, Malcolm. Ill see you when I return from Castle Douglas.

Colin followed her out Tina, hes capable of violence.

Ill have a care, she reassured him. Perhaps if he didnt consume so much whisky, hed be easier to handle.

Poor old sod has few pleasures left in life, said a softhearted Colin Youre right, of course. Its very kind of you to bring his meals rather than have a servant do it.

Colin shrugged He gets few visitors, and after we leave tomorrow, the servants are the only ones hell see until we return Oh, Im so glad you are coming Colin Perhaps I can persuade you to paint me, if you have time and inclination.

He blushed, and Tina told herself sternly not to toy with this mans affections It would be most unkind. She visited the kitchens to apologize to Mr Burque and tell him he must spend the day repacking his kitchen equipment, utensils, and supplies for the journey to Castle Douglas.

Alors! How am I to prepare the very special dishes for you and his lordship if I am to repack my cooking equipment? Sacre bleu!

You mustnt even think about cooking today. Save your special dinner for when were in residence in the border.

The Douglas cooks managed to feed this castle long before you arrived.

Valentina made sure she was not late for the evening meal She was amused to see that Cameron and his cousin had decided to sit with Ada and Nellthere didnt actually seem to be a servants table. The Douglases mingled freely with the men-at-arms and servants, and everyone sat wherever he or she wished There was little formality in this castle of men, and even Lord Douglas came to the board in his leathers Rams eyes stroked over her like tongues of flame. Her turquoise green gown was as elegant as if she were dining with the king and queen, and he wondered if she was putting on fine airs to point up the contrast of his rough garb. She gave him one of her warmest smiles and felt disappointment when it was not returned His face was set in harsh lines, his eyes unreadable As he took the seat beside her, she saw his dark face was shadowed by the days growth of beard. Her eyes also flickered over his cheekbone, where the skin had been broken open so many times from fighting and from her riding crop. It was a nasty gash that was going to leave a scar He threw her a challenging look, reminding her of an archangel whose dark beauty had been ruined. He carved the joint of mutton that was set before him and served her with a portion as large as his own. He took some turnips and parsnips and offered her the dish, then broke open a flour cake and spread it with butter He took a mouthful of meat and chewed methodically Then he grimaced and said, I thought yer chef was supposed tae be a genius.

Oh, he is, my lord, Tina said blithely.

He washed his meat down with ale and said belligerently, Whoever cooked this needs a few lessons in the culinary arts.

She opened her mouth to agree, then closed it because she knew he did not want her to agree with himhe wanted an argument. So to oblige him she replied, Its not too bad. The parsnips are tasty.

Not bad? The damned stuff is hardly edible. He should be shot at dawn for ruining good food! He was ready to sink his teeth into a good argument, if not the meat, so Tina took a perverse pleasure in thwarting him. Im sorry to disappoint you, Douglas, but your own chefs cooked this meal. Mr. Burque has spent the day loading his cooking equipment, utensils, and supplies for the journey to Castle Douglas.

Rams eyes narrowed, and he chewed his lip for a minute. Who the hell gave him permission tae come with us?

Dont cut off your nose to spite your face, Douglas. You said yourself this stuff was inedible. Once youve tasted Mr. Burques cuisine, youll think youve died and gone to Heaven after this muck.

She thought she was so damned clever, he wanted to slap her. When she moved, her gown rustled invitingly, and its blue-green color did glorious things to her flaming hair. She knew how beautiful she was, how alluring to a man. Well, madam, I wont slaver after ye like a bloody hound, he assured himself. She bestowed a radiant look upon Colin, farther down the hall, and it wrenched Rams gut that the look was not meant for him.

The next time she looked at Ramsay, she caught the raw hungry look on his face and lowered her lashes to her cheeks in shy invitation. He radiated sexual hunger, and she knew if he touched her, it would feel as if she had been struck by lightning.

Ram, however, did not touch her He did not dare. She turned his blood to wine. He had tried to build a wall against her, but suddenly he felt the edge crumbling. He stood up and moved away from her. He would maintain an air of indifference at any cost.

Ada watched silently She knew Ramsay Douglas wouldnt be able to resist Valentina much longer He had rights, and he would exercise those rights When he looked at Tina, he was like a predator giving his prey a very wide circle, but Ada knew the signs of a raptor, knew he had marked her as his and would soon close in for the kill Ada wondered if Tina realized what a potent lure she was. Adas eyes traveled down the room again to Ramsay, and she sighed He was a magnificent male, like a beautiful, wily panther What must he be like in bed?

For all his indifference Douglas prowled the hall as warily as a wolf who has scented a doe He moved back down the hall toward Tina Though she did not look at him, she was completely aware of him. We leave at dawn Id better have a word with yer women so they understand I wont be kept waiting I give my women their orders, she stated firmly Why? he demanded She shrugged a shapely shoulder. For my own self- esteem.

Ye already have far too much of that, he accused She looked pleased at his remark, and his mouth hardened.

He turned on his heel and quit the hall Tina joined Ada What a relief to be free of his high and mighty at last!

Ada gave her a speaking look. If I know aught of men, you are not free of him. He is not finished with you yet Valentina shuddered involuntarily. She went up to the chamber she imagined she shared with Damaris, and as soon as she opened the door, she glimpsed the cat before it jumped down from the bed and disappeared.

She must remember to ask who fed it and who let it in and out of her room Come, puss. Come to me, she coaxed, but she knew the nature of felines and accepted that it would come to her only when it was good and ready.

Nell had done a wonderful job of repacking her ten trunks, and Tina summoned a Douglas servant to carry them down to the front entrance since his lordship did not wish to be kept waiting in the morning. She saw the cat slip out the door between the servants legs and sighed. She would have liked company tonight.

She bathed and readied herself for bed. The only nightgown she could find was the exquisite white silk that Ada had embroidered so painstakingly for her first night with Ram Douglas. She shrugged and slipped it on, enjoying the feel of it against her skin. She opened the wardrobe to hang up her turquoise gown and saw the gray and black riding dress hanging by itself except for a shell-pink night-robe that Nell had left unpacked.

She closed the wardrobe door and fell into a reverie, wondering what the border country around Castle Douglas would be like.

Ram paced his chamber feeling caged. Everything was in readiness for the transition to Castle Douglas, and he knew his moss-troopers would welcome the ride and the wild borders as much as he would. He knew his temper had been short these last few days. His men had obeyed his curt orders immediately, not daring to glance at each other with raised eyebrows until after he had departed. He and Cameron had exchanged sharp words, and even Colin was avoiding him.

The lines about Rams mouth had become finely drawn, and his eyes were red-rimmed from lack of sleep. He hadnt had a woman in weeks, and his body screamed its need. He spoke with such ferociousness to the maidservant who brought him fresh body linen that she was terrified, and she was almost incoherent when Cameron later asked her what was amiss. Cameron set his mouth in grim lines and tackled his brother. Since Gavin isnt here tae challenge ye, Ill do it myself. Christ Almighty, ye are so evil-tempered, all who can, avoid ye like the plague. Yer face looks like a death-head. I know what ails ye, if ye dont!

Oh? Ram said silkily. And what is that?

Ye need tae lie abed wi yer new wife til she drains ye o yer lust and the evil humors of yer hot blood Ramsays look was so black, Cameron stepped back in fear; then, so he couldnt accuse himself of cowardice, Cameron attacked further: We know ye didnt want tae be shackledChrist, the whole bloody world knows that, but did ye stop tae consider she was forced tae it as well?

Get out! Cameron was glad to leave with a whole skin.

Ramsay swore a foul oath. No woman was of that much import to him and never would be, praise God. He threw off his doublet and sat down on his bed to remove his boots. It was true, he admitted, that he would like to master her He licked dry lips It would be good sport to tame her. His sex began to harden, and he flung his boots across the room and knocked a dirk from his wall.

The Boozer, in his wisdom, moved to the door, hoping to escape.

Ram decided that what he needed was sleep. Without removing more clothes, he swung his legs up on the bed and stretched out full length with his arms behind his head. His blood pounded. He knew he would never sleep until he had eased himself with a woman. He allowed his imagination to conjure her vision, and what he pictured fueled his temper. He saw himself enter her chamber, saw her look of triumph that he could not resist the temptation of her incomparable beauty. She was quite obviously doing her utmost to tempt him, and tempted he was, sorely tempted, he finally admitted.

Christ, hadnt that been Adams excuse in the Garden of Eden? The woman tempted me! Well, his willpower was easily strong enough to resist her temptation. He thumped his pillow savagely and felt his blood surge higher The more he tried to resist her, the more he wanted her. If he went to her, she would be triumphant If he gave in to her temptation, it would feed her vanity She was vain enough. No, hed never pander to her beauty He stood up, restless as a panther and every bit as dangerous. Hed go to her Hed pull the proud vixen from her pedestal. It was time she learned that her place in the Douglas hierarchy was not as elevated as she imagined. He would take her without love words, praise, or flattery. Up till now, shed likely had besotted poetry from her lovers and promises of undying love and devotion. Hed not worship at the altar of her beauty.

Hed never fuel her vanity. Hed take her in the dark, where she would be exactly like every other female.

Then he would leave her. Hed not lie beside her all night, so she could tempt him to make love to her again and again.

He flung open his chamber door, and the Boozer stalked through it with a look of reproach and disappeared down the dim passageway. Ram made his way to Damariss old chamber with such resolution, the large, square quarions flickered alarmingly in their iron brackets upon the wall. His knuckles smote the wooden door only once before he threw it wide.

Tinas look was anything but triumphant as she half- gasped and swallowed her fear. She stood frozen to the spot, clad only in the white silk nightgown with its exquisite diamond-eyed butterflies. The candle she held dripped hot wax upon her hand, and it spurred her to action. She set the candlestick beside the bed and asked faintly, What are you doing here?

That should be obvious, he said.

Her wide eyes took in the bare chest covered with its sable-black pelt, and she whispered, You intend to sleep here?

Hardly sleep, he said with a laugh that contained no hint of mirth.

You have come to claim your privileges, she whispered, as full realization of his intent dawned upon her.

Privileges? he ground out with contempt I think ye mean my rights and my duty. The king and the chiefs of our clans desire a blood bond between us. That can only be accomplished if I get ye with child.

Damaris was appalled, but she knew she could not stay and witness this consummation.

Tina flinched visibly at being told she was to be nothing but a brood mare. She could have sworn he had lusted for her, but perhaps lust brought out the most unpleasant characteristics men had.

Ram felt his blood stir with excitement as his shaft filled and his balls tightened. She was such a challenge, the anticipation stirred him deeply in spite of his resolve.

Damn her to hellfire, he wanted to lie with her, and he suspected she was well aware of his too-eager response. Get in the bed, he ordered, his pewter eyes flaming with what looked like ruthless, pitiless violence.

If she disobeyed him, would he flog her? He might. His temper was hot enough to do anything when roused.

He snuffed the candles before she could read the naked need in his eyes. Tina groped for the bed in the darkness and slipped beneath the cover. Ram was drawn into the bed by the magnet of her body.

Conflicting emotions washed over her; fear, curiosity, disgust. She was about to experience the unleashed sexuality and violent danger that every man suppressed just below the surface. The beautiful virginity that she had saved for her husband was there to be taken. She was a gift, a divine sacrifice to the gods of passion and love.

Ram lay rigid in the bed, forbidding himself to lust for her. She was just another woman. But nothing is more tempting than the forbidden The white nightgown whispered its invitation. Her subtle scent stole to him, inspiring his imagination to vivid imagery. Her skin was like ivory velvet, her hair a cascading glory. He knew an overwhelming desire to dominate her.

She gasped as she felt him reach out two strong hands to take her. The Douglases owned half of Scotland.

Tonight she would become just another possession.

Ram now regretted snuffing the candle. It denied him the visual pleasure of her beauty. He wanted to see her eyes widen with admiration as she gazed at his powerfully muscled torso and the size of his erect sex.

He wanted to see them darken with desire as he washed away her resistance to him. He wanted to watch her lashes become heavy with sensuality as he made love to her. He knew a craving to watch her mouth soften before she yielded it up to him, to watch it curve with delight as he pleasured her. He longed to watch her remove the exquisite nightrail for him so he could watch the tips of her creamy globes rouch and harden as he aroused her. He ached to see the bright color of her flaming triangle between her legs. Hed imagined it a thousand times, and now he cursed himself for a fool for taking her in the dark.

As he pulled her hard against him so she felt all of him, the powerful legs, the muscular arms, and the wide chest, she went rigid for a moment. Ram felt her stiffen and took it as a sign of rejection. He was offended. No female had ever rejected him in his life. Till now, all his bed partners had been willingnay, more than willing, they had been eager for his lovemaking. He closed his mind to the men who may have gone before him. He would show her he excelled and surpassed any other lover she had known.

He brought his mouth down upon hers in a demanding kiss. He fully expected the usual eager female response.

He waited for her to open her lips, her mouth, and take him inside where they would duel, then his tongue would master her. He waited in vain.

Tina was rigid with fear. She could not think coherently, wrapped in the powerful arms of Douglas. What was it she was supposed to do? Yield to himaye, that was it!

She must become all soft and womanly. The last time he had kissed her, she had allowed her mouth to soften beneath his and had felt the tip of his insistent tongue tasting her, but now his tongue wanted to rape her mouth. She did not return his kiss, so taking it as an insult, he left off the kissing.

His beard was harsh and abrasive against her sensitive skin, and yet it was so masculine, she went weak. He was annoyed that she made no move to take off her nightgown for him, so with impatient hands he pulled it up to give him access to her womans center. Her skin against the swollen head of his shaft felt like velvet. He buried his face in her flaming hair, and its fragrance dizzied him and stole away his senses. Touching her intoxicated him. He knew he must act quickly before love words tumbled from his lips. He pulled her beneath him, tearing the delicate silk as he positioned her with rough hands.

Tina braced herself to endure the pain that she knew was inevitable. Ada had told her she must get past this first time. She gasped as he mounted her, then bit down upon her lips to prevent further protests. She must yield without protests.

The intensity of his need for this woman tumbled him into the abyss. She excited him so much, he was going to spill himself if he did not soon achieve penetration.

Then she would laugh at his lack of finesse. He gripped her with iron-hard thighs, then plunged into her with savage need. She cried out, and he knew it was clumsily donehe was nowhere near seated to the hilt.

Tina, open for me, he urged I cannot, she gasped.

Will not, you mean! he cried raggedly, then thrust home.

He closed his eyes with deepest pleasure. She was so exquisitely small and tight and hot, he had never before known such a fierce response. He knew a need to arouse a matching response in her, so he plunged until his white-hot seed flooded up inside her.

He had spent so quickly, he was ashamed of his bodys response to her. Not once had she touched him, caressed him, arched her body to fit his. Her arms had not stolen about his neck to cling to him, nor had her mouth kissed or tasted him, yet she had brought him to fulfillment. No sigh, or murmur, or cry of pleasure had passed her lips. She had deliberately held herself aloof from him. He withdrew and took his hands from her, leaving her sprawled and mute with shock. He flung from the bed, more angry now than before hed taken her. We leave at dawnbe ready! he commanded.

The chamber door banged shut behind him, the crash of wood releasing her tears. In the next room Ada heard her weeping. She knew Ramsay had visited Valentina.

He had stayed an impossibly short time, then left in a rage. She sighed. Would Tina never learn to curb her sharp tongue?

Ada opened the adjoining door cautiously, saw the room was in darkness and hastened to light the candles. The scene before her made her gasp. Good God, I never dreamed hed had time to consummate your vows. Are you badly hurt, child?

The spirit of Damaris drew close to Tina, longing to take away her hurt.

Tina glanced down at the bloodied, torn nightrail and hastily covered herself with the sheet before she struggled to sit up. A feeling of betrayal curled inside her that included Ada. She had told her she must learn to love the sex act but that was an impossibility. Ada had told her there would be desire, then pleasure, then fulfillment, but she had clearly lied.

I warned you that you must get beyond this first time.

That there would be pain and blood, but I had no idea he would be so brutal, love.

Tina recalled her warning and transferred the animosity she felt toward Ada to the man she hated. She recalled, too, the rest of what Ada had said. If you intend to gain the upper hand, you can only win by guile.

You were right, Tina. He believed you were experienced in these matters. What was his reaction when he saw he had deflowered you?

Tina gulped back her tears. He saw nothing. The candles were snuffed.

My love, if you want my advice I dont, Ada. I want you to go back to bed, she said firmly.