Mmm, you are wise in the ways of woman, my prophetess!

As a tingling sensation grew between her legs, Tina said shyly, Ada, theres something Id like to ask you about, butI you may think it somewhat indecent.

If its something Black Ram Douglas did to you, I dont doubt it, she teased.

Ada heput his mouth down there.

I envy you, said Ada bluntly.

Tinas cheeks flooded with color. II enjoyed it, but my God, how could he?

Some men do. The rare ones. You mustnt worry that you dont taste nice down thereyou are young and tender and sweet. If you are worried, slip in the tip of your finger and taste yourself, just to be sure.

My God, Ada, I couldnt do that! she protested.

A sensual woman can do anything. You usually taste of whatever youve been eating. Drink a lot of fruit juice, then taste yourself.

Tina climbed from the scallop shell and rubbed herself vigorously with a towel.

Ada gave her a sidelong glance. Have you never wanted to put your mouth on him?

For a moment, Tina didnt take her meaning, but when she did, the idea shocked her to the soul. She immediately changed the subject. Did you get around to dividing one of my riding skirts?

Yes, I did a couple of them so you can ride astride. Are you going out again?

Yes, the Gypsies are camped a couple of miles east on the flat ground by the River Urr.

Tina took only her Kennedy groom as she rode off to visit Heathshe wanted no tales carried back to Ram Douglas. Her eyes soon picked out the tall figure she adored as she rode pell-mell into the Gypsy camp.

Heath! Heath!, she cried happily as he picked her up, swung her around, and kissed her. He set her feet back to earth and searched her face for long minutes. Ive been worried about you, love. Are the Douglases treating you well?

Heath had been furious when he learned shed been forced to a hand-fasting with Black Ram Douglas. He wanted to hear from her own lips that she wasnt being mistreated, or he knew he would have to commit murder.

You can see for yourself that I do very well, thank you.

I can see the outside. What I want to know is how you feel on the inside, he said low. They sat on the steps of his caravan and shared a coney he had roasted on a spit over a fire.

Are you sure this isnt a hedgehog? she teased.

He looked at her with open tenderness, and she knew she must share her inner feelings with him as she always had. She shook her head. I thought I had everything so well planned. I was almost at the altar with Patrick Hamilton, until Fate took a hand.

The marriage with Nan Howard didnt take place. We were in Edinburgh. Old Meg provided her with an aborti- facient.

Tina looked at him oddly. She did not question his knowledge of court affairs. So Patrick is still free to marry?

Heath nodded. But you are not.

I am free! she said passionately. I will be free, she amended. Ill never marry Douglas!

What if theres a child? He has pledged to marry you.

Thats my revengemy revenge for everything. They took Davie prisoner and burned him terribly. Then when I freed him, Black Ram Douglas came to Doon and wrought vengeance upon all of us. It was the most humiliating, humbling experience for the Kennedys, but that wasnt the end of it. When the king ordered a blood bond between our clans, my father had to pay Hotspur to take me. Even then he wouldnt wed me. Humiliation is a burn that never comes out.

Valentina, the game you play is too dangerous. Old Meg told me she provided the poison that was used on Damaris all those years ago. She also told me in whose hands she placed that poison.

Tina stopped breathing. She wanted to scream a denial of the knowledge he was about to impart. Finally she whispered, Ramsay?

Heath nodded.

She flung the bone away and ran down to the river. Mad Malcolms words echoed in her brain It was the other young swine Heath slowly followed her. Tina, theres something else I must warn you about. The borders are unsafe. We traveled from Edinburgh to Berwick following the route weve always taken, then along the border through the Cheviot Hills. The English have been mounting raids in the east and middle marches.

She shrugged a shapely shoulder. Border raids and cattle lifting are a way of life Nay, these are no cattle raids The English are committing the most heinous crimes. They are pillaging and burning, raping and murdering Promise me youll not ride out alone again like this?

She remembered the raid shortly after they arrived at Castle Douglas. Ram had told her very little, but he had certainly been in a vicious swordfight. Promise me that you too will take care, she begged him.

We usually winter in England, but this year we may not.

Well stay around Dumfries at least through the autumn.

I suppose I must get back before dusk, she said wistfully.

Come on, Ill ride back with you.

Wherever did my groom get to?

Ill find him, Heath offered, knowing the young Kennedy would be paying Zara for her favors.

That evening, Tina ate dinner with Ada and told her the gossip about Nan Howard. She also repeated what Heath had told her about the English raids. She did not, however, repeat the things he had said about Ram Douglas. After dinner, Ada helped her hang the tapestry depicting the tawny lynx above the wide bed. It complemented superbly the luxurious fur that spilled to the floor.

When she retired, Tina stretched out in the big bed, recalling how impossibly narrow the berth had been last night. She was restless, her mind like quicksilver running over the events since that fateful night when her brothers had gone to Douglas on a raid. She tossed and turned, refusing to acknowledge to herself that the empty bed felt lonely.

At first she was too cold, then too hot, until finally she threw off her nightgown, sighed deeply, and settled into a light sleep Somewhere between the hour of three and four, when the human spirit is at its lowest ebb, Ram Douglas undressed in the pitch dark and slipped quietly into bed He was shaking with fatigue He had driven himself to the limit of his endurance that day, capturing an English vessel with an unarmed ship, literally carrying the heavy cannons from one deck to the other.

He had put the captured crew ashore on the Isle of Man, then towed the English ship with the Revenge. A storm had blown up in the Irish Sea that he had fought for over three hours. It had been no easy task to bring the two ships safely into the Solway Firth. As soon as darkness fell, he had seen the beacon fires signaling a raid as they sailed past Gretna. It was in the territory Douglas patrolled, and he knew he had been derelict in his duty.

They had to disembark, take the horses from the hold, and beat back a sizable raid that had been launched from Liddlesdale, England, up into Nithsdale, Scotland.

from Liddlesdale, England, up into Nithsdale, Scotland.

Once again, they were far outnumbered, but the fury with which Ram and his moss-troopers had attacked the enemy eventually made the raiders turn tail and flee back across the border. He had slaughtered many, perhaps a score, but two of his own men lay dead and one was mortally wounded. What they had found at Eaglesfield was too much for even the hardest-bitten of his men. The women and children had taken refuge in the church, but the English had committed the atrocity of putting it to the torch. The little charred corpses lay piled behind the stone altar.

Back at Castle Douglas, in the bathhouse close by the knights quarters, the water had run red with blood. By the time all the wounds had been tended, Ram staggered on his feet, but he still found the strength to climb the stairs to his chamberto his woman. Though he was physically and emotionally drained, his mind was overactive, alive with scenes he could not blot out.

Deaths skull grinned at him. He had provided the gravediggers with employment this night. His eternal soul was damned, anyway. Hed done an obscene amount of killing in the kings Highland campaigns, and then there had been the part hed played in the death of Damaris.

Tina stirred in her sleep, and Rams mind mercifully became centered upon her. He turned on his side, reached out his arms, and drew her against him. She too was naked, and the feel of her was so comforting, it gave him solace. She awoke with the feel of his lips feathering kisses on her brow into her hair. She could hardly believe this was the same Ram Douglas who made love like a storm.

His kisses were so sweet, so gentle, so breathtakingly tender, her heart skipped a beat, then quickened its pace. As her arms went about him, she was shocked to feel him shaking Hold me, he said huskily. The need in his voice was palpable. In this vulnerable moment, she knew he would allow her to draw closer to him than he had ever allowed before. She slid against the hard length of him and tightened her arms. He sighed, and she felt the great slabs of muscle in his back relax. Hold me, he repeated low, and incredibly she knew what he wanted.

She arched her mons and lifted herself upon his marble manroot. He eased up inside her until she sheathed the entire length of him, then he buried his lips in the warm hollow of her throat and drifted in and out of blissful repose It was as if he had found sanctuary.

It was early morning when Tina awoke. They still embraced each other, but Ram was now in a heavy sleep. As she eased her body from his, he mumbled an unintelligible protest, but did not awaken. She noted that his jet black hair had blood caked in it and he had a two-day heavy growth of beard, yet in his sleep he looked younger than his thirty-two years. If he hadnt been born a Douglas, if part of him hadnt been blackened by hatred and killing since boyhood, who knows what might have been?

She sighed and slipped a bedgown over her nakedness, then went next door to Adas room. Have the servants heat water for a bath, and then would you be an angel and ask Mr Burque to prepare a special breakfast for two? He knows I cannot eat oatmeal without a jug of syrup and another of cream. I want some sort of fruit and a fillet of tenderloin beefno mutton, I pray you.

The best part of an hour elapsed before Tina carried the breakfast tray to the bed. The irresistible aroma of the food caused Ram to open his eyes and sit up. Tina climbed onto the bed and perched cross-legged with the tray before them. He looked amused. It was a novelty for him to eat in bed. What are ye doing? he asked curiously.

You were exhausted last night. I am restoring you to your normal state of vigor. Im going to feed you.

He picked up the jug of syrup, stuck in his finger, then licked it. She slapped his hand, took the jug away from him, and poured a thick layer of it onto the steaming porridge. Then she drenched it with cream and lifted a spoonful to his mouth. Open up! she commanded.

Miraculously, he obeyed. They devoured the pears filled with red currant jelly, and the beefsteak was so tender, she was able to cut it with the edge of the fork.

Jesu, thats almost as good as sex, Ram said.

Better! she teased, and he grabbed her with mock ferocity. A knock upon the chamber door sent her scrambling from the bed. She admitted the servants with the bathwater, and Ram lay back against the pillows, intending to enjoy watching her bathe. When they were again alone, she smiled at him and announced, Now Im going to bathe you.

He hooted, thoroughly bemused by all the lavish attention she paid him. Then his eyes narrowed. What did she want? Some devious purpose lay behind this most pleasurable interlude. If he kept a wise silence, she would soon make her point.

Ram got out of bed and put the empty tray upon the table, then stepped into Tinas pretty tub and sat down in the scented water. She laughed at the sight he made.

She could sink down up to her chin, but he was so large, the water came only to his hips. She slipped to her knees beside the scallop shell and plunged her hand beneath the water for the sponge. I will be your handmaiden, my lord.

Ye have a fantasy tae be a houri in a harem? he teased.

Ah, I will never reveal my fantasiesall my mystery would vanish. She lathered his broad back and then the crisp black mat upon his wide chest. The hair in his armpits wasnt wiryit was like black silk and at least three inches long. There are things about you I am only just discovering, she murmured.

I am a man of many parts, some of them more prominent than others, he punned and her eyes flew to his groin. It reared its head above the water like a sea serpent and she studied its shape and contour with curious eyes. She reached out a finger and delicately ran it along the ridge beneath the head. He shuddered erotically.

Why is it made so? she asked.

Huskily he explained. The purpose of the ridge is tae draw the delicate skin of yer sheath out and in tae create friction.

Her throat went dry, and she hastily arose. He glimpsed her naked limbs when her bedgown parted, and his eyes followed her every movement as she gathered a towel and his shaving razor. His eyes went from her to the tawny lynx tapestry, and he saw the resemblance immediately. The golden eyes were almost identical, and all her movements were decidedly feline. She had a wild, elusive, and untamed quality that held him in thrall, and he knew he wanted her no other way.

She saw the smoldering intense look of desire and held up her hand to keep him in the water. Your hair is caked with blood. She brought the water jug. You soap, Ill rinse.

He scrubbed his head impatiently, and she drenched him with the cold water. It had no effect on his raging desire, nor hers. She handed him the large, thirsty towel and purred, Dont shave until after youve made love to me. She opened the bedrobe and let it slither to the rug.

He lifted her against him onto his engorged phallus. She wrapped her slim legs about him and he carried her before the polished silver mirror. Seeye look exactly like a cat. In the mirrors depth she saw the reflection of the tapestry behind them, and indeed she felt like a wild little animal. She could already feel the sensuous lynx fur beneath her back. Her nails clawed his back, and she bit him on the neck. He growled, and she felt him lengthen.

Her tight gloving lured him deeper, and unable to stand up a moment longer, they sprawled across the bed.

They both made fierce demands upon each other. Tina did not love him, but before God, she loved the things he did to her, loved the way he made her feel. She was aware of her whole body, from her tingling scalp to the soles of her feet, from her fingertips to the tips of her breasts. His beard was so masculine and abrasive, she felt a bone-softening passion. She asked herself how he could have this effect upon her, but she knew the answer. It was his danger, his violence that attracted her This thing between them was as dangerous and as hot as fire.

His long, rampant maleness was buried deeply within her. Her sheath possessed him convulsively. They were so hot, they scalded each other, and she imagined she could actually feel the ridge beneath the head of his shaft drawing the honey-drenched walls of her sheath in and out until it quivered with exquisite pulsations.

They exploded together, and he spilled his delicious, white-hot seed into her, making her writhe and shudder convulsively. She savored his heaviness upon her before he withdrew. He certainly had the right namehe was as masculine as a battering ram.

This morning he felt alive again. He was filled with vigorous energy, and he knew it was all due to this incredible woman Valentina had restored and replenished him. As he kissed the softening peaks of her breasts, his keen ears picked up the reverberation of hoofbeats. He stepped out upon the parapet walk, then came back in to fling on his clothes.

Angus is already hereIve dallied overlong Ill take all the men hes brought He cast her an apologetic look. Sorry, yell have tae entertain Archibald. Ill have tae leave immediately. He looked at her wistfully, realizing she hadnt wanted anything from him after all. Ill come tonight if I can manage it, but it will be very late again.

Would you like me to wait up for you? she asked.

He shook his head and murmured huskily, No, I want ye lying down.

Only when he had departed did she allow thoughts of Damaris to intrude. Old Megs word could never be trustedshe would say whatever suited her purpose at any given moment. But Heath had told her Ram had procured the poison, and Heath would never lie to her.

Malcolm had hinted the same thing, and she wasnt convinced of his madnesshe seemed more drunk than mad. She did not doubt for a moment that Douglas was capable of killing a woman. Women had little enough value in a mans world, and if one stood in Rams path, he would remove her without pity. With poison? she asked herself shuddering. Though she did not want to acknowledge it, she knew he would use any instrument that offered itself.

She decided to find out what Angus knew of the past. Of course, he was far too loyal to Ramsay to betray him, even if Ram were guilty as sin. Shed have to be subtle about it. If she learned nothing from Archibald, she would set to work on Colin.

Chapter 24.

She stood in her bedrobe on the castle parapet to watch Black Ram Douglas and his clansmen depart. It was a thrilling spectacle of dark, powerful men. They were not mounted on stallions but rode sturdy garrons, strengthened by wintering in the harsh Highlands.

Almost seventy men, bound by blood, laughed, shouted, and cursed as they turned their weatherbeaten faces into the wind and rode into the borders. She saw that not one man wore a badge or a plaid that identified him as a Douglas, and she knew it was deliberate. This somehow lent them a sinister air.

She chose a pretty gown for the Earl of Angus, in sky blue. It was ruffled at the wrist and about the hem, but its neckline was deceptively plain, allowing her breasts to swell above it. Ada rolled her eyes when Tina threaded a girlish ribbon through her fiery curls. Have a care, or hell be dangling you from his knee, she mocked.

Archibalds face lit at the sight of her. She stretched out her hands to welcome him. Has the steward been looking after you, Angus? Im sorry to be so late abed.

He leered at her. Like a stag in ruttin season, is he? Lets hope the laddie has planted his seed deep enough. Ye look a right fecund female tae me.

She blushed at his frank coarseness but laughed prettily. You Douglas men are the very devil. I havent had a chance to see aught of Castle Douglas yet save the bedchamber.

Come, lassIll give ye the grand tour, he said, glad of the excuse to draw her to his side and place a proprietary arm about her. Of course, Tina already had an intimate knowledge of the kitchens and the outbuildings, but there was one place she hadnt been. As Angus proudly led her into the chapel he pointed to the crypts that contained caskets bearing the hearts of all the Douglas forebears. The place was dimly lit and had a shadowed, eerie feel to it. As she watched Archibald, she wondered if that could possibly be a tear in his agate eye Softly, she asked, Is Alexanders heart buried here?

He compressed his lips and shook his head. Bloody priests wouldnt allow it. His look was so grim, Tina was sorry she had brought up the subject. A suicide must be buried in unconsecrated groundbut Im no so sure it was a suicide.

What do you mean? she asked innocently.

Come, lasstis no fit place fer a bride, especially one who might be breeding.

They emerged from the chapel, and Tina did not tell him she was not a bride and that she was not breeding. If it pleased Angus to think these things, she wasnt about to contradict him. Angus thought the sun shone out of Rams arse, so who in the world did he suspect of murdering Alex?

They went into the dining hall and walked toward one of the great fireplaces. Tina bade a page, Fetch my lord whisky, and Ill have red wine.

Angus was well pleased with a woman who didnt pull her face over a man having a dram before the hour of noon. She pressed lightly, I always wondered why the title went to Ram instead of Alexanders brother, Colin.