Page 14 of Savage Kilted Highlander

CHAPTER NINE

She left him clearing away the meal and stole out to relieve herself. Outside, the rain was still pouring, but she avoided it by staying within the lee of the cave. Once she had answered the call of nature, she stood for a few minutes and held her hands out, allowing the cold rain to wash the muck from her hands. Then, she let it run over her wrists, soothing the welts from her bindings.

When she went back inside, he was standing up, taking off his boots. She was ready to roll herself up in her blanket by the fire and go to sleep. So, she was shocked when she saw he had laid out two blankets side by side on the ground, as though he expected her to sleep next to him. Her cheeks grew hot with embarrassment. It was something she simply could not countenance. Even sleeping in the same room… cave… as a man was beyond the pale. Her reputation would be ruined if anyone ever found out!

She bent down and picked up one of the blankets, intending to move it to the other side of the fire. “What d’ye think ye’re doin’?” he demanded, putting his boots neatly aside by the fire to dry.

“Is it not obvious? I am moving this blanket over here.” She indicated the spot where she intended to sleep.

“Put it back.”

“I shall not put it back.”

“Ye damned well will,” he growled, striding over to her and snatching the blanket from her hands. He laid it back down it its original position. “Ye’re sleepin’ here, next tae me so I can keep an eye on ye.”

She shook her head vehemently. “No, it is quite impossible. You cannot make me!”

His features darkened with barely suppressed anger. Resolute as she was, Constance’s heart quailed when she looked in his eyes. For a terrifying moment, she feared she had gone too far, that he would hurt her, never mind the ransom.

But he did not touch her. He only spoke to her. In a low, menacing tone of controlled anger, he said, “Oh, ye think I cannae force ye, d’ye? We’ll see about that! This is how much I care fer yer reputation.” He snapped his fingers. “I care nae a whit fer it.” He stabbed a large finger at the blanket. “Now, stop yer complainin’ and lie down there where I tell ye!”

“No.”

“Lie down!”

He took a step towards her, his glare so threatening, she knew she would have to comply. Yet her pride would not allow her to go quietly. She railed at him, “Very well, since you have bullied me into it, I see I have no choice. But I want you to know how much I hate and despise you for making me do this, as I hope you hate and despise yourself.” Reluctantly, she sat down on the blanket but on the farthest edge. “When Laird Kerr catches you and I tell him the indignities you have inflicted upon me, I am sure he will punish you severely.”

“Ach, hope all ye want, but he’ll never get the chance. I’ll be long gone by then,” he told her dismissively, tossing another blanket over her. Awash with shame and embarrassment, she held it to her chest, finding a little comfort in the illusion of security it offered. The thought of spending the coming night alone with him, right next to him, had her squirming with disquiet. She half wished she was back at Ashbourne Manor. Anything would be better than the ordeal this Scottish monster was putting her through!

She struggled to decide which was the lesser of the two evils.

I can stay and endure this. Or I can try to run.

In the circumstances, as he had already made very clear, the former seemed the lesser of two evils.

Even if he did not catch me and punish me, I would soon get lost in the dark and rain. I might even be attacked by a wild beast and killed!

“I despise you, you inhuman monster!” she hissed, finally giving in and laying down, pointedly turning her back on him. She pulled the blanket over herself and huddled into it, making sure to cover up any bare inch of flesh. With a grunt, he laid down next to her and, thankfully, covered himself up too.

Constance lay stiffly, afraid to move. It took her a few moments to realize she was still wearing all her clothes, including her wet boots. Annoyed with herself for forgetting such an obvious thing, she reluctantly stirred herself enough to push the boots off one by one with her feet. She kicked them away before tucking her feet back under the blanket.

She could feel the heat of the fire, but there was also a different sort of heat burning her back. She realized with a shock that it was coming off the man lying next to her. Although they were not actually touching, it was as though his body was pressed against hers and tiny, hot flames were licking up and down her skin, even inside her clothing.

It was startling, a sensation like nothing she had ever felt before, as though every nerve in her body were standing on end, alive and alert to the body next to her. She screwed her eyes shut, deeply confused, certain there must be something badly wrong with her to find it comforting… exciting even, to be near him.

But he is my kidnapper, my captor! What does it say about me that I find him so attractive? Young ladies like me are not supposed to feel that way.

Suddenly, surprisingly, something dawned on her, something she could hardly believe she had overlooked.

“What is your name?” she asked without opening her eyes.

At first, there was silence. Then a deep, grumpy voice muttered, “What?”

To her surprise, he sounded half asleep already. That put her at ease a little. It suggested he truly had no intention of molesting her, not that night at least. But that did not mean it would not happen at some point. She resolved to remain vigilant until she could escape.

“You have not told me your name. What shall I call you?”

“Bane. My name is Bane. Now shut up and go tae sleep.”