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‘But you do, and a powerful one at that.’
‘Aye, one you frequently make a cuckold out of.’
‘’Tis you who cuckolds, not I, for you, are wed, and I am free. You chose him, remember. It was but a year ago you would have clawed out the eyes of any woman who got near him. You worked hard to get into his bed.’
Edana turned and ran her fingers down his chest, slow, coaxing strokes. ‘That was before I knew what a rough oaf he is. Not fine and beautiful like you, my big, blonde bull of a man.’
‘Save your flattery, it is wasted on me.’
‘Don’t pretend you don’t like it. I know you have your vanity. Oh, how I wish I were a widow and could marry wherever I chose,’ she hissed gently, into the darkness.
Will’s temper flared. ‘You cannot hate him that much,’ he said, heaving himself off the bed and pulling on his clothes.
‘But I do. I hate the way he looks, the way he smells, the way he ruts like a dog with no thought for my pleasure. And I hate him because he is not you, so young and strong. When you touch me, it takes my breath away, Will.’
Edana sat up and held out her hand to him. How calculating she was, for she knew full well the force of her beauty, with her breasts pale and full in the firelight, pushing through her river of golden hair. ‘Can you not rid me of him, Will? Can you not release me from my misery? You are the only one in the clan man enough to do it.’ Her perfect rosebud of a mouth formed a pout to soften the hardest of hearts.
Will hurried to pull his boots on and strap on his sword. It had been folly to start this, no matter how much pleasure this she-wolf stirred.
Edana twirled a golden strand of hair through her fingers. She reached over on all fours, breasts jutting and bottom held high in the air, and grabbed him, pulling him down for a deep, lingering kiss. He imagined coming around behind her and laying his body over hers, taking a fistful of her hair, his other hand grabbing a hip as he held her tight to him and…
‘Get rid of him, for me, Will,’ she breathed into his mouth. ‘Do it for both of us so that we can be happy. Then you could have me whenever and however you like. It would be the work of a moment to slit his throat and throw him in the sea for the fish to chew on.’
Such vicious words, spoken like a lover’s caress.
‘I’ll not turn murderer for you,’ Will hissed, pushing her away.
‘I know you have killed before, for less of a cause than our love, so one more time is not so bad, surely?’
‘Tis true, I will kill anyone foolish enough to get in my way, and I will kill for the good of the clan. I will kill for a cause, aye, but not this one. Get one of your other lovers to do it.’
‘What other lovers?’
‘Don’t take me for a fool, Edana. You and I never made promises to forsake others, and I’ll not soil my hands with this evil.’
Edana narrowed her eyes. ‘As you soil your body by lying with me, I suppose?’
‘Do not sell yourself cheap, Edana. You are bewitching and beautiful, and you know it. I have enjoyed our time together. But just because I like you to get inside you, doesn’t mean I am willing to cut a man down in cold blood to keep doing it.’ His voice was hard when next he spoke. ‘It is best that we end this thing between us tonight.’
‘End it! How dare you. You think someone like you can cast aside someone like me. Why you are nothing but a penniless good for nothing, a boy who came to Clan Bain on his knees, begging for a place at the Laird’s table.’
‘Boys grow into men, and now I know my own mind.’
‘If you don’t kill him, he will kill you. It is just a matter of time. Already you threaten his authority, and if I can see it, so can he.’
‘Only because you whisper it in his ear.’
‘You are a selfish, lying whoreson.’
‘Curse me all you like, it will make no difference. I am bored with this game, Edana. When I come back from sea, I think I will go in search of a livelier ride, my sweet.’
‘Oh, so you think you are a good lover? Well, you are not, William O’Neill. You make love like a green boy.’
‘Is that why you begged me to share your bed these last months, Edana? If I were you I would shut that poisonous mouth while we are still friends, else I will shut it for you, woman.’ He loomed over her, and she shrank back from him. Edana was no fool and knew enough about his temper to be cautious.
Will made his way to the window, and as he heaved himself over the window ledge she regained her courage and spat after him, ‘the Devil take you, and your limp cock, you impotent bastard.’
‘We both know that’s not true, don’t we,’ he said, winking back at her. As he hurried back down the wall, her anger followed him.
