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Aiden nodded and produced a length of rope which he fastened around the dog’s neck.
Roselyn lifted a hand as though to plead with him. “What are you going to do with her? Please, Blair, do not hurt her…”
“For God’s sake, Roselyn, what do you take me for?” He could not conceal the irritation in his tone. Had she learnt nothing of him over the days they had spent together? Had he not gone to considerable lengths to exonerate her of the major charges against her? Why should she imagine him to suddenly become mean and cruel now? “The animal needs to be out of the way, that is all, for I fear she might make an ill-fated attempt to protect you from what is to come next.”
“Oh.” She blanched, and he noted that she was again chewing on her lower lip, a mannerism he had not seen over the last several days.
Aiden tugged on the rope and the dog allowed herself to be led away as Blair continued to regard his nervous prisoner.
“I promised you that your life would not be forfeit for your part in this, but you have earned a punishment. Do you understand why?”
“Yes, my lord. I should not have breathed a word of what I knew. If I had not, Alan’s attention would not have turned to Mortain and your family would not have been murdered.”
“That is about the gist of it, though only God Himself knows what truly might have happened, regardless of your actions. Still, we find ourselves in a difficult position and I must deal with what is before me. I understand your reasons, but you were not justified in revealing private confidences shared by my sister, or the intimate knowledge you had of the castle and for those acts you will be punished.” He paused to allow his words thus far to sink in. “You shall submit to a switching, at my hand.”
“The… The switch, sir?”
“Aye, it is a fitting punishment. It will be painful, and humiliating, but you will survive it. And you will remember it, I can guarantee you that much.”
“Yes, sir.” She bowed her head, her submission already apparent.
“Do you still have any discomfort from your ordeal at your brother’s hands? You know and accept what must happen, I see that, but it does not have to take place at once if you are not fully recovered. I am prepared to wait, to give you time…”
Roselyn shook her head, her expression vehement. “No! No, my lord, it must be now. I wish this to be done, over with.”
“I appreciate that, but I intend to deliver a severe punishment and I would know that you are in a fit state to receive it.”
“I am. I truly am. Please, do not drag this out further.”
“Very well, provided your bruises have faded completely, we will proceed this day.”
Roselyn’s shoulders relaxed; she seemed relieved to hear this and he could understand her reaction. Grim though her situation was, her ordeal would soon be at an end. She tilted her chin up, her mouth trembled a little as she spoke next. “Will it take place in public, my lord? Are all to watch?”
Blair cursed as his cock twitched within his braies. This was to be a serious act of well-deserved discipline, he reminded himself, not a spot of rough bed sport. Now, if he could but get his randy ballocks to agree he might proceed with a modicum of dignity.
“No, the matter shall be conducted in privacy, I shall grant ye that much. When I ask you to, you shall proceed to my sleeping chamber, Roselyn. Meggie will assist you there if you need her. Once there you are to remove your clothing, all of it, and wait for me. If you require Meggie’s assistance to undress you may have it, but then she must leave. I shall expect to find you alone, naked and kneeling at the foot of my bed when I arrive. Do you understand?”
“Your chamber, my lord? Not my own?”
“I believe I have made my wishes perfectly clear.”
“Yes, my lord,” she whispered. “And I… I believe I can manage unaided.”
“Very well. I have preparations to make and you may remain here until I ask you to go upstairs. You may be seated again if you so wish.”
He watched her make her cautious way back to the seat she had occupied previously. He would have gladly helped her, but had to admire her growing independence as she managed to navigate the hall and those other chambers she knew well. She had just settled when Aiden reappeared from the main entrance at the other end of the hall, still with his length of rope but minus the dog. He strode up to the dais to receive his orders.
“Aiden, I require you to cut me a selection of switches from the coppice beside the loch. I shall need at least a couple of dozen, stripped and with all sharp twigs removed. Bring them to me here, soaked in cold water and lashed together in bundles of three or four.”
His man had the grace to wince as he sketched a brief bow and left to do his laird’s bidding.
Roselyn was silent, though tears streamed over her cheeks and she twisted her fingers together in her lap. He considered offering her some words of comfort, but thought better of it. There would be time for that later, after he was satisfied she had properly atoned for her misdeeds.
* * *
An hour later Blair ascended his private stairs leading to his solar. Roselyn had gone up some twenty minutes earlier, at his bidding. She should be ready for him by now. Aiden had also completed his allotted task and the products of the man’s labours now awaited the laird, suitably prepared and soaking in a bucket of water in the hallway outside his chamber door.
Blair halted to check the switches. Aiden had done his work well and Blair could detect no sharp edges which might cut Roselyn’s delicate skin. He crossed the solar to the door which led to the smaller chamber where he slept.
