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He was not to be put off. “You do not wish to retire to the cloister? I detect little from you in the way of enthusiasm for the notion.”
“I… I had not thought—”
“I was under a different impression. Did you not tell your brother that you wished to become a nun?”
“I did, but only as an alternative to marrying Sir John. Any fate would be preferable to that.” She hesitated, unsure of his reaction were she to disclose what manner of future seemed the most desirable to her at this moment.
“Roselyn, tell me.” He kissed her forehead. “Tell me what you really want to do.”
“May I stay here?” There, she had blurted it out. She held her breath.
“I have said so.”
“No, not here in your bed. Here, at Duncleit. In your castle. Might I not make my home here?”
“You would choose to stay, even though you are free to leave. You are no longer my prisoner.”
“I do not feel like your prisoner, or at least, I have not for some time. Since you returned and… you have treated me like a guest.”
“I do not tend to strip my guests naked and take a switch to them, not as a rule.”
“Sir, do not pretend to misunderstand me. I have enjoyed more freedom in the few short days that I have been here than I have known since I lost my sight. My brother sought to lock me away but you have been considerate of my safety, my happiness. You have made it possible for me to move about unaided, though I have been glad enough of Meggie’s assistance. And Freya. You allowed me to train one of your hounds—”
“A useless mutt, but I can see that she means a lot to ye.”
“She means everything. With Freya I… I could make myself useful here, I know it. I could assist Elspeth and I know something of herbs and healing. I can play the lyre, though I confess I would require some practice before I might claim to be proficient. I would not be a burden on your household though, I swear that I would not.”
“I know that, so ye may cease your babbling on the matter. All pull their weight here, according to their abilities, and ye shall be no different.”
“Then I may stay?”
“Aye, if that is your wish we would be glad to have ye. Certainly I would, for I find I have developed a fondness for your presence in my bed.”
“In your bed? Sir, do you mean…? That is, are you…?” Again she reached for the cover but Blair pushed it further from her reach.
“I intend to fuck you. Is that sufficiently plain?”
“Quite sufficient,” Roselyn squeaked. “You have made your wishes perfectly clear.”
“And what of your wishes in the matter, Roselyn? Might ye be in the least little bit willing?”
“What difference does that make?”
He took her chin in his hand and tipped up her face. She was aware of his gaze on her though she could not meet it. His voice was low, compelling, and she felt completely exposed. She started to lower her eyelids. “No, do not shut me out, lass.”
She opened her eyes again.
“Thank you. Now listen and mind my words. Had I been minded to take you by force I could have done so at any time. None here would have lifted a hand in your defence. But I would not do that, not then, not now. I shall have you willing, or not at all.”
“Willing? As what? Your mistress?”
“Aye, that’s a good enough description.”
“Not as your wife?”
“I have no plans to marry, but you must understand, when I do take a wife the union will be about politics, and about power. I shall have to ally the McGregors with another clan for mutual benefit. This, this thing between us, this is different.”
She hung her head, dejected. “I know that you would have no wish to ally yourself with my family. You hate the Ingrams, and with good reason.”
