Chapter 16.

The Earl of Angus was not best pleased in spite of the whisky Ramsay was pouring generously for him.

Ram downed his whisky in one gulp, letting its rawness eat at his innards. The answer is no.

Christs holy wounds, Ive swallowed ma pride an signed a bond o friendship wi the bloody Hamiltons. Im man enough tae do whats best fer the clan, an so will ye, an theres an end tae the matter!

Ram protested, Marry a Kennedy bitch, just because Jamie has decided?

Its no just the king. Ive decided its time ye had an heir.

Marriage is no guarantee of an heir Has the Hepburn lass produced an heir fer yer son? Margaret has miscarried three times since the king wed her. Shes finally produced an heir, but none know how long itll live!

Ye can argue until yer black in the bloody face, but yell still form an alliance wi the Kennedy lass. He drained his cup and threw it into the fireplace Colin tapped on the door. He was the only one in the whole castle who had enough courage to interrupt the two Black Douglases.

Can ye no see were busy? Angus glared.

Aye, but Lord Rob Kennedy is below, and despite the thickness of the walls, he can hear the two o ye are havin a slight altercation, he said dryly.

Show him up, directed Angus. This concerns him.

Colin looked to Ram.

Im still master in my own castle, though Angus here seems to have forgotten. Show him up, Ram directed.

Damaris sensed her brothers presence the moment Rob Kennedy stepped inside the castle. She left her old chamber and saw him ascending the stairs. Robert, oh Robert, I havent seen you for so long! She bit her lip as she saw how the years had aged and thickened him. Oh Robert, you cant see me or hear me, can you? she cried softly She touched his plaid sleeve lovingly. Why are you here? she wondered. She knew he could not answer her, but there was a very easy way to find out.

As Colin opened the door to Ramsays private living quarters, Damaris glided inside and sat down upon a cushion in the wide window-seat.

Kennedy had come in his full dress tartan, his face redder than his hair now that it was mixed with gray.

Rob nodded his respect to the most powerful earl in Scotland Angusthen his eyes swung to the earls favorite nephew. Douglas.

Sit doon, mon, invited Angus. Weve never been enemies in spite o the bad blood that happened over fifteen years back.

Rob jumped right in. Ye rode back wi Arran, so perhaps ye already have the news about the Hamilton-Kennedy wedding bein off.

Angus waved his hand dismissively. It canna be called offthe chiefs of the clans have agreed.

Rob Kennedy said bluntly, Ive just had a visit from the Hamiltons. Patricks knocked up one of the Howard lasses, and the queen insists they wed.

Ramsay experienced a surge of triumph that his enemys deepest desire had been thwarted. With contempt he said, Patrick Hamiltons brains are in his prick.

Angus, irascible as always, said, That stinkin piece of English vermin! Howard likely told the lass tae spread her legs, so thered be a bond o matrimony wi Scotlands admiral.

Ram at one time or another had bedded all the Howard daughters, and suddenly he was damned thankful they hadnt played this trick on him.

Rob cleared his throat and wished Douglas would pour him a dram to give him courage for his next words. He looked at the dark, closed face of the younger man and blurted, Since ma elder daughter Valentina is now unpledged, Im askin ye tae take her instead of ma wee Beth.

Ram Douglas stared at him incredulously. Ye have a hell of a crust, Kennedy, tae ever imagine Id take either.

It was at this point that Angus went over to the other side. Have a whisky, mon, he said, clapping Kennedy on the back. Rob swallowed the fiery liquor as if it was water, and he felt hope for the first time. Naturally, Id be prepared tae compensate ye generously fer takin Valentina.

How generously? asked Angus.

Ram folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair while the two men thought to arrange his life.

Ill give her a dowry o five thousand.

Angus was impressed, though his face remained passive.

An unbidden picture of Flaming Tina Kennedy rose full- blown in Rams mind. He saw her mounted on the Barbary, the slit in her riding habit displaying too much leg, her glorious copper hair cascading like the mane of a tawny tigress. The memory of her blazing golden eyes and full underlip gave him an immediate erection. He could not deny that she was a splendid bitch!

He wondered how many erections in how many men she had been responsible for. Patrick Hamilton, the Gypsy, his own brotherseven Angus had said the sight of her made him scorch. All had courted the honeypot, the Campbells, the Gordons, the royal Stewarts, until she had finally landed the biggest fish of all, the Admiral of Scotlands heir and his own hated enemy.

Suddenly he realized the blow he could give to that enemy if he took the woman Patrick Hamilton was now denied. The delicious thought brought a rare smile to his lips. Hed be damned if hed marry her, but have her he would. He looked across at the two men who were haggling over the female in question and drawled, Double the dowry.

Rob smelled victory. Done! he agreed quickly.

Ram held up a lazy hand to show him he was not nearly finished. Property?

As Kennedy mentally sifted through all his holdings, Angus relaxed and allowed Ramsay to conduct his own affairs. His nephew was less a fool than any man he had ever known.

Rob first thought of Dunure, then got a better idea. If he offered Ram land closer to his beloved Castle Douglas in the borders, hed be too covetous to refuse. I have lands in Kirkcudbright, just across the River Dee from Castle Douglas. Ill deed them to Valentina and her heirs.

Ram admired his canny opponent. Hed not offered to put the lands in Douglass name. Nothing tempts me so far, Ram said bluntly.

Angus opened his mouth to protest vigorously, but he shut it again when Ram spoke. I need more ships, he said in an offhand manner.

Christ, ye drive a hard bargain, flared Rob, more possessive of his fleet of trading vessels than anything else he owned. Reluctantly he offered his smallest ship, the Scotia.

Ram nodded thoughtfully. Yeve a vessel ye anchor in the Solway. I have a fancy for it every time I patrol the border down that way.

Kennedy compressed his lips in vexation. She was one of his finest vessels. The silence stretched between them. Douglas looked as if he didnt give a damn one way or the other. Tension mounted in the chamber until Kennedy almost felt suffocated. At last he capitulated.

Ye win, blast yeIll throw in the Valentina.

Rams lips twitched at the aptness of the ships name. Ill think on it, he replied casually.

When will ye let me know? Rob asked angrily.

When Ive made my decision, Ram said enigmatically.

Rob Kennedy clapped his bonnet on his head and turned on his heel in impotent rage. Damaris followed him out. She was appalled. She could not communicate with her brother, yet she knew she must do somethinganything!

Yer more devious than myself, Angus said with admiration.

I doubt that, Ram said dryly.

Angus shook his head, Yer a shrewd young bastard tae wring ships from him on top o money an land, especially when ye have no option whatsoever but tae wed.

No say in my own fate? he shouted furiously.

The decisions been taken. Yell wed a Kennedy, whether ye like it or no, Archibald said flatly.

Well see about that, Ram said low, suppressing his anger by sheer dint of will.

Damaris watched with dismay as her brother rode away from the castle. He must be mad to sacrifice Valentina to a hated Douglas! Knowing what had happened to his sister in this castle, how could he allow his daughter to become a bride of Douglas? Damaris felt utterly frustrated that she could communicate with no one. She felt distraught that she could do nothing to intervene.

Yet there was one other soul who could see and hear her. Alexander was her only chance. Perhaps together they could devise a plan of action. Though it compromised her principles, Damaris searched until she found him. A marriage is being arranged between my niece Valentina and Ram Douglas. My brother was here, but I couldnt make contact with him. Damn it, Alex, we must find a way to put a stop to this! she said desperately.

Valentina Kennedy is exactly the right woman for Ramsay. I know all about it.

Damn you, Alex! I listened to them. He doesnt even want her. My brother offered him money and land and even his beloved ships, and Ram was hardly even tempted.

Help me to find a way to stop this marriage?

Alexander grinned at her. He wants her, all right, almost as much as I wanted you. Nothing stopped me, Damaris, and nothing will stop Ram. You know Douglas blood.

Yes, much to my sorrow, you ruthless, cold-blooded bastard!

Alexanders eyes were alight with pleasure. He threw back his head and laughed with pure joy.

Why are you laughing like a bloody heathen? she demanded indignantly.

Because yer talkin tae me, sweetheart!

She raised her hand to strike him, and he caught her wrist and pulled her into his arms. Never mind that we are fightin like cat and dog. After fifteen years of silence, I love it. I love ye. His arms tightened about her, and his mouth came down to crush hers. Damaris faded, but not before she had been thoroughly kissed.

When Rob Kennedy returned to Doon, the entire household was avid to learn what had transpired at Douglas. Elizabeth was the first to corner him. My lord, put me out of my misery. Did he insist on having Beth?

He did not, Rob answered truthfully.

Elizabeth sagged to the bed. Tears blurred her vision as her husband removed his dress tartan. I can tell ye no more, except that Black Ram Douglas will ha it his way or no way. I hope yer satisfied, woman. Ive sacrificed Tina tae save yer precious Beth. Hes a hard mon, shell ha none o her ain way anymore.

Perhaps its a good thing. Valentina has always needed a curb. The things Kirsty tells me about her are enough to make my hair stand on end.

Wizened-up auld spinster! Shes jealous because ma lass is so vibrant and filled wi life. Even in a roomful o beautiful women, Valentina is extraordinary.

Elizabeth wasted no time announcing to Beth the reprieve from her death sentence. Some color crept back into her face, and Ada excused herself so that she could take the news to Tina. She had just come in from a ride, and as Ada helped her change from her habit, she offered advice.

When the Douglas comes to declare himself, you must be wearing your most becoming gown. You must make him aware of the value of the prize he is getting. Keep your sharp tongue folded behind your teeth and be all sweet, womanly submission. A man feels most masculine when hes in the presence of a soft, feminine woman. It will avail you nothing to rail and shout and set yourself against him. It will avail you everything to begin his enslavement the moment he proposes.

You are wise in the way of men, Ada. I shall behave as you advise. Butter wont melt in my mouth.

Her woman picked up the fragile garment she was making. It was a transparent wisp of shell-pink gossamer she was fashioning into a nightgown for the bride-to-be.

Suddenly Tina felt weak at the knees. Ada, I cannot do this thing without you. Would you be willing to leave Doon and come with me to Douglas?

Gladly, if you can persuade your mother to let me come.

Ill go to her immediately. I shant ask her, Ill inform her, and while Im at it, I may as well tell her Im taking Mr. Burque. She was the one who said we all have to make sacrifices, Tina said in a brittle voice.

For three days the apricot silk gown lay in readiness so it could be donned quickly when Douglas came a- calling. And though he took his own sweet time about it, come he did.

Ada slipped the gown over Tinas head, fastened the tiny pearl buttons on the square bodice, then sat her down before the mirror to thread creamy pearls through the loops of piled-up copper curls. Valentina felt confident.

She knew she had never looked lovelier. When the summons came, she was ready.

As she approached the chamber, she heard his deep voice say clearly, Fetch her in, and Ill have a look at her.

The arrogant son of a bitch sounded as if hed come to buy a mare! Tina counted to ten, remembered Adas instructions, and swallowed her anger. She took a deep breath, lowered her lashes, and stepped into the room.

Her beauty took him unawares. His features hardened so she could see no response in him. His pewter eyes held hers so long, her confidence faltered. His face was hard, his mouth sensual, his jaw stubborn. She saw clearly the arrogant pride in every line of his powerful body. He was garbed in black from head to foot, relieved only by his crimson badge, the Bleeding Heart of Douglas.

Valentina knew she was confronting her destiny. She resisted the narcotic of his presence and glanced away from him. Remember your eyes, remember your mouth, she told herself.

Ye fly a high hawk, lady, Douglas accused tersely.

Her eyes widened. Did the swine mean she was reaching above herself? She bit down upon her tongue.

How old are ye? he demanded coldly.

Seventeen, and I have all my teeth. She could not prevent the words. I see that in courtship, as in war, chivalry must yield to expediency, she said with cutting sweetness.

Courtship? He laughed. There will be no lack of candor.

I am a blunt man. We are two totally incompatible personalities. Ye are bold and forward in temper. Ye are vain and spoiled and not much use tae a man. As well, all Kennedy women are rumored tae be honeypots.

Mon, yer blunt as a cudgel, protested her father.

With a disarming smile she gave as good as she got.

The Douglases are renowned for their ambition, pride, greed, and treachery.

And valor, he added with a wolfish grin.

You have a monstrous conceit of yourself, she accused.