Read Online Mary Reed McCall by The Sweetest Sin - Free Book Online
Authors: The Sweetest Sin
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and relief blended in a torrent as Aileana stared aghast at him. “But we made no such condition in our agreement. You’re changing the rules to suit yourself!”
“That’s the way of it, Aileana MacDonell. Give me the amulet and you go free. Keep it and remain bound to me.”
A hissing log on the fire popped and fell to the coals,flaring sparks. Aileana glared at Duncan. He sat composed as he awaited her decision. She averted her gaze. Giving him the Ealach meant she could return home tomorrow. Back to the only home she’d ever known, but as a failure, perceived a fallen woman by her clan. Or she could continue to protect the Ealach and suffer the indignity of appearing to be Duncan MacRae’s leman for the rest of her days.
It suddenly dawned on her that either way, she faced the same trap. Whether in the MacRae’s bed or out of it, she was ruined.
She glanced beneath hooded eyes, studying the lean, muscular grace, the golden, scarred skin and chiseled features of the tyrant sitting before her. Bitterness rose hot and full in her throat. Because of him she would never savor the pleasures of home or hearth or the joy of her own children playing round her feet. She’d be scorned by all who saw her as Duncan’s cast-off whore. The issue was moot; even if he allowed her to remain pure in body, no one would believe it. It would seem impossible that this bold, virile animal had denied himself full use of his leman. And because of that, no self-respecting man would ever again consider her for a wife.
Aileana straightened and clenched her jaw. Her dreams of a normal life, of companionship and family, fluttered away like ash up the chimney. But if she stayed at Eilean Donan, she could at least ensure that her suffering had purpose. The amulet would remain safe.
It was settled, then. Duncan MacRae could chew nettles; she’d not tell him where she’d secured the Ealach . He’d drawn the battle lines against her with his cruel treachery, and now he’d pay the consequences. He’d pay dearly.
“I’ve made my decision, MacRae. I’ll be staying.”With a flap of her chemise, she scuffed toward her pallet, adding, “May your sleep be full of ghosties and evil fairies for the bargain you struck with me tonight.”
Refusing to look at him again or react to the weight of the silence billowing at her from where he sat, Aileana stretched out on the soft ticking and burrowed deep. Prickling heat stung her eyes, but she blinked it away. This was no time for tears. She needed to make plans. Duncan MacRae would get his fair reward for this, by heaven. And now she had all the days for the rest of her life to enact every plot she could envision against him.
With that comforting thought, Aileana squeezed her eyes shut and tried to let her mind drift into dreams of satisfying revenge.
Duncan rolled over and tried to find a comfortable position. Sleep had eluded him for several hours. He’d watched the fire burn down to glowing embers, watched his remaining candle melt to nothing. And more often than he cared to admit he’d sat up to look at the fiery-haired, stubborn wench curled into a sleeping ball on the corner pallet.
Aileana MacDonell surprised him at every turn. He’d been certain that, granted the possibility of going home, she’d give him the amulet without clamor. He’d ordered Bridgid to work her hard this day to add to the enticement of leaving. But she’d stood her ground. And now he was faced with a prospect he’d not allowed himself to truly consider. She would be living here for the devil knew how long. Every day he’d have to contend with her chattering tongue, her annoying female ways, her pointed stares…and a constant view of her creamy-skinned beauty.
With a groan Duncan punched a lump on his bed.Comely or not, he couldn’t take her. Morgana’s blood ran in her veins. Her clan had slaughtered his people. Slaughtered Mairi.
Cold seeped into his chest. He didn’t want to see the picture in
“That’s the way of it, Aileana MacDonell. Give me the amulet and you go free. Keep it and remain bound to me.”
A hissing log on the fire popped and fell to the coals,flaring sparks. Aileana glared at Duncan. He sat composed as he awaited her decision. She averted her gaze. Giving him the Ealach meant she could return home tomorrow. Back to the only home she’d ever known, but as a failure, perceived a fallen woman by her clan. Or she could continue to protect the Ealach and suffer the indignity of appearing to be Duncan MacRae’s leman for the rest of her days.
It suddenly dawned on her that either way, she faced the same trap. Whether in the MacRae’s bed or out of it, she was ruined.
She glanced beneath hooded eyes, studying the lean, muscular grace, the golden, scarred skin and chiseled features of the tyrant sitting before her. Bitterness rose hot and full in her throat. Because of him she would never savor the pleasures of home or hearth or the joy of her own children playing round her feet. She’d be scorned by all who saw her as Duncan’s cast-off whore. The issue was moot; even if he allowed her to remain pure in body, no one would believe it. It would seem impossible that this bold, virile animal had denied himself full use of his leman. And because of that, no self-respecting man would ever again consider her for a wife.
Aileana straightened and clenched her jaw. Her dreams of a normal life, of companionship and family, fluttered away like ash up the chimney. But if she stayed at Eilean Donan, she could at least ensure that her suffering had purpose. The amulet would remain safe.
It was settled, then. Duncan MacRae could chew nettles; she’d not tell him where she’d secured the Ealach . He’d drawn the battle lines against her with his cruel treachery, and now he’d pay the consequences. He’d pay dearly.
“I’ve made my decision, MacRae. I’ll be staying.”With a flap of her chemise, she scuffed toward her pallet, adding, “May your sleep be full of ghosties and evil fairies for the bargain you struck with me tonight.”
Refusing to look at him again or react to the weight of the silence billowing at her from where he sat, Aileana stretched out on the soft ticking and burrowed deep. Prickling heat stung her eyes, but she blinked it away. This was no time for tears. She needed to make plans. Duncan MacRae would get his fair reward for this, by heaven. And now she had all the days for the rest of her life to enact every plot she could envision against him.
With that comforting thought, Aileana squeezed her eyes shut and tried to let her mind drift into dreams of satisfying revenge.
Duncan rolled over and tried to find a comfortable position. Sleep had eluded him for several hours. He’d watched the fire burn down to glowing embers, watched his remaining candle melt to nothing. And more often than he cared to admit he’d sat up to look at the fiery-haired, stubborn wench curled into a sleeping ball on the corner pallet.
Aileana MacDonell surprised him at every turn. He’d been certain that, granted the possibility of going home, she’d give him the amulet without clamor. He’d ordered Bridgid to work her hard this day to add to the enticement of leaving. But she’d stood her ground. And now he was faced with a prospect he’d not allowed himself to truly consider. She would be living here for the devil knew how long. Every day he’d have to contend with her chattering tongue, her annoying female ways, her pointed stares…and a constant view of her creamy-skinned beauty.
With a groan Duncan punched a lump on his bed.Comely or not, he couldn’t take her. Morgana’s blood ran in her veins. Her clan had slaughtered his people. Slaughtered Mairi.
Cold seeped into his chest. He didn’t want to see the picture in
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