choose to, but instead, I have a proposition for you.”
“I am not interested in anything you have to offer.”
“Hmmmm. Not even an exchange for your life?” He asked. “Considering what my father has planned for you on the morrow, one would think, you’d welcome any alternative. Being stripped naked, flogged within an inch of your life, then drown in a pit of stagnant water is a horrible way to die. However, if you agree to my terms, I could speak to my father.”
“Does your sire always condemn his prisoners without a trial?”
“You came here to steal from my father’s estate, did you not?”
“We only wanted enough food to feed the bairns. Necessary supplies your father has denied us.”
“As is his right. But you also took part in a raid during which several of my father’s men were wounded or killed.”
“We had no choice but to defend ourselves. We were given no other option when they showed no quarter. They outnumbered us five to one and we never stood a chance.”
Mason shrugged. “The law states that based on your crimes, my father can execute you without a trial. Unless I do something to stop that from happening, he intends to make an example of you.”
“What could I possibly have that would interest you enough to intervene on my behalf? Surely you can rut with any lass you desire. Or do you get pleasure by taking advantage of women who are not able to defend themselves and loath you?”
“I do enjoy a challenge and you are hardly a helpless wench. But I am to be married in a fortnight to the daughter of one of the most powerful lairds in the Highlands and am not impressed with my father’s choice.”
“And what has that to do with me?”
“If you’d seen my betrothed, you would understand. Homely doesna describe her. She is not only a rotund woman, but she has the face of a sow. The thought of bedding her makes my stomach sour. However, my father is convinced the union will strengthen his alliance with her clan.”
Arya glared back at him, appalled by the arrogance of this scoundrel. “And you wish me to marry you in her stead?” She didn’t bother to hide the disdain in her voice. Not only did she find Mason unattractive, but the thought of spending her life married to him was a fate worse than death.
“Dinna flatter yourself. A union between you and I would serve no purpose.”
“I’m confused. If you dinna wish to marry me—” Arya stopped speaking as the realization of what he meant came into mind.
He nodded. “Now that I’ve confirmed the rumors of your beauty and virtue are true, I wish to make you my whore. You would, of course, have to pay for your crimes, but I am sure I could convince my father to have you flogged, then locked in the tower for the rest of your life rather than executed. At least, until I’ve had my fill or find someone more appealing.”
“You arrogant bastard! I would rather die than lay with you.”
“That would be a pity,” Mason scoffed. “While you do have a firm round arse, I do prefer my women with meat on their bones and more than a handful of breast. But you’ll do.”
“I’ll gladly face death rather than warm your bed.
“Dinna be so quick to decide. I will give you till morn to think about it. After spending a night in this rat-infested hole in the ground, you may change your mind.” He plucked the torch from the wall, then leaned in and kissed her. “Until then, I bid you farewell,” he said, then turned and walked away.
Arya spat on the floor. “I’ll not change my mind. I would rather dwell with rats,” she shouted. But he did not favor her with a reply.
After the cell door slammed shut and the sound of footsteps faded, Arya sank to the floor. There had to be some other way to get out of here. Being the concubine of Mason Campbell was not one of them.
With Logan’s assistance, Garrett arrived at Scotia’s croft. But as he reached for the door latch, he hesitated.
“Are you sure you dinna want me to
“I am not interested in anything you have to offer.”
“Hmmmm. Not even an exchange for your life?” He asked. “Considering what my father has planned for you on the morrow, one would think, you’d welcome any alternative. Being stripped naked, flogged within an inch of your life, then drown in a pit of stagnant water is a horrible way to die. However, if you agree to my terms, I could speak to my father.”
“Does your sire always condemn his prisoners without a trial?”
“You came here to steal from my father’s estate, did you not?”
“We only wanted enough food to feed the bairns. Necessary supplies your father has denied us.”
“As is his right. But you also took part in a raid during which several of my father’s men were wounded or killed.”
“We had no choice but to defend ourselves. We were given no other option when they showed no quarter. They outnumbered us five to one and we never stood a chance.”
Mason shrugged. “The law states that based on your crimes, my father can execute you without a trial. Unless I do something to stop that from happening, he intends to make an example of you.”
“What could I possibly have that would interest you enough to intervene on my behalf? Surely you can rut with any lass you desire. Or do you get pleasure by taking advantage of women who are not able to defend themselves and loath you?”
“I do enjoy a challenge and you are hardly a helpless wench. But I am to be married in a fortnight to the daughter of one of the most powerful lairds in the Highlands and am not impressed with my father’s choice.”
“And what has that to do with me?”
“If you’d seen my betrothed, you would understand. Homely doesna describe her. She is not only a rotund woman, but she has the face of a sow. The thought of bedding her makes my stomach sour. However, my father is convinced the union will strengthen his alliance with her clan.”
Arya glared back at him, appalled by the arrogance of this scoundrel. “And you wish me to marry you in her stead?” She didn’t bother to hide the disdain in her voice. Not only did she find Mason unattractive, but the thought of spending her life married to him was a fate worse than death.
“Dinna flatter yourself. A union between you and I would serve no purpose.”
“I’m confused. If you dinna wish to marry me—” Arya stopped speaking as the realization of what he meant came into mind.
He nodded. “Now that I’ve confirmed the rumors of your beauty and virtue are true, I wish to make you my whore. You would, of course, have to pay for your crimes, but I am sure I could convince my father to have you flogged, then locked in the tower for the rest of your life rather than executed. At least, until I’ve had my fill or find someone more appealing.”
“You arrogant bastard! I would rather die than lay with you.”
“That would be a pity,” Mason scoffed. “While you do have a firm round arse, I do prefer my women with meat on their bones and more than a handful of breast. But you’ll do.”
“I’ll gladly face death rather than warm your bed.
“Dinna be so quick to decide. I will give you till morn to think about it. After spending a night in this rat-infested hole in the ground, you may change your mind.” He plucked the torch from the wall, then leaned in and kissed her. “Until then, I bid you farewell,” he said, then turned and walked away.
Arya spat on the floor. “I’ll not change my mind. I would rather dwell with rats,” she shouted. But he did not favor her with a reply.
After the cell door slammed shut and the sound of footsteps faded, Arya sank to the floor. There had to be some other way to get out of here. Being the concubine of Mason Campbell was not one of them.
With Logan’s assistance, Garrett arrived at Scotia’s croft. But as he reached for the door latch, he hesitated.
“Are you sure you dinna want me to
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