Prisoner of Desire by Isadora Rose

pleasurable, Catriona, and he will keep me protected from the rest of the men,’ Isobel said softly, unsettled to find herself convinced of the truth of the words, for despite all that had happened, she was growing to believe that Alasdair would keep her safe and in only his bed – something that Isobel was also coming to realise was a prospect that thrilled her. She desired him deeply, and strangely, his declaration that she would be his wife was a future that she sensed she could accept.
    ‘Isobel, allow me to ask you frankly,’ Catriona said slowly, coming to kneel next to the tub and staring intently into Isobel’s eyes. ‘Alasdair – does he please you? Are you actually now willing to take him as your husband?’
    ‘Catriona, it was only a matter of time after my father’s death before someone would come to Glen Carrick and either take it by force or take me by force. And I find...well, I think I am glad that it is Alasdair rather than another man who perhaps would not...who I did not...’ she trailed off awkwardly, ashamed to confess to her cousin that she desired the man who had done such things to her, but Catriona seemed to understand.
    ‘If you desire him as much as he so clearly lusts for you, Isobel, then maybe he will be able to make you happy – and that is all that I want, lass, to see you happy. The rest of the women, though...’
    ‘The men are obedient to Alasdair, Catriona – I think, perhaps, that if I beg him, he would command them to be respectful,’ Isobel suggested, a sharp twist of desire coursing through her as she imagined how exactly she could beg him for such a boon.
    ‘For you, Isobel, I think maybe he would – after all, it is far easier to catch flies with honey, and I saw how thrilled he was when you obeyed him, and then when you kissed him afterwards...’ Catriona sighed heavily as she handed Isobel the soap. ‘Perhaps you are right, cousin – we fought, and valiantly so, but they still overcame us. Undoubtedly they are here to stay, but if Alasdair pleases you and you are happy to submit to him, then it will be a better life for all of us, I suspect.’
    Exhaling with giddy relief, Isobel nodded earnestly. ‘What choice do we have, Catriona? I never, ever imagined that I would accept a new lord and a husband that was forced upon me, but then I never expected that anyone like Alasdair would come and affect me the way he does. He is not a gentle man by nature, cousin, and I do not expect that will ever change, but I have never felt pleasure like that which he showed me! If I must have a husband, then I think I would far rather it be Alasdair than anyone else.’
    ‘Then in that case, I will inform the women of your decision,’ Catriona murmured, smiling sadly as she helped Isobel wash out her hair. ‘He is a handsome man, Isobel, even if he is a cruel one, and you seem to have entranced him. I only hope that he will make you happy and keep you safe.’
    ‘Aye,’ Isobel replied quietly, stretching out her slender legs and allowing her eyes to close as her cousin tenderly washed away all the dirt from her body and hair. She was barely awake by the time that Catriona helped her out of the tub and towelled all the moisture away.
    ‘Shall I go and see if I can find you a shift to wear?’ Catriona asked, glancing with a grimace to where the ruins of the clothing Isobel had worn yesterday still laid discarded and torn next to the bed.
    ‘No, don’t worry,’ Isobel assured her with a blush, for she felt sure that Alasdair would much prefer her to be bare and ready for him when he came to awaken her as he had promised. ‘Thank you for understanding, cousin.’
    ‘Understanding?’ Catriona echoed. ‘I am not sure that I do, entirely, but I can see how much you desire our new laird, Isobel, so there is nothing I can do but accept your decision. Do you need anything else, or shall I leave you to sleep now?’
    ‘All I need is to sleep now.’ Isobel leaned forwards and