Kathleen E. Woodiwiss(175)

Ruark rose and stretched, his arms flung high above his head to ease the cramp in his back caused by sitting so long. Fleeing from the bed, Shanna strode haughtily to her makeshift alcove. Frowning, Ruark viewed the sway of her hips until she stepped from his sight. Muttering a low curse, Ruark finished the wine in his glass in a single gulp. He dropped his breeches over the back of a chair and reluctantly slid between the sheets to await her return. He knew he would then enter the battle of knowing she was so close and yet untouchable.

After a moment Shanna came back with a wide linen cloth wrapped around her. Retrieving the blanket, she avoided his gaze as she rolled it again into a barrier and came to place it in the middle of the bed.

It was too much! With a roar of rage Ruark snatched the thing and came to his feet. In a single bound he was to the window and sailed it to the courtyard below. His wrath flared high as he turned, and his nakedness made it all the more magnificent. Shanna stared in rising fear and much admiration.

“Madam, I will have this out!” He approached the bed again and stared at her, a full measure of determination showing in his gaze.

“Oh, you will have this out,” Shanna sneered, recovering herself. “You are bold enough to claim that I should be your wife and bold enough to make it understood that this should never hinder you in any way.”

“Once on a time in my dungeon, I passed the hours and marked the days unto my end,” Ruark began to state his case. “The gaoler made life for me a challenge, and I met it.” He flung up his hand dramatically. “Indeed, I threw it in his face.”

“What arrogance!” Shanna threw up her hand in a mocking gesture and watched him wrap a discarded towel around his hips.

Ruark gave her words no mind, but continued with his own. “And then into my dark, damp world, there came a light and warmth of a like I had forgotten long past. The bargain she made was beyond my wildest dream, and once again my world was more than the four stone walls with roof and floor and a narrow iron door to check my flight.”

It was as if she had not heard him. “And when I came to you, confused and beset, you gave no slightest pause, but tossed me on the bed and once more took advantage of me.”

Ruark paused his pacing to point a finger accusingly. “ ‘Twas on my honor that I acted out my part and waited on your pleasure. Alas, I saw my last hope dashed and was snatched from the lap of its fulfillment to be cast into my hole again.”

“And you crept into my chambers in the dark of night and took advantage of the slumber still clinging to my eyes.” Shanna whirled away from him and paced the room angrily.

“Once again, madam, fate did favor me.” Ruark became avid in his oration and rubbed a fist into his palm. “The hangman was cheated, and I found myself thrust into my fair one’s life through purest chance. My rage was great. My need for revenge trembled my knees.”

“Indeed, you lost no chance to see that I might be set with child and thus your own ends won. I can guess”—Shanna tossed her head and glared at him—“the fault of the maid in Londontown was that she held your seed in her belly.”

Ruark stroked his chin, pondering. “But still, I was led a gentler way. I saw the tender breast before me bared and the promise of a righted wrong was made and the bargain done. I despaired, for I could make no further claim and the fairness of that one haunted me at every turn. I had no smallest chance of escape from my own word. But then she came again and overdid the bargain, then I was the one indebted. Still, she welcomed me when I most needed welcome. But fate closed her hand against me, and the vilest of rumors did me out. Another’s name was linked to my own by wagging tongues.”

“Poor Milly,” Shanna sighed heavily. “She fell to you as easily as I did, though she has not yet found the brutish bend of your nature.”

“One whose simpleness I could ill abide was said to have enamoured me and taken me to pallet. A clumsy incident was made to mar what little happiness I had.”

“ ‘Twas only her simpleminded clumsiness that made her full aware of your wandering lust. Poor wench that she should have no wealth to lure you. She will certainly end as the one in England.”

“I would have sought the lady out to plead my cause, but therein lies the woe of it.” He began to warm with anger. “I was betrayed again and met with no more than good Pitney’s boney fist.”

“But still you ply me with all the boldness of a rogue, a pirate.” Shanna stamped her foot and accused. “You make the cruelty of those below seem lambishly gentle.”

“You deny our vows. You deny my rights. You abuse my pride and leave me nothing of yourself. You send me from you on some lackey’s strength. You betray me at every turn.”