‘I dinna take orders from ye,’ indeed. That is what ye said, is it no’?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Fair enough. We shall have tae set that little misunderstandin’
straight, then. Come here, lass.”
She frowned at him as he seated
himself upon a tree stump. “What do you mean? What misunderstanding?”
“As long as ye are wi’ the pair of
us, ye will take orders from me or from Archie, here. Ye will do as ye’re told,
without argument. Ye did no’ seem tae realise that before, but I mean tae make
sure there is no further doubt on the matter. So, the next time ye’re told tae
stay wi’ the horses, ye will damned well do that an’ not go traipsin’ off
through the fucking forest.”
She gulped. His expression was uncompromising and fierce. She did not care for it. Not one bit.
Belatedly, she tried to placate the angry Scot. “I… I see. I did not realise
you meant it so… literally. And, I did remember about the geese, so—”
“D’ye think the pair of us so dull-witted than we cannae spot a goose,
even in the dark?”
“Well, no, but I simply thought—”
“Ye have done quite enough thinkin’ for one evenin. Now, I want my share
of the food afore my companion guzzles the lot. I daresay ye do too. So, get
over here and lie across my lap. Given our brief acquaintance I’ll no’ require
ye tae raise your skirts on this occasion, though I shall no’ be so lenient
should it become needful tae correct ye again.”
“Raise my…?” Jane gaped, open-mouthed.
“Be quick. A spanking never improves wi’ keepin’.”
“You… you mean to spank me?” She could barely force out the words. The
very idea was… was… unthinkable.
“I do, aye. An’ it’s likely goin’ tae hurt so ye’d best put this in your
mouth tae stifle the noise. We dinna want to rouse yonder cottage, do we?” He
handed her a piece of cloth, rolled into a ball.
“You think to gag me as well?” She glared at the rag.
He nodded. “It seems best, aye.” He paused, then, “Wench, if I have tae
come over there an’ get ye, I shall think again about liftin’ your skirts.”
“But, you have no right…”
“Do we have tae go through all o’ that again? I already explained, as
long as ye travel wi’ Archie an’ me, ye shall obey us. If ye disobey, there
will be consequences. This…” he gestured to his lap, “this is consequences.”
“Who do you think you are?” she blurted. “You have no right to…” She
recognised the foolhardiness of such a remark when his features darkened but by
then the damage was done.
“Ah, yes, you are quite right. I should have introduced myself properly
afore now. I am Robert McGregor, heir to The McGregor, Laird of Skye and the
Outer Hebrides.” He gestured toward his companion with his thumb. “An’ that
there is Sir Archibald Montgomery. His family an’ mine are close friends, an’
Archie here is captain of my brother’s guards.”
“Your brother…?”
“Aye. My brother is the Earl of Etal and Lord of Mortain. He is now the
husband of Lady Eleanor of Ashingburn, whose baby we are seekin’ tae restore to
her.”
“Oh. I see.” She had assumed he was merely a man who had been paid to
perform a task, not that he had some personal interest in this affair.
“I am glad that ye do. So, will ye submit tae the spankin’ ye have
earned, or do I have tae make ye?”
She swung her gaze from one implacable face to the other and realised
she had little choice. He meant what he said, she was sure of it. This Robert
McGregor intended to spank her and there was not a thing she could do about it.
“You will leave my skirt down, sir?” she demanded, her chin tilted at a
rebellious angle.
“Ye’re tryin’ my patience, lass,” came his answering growl. “Here, put
the gag in your mouth.”
For want of a better plan, she did as she was told. She was surprised to
find the cloth was actually clean, and did not taste foul, though she found the
sensation in her mouth utterly horrible.
“Good. Now, ye can just lay yourself across my thighs.”
She moved to stand beside him, then lowered herself cautiously to her
knees.
“Here.” He offered his hand, and she took it, then allowed him to tug
her across his lap. “Ye need no’ worry about falling as I shall no’ let ye.
Now, bite down on that rag an’ try tae be as quiet as possible.”
She could only manage a muffled snort, which she backed up with a
half-hearted nod.
Sweet Jesus and all the saints, how
did this happen?
