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Gradually, Henry’s lack of passion had woven itself into Fiona’s mind, but the spark of interest in the earl’s eyes reminded her that she still had one weapon at her disposal, one move left to make.

The earl was twice a widower. Did he feel the loss of a wife as keenly as she felt the loss of a husband?

Holding steady, Fiona forced herself to look at the earl’s handsome face. “You are very much mistaken when you say I have nothing to offer. There is one thing that is mine, wholly and completely—my person. And thus, in exchange for training my son, I offer myself to you.”

A deep, soulful hush fell over the hall, letting Fiona know that others had heard her remarks. But it was their lord’s reaction that mattered.

Slowly, the earl lifted his gaze to hers, his deep blue eyes burning into her own. Fiona swallowed hard. Embarrassment washed over her, along with a single ray of hope.

Clearly, he was not repulsed by the idea.

“’Tis a tempting offer, but I cannae marry ye, lass. I feel no great urgency to wed again, but when the time comes and I do take my next wife, she’ll be a Scottish lady, through and through.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” Fiona hardly knew how she was able to speak so calmly. She had known that a marriage between them was highly unlikely, yet her desperation had been so strong, she was willing to humble herself with the outrageous suggestion.

The earl stood, his posture dismissive.Oh, no.Crestfallen, Fiona’s heart sank and her breath quickened as her mind worked frantically, desperately searching for the words that would miraculously change his mind.

He would not marry her. It had been a rash, desperate suggestion. But there was no time to feel the sting of rejection. She must act.

Ignoring the voice that told her she was about to make an even bigger fool of herself, Fiona took a bold step forward. If the price she needed to pay to secure Spencer’s future was her own humiliation, then so be it.

“Clearly, you misheard, my lord. When I offered myself, I said naught about marriage, did I?”

Chapter 4

Every person in the great hall seemed to be holding their breath, Gavin among them. Surely he had misheard Lady Fiona’s remark? Misheard or misunderstood.

But Lady Fiona had lost her shy smile, had abandoned her quiet demeanor. Her expression now was quite bold, though beneath the bravado Gavin could swear her hands were trembling.

As well they should be. Why, the daft woman had just proposed becoming his mistress!

“Do ye know what ye are saying?”

“I know precisely what I propose, my lord. And I’d thank you to have the good manners to acknowledge it.”

Good manners? Aye, the woman had lost her wits, there was no doubt. He uncoiled his long limbs, stood, then took a step closer, looming over her. “I heard ye well enough, Lady Fiona. I can assure ye, ’tis not every day an English lady enters my hall and asks to be my leman.”

“These are desperate times. I must take desperate measures,” she replied steadily.

“Och, so now it’s my fault yer turning yerself into a whore?”

She cringed at the remark, yet recovered quickly, an expression of calm on her face. Still, he was close enough to see her reaction, to feel the bolt of pain his words had inflicted.

Aye, now that will be the end of it.She’d just acknowledged that the offer was made in desperation and she now needed a graceful way to withdraw it and still keep some pride. Gavin stole a quick glance at her winsome mouth and for a single moment regretted his decision to give her one.

Lady Fiona was a rare beauty, with a face and figure that could easily haunt a man’s dreams. Looking at her, he felt a familiar eagerness in his breath. Mud was splashed on the hem of her cloak and gown, wisps of blond hair had escaped from her silken veil, and a weariness hung about her person. Yet none of that dimmed her appeal or lessened the fierce, fiery attraction he felt for her.

He would have enjoyed having her in his bed, would have relished the chance to explore the sensual curves of her body, to taste the delights of her flesh. He had been too long without a woman and there was something unique, different about this one that captured his attention like none other.

She tilted her chin and cast him an unrepentant glare. “I am a free woman. I shall willingly barter whatever I can, including my person, for I answer to no one but myself and the good Lord.”

“I doubt the Lord would approve of yer choice,” he muttered.

“Neither of us can know that,” she answered. “God is merciful and forgiving. He understands human weakness and frailty. Besides, what harm do we do? Neither of us is married. We are breaking no vows, forsaking no others.”

Oh, she was too clever by half. Gavin could see that her pride had taken a beating, but she was not about to give up. So why was he resisting her? Well, for one thing, her proposition was ridiculous.

Or was it? His cock certainly didn’t think it was a bad idea at all. Quite the contrary—that part of his anatomy had stood at attention the moment she had risen from her graceful curtsy, her sweet beauty nearly bewitching him.