Page 29 of A Scot for Bethan (The Welsh Rebels #6)

Before she could finish her sentence Morag lifted the hem of her gown to reveal a shapely leg. Being on a horse helped her to display it to its advantage and appreciative grunts were heard from the men.

“We could always be bedded now, my laird,” she said with an engaging smile.

“It would save us some time later. I refused your brother because the fool tried to woo me, even though I knew he was only after my money. But I can tell you want me, enough to fight for me, and I like a man who knows what he wants and is not afraid to take it.” The hem of the gown went up another inch.

“Show me you’re not a weak fool. Show me just how much you want me. ”

Bethan blinked. No. Surely the girl didn’t mean to— Not here? Not like that?

“She’s not going to?—”

Cameron let out a growl. “She is. The sly minx means to ensure that the marriage is indissoluble, or at least to make it as difficult as possible for McDonald to annul it when he discovers the truth. I cannot say I feel sorry for him, considering the length he was prepared to go to to coerce you into a match with him. He will be given a taste of his own medicine and find himself married to a woman who is of no use to him.”

She would have been happy to see him punished too, but unfortunately, it was not that simple.

“But Morag…” What would happen to her when Malcolm found out he’d been tricked?

He was hardly going to forgive the humiliation or accept that he was married to a mere servant.

Would he kill her when annulment proved impossible? She would put nothing past the man.

“Fret not. She will have weighed the risks carefully. If she acquits herself well of the task of pleasing him, he might agree to keep her as a mistress.” Bethan’s mouth fell open.

Was this supposed to reassure her? Cameron made a helpless gesture.

“Aye, I ken it, but you can see how it is. She’s hardly being forced into anything.

Angus did warn me she was lazy and selfish.

If she wants to ensure herself a different life than that of a servant by beating McDonald at his own game, then she’s welcome to it.

She’s offered us the best chance for escape we could have hoped for. ”

“I suppose.” Cameron was right. Judging from what they were seeing, Morag was hardly being raped.

“I assume that she is a virgin and will use the loss of her maidenhead to prove that the union was indeed consummated. Little does she know that the woman she is impersonating is not as innocent as she is.”

Bethan reddened. No, she was not an innocent maiden, he knew it firsthand.

She turned her attention back to the clearing. While they’d been talking Malcolm had helped Morag down from the saddle. His intention to take her up on her bold offer was written all over his face. His eyes were glowing with lust.

“I will send my men away if you prefer,” he told his bride-to-be with a smile that sent bile to Bethan’s throat. He was making it sound as if he were being chivalrous. “Or we could use them as witnesses that our union was indeed consummated.”

Far from being outraged, Morag agreed to this suggestion which served her purpose as well.

She laughed, and Bethan saw that she was not in the least nervous—or appalled at the idea of being taken under the eyes of a dozen men.

It would seem that she was utterly under Malcolm McDonald’s spell and ready to do anything to have him.

“It’s not a problem to have them watch,” she said coyly. “As long as you don’t ask them to join us.”

“I won’t.” The man unbuckled his scabbard without further ado.

“There will be no need to. I know what to do and will not leave you wanting. By the Virgin, Lady Bethan, but you are bold! I had heard tales of your beauty, and you are certainly pleasing to the eye,” he added with an appreciative tilt of the head.

“But you are also as bold as the most seasoned whore.”

“I am not a whore!” Bethan hissed between her teeth.

“I know you’re not, Ealasaid,” Cameron purred in her ear. “But Morag certainly is, and McDonald is convinced that she is you.”

Yes, considering the way the serving girl was acting, it was no wonder the man thought her bold.

Bethan felt her whole body sag in defeat.

There was nothing else to do here. Morag had made her decision; she would have to face the consequences.

And with luck, Angus and Murdo would be released when the retinue left for the kirk.

“Please, let us leave while they…” She glanced at the couple who were now on the ground, tearing at each other’s clothes.

This was definitely not a rape, Morag was just as eager as her abductor to consummate this union.

The men in the clearing let out lecherous grunts when one of her breasts was revealed.

“While they are busy,” she finished, averting her gaze. This was sickening.

“An excellent idea.”

Cameron silently led her back to the horses. A moment later they were galloping away on the south road, confident no one was after them.

“I guess I should be grateful to Morag for making the task of saving you from Malcolm McDonald a lot easier than I had anticipated,” he said when they slowed down to a trot to allow the horses to breathe.

Yes, Bethan supposed she should be grateful too, but the whole scene had been nauseating, and she hated being taken for what she was not, even if the misunderstanding was of little consequence. But really, was she forever destined to be mistaken for a whore?

“Are you sure Angus and Murdo will be all right? I would hate for them to be hurt on my account.”

“Aye. At two against twelve, they can pose no threat to anyone, and it was clear they were in no state to fight. The McDonalds have captured the prize they wanted, or so they think, so they won’t bother about them. Instead, they will leave for the kirk as soon as…possible.”

As soon as Malcolm had reached his pleasure, he meant. Bethan swallowed hard. The day had not turned out quite how she expected it to.

“In a way, by giving them tainted food, it could be argued that Morag saved the two men’s lives,” she mused. Had the two warriors been able to stand their ground, their attackers might have thought it safer to kill them.

“It could. And she provided the perfect distraction. Thank the Lord for her greed and cunning.” Cameron nudged his horse back into a canter. “Come. Let us try to reach Loch Rannoch before nightfall.”