Page 11 of Lady and the Scot

Ita walked in, her eyes lowered. "Lady Breena, Laird Robertson wishes to see you now."

Her stomach tumbled at thinking what the man would do as punishment. A paled Lady Grisella stood. "I will see about the evening meal. It shouldn't be too long before I send a maid to come and fetch you." A bit of relief came at knowing the lady would do what she could to ensure Robertson wouldn't be with her alone for long.

She followed a subdued Ita toward the stairwell and then reached for the maid's arm. "Tell me how have you managed all these years with him."

The maid swallowed and looked over her shoulder. "We all do what we must, milady. I suggest you don't anger him in the future. Not all punishment will go to you, but to others that surround him as well." The maid pulled her arm away and walked.

So Robertson had punished the poor girl and now Ita disliked her. Breena let out a deep breath. Nothing to be done about that right now. She had to figure out how to keep from Robertson's fists or worst.

They stopped outside a chamber and Ita opened the door for her, not looking at Breena, gaze directed over her shoulder. "The laird will be here shortly."

It was a waiting chamber of sorts. There was a table and several chairs. Breena stood in the center of the room. Too soon the door opened and Robertson stepped in. The scowl on his face made the man seem larger as he neared her. Breena remained still, head high, but her gaze downcast.

"Where have you been?" he spat circling her. "Did you meet someone?"

How much had Aiden told? Breena would not admit to anything. "I was in a cottage south of here. Alone."

"You fled from me. Did you think to get away with it?" He spoke with a pleasant tone.

The strange lightness in his voice made her skin crawl. Breena fought to keep from crumbling to the floor as her knees threatened to give. "It is not my wish to marry you. I have told you in the past. Allow me to go as I will not be a good wife to you."

"You little bitch." A meaty hand circled her forearm and he yanked her around to face him. "Of course, I will not release you."

"Why would you want to marry someone who dislikes you?" Breena finally met his gaze only to see pure hatred. She felt her eyes widen. The man abhorred her.

Robertson took her chin with the other hand. His fingers dug into her cheeks and she winced. "I prefer it, actually. The things I like to do are not things a man will do to a woman he cares for. You see, I will make you scream in my bed. You will share it not just with me, but with other men. Two or three at a time will take you as I watch. They will make you cry in both pain and passion."

All breath left her. "You are mad."

"Shut up." Robertson released her face and pulled her to the table. "Bend over."

"No." She attempted to pull away, but he grabbed her hair and slammed her down onto the table. "Stop. You're hurting me." Her voice croaked when he held her around the neck with one hand. With the other he lifted her skirts, baring her bottom.

"How about a quick lesson in what I do to a woman who dares to defy me." The sting of his first strike on her bottom was dulled by the anger that coursed through her. At the next two strikes, she began to struggle.

Robertson laughed. "This is nothing." He motioned to Ita who watched with a strange interest. Ita neared and lifted a leather strap from a chair she'd not noticed before. "I'll hold her. You will strike her until your arm gets tired. If it's less than twenty lashes. Then I will lash you."

The snap of the leather on her already tender skin brought a cry from Breena. Another strike and tears began to fall. Robertson covered her mouth and spoke into her ear. "Once you're lashed, I will fuck you, Breena. You will not enjoy it as I will not be gentle."

He continued to hold her down and spoke to Ita. "Continue."

Before the maid could strike again, there was a knock at the door. Robertson groaned. "Go see who it is." Ita put the strap down and shuffled to the door.

One of the household staff, a young man was at the door. His eyes widened at seeing Breena being held down by Robertson, but he looked only to him. "Lady Grisella requests your presence for the evening meal, Laird."

Robertson released Breena and shoved her away from him. "I will be there shortly. Let your mistress know that Lady Breena will not be eating this evening."

Once the door closed he turned to her. The backhanded slap sent her to the floor. He pulled her to stand by her hair holding it high until she had to stand on her toes and slapped her again. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "You are a rare beauty, Breena. I don't believe I will tire of you for years." His breath fanned her throbbing cheeks. "You will do so many things to please me in the time to come." He pushed her down to her knees. "Untie your bodice."

Her hands trembled as she undid the fastenings. Robertson leaned on the table and watched with fascination. The bastard enjoyed other's suffering. "Now hold your breasts up."

"That's right." His breathing hitched when she cupped her breasts. "Pinch the tips."

Breena swallowed doing what he said. He came to her. "No, not like that. Hold them."

When she did, he took each nipple between thumb and forefinger and squeezed until she whimpered. "Like that." He leaned forward and took one in his mouth, his mouth making loud suckling noises while his hand moved between her legs. Once again there was a knock at the door and Robertson cursed. "What is it?"

A guard entered, his eyes locking to Breena's exposed breasts before looking to Robertson. "I apologize, Laird. You sent for me? "