Page 21 of Won By The Highlander

‘So, I am to be abandoned to my fate,’ wailed Orla.

‘Oh, don’t be so dramatic, dear. ‘Tis marriage, nothing more. You are of good, strong stock. You will prevail and do us proud, and it is time you made a life for yourself beyond these walls.’

‘You are as good as banishing me, Mother.’

‘Not banishing, letting you fly the nest, as I have done with all my girls.’ For a moment, Orla could have sworn her mother’s voice cracked a little, but the moment soon passed. ‘Now, where is that idler, Sykes, with the hot water?’

And off she went, leaving Orla shivering and more alone than she had ever been. Sykes eventually bustled back in with a pan of hot water that did little to raise the chill of Orla’s bath. She sprinkled bits of lavender and rose petals in the water, exclaiming, ‘Fat lot of good this will do, but if Mistress insists.’

Much scrubbing and tearing at Orla’s hair later, she ventured to ask. ‘Sykes, I am in turmoil, and my mother will not listen. Do you know ought of Wolfric Munro that might give me comfort? What do the servants say?’

‘Aye, there’s talk, not much of it fit for your ears though,’ Sykes whispered conspiratorially and with a scandalised expression, though there was no one to hear. ‘Aye, that young man has left many lasses swooning and their skirts askew.’

‘Then he will make the worst kind of husband, and you are not comforting me, Sykes.’

‘I am not trying to,’ said the woman. ‘I am preparing you, Miss. You know nothing of men, and I doubt your mother will be much help, so alas, the task falls to me. You must learn to manage Wolfric Munro, for when you wed, you become a man’s property, to do with as he pleases, in bed and out of it. If you are clever, you can guide his hand, bend him to your will and make a decent life for yourself. All the young lasses at Machrief think he is fiercely handsome.’

‘I do not.’

‘Then you must be blind. Look beyond the muck and his wild ways and the finer things you are used to, and you will see you have caught quite a man there. Far better a vigorous stallion like Wolfric Munro warming your bed than a gelding like Robbie Dunn,' she said with a gleeful leer. ‘That is my opinion.’

‘And I did not ask for it.’ Orla’s stomach flipped in distaste at the image of her and Wolfric abed together. ‘And though he may draw the eye, Sykes, and be attractive to a certain type of woman with nothing better to wish for, I do not find him so. Wolfric Munro is nought but a lecherous adulterer who will stray and seek other women, just like my father.’

‘What is that to you? If you do not love him, and he is discreet, why should you care? And in time, when you have given your husband an heir or two, find a lover of your own to take your pleasure. Many marriages work in this way.’

‘I suppose. But I will not be a submissive little lamb for him to order about. I could not bear that.’

‘I know that, lass, but you must be wary. Wolfric Munro has turned out wild, aye, very wild, and is reputed to have a fearsome temper.’ Her voice became a whisper, and her eyes widened. ‘It is said he’s killed a man. Do not cross him, nor lose your heart to the rascal’s pretty face, for therein lies your doom.’

‘Pretty face! And as if I could ever feel anything for that oaf beyond contempt!’

Sykes grabbed Orla’s wrist in her pudgy hands. ‘You must heed me. Men are clever and can pull on your heart with words and caresses. If you fall for your husband, you will be miserable. And mind yourself around Rufus Munro too. They are hard people, the Munros – all of them. Keep your wits about you, lass and remember, once you are at Blackreach and in their hands, your husband is your only ally.’

Sykes shuffled off to fetch more hot water, and Orla was left alone, dread rising up in her. A wedding day was supposed to be joyful, a cause for celebration. But she was drowning in anger and dread. They may as well have been burying her alive, so grim was her fate. But Sykes was right. If she was clever, she could play Wolfric Munro and make him dance to her tune.

***

Wolfric strode into Machrief’s chapel and got a curt greeting from Dunbar Gordon. He was shocked to see all of Clan Gordon gathered as witnesses, with many of their allies also in attendance. Orla’s appearance took him by surprise too, but he did not show it.

Dunbar took him by the arm. ‘Let us get this blasted thing over with, shall we? Unless you have changed your mind and will not have her?’ whispered Dunbar.

Wolfric shook him off. A glance at Orla Gordon assured him she was holding her breath for his answer. He almost pitied the lass. If he spurned her as a bride, the lass would be scorned before the whole county and all the Gordons’ acquaintances, and no man would want an unwanted bride. On the other hand, if he went through with the union, Orla would be stuck with him for a husband. It was clear from her countenance that she was mortified by the whole affair.

‘No, Laird Gordon. I told you I would wed your daughter this day, and I will. Munros keep our word.’

‘As do Gordons. So be it. Where is the damned priest?’ Dunbar shuffled off, and Wolfric stood beside Orla at the altar, a sea of whispers and giggles at their back.

‘A black wedding dress, lass. Mourning the loss of a loved one, are we?’ he hissed through gritted teeth.

‘Mourning my freedom and happiness,’ she hissed in return. ‘And your haste to wed meant it was all I had.’ She smoothed the skirts on her plain, funereal dress.

‘If you sought to offend me, you have failed, for black becomes you. I think you look exceptionally well this day, dearest.’ He bumped his shoulder into hers. ‘I am almost becoming reconciled to my fate.’

‘Well, I am not, and don’t touch me.’

‘The time for those protestations is almost over,’ he spat, feeling the sting of Orla’s rejection and wanting to lash out.

She turned with a frown on her face. Up close, Wolfric could delight in her eyes, which were bright with anger and the softest green of newly sprouted leaves in spring. Flecks of gold warmed them, and the irises were dark-ringed, giving them a slightly fierce quality. They were, nonetheless, quite exceptionally bonnie and well worth staring at.

---