Page 50 of Won By The Highlander

‘We are leaving,’ he commanded. ‘And if you make a scene, then you will shame both of us, not that I care a fig about it.’

‘We cannot just leave. It is ill-mannered.’

‘Which is exactly what folk expect of a black sheep and a hoyden. And you have had ample time to list my many faults to your cousin.’

‘I did not do that.’

‘Come, let us find horses and ride home.’

‘You mean steal them?’

‘Aye, steal, borrow, what does it matter? Are you too timid, Orla, or are you afraid to be alone with me for fear that I might force myself on you again?’

‘I would like to see you try,’ she snapped.

‘Which way are the stables lass?’ he said, in the cool gloom of the corridor, pulling Orla along behind him so that he would not have to see her face, for he had an overwhelming urge to kiss the anger out of it.

Chapter Eighteen

Orla peered out at a sunny sky of perfect blue, which was at odds with her mood. A whole week had gone by without Wolfric’s brooding presence. He had disappeared the moment they had returned to Blackreach from the ball, after a horrible journey undertaken in angry silence, in the black of night, and in the foulest of weather. Orla’s beautiful blue dress had been ruined, and her wig flattened with rain. With the outrage of a drowned cat, she had spit at Wolfric in anger, but there was no talking to him. He had just stormed off in high dudgeon, leaving her with a cold and lonely bed and a burning sense of grievance. She could not air it the following day, as when she woke, he was long gone.

Two days later, Bryce arrived to demand the return of two stolen horses, yet he did not linger, nor did he seem to be in a talking mood, and he was definitely the worse for wear, bearing the signs of a recent fight. Orla handed the horses over with an apology, in opposition to Rufus’ loud protestations that possession was nine-tenths of the law.

‘Whose wronged husband caught up with you this time, cousin?’ she had ventured as Bryce was leaving.

‘Tis nothing to concern yourself with, and the other fellow came off worse,’ he murmured, not meeting her eye, and with that, he had ridden off at a gallop.

Her cousin’s visit unsettled her terribly, for Bryce had been curiously remote with her, and she could only assume that her offence of leaving his gathering ran deep and might take some time to fade.

There was no explanation for Wolfric’s disappearance, and Rufus was no help, as he genuinely seemed unaware of his son’s whereabouts. He was softening a little now that her crocus concoction had eased his gouty foot, but when she had asked after his son, he had merely snapped and said, ‘If he doesn’t see fit to tell you, why should he tell me? I am only his damned father and Laird of this clan, after all. And while you are in pursuit of my son, try and find that dunderhead, Elva, for she has not been up to tend today.’

‘I will send my maid, Sykes, to tend you instead,’ said Orla.

‘What, that fat one whose teats always over-spill her bodice? She is a nought but a harpy who eats me out of house and home.’

‘Aye, that is she, but she will have to do.’

‘Is she gentle?’

‘I very much doubt it,’ said Orla, rushing off in a foul mood.

She sent Sykes off in a fearsome pout to deal with Rufus, with the servant muttering, ‘Why should I be made to do a kitchen maid’s work? I warn you, I will not stand for a tongue lashing from that touchy old goat, and I’ll not lay hands on his wrinkled flesh either. And as to that foot, it could have a contagion, and I could fall ill and….’

‘Oh, for the love of God, just go and pacify him, Sykes. Use what charm you’ve got, and don’t take any nonsense. I have more pressing matters.’

‘Like what, Lady, finding that wicked husband of yours? Been gone for days, hasn’t he?’

‘That is his business and mine. And I must go in search of Elva, for Rufus is asking for her.’

‘I’m sure he is. Happen that lass tends the needs of all the men of Blackreach,’ Sykes added with a leer.

‘Whatever do you mean by that?’ said Orla with an uneasy feeling.

‘Elva is a bit free with her favours to the high and the low, by all accounts. ‘Tis strange that the master has disappeared the same time she has. I do hope they have not come to grief, though Elva already has, judging by her swollen belly.’ Sykes gave Orla a sly grin.

‘Her what?’

‘Aye, did you not know? She is with child and well along too, by all accounts. She hid it well, but no more. Her secret is out.’

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