Page 63 of Won By The Highlander

‘It is well known that Dunbar plays both sides, feigning loyalty to Scottish independence while cultivating English support for his own interests.’

‘That is not true.’

‘So you are saying you know nothing, lass, is that it?’

‘I don’t understand, Wolfric.’

‘Orla, that is no answer, and I don’t know what is worse, that you are ignorant or smitten?’

‘I am neither of those things and how dare you?’

Wolfric put his face in hers. ‘Do those men come to Machrief? Is that how you know them, because I feel that you do, especially that Captain. Answer me.’

The way Wolfric framed his question helped Orla to avoid the lie. ‘They did not come to Machrief, and I know little of them, save they are redcoats and cannot be trusted.’ That was not too far from the truth. ‘You told me to play the obedient wife, Wolfric, and I did, so why are you angry?’

‘You blushed when that young one looked at you. I pride myself on my powers of observation. Are you flattered by his attentions, Orla?’

‘No, and I blushed because of what passed between the two of us earlier in the woods. I thought those men might see my shame on my face.’

‘There was no shame in it. We are wed and can do what we like. And do not worry about the good opinion of an Englishman, for they are all brutes, especially redcoats.’

Wolfric’s shoulders heaved with the weight of his rage, but it was matched by her own, and Orla was too reckless to tread carefully.

‘Wolfric, when were you going to tell me about the rooms you keep in Inverness?’

He looked away from her, rubbing his thumb in his palm, a sure sign he was trying to rein in his temper. ‘It is nothing. Those bastards did it to discomfort me and to humiliate you by turning you into the wronged wife. It was neither fair nor gallant, but as I said, they are brutes, the English.’

‘Aye, and they were clearly suggesting that you keep a mistress there. So do you?’

‘No. I keep those rooms as a refuge of sorts.’

‘From me?’

He took hold of her by the arms. ‘No, of course not. I need no refuge from you. Indeed, I have looked forward to coming back to Blackreach since you have been installed in it. I mean that, Orla.’

She shook him off. ‘Do not deflect me, Wolfric. Who do you visit in those rooms in Inverness?’

‘You already know the answer to that.’

‘Elva.’

‘Aye. I have placed the lass in those rooms for her safety. She is with child, alone and unwed, and that is not a good thing to be in the Highlands, as you know. The other servants taunt her, and rumours abound about her child.’

‘But if the child is not yours, why would you intervene?’

‘Because I have a heart, lass.’

‘Most high-born men would not trouble themselves over a poor servant girl in trouble. Why would you, if you are not the cause of that trouble, Wolfric?’

‘I say again, I am not the father of Elva’s child. I have never shared her bed, nor do I want to. A grave injury was done to the lass, and I am trying to right it for her.’

‘What injury?’ said Orla.

‘A redcoat is the father of her bairn, and she is not with child from an act of love.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Must I say it? She was out alone, unprotected, and there was forcing, Orla. I found her one day, weeping, her clothes torn, her face bruised. I came across her in her strife when it had just happened, when she was raw with it, so it is my responsibility and none other’s.’

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