Page 74 of Won By The Highlander

‘What do you want? I have no time for fools this day.’

‘Oh, aye, that was plain to see in the market square just now. I asked around, and it seems your wife’s honour was tainted this day. Was that what the scrap was about?’

‘Tis common knowledge by now. Gossip festers in this rathole.’

‘Rathole is it? I am sure the good burgesses of Inverness would disagree.’

‘Leave me be, Callum. I am in no mood for talking.’

‘Should you not be home with your wife, seeing as you just defended her most vehemently?’

‘Bugger off, Callum. Just because we committed a crime together does not mean we are friends.’

‘Hush. It is not to be spoken of. And no, we are not friends, but our shared guilt makes us better than enemies, and after what I just witnessed you do to Robbie Dunn, I am glad of it. You can fight, Munro, I’ll give you that, but can you see the truth when it stares you in the face?’

‘And what is that.’

‘Orla would never betray you. She is not that type of woman.’

‘And how would you know? Is there something between you and her as well as the redcoat scum?’

Callum narrowed his eyes. ‘Ah, so you do believe Robbie’s story. You think Orla is unfaithful.’

The alewife bustled over with a jug of ale and cups, and, catching Wolfric’s glower, she rushed away again. He poured a cup of ale and downed it in one go, ignoring Callum.

‘Sitting in here, alone and seething, will just give grist to the rumour mill, Munro,’ said Callum.

‘So what if it does? Let them gorge on the scandal they love so much.’

‘Wolfric, will you throw her to the wolves on a lie from a man who hates your guts? Are you so easy to bait?’

‘Aye, I must be, for you are managing it very well.’

Callum grabbed a cup of ale and swigged it. ‘Orla is a good lass. I can vouch for her as I have known her for years.’

‘Through that reprobate cousin of hers - the handsome, useless one.’

Callum bristled. ‘I will hear no insult to my friend. Bryce Cullan is steadfast and loyal, and he is like a brother to me. What I mean when I say Orla is a good lass is this. I have seen Orla grow into a fine woman. She is courageous, strong-willed and stubborn, and sometimes infuriating. But I have also seen her be kind on many occasions, and she is loyal to a fault to those she loves.’

Wolfric curled his lip. ‘Aye, those she loves, maybe.’

Callum shook his head. ‘You have no need to doubt her.’

‘If you think so highly of Orla, why didn’t you marry her then?’

‘Oh, I had no hope of winning that race her father set. And she would never fall for a dull dog like me. She needs a spark, a contest, a battle of wills to stir her. It is ever that way with Orla. That is why she and Bryce get along so well. Both of them are fiery. And beyond this, I’ve no wish to drag an unwilling woman into matrimony.’

It dawned on Wolfric that Callum was still smarting from his rejection by the bonnie but pea-brained Mona Cameron. It was a stick to beat the man, but Wolfric did not use it. Buried deep under the quiet menace of Callum Ross lay a gruff integrity that Wolfric admired. And he could not forget that Callum had once had his back.

Callum leant in. ‘Now open your ears, and listen, Munro. Orla would never have a dalliance with another man, especially not a soft peacock like that Nash fellow. She is not the type to stray.’

Orla inspired such loyalty in those around her. Could he not find it in his heart to do the same? Then Callum stoked his rage again.

‘I mean, you can’t take the moral high ground here. Everyone knows you keep a lass in Narrows Lane for your pleasure. I mean, if Orla can turn a blind eye to that, maybe you should be more forgiving.’

Damn. Elva. He had forgotten about her. Wolfric stood abruptly. ‘I have to go. You may finish the ale if you like.’

‘Thank you for your generosity. Show the same to Orla, or you’ll have Bryce to worry about, you know.’

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