Page 40 of Won By The Highlander

‘I am a gift from the Gordon’s. That’s what this is,’ said Sykes, with no deference whatsoever. ‘I am Miss Orla’s maid, and they sent me to be by her side and keep her safe.’

‘Safe from what?’ said Orla.

‘Why, the beast that dwells in all men,’ replied Sykes, looking Wolfric over as if he was something to be scraped off her boot.

Surprisingly, Wolfric just laughed at her insolence. ‘Take yourself inside to the kitchen, and we will follow presently,’ he said, snapping his fingers for the lad to lead her away. When Sykes had shuffled off, he turned to Orla.

‘Why the devil would your parents send her? Is she a spy?’

‘I don’t know. I am going to find my trunk and see what other trouble they have sent me.’

Orla rushed to her chamber and ran to her trunk. She threw open the lid and sat back in horror. ‘These are not even half of my things,’ said Orla, holding up a couple of old dresses of faded silk.

Wolfric leant over, picking at a nail disinterestedly. ‘I thought you cared nought for such fripperies.’

‘That is true, but my riding clothes are not here, my decent, practical dresses, my best boots.’

Wolfric reached in and held up a froth of creamy undergarments. ‘These might be useful.’

‘No. These are all for my…for the….’

‘Pleasure of your husband.’ He smirked. ‘Are you blushing, Orla?’

She snatched them from his hands. ‘Give those to me.’

Wolfric rummaged through the trunk, tossing out filmy petticoats with his big, rough hands. ‘Were these what you were looking for?’ he said, holding up a scuffed pair of boots, with dried mud still clinging to them.

‘Oh, thank God,’ said Orla, grabbing them.

‘If you have no riding clothes, you may borrow mine, lass,’ he said.

‘Yours?’

‘Aye, I think you will look very well in breeches, Orla. Maybe a little too well. Though you will have to tighten the belt a notch or two.’

‘You would let me ride about the place in a man’s breeches?’

Wolfric shrugged. ‘Why not, if it amuses me.’

Orla sat back on her heels and sighed. ‘I cannot believe my parents have been so miserly.’

‘They are withholding your things to insult me, not you. And there is Sykes to be thankful for.’

‘Thankful! She is a horrid old harridan with a sharp tongue and a lazy manner. She will lay about the place being insufferable and finding fault, and she is also a shocking gossip.’

‘Then send her away, lass.’

‘I cannot. She is my responsibility now.’

Wolfric smirked. ‘Aye, you are becoming quite the Lady of the manor these days. I hope not too much of a lady, though. Come to bed.’

‘It is the middle of the day, Wolfric.’

‘That gives us plenty of time to do all manner of wicked things. It is necessary if I am to produce an heir and solidify this union. And remember, you did say a vow in the kirk before God and all assembled.’

‘I will not fornicate with you again.’

‘Oh, don’t be so pious. And within marriage fornication is keenly encouraged, so in a way, what we do abed, is Godly, not sinful.’

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