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‘Alright, Munro, let us drop the pretence. No one has seen my cousin for weeks since her wedding, and as her parents decline to visit, I have come to check on her welfare.’
Wolfric dragged Orla forward towards Bryce. ‘As you can see, she is safe and well, and she would be a lot safer if she would listen to me and not ride about the glens unaccompanied. And Orla is tired after her excursion today and is off to bed.’
‘I am not, I….’
‘Go, lass, before I have your cousin thrown out into the storm.’
Wolfric dragged Orla from the hall and pushed her into the corridor. He slammed the door shut and barred it. He turned to Bryce Cullan. ‘That was your plan, was it not, to be given a bed for the night so that you could spy on us?’
‘Aye, it was, and I wanted to visit with my cousin, but it seems I overestimated your hospitality. So now that I have seen how you mistreat my cousin, I suppose you will throw me out into this infernal weather.’
Wolfric sighed. ‘We do not know each other well, Cullan, but give me credit for some honour. Do you really think Orla would tolerate being mistreated by any man?’
‘My cousin has always been able to take care of herself, that is true.’
‘Well, now she has a husband to take care of her, and you need not concern yourself with her wellbeing.’
Cullan was not cowed. ‘I wish to speak to my cousin alone.’
‘Denied. You have delivered your message, and now you may take a bed here for the night, or you may leave. But do not think to insinuate yourself into our lives.’
Bryce’s jaw worked, but he damped down his anger and smiled. ‘As you wish. And the ball?’
‘We will not be attending.’
‘That is a shame, you know. I understand that there is some bitterness between Rufus and Dunbar, but it does not have to infect our families too. Orla is my cousin, and I am fond of her.’
‘As am I,’ said Wolfric.
‘I will not see her thrown to the wolves, Munro, and if any man hurts her, I swear I will end him.’
‘As will I, Cullan. I will have a room prepared for you.’
‘Do not bother yourself with a fig leaf of politeness, Munro. But do reconsider the ball. Orla is young, and bonnie and she should be allowed to shine.’
***
Wolfric stared long and hard into the fire after Bryce had taken his leave. He had been cruel and unfair this night, all fuelled by anger and fear, and aye, jealousy too. Orla was fond of Bryce, yet she hated him, her husband. He had been worried about her riding out alone, and what thanks did he get for his concern – none?
Yet, he had hurt her by telling her about Dunbar’s indifference to her welfare. Aye, there had been no need to do that, for the deed was done. So why do it? To try and paint himself in a good light, maybe? To fashion himself as her protector when everything he said and did with Orla painted him as her lord and master, her seducer, an unwanted husband who did not desire her.
But he did desire her, and if they were to go forward, it was time he earned some measure of trust from Orla. There was only one thing to be done.
Orla’s chamber was not locked, for he would not allow it. He entered quietly and thought he heard a stifled sob from the bed. Wolfric undressed quickly and slid in beside her.
‘Don’t touch me,’ she hissed.
‘I won’t if you don’t want me to. Lass, forgive me if I was harsh.’
‘Why did you have to send Bryce away? It is cruel to deny me any visitors.’
‘I was angry with you, and I lashed out. For that, I beg forgiveness. I offered the fool a bed, but he declined. And you will get plenty of opportunity to speak with him at his damned ball.’
The bed shifted as she rolled to face him. ‘You mean we can go.’
‘Aye, we can go, and in future, if you wish to go riding, I can go with you.’
Silence fell for a long time, and when she spoke, it was like an arrow to Wolfric’s heart. ‘And if I prefer to go alone?’
