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Conall pulled his horse up so hard it skidded to a halt, its buttocks almost on the ground, whining and snorting and rearing. He fixed Rory with a black stare that would give the fiercest of men pause.
‘I can see you’re angry.’
Conall narrowed his eyes.
‘And frustrated too, I imagine. Do your balls hurt, Conall?’ smirked Rory
‘Don’t laugh at me.’
‘Very well, but take your anger out on me, not your horse, lad.’
‘How many times do I have to say it? I am a lad no longer. I’m almost nineteen, so you can’t just order me about anymore. I don’t have to do your bidding, and I can bed who I like when I like.’
Conall was a strapping six-footer, broader and taller than Rory already.
‘Aye, you are no longer a lad, I agree, but for Christ’s sake, when will you start acting like a man?’
‘I was trying to when you showed up and ruined the day. Why did you have to follow me and spy on me?’
‘Because I heard where you’d gone, and I thought it best you not get old Muir’s claymore through your guts. Your parents have sent you to me for seasoning, to train you to command, to lead, yet you have no discretion, Conall. All last night you wallow in ale, like a hog in a trough, and then boast drunkenly all over the castle about where you are going and what you are going to do so that there’s not a stable boy or servant girl in Dunslair who doesn’t know what you are about.’
‘So, what of it?’
‘A wise dog doesn’t shit where he eats.’
‘So if I go further afield for my pleasures, you won’t follow me and spoil everything.’
‘That’s not the point, and you know it.’
‘Twas just a bit of fun is all, Rory. You didn’t have to humiliate me in front of Elspeth. I would have come along with you.’
‘Aye, I should have bitten my tongue a bit, but you frustrate me, Conall. What if you get her with child?’
‘I’m not a fool. I’m careful.’
‘Aye careful enough to almost get caught with your breeches around your ankles by Angus Muir, one of the toughest, most bad-tempered men in the whole of Dunslair.’
‘If he had challenged me, I could have taken him down.’
‘Aye and in the process wounded or killed him most likely. Is it worth murder and mayhem just to get in a girl’s skirts, and one such as Elspeth? She’s fallen on her back for most of the men in Dunslair, which is why her father watches her like a hawk.’
‘So she’s a bit free with her favours. She’s willing enough, so what’s the harm?’
‘Do you love her?’
‘No, of course not, but I like her, and she makes me laugh, and I have needs, Rory.’
‘Control them!’
‘God, you sound just like my father.’
‘Aye, and while he and your mother are gone to London, I stand in his place, and so I will demand from you the obedience of a son.’
‘So while they toady up to King Charles at court, I am stuck in this miserable hole with you. They could have taken me with them. I would have learnt more at court than here with you.’
‘Of course, you could, Conall. You could have amused yourself drinking and gambling and seducing elegant, young women who would undoubtedly be silly enough to fall for your pretty face and silver-tongued endearments.’
Conall suddenly smirked, and it was like the sun came out. ‘It’s not my fault I’m so handsome, and you are certainly not making me feel any better about not going, Rory, by saying that.’
