‘He has gone to see Callum Ross on a matter of urgency.’ She could not bear to name the fiend responsible for the corpse rotting into the dirt at Balnakiel.
‘You mean to say he left his new bride with no diversion on this marvellous day. Are you to rattle about this old place with only the servants for company?’
‘Aye. Bryce said he had important business with his friend.’
‘Did he now? Well, this will not do. Get a plaid for warmth and see me in the yard as soon as may be.’
‘Why?’ said Maren, suddenly wary.
‘We are going on an outing, lass. I need to get to know my new daughter-in-law, and I have business in Inverness. What a happy consequence that I can do both at once and spoil you, to boot.’
‘But I am not fully awake, and Bryce said I was to say in Penhallion because it is unsafe and ….’
‘Well, damn his eyes. Do you always intend to do as he says, Maren? He is not here is he? And I am Laird and enjoy baiting my arrogant son, so I say you can go. I am taking three clansmen with me, which should ease your fears. Hurry along now, lass, and fetch a plaid in case the day turns cold.’ He patted her cheek in a fatherly way. ‘I will be waiting in the yard and will brook no refusal.’
When he had rushed off, Maren sighed. Damn. Now she would have to suffer Jasper Cullan’s probing all the way to Inverness, and she was sure this ride was a deliberate ploy on his part to get her alone and poke out secrets like a bird pecking for worms. He seemed a patient man who would wait for her to trap herself rather than demand answers, for she was sure he doubted her marriage to Bryce. And when Bryce came back and found her gone, there would be trouble.
Maren smoothed her skirts and hardened her resolve. Since when was she an obedient little lamb to take orders from a man like Bryce? Inverness would be diverting, and she could deflect Jasper’s questions well enough by batting her eyelashes and simpering at him. So Maren ran back to her chamber, grabbed her plaid and prepared for an adventure.
Chapter Seventeen
At first, Jasper rode in silence through a morning hazy with low-lying mist, and with just a quick glance at her now and again to see that she was keeping pace with him. But when the kirk spires of Inverness became visible, rising like thorns into the sky, Jasper slowed and turned to her.
‘We are almost at the town. I have business with my solicitor, Mr Stuart. For years, he has managed my legal and mercantile matters. We send goods south by ship from the docks – timber, cattle, fish and furs, for we have an abundance on our land.’
Maren frowned. She had not expected the grand Laird Cullan to get his hands soiled with such lowly exports as fish and furs.
‘In return, the canny Mr Stuart negotiates my purchases from the south,’ he continued. ‘All manner of delights he brings for me – tea, sugar, silks and fine crockery. Though I’ve not had much call for the silks since my wife passed. Now, I have a reason to import such trinkets, for you might enjoy them, Maren.’
‘Oh, I don’t need….’
Jasper cut her off, waving away her protests. ‘A fine-looking lass like you deserves the best life has to offer.’
Maren felt a churn of regret at his kindness. She did not deserve it.
‘Nothing escapes my man, Stuart, for he has a shrewd mind and a keen eye,’ continued Jasper. Then, as was his habit, he gave her a quizzical look as though he were trying to say something without actually saying it.
‘I do hope he drives a hard bargain on your behalf,’ said Maren evenly.
‘Oh aye, lass, a very hard bargain, which is why we prosper. Now tell me, what of your family? Where is their estate?’
‘Many days south, Laird – Drumdarroch Manor.’
‘I do not know it.’
‘Tis a good distance from Inverness and several days ride, near Helmsdale, and the manor lies a mile from the town.’
‘So, a remote and wild childhood, eh?’
‘It was a little isolated from refined company, such as yourself, Laird. I do hope my country manners are not too lacking in refinement. I would hate to bring dishonour on my husband.’
‘On the contrary, dear. I find your frankness and wildness rather refreshing. Too many young ladies are sheltered to the point of helplessness, which wouldn’t do for a mate for Bryce at all. Whereas you would be ruthless in a tight spot, I’d wager. And as to dishonour, he manages that all on his own.’
‘Laird?’
‘Oh, ignore me, my dear.’ Jasper leaned over and patted her hand. ‘Bryce and I are too similar. We always clash heads, and a firm hand never worked on him as a boy. He would always go own his way into folly and danger, and I could do nothing about it. Whipped him to within an inch of his life, and he never gave an inch. I don’t think you will either, for I sense the same stubborn temperament. Am I right, lass?’
Maren smiled. ‘Indeed you are, and I would rather you did not whip me to put that to the test.’
