The smile dropped from Lowri’s face like a stone.
‘Did Bertha not tell you?’ said Cecily. ‘I thought you knew all of Peyton’s secrets.’
‘Peyton is not here, and I have not seen Bertha,’ said Lowri. ‘She would only scold me for coming back, and I’ve no desire for a tongue-lashing just yet. When did you wed my brother?’
‘A little while back.’
‘So you are happy. You got what you wanted.’
‘So did he,’ said Cecily, planting her feet and putting her hands on her hips. If Lowri wanted a fight, she could have one. ‘You went against Peyton’s orders coming back,’ she said.
‘I do as I please, and I sold cattle to put money into his hands to help him hang onto what he has fought, tooth and nail, to get.’
‘He told me that he trusts you, Lowri. Now, he trusts me, and I know his troubles too.’
‘I doubt you know anything of the world. Weren’t you cossetted and favoured at Fallstairs? Didn’t your father lock you away like a precious jewel to keep you pure for the marriage market?’
Cecily’s heart sank. Did Peyton tell Lowri that? Did he think so little of her?
‘My life has not been as easy as you think,’ she replied. ‘I heard that Peyton sent you to a convent to keep you out of harm’s way, as you are troublesome.’
Lowri’s face fell. ‘My brother tried that, but I will not be caged. I broke free.’
‘As did I.’
‘Aye, you ran away with an Englishman, and when he turned out to be a bad bet, you leapt into my brother’s bed. You are so naïve and frivolous. You are an ornament, a man’s plaything, nothing more.’
Cecily took a step towards Lowri, her hands fisted. ‘You could never understand my life, as you have no wish to know me, or I you. And I wonder that you judge so much when you know nothing of men, Lowri. I pray you never find out what they are capable of.’
‘Oh, the soft little kitten has her hackles up,’ sneered Lowri.
‘Leave me be. I owe you no explanation.’
‘Tell me anyway so I may know you better and ill-wish you less.’
‘Alright, here is the truth of my life. My mother died two years ago, and she was the steady one. My father lost his way in his grief. He fell into drink, bad company, gaming.’
‘A real man never loses his way,’ said Lowri. ‘He is not turned by grief, fear, lust or anything.’
‘Who is this paragon of a man, Lowri? I am sure I have never met him.’
‘My brother is such a man,’ she spat.
‘Half-brother, most likely, and trust me, he is turned by lust,’ said Cecily, wanting to wound Lowri.
‘A man’s weakness, soon forgot,’ she spat. ‘You may bind him with your bonnie face and womanly wiles, but he will tire of them soon enough. He lives for Clan Strachan, and he will do anything to hang onto his position after a lifetime of being beaten down and humiliated.’
‘I know all about that. Peyton told me about his parentage.’
‘Aye, so you have wed a bastard. How do you like that?’ said Lowri.
‘I like it very well. And are you a bastard, too?’
‘No, the man who sired me was wed to my mother. And he used his belt to teach her the error of her ways. But he never used that belt on me once Peyton grew big enough to knock him down with one hand.’
‘And where is your father now?’ said Cecily.
‘Rotting in hell, I suppose. He had no love for his family, and they had no love for him.’
