His eyes flitted tae Wilfrey.
I followed his eyes, noting Wilfrey’s face had gone pale, and the servants behind him were listening to every word. So I madesure my voice was loud enough. “Ye hae the MacDonalds’ blood on yer hands — I ken what ye did, I ken ye signed the orders, pocketed the riches, and left the snow red with the blood of those?—”
“Ye ken I hae been cleared of it, I was imprisoned in Edinburgh for?—”
“I ken ye were imprisoned, who dost ye think got ye out?”
“King William! He vouched for me!”
“Who dost ye think vouched for ye tae King William?”
The Earl’s smile faded, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Tis nae true.”
“Tis! I did it for our family name. For the family name of my sons and daughter, whilst ye hae brought naething but disgrace.”
“Glencoe was a necessity. The MacDonalds were rebels, oath-breakers. I did what was needed for the clan — for us. And ye canna claim tae be the one looking out for the family name, ye were once whoring around with?—”
Wilfred cleared his throat. “Oh no, sire, you did not just say that, that is way out of bounds!”
The Earl looked shocked, but said, “She is a whore, tis true.”
Wilfred said, “I have a mind to call you outside old man.”
I said, under my breath, “Wilfrey, careful, we daena need a brawl…”
The Earl said, “I am ordering him out of my solar!”
I said, “But we were?—”
“He must leave or I will have him whipped and sent tae the dungeons!”
I said, “Och nae.”
Wilfrey said, “It is alright, Mairead, I will go to the hall.”
He walked to the door.
“I see he has less manners and sense than even that fool lover of yers. What was his name? Ah, yes — Fionn, the farmer, with dreams high above his station.”
My fury had risen, dangerously, I hated his face, I hated the hair growing from his ears. I hated the way he dabbed at his lips with the napkin and adjusted the spoon on his table in front of it. I was infuriated that he had not offered me a chair.
“I did ye a favor, Mairead, put him down before he dragged ye intae the muck. And that husband I found ye?—”
“Ye watch yerself, brother! Ye married me tae a philistine and allowed him tae beat me nearly senseless in yer own castle! Ye heard my cries!”
He sneered. “He gave ye those bairns ye dote on.”
“Ye had Fionn killed. Ye married me tae a monster. And now ye insult my children and my new husband?—”
My nails dug intae my palms with clenching my fists.
He leaned forward, spittle flecking his lips. “Everyone out tae the hall!”
The servants rushed out behind Wilfred.
I was honestly frightened.
His voice was steady, loud, and threatening. “I will insult anyone I want tae insult, this is my castle, my lands. The title of Earl of Breadalbane is mine. The Campbells of Glenorchy aremybloodline. Yer brats are not welcome here anymore, they are side branches — twigs tae be snapped off. I want them out of here by the end of the week. Ye think ye can show yerself in my solar, and disrespect me? Ye are still the foolish girl, grown tae be a whore! Ye are lucky I hae saved ye from yer own impetuous nature.”
