"I refused ta marry the Laird my da arranged for me ta wed. The mon turned aroond and tauld everyone that I was nothin' but a whore... That I gave myself ta him. I was thrown oot o' my da's home. Only, t'wasn't true. He brought oot his sheets smeared wit' blood, but I can swear on my life t'wasn't my blood. I would ne'er have let him near me, he repulses me. He's got no teeth and one eye, and he's as ornery as they come. He's crude and disgoostin, and he smells o' vomit and breakin' wind."

She shuddered. She was downing the second half of the brandy from her glass when she took a long look at him and his brandy. "Och, I'm sorreh to blather on aboot my own woes. Ye shouldna fash yerself."