The English make bonny speeches, but they run to an awful wee man. And the Kerrs . . . there’s something unchancy about a left-handed race.’

‘I’m right-handed,’ offered Will Scott.

‘Aye.’

‘And six foot three in my hose.’

‘Uh-huh. I didna say I wanted to run up a beanpole. Nor have I heard hide nor hair of a speech, bonny or otherwise.’

‘I’m saving it,’ he said austerely, ‘till I’ve the theme for it.’

‘Oh!’ said Grizel Beaton (Younger) of Buccleuch, with a squeal of delight. ‘Will Scott! Are we having our first married set-to?

Auteur: Dorothy Dunnett