“Dashed problem, I haven’t an answer for,” Sir Jacob exclaimed irritably. “I thought it was just his interest in my yacht. He seems to want to sail, but I am not certain.” He ran his hand through his light brown locks with some agitation.
“And MacTorry? What is the Scotsman after?” Lucas shook his head. “There is something very odd in that. Swit is a skirter. Perhaps all he means is to sponge off you for a bit. Just what is MacTorry’s part in all of this?”
“His lordship is a good sort.” Jake shook his head. “Blast it all! I don’t have any answers for you! Except, I suppose I should tell you that Swit has hinted…well…I am not sure, but he seems to know…” Sir Jacob sighed as he picked up the tankard the barmaid had set in front of him.
He sipped while the young woman ambled off and finally said with a long sigh, “This is all I know. Swit seems more interested in the use of my schooner than anything else. So then, perhaps it is as you say. He just means to live well as my guest. If there is something more sinister in his mind, I have not yet discovered it. Swit has threatened to make trouble for me if I cut ties with him. As I have already explained to you, Lucas, I am not certain just what he knows. He has not said, but he has hinted.”
‘”So you have pup. So you have. What I want to know is, how did the blackguard find out?”
“I don’t know. He never comes right out and says anything substantial. He only hints and leers. He takes pleasure in jesting about it, and leaving me uneasy.”
“Indeed.” Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “I wonder if he would dare do the same with me.”
Jacob evaluated him as a chill splintered through his mind. “Lucas, don’t involve yourself.” He was accosted by a new fear. “Jerry doesn’t know who you are. He didn’t get a really good look at you and never called you by name. It isn’t necessary for you to defend me. I can put up with Swit for a bit longer.”
“Can you?” Lucas said on a hard note. “However, my puppy, there is just so much that I will put up with. Sooner or later, Swit must be out of the picture. If he threatens you any further, I shall have a go at him.”
“Certes. Sooner won’t be soon enough and I am not a puppy! I can take care of myself,” Jacob announced whole-heartedly.
~ Twelve ~
A QUESTIONABLE SKY, thought Exerilla as she took the shortcut through the woods to Cressly Towers.
She arrived to find Jeffries greeting her with a wide smile. He told her that he hadn’t been certain she would come with the sky blacking up as he put it.
It took only a moment to throw a saddle on Princess and tack the pretty mare up. As the Princess Tat was coming into season, she made it known that she was in a feisty mood.
Princess Tat pranced around and took exception to Exerilla’s gentle request to trot. It took some moments and patience to settle the mare down.
She was a sweet mare, whose ears flickered responsively when Exerilla spoke softly to her. She was quick to respond to X’s leg as well. After an hour of putting her through her paces, X was well satisfied with their session.
X nimbly dismounted and turned to find Jeffries grinning as he displayed a set of yellow teeth. He told her, “She took that crossbar somewhat better. Aye, a sight better with ye on her back, than when Sir Jacob pointed her at it.” He looked down at his worn boots and added, “I would appreciate it if ye don’t mention I said that.”
Exerilla laughed. “When you see him, do thank Sir Jacob for allowing me to ride this wonderful mare. I’ll just go fetch my old Jack.”
“Aye then. I left the saddle on his back, but I did loosen the girth. He is ready for ye in the stall.”
She thanked him again, hurried to get Jack, then tightened the girth of the ladies’ saddle that she was only just getting used to. After she mounted him she took reins in hand. She tried to hurry Jack along as she walked him down the drive, encouraging him to pick up his pace. He trotted for a time, until Exerilla turned him off the main road. She took the shortcut his lordship had shown her the day before.
She sighed, as Jack’s fast trot was more along the line of a fast walk. She said, “You are a lazy boy, Jack. I suppose if I were an old timer like you, I’d be smart enough to take life easier.” She thought about this then laughed and said, “Nah, it is full speed for me and straight ahead. At least that is when I get out of this century. I am not sure why I ever thought I would like to live in this time period. No central anything is a tremendous inconvenience.”
Jack snorted, and then without warning weaved as he was spooked. He shifted sharply to the left throwing a screaming Exerilla out of her ladies’ saddle. She bumped against a tree with some force and groaned heavily on her way down to earth.
Exerilla rolled over on a bed of pine needles and put her hand to her top hat which miraculously was still on her head. It knocked the breath out of her and sh
e felt a bit dazed. She tried to steady herself when a strong, familiar male voice came clearly through her haze.
“Exerilla, lass…doona move,” Hunter MacTorry said as he jumped off his horse. He dropped down on one knee beside her.
“Oh, my riding habit!” She wailed, noticing it was torn in two places.
He smiled reassuringly. “Ah, Of course, but are ye intact?”
She looked up and found those blue eyes. She had sworn off humans. They would die and she would not. She had also sworn off men of this century, but at that moment, she decided to make an exception.
She tried to get up as he put a hand to her shoulder and said softly, “Doona try and get up, lass. Just stay quiet a moment.”
“I am fine, honestly,” she said.