Lady X

Confident, that he had the perfect plan, he was not overly concerned. He would need to show some patience and restraint. Timing he told himself over and over, was everything.

He knew just what he would do with the little human woman, Exerilla. The only thing he had to decide was when. She was his for the taking, his for the taunting, and even his for the killing, whenever he chose.

Perhaps Baudali would snatch the human away just a night or two before Waterloo. This would leave Hunter MacTorry to face him on the battlefield under the worst circumstances, with two to save instead of one. He would taunt Hunter; tell him to pick one to save either his brother or his lady love. He would then, of course kill them both. He smiled at the thought. Hunter’s mother had rejected him, and he would kill her sons for that rejection. She should have been his and now he would be rid of all that was linked to her. Hunter looked the most like her. So much more than Ferrell did. Hunter had her blue eyes and the same strong will and he would see him dead for it!

The notion made him smile broadly and he waited, watched and listened as Exerilla wagged a finger at David.

David reached out and grabbed Exerilla’s arm. She snatched it away with more than normal female strength.

David frowned but dismissed this and said only, “My, the little tart is strong.”

“You are a bully, and bullies usually go down hard. I’m waiting for that day David and hope it will be a long time before the dust settles and you are able to get up.”

“Do you still let him kiss you?’

“I don’t know who him is supposed to be, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t kiss and tell, but I will tell you this. You don’t have a rat’s ass of a chance in hell of getting a willing kiss from me…ever!”

“Foul mouthed tart. I will have anything I want from you. Who is to stop me?” he reached for her and pressed her hard against his chest.

She wasn’t sure what she should do. She couldn’t use her witch’s strength without giving herself away. She came down hard on his boot covered toe with her own hard heel.

He jumped and yowled in pain and then he reached for her shoulders and shook her. “I will have you, when you least expect it! I will be waiting for you! I will throw you on the ground, rip off your clothes and treat you like the harlot I know you must be!”

“Oh, is that what I am? A harlot? Let me tell you about myself. This harlot is dangerous to your well being. I would be careful, if I were you, because harlots are street wise and know just how to take care of themselves!” She said as she pulled away and ran toward the stable. She knew he wouldn’t chase her. That would not work with the huge ego he carried. He wouldn’t want the groom and head groom to see him chasing her. Servants talk.

For the moment she was safe from his further advances and hateful self. She had a problem remaining at Horwich House. Being in David’s vicinity was beginning to look and feel threateningly uncomfortable at the very least.

Baudali had watched and listened to their interaction. He had heard her words and David’s threats, but he had been unable to hear her thoughts. He had been able to enter David’s mind and hear his awful twisted plans, but something was blocking the woman’s thoughts. He shrugged. Now and then, he came across a human like that, who could unknowingly shield their thoughts from him.

It seemed that she had made an enemy of sorts in David Horwich, who might even be suspected, when she vanished. That was good. If need be, it would win him time and confuse and delay Hunter MacTorry’s reaction.

* * *

At that moment, Lord MacTorry reined in his horse and looked past the field toward Horwich House. He could fit in a quick visit if he hurried. He wanted to see her, but needed was an even better word. He needed to see Exerilla with every fiber of his being! His days away had served to make him all too aware of what she meant to him.

A vision in green, wearing no hat, and wildly careening like a young hoyden over her fence presented itself and tickled him with pleasure.

She was riding Jack and the old gelding was giving her a speed, he had never thought the aged horse capable of delivering.

He chuckled and then something in her seat and the way she held herself, made him realize she was distressed.

The notion did something to him. It was as though his heart moved in his chest. His entire system trembled with uneasiness. The blood skittered fervently through his blood. She seemed disturbed, hurting, and all at once, so was he.

Within the flash of a moment, without further thought, he put his horse into gear and took off across the field.

She saw him and he felt a wave of pleasure as an immediate smile altered the look of distress that had been on her face only moments ago.

He wasn’t sure what was happening to him. Perhaps this was what his father called bonding, when a wizard meets his true mate.

He had no time to think, he reined in his horse as she slowed to a trot and rode up to him.

“You are back,” was what she said for when she had returned with Mary it was to find that he had gone off somewhere.

She tickled him, “So I am. Did ye miss me, lass?”

She met his gaze and he knew he had never before known such a woman. Would never again, know such a woman. She surprised him with an open, honest response, “So much.”

“Is that why ye were riding to the devil?” he teased in a light hearted manner, hoping to find the source of her earlier displeasure.