Lady X

He didn’t reply to this but she noted the grim set of his lips. They didn’t speak as they rode toward Horwich fence line. Before they could be seen, he stopped his horse and said, “I will not go as far as your stables. It might not serve today.” He touched her gloved fingers, “Exerilla…this doesn’t end here,” his voice was low like something feral. His blue eyes looked deeply into hers and it was so hard to think.

“No, Hunter MacTorry, I don’t suppose it does.”

He reached out, kept her a few more moments, telling her what every woman wants to hear from a man like him.

He chuckled softly, and tipped his hat before he turned his horse around and headed for the main road.

No one had seen him escort her to this point and she wasn’t about to give anyone food for thought. In this day and age she knew going into a cottage alone with a man, storm or no storm, just wasn’t done. Had she been saved from Hunter MacTorry or robbed? Robbed, she thought feeling naughty as a smile flickered through her, oh yeah, definitely robbed.

She was too engrossed, not paying attention, her inner witch focused on the sparkling sensation Hunter had aroused in her, and did not sense that she was being watched at that moment.

Ordinarily, Exerilla’s specific magical power was such that she would know that she was being watched by another magical being. Magic has a scent, a vibration specific to its user. She would have felt the vibe; and she would have picked up on the scent.

The Wizard Baudali was able to watch her interaction with Hunter and draw a conclusion.

He smiled to himself, and reached out to touch her with his magic, but was immediately repelled.

“What was this?” Baudali questioned out loud.

She was a human, he had immediately ascertained this…or was she? He would have to investigate further.

He wanted Hunter MacTorry dead…needed him dead, and she was the key to getting this done. He could not be looking over his shoulder forever, and he could not allow Ferrell MacTorry to live.

The way to Hunter MacTorry’s demise was through the little woman. He was curious if Hunter already enacted a protection spell around her.

He needed to investigate. “Hunter MacTorry”, he spoke in a whisper, “will you come to save your lady fair?”

~ Thirteen ~

DAVID HORWICH STOOD aside, using the tall evergreen bush for cover. He kept his horse in tow as he looked around and hoped no one would notice him.

The storm had subsided and the rain had dwindled to a foggy mist. He wore his hat low over his forehead. “Damn Jerry Swit to bloody hell!” he shouted. Why was he being kept waiting?

The sounds of approaching horses made him slink further against the evergreen, he couldn’t be seen out here. He couldn’t be connected to Swit in any way.

His mouth dropped open to find the riders of the swiftly moving steeds were none other than Lord MacTorry and his parent’s pretty little houseguest, Exerilla Radley. They rode right up to the Horwich property line and stopped by the post and rail fence.

She was a beauty, and one that he meant to have. Their voices carried on the breeze. Hers was light, enticing and seductive, but it was also touched with something else…affection.

“Och lass, I find m’self hating to let ye go ” MacTorry said with an intimacy that made David want to pull the large man off his horse and shoot him dead, “Thank you, but as I said, I think you are right, I better proceed on my own from here,” Exerilla answered on a light happy sound.

“Will ye meet with me tomorrow?”

“I…I don’t know…” she hesitated.

“Don’t ye?” he said as he leaned toward her and stole a quick kiss from her lips.

/> David’s fists clenched.

She laughed, “Good day to you, my lord.”

“Och, but ye are supposed to say m’name…say it, lass.”

“I don’t command well,” she answered.

“Then take it as a plea,” he returned.

“Hunter MacTorry, I bid you good-day. Now, I must be off.”