Highlander's Trials of Fire

“Ye have somethin’ botherin’ ye, Matthew?” Georgie asked.

“Ye could say that.”

“What’s it about? Maybe I can help?”

Matthew shook his head again. “I doubt it. And besides, I wouldnae ken where to start.”

Whether it was working through how to deal with Jonet or trying to get to the bottom of the odd smelling wine, Matthew was sure Georgie would be as clueless as he was.

“Ye shouldnae underestimate me, Matthew,” Georgie spoke confidently. “Almost everyone in this manor passes through the stables at least once or twice. I may be able to help ye more than ye think.”

“Is that so?” Matthew grinned, deciding to take his word for it. “Well then, what do ye think I should do to win Jonet’s heart?”

Georgie did not falter, not for a single moment. If anything, he seemed to stand a bit straighter as if he had prepared himself for this moment and didn’t want to disappoint. “Miss Jonet is much gentler than she pretends to be. All ye need to do is

be kind to her.”

“Kind, ye say?”

“I think so,” he said with an affirmative nod. Looking at him now, Matthew was very aware of his age and his obvious lack of experience. He doubted being kind to her would get him where he wanted to go. “She’s been through a lot,” Georgie continued. “So ye should give her space but make sure to be there for her when she needs it. I think if ye are too forceful, she’ll only run.”

Matthew’s brows lifted in surprise. Now that was better advice than he had expected to receive.

“Space, ye say?” he wondered aloud. It was true that he had not given her much of that since arriving there. If anything, he had been a little pushy, dragging her around behind him despite her many protests. Even though Matthew did not regret his actions, maybe there was some merit to Georgie’s words, especially since he wasn’t sure where he stood with Jonet right now.

Georgie grinned broadly, elbowing him. “Ye listen to me and Miss Jonet will be all yers!”

Matthew chuckled. “With the way yer talkin’, it sounds like ye have a lass of yer own.”

Georgie shook his head. “I wish. But nay lass yet. I should focus on me work here and takin’ care of me Faither.”

Matthew clapped his hand onto his shoulder. “Ah, ye’re a good boy, Georgie.”

Georgie beamed at that, but then the sound of an incoming horse drew his attention. Matthew turned around to see Jonet strutting up to them on her horse, a maid atop another horse behind her.

He turned to face her fully, taking in her neutral expression. She dismounted her horse and the maid she had ridden in with did as well, coming to her side.

“Good morning, Matthew,” Jonet greeted politely.

So politely, in fact, that Matthew knew instantly that something was wrong. “Good morning, Jonet. I hope ye slept well?”

“I did. And ye?”

“Well enough,” he glanced at the maid by her side, who was watching him with guarded eyes.

“Ah, yes,” Jonet turned slightly, holding up a hand to the maid. “This is Freya. Freya, this is Mr. Matthew McDulaigh.”

Freya only blinked once, bowing her head slightly as she said, “It is a pleasure to meet ye, Mr. McDulaigh.”

“It is a pleasure to meet ye, as well, Freya.” Though she did not take her gaze off him for a second, her apathetic eyes told him that she was not nearly as interested in him as he was in her. He turned his attention back to Jonet. “Did ye go for a ride? It’s very early.”

“I was in the mood for one and I asked Freya to accompany me,” she said simply.

“I would have been more than willin’ to give ye company.”

“Aye, I ken,” she nodded. “But I dinnae want to disturb ye.”

Before Matthew had the chance to respond to her, she turned her attention to Georgie, who was watching the exchange closely. “Could ye put Fenella away for me?”