Highlander's Trials of Fire

“Ah,” she said. “Ye’re awake.”

“Shouldnae I be?” Jonet’s voice was croaky, a testament to the fact that she had slept well and heavy during the night. She discreetly tried to clear it.

“Ye were so tired last night, I thought you wouldnae wake until it was past midday,” Freya stated matter-of-factly. She came a step closer. “Ye still look tired.”

“Thank ye for pointin’ that out, but I’ve never felt better.” It was the truth. She climbed out of bed, using more energy than she had expected. Her limbs were still heavy, clearly not wanting to leave the bed. She padded over to the window and peered out.

“Are ye lookin’ for someone?”

Jonet jumped. She had not heard when Freya came up behind her. She turned to see the calm woman gazing back at her, her brows lifted.

“Matthew,” Jonet responded, resting a hand on her still pounding heart. “Have ye seen him?”

“Aye, Miss Jonet.”

Jonet frowned. “Is he alreday having breakfast? Without me?”

“Nay, Miss Jonet.”

Jonet blew breath out her nose, frustrated. “If there is some secret, why daenae ye tell me already instead of givin’ me those simple replies?”

Freya only shrugged, but her eyes sparkled. “Then it wouldnae make much of a secret, would it? Would ye like to get ready, Miss Jonet? Perhaps have me style yer hair very nicely?”

Jonet watched as Freya ventured over to her wardrobe. She took a few steps back until she was sitting on the edge of her bed, curiosity, and excitement swirling within her.

“Ye ken somethin’, daenae ye?” she asked. “What is it? Does Matthew have somethin’ planned for me?”

“I cannae say.”

Her mind was already racing with the possibilities. She held back her smile, remembering what she had overheard Georgie say before he had been struck by the bowl to his shoulder. Matthew had been wanting to plan something romantic for her. Had he figured out what he would do? Did he plan to give her a romantic proposal?

She bit her tongue to hold back the questions, waiting for Freya to return to her. She studied Freya’s face, and the neutral expression she always wore. Jonet had always found it difficult to read Freya, always wondering what was going through her mind, but now, she saw something shift in her eyes, a quiet excitement—or perhaps determination?—that made her heart flutter.

Matthew must have asked Freya to help him. Oh, goodness, he’s so romantic!

“I’m surprised, Miss Jonet,” Freya said.

“Surprised? Surprised about what?”

If she thought Jonet’s overeager response were a little odd, Freya did not make it obvious. “It is clear that ye want to ask me somethin’ and yet it seems as if ye are refrainin’.”

“Ye said ye wouldnae spoil the secret.”

“As would be right of me to do. I couldnae very well reveal it the very first time ye ask, now could I?”

Freya laid a dark green dress out, pairing it with a moss-colored shawl. She came to stand before Jonet, running her fingers through Jonet’s hair with more force than she normally would. She gripped it lightly and pulled Jonet’s head back so that she was looking up at her. There was a wild look in her eys. “Would ye prefer if ye figured it out? How about we make it a little more entertainin’ other than me just tellin’ ye?”

“Entertainin’?”

“Aye. Ye are always eager for such things. It would be easy for ye.”

Freya returned her head to the right position and began to massage Jonet’s scalp, then ran her fingers down to untangle the knots Jonet had developed during her sleep. Jonet thought about it and let her excitement do the answering.

“That sounds perfect! What do ye have in mind?”

“Well, by now, I’m sure ye are aware that I ken where Mr. McDulaigh is. If ye can figure it out, then I will tell ye if yer right.”

“That seems simple enough.” She thought about it for a moment. Freya began pulling her hair into tight braids, from the front of her hair into the middle. It was one of Jonet’s favorite hairstyles. “Is he huntin’? Does he plan to bring somethin’ back for me?”