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She couldn’t turn around. She kept walking, keeping her steps controlled even though she was torn over whether to turn back to him or take off into a run.
“Jonet, wait!” He grabbed her by the wrist and whirled her to face him.
Jonet gave him the most composed expression she could muster. “Aye? Is there a problem?”
“Aye, there’s a problem,” he said instantly, almost annoyed. “Why are ye runnin’ from me?”
“I wasnae runnin’,” she shook her head. “And I thought ye wanted to talk to me Maither alone. So, I gave ye two yer privacy.”
“Ye ken very well that I came up here to see ye.”
She took a slow, deep breath and then met his eyes. “I daenae want to talk to ye right now. I… want to be alone. So I’d appreciate it if ye gave me a little space.”
With that said, Jonet turned and walked away. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her fingers tensed. She had not taken two steps away from him yet and she was already regretting her words.
Before she could muster up the courage to face him again, she heard him come up behind her. Without warning, she was lifted into the air and thrown over his shoulder. He did not pause, but he continued down the hallway with intent purpose.
“Matthew!” she screeched. “What are ye doin’? Put me down!”
“I would but I daenae want ye to run away.” His arms banded around her legs, holding her firmly. Jonet thrashed half-heartedly. “It’s clear we need to talk.”
“There’s nothin’ we need to talk about,” she hissed.
“Aye, so ye say. And yet ye’ve been avoidin’ me. Ye might need yer space and, aye, I should probably stop bein’ so forceful, but I’m nae goin’ to let ye ignore me until we talk about what’s botherin’ ye.”
“And ye thought throwin’ me over yer shoulder like this is the answer?”
“How else will I get ye to come with me? Ye heard what yer Maither said. If I take me eyes off ye for a second, ye’ll run off.”
Despite herself, she almost smiled at that. The moment she felt it, she wiped it away and focused on her anger. “This is outrageous.”
“Aye, ye can add that to the list of things ye’re upset about. But, for now, let’s just talk, shall we?”
He carried her out of the Castle, toward the stables. Jonet peered around him as best as she could to see him signaling to Georgie.
“Prepare our horses,” he said to him.
“Aye! Will do!”
As Georgie’s quick footsteps rushed off into the distance, Jonet grumbled, “All right, fine. I’ll come with ye. But daenae think I willnae give ye an earful for this.”
“I’m actually lookin’ forward to it.” She heard his grin, which irritated her even more. “Ye promise ye willnae run?”
“I promise.”
“Good. I daenae think I can carry ye over me shoulder like this on a horse, though I’m willin’ to try.”
He gently set her down and when she looked up at him, her heart jumped at the sloppy grin he wore. She scowled deeper than she needed to. “Aye, I ken ye’re willin’ to do a lot of irrational things.”
“Carryin’ over me shoulder is hardly irrational,” he said easily. “Ye were very light. Have ye been eatin’—”
“Save it,” she interrupted him, and he chuckled. Jonet turned her back to him. She tried to gather what modicum of dignity she had left, lifting her chin as she waited for Georgie to return with Temper and Fenella.
She felt his eyes on her. She ignored it, but the longer he stared, the more she wanted to look at him. She refused to show him how nervous his behaviour was making her. Even the very thought of telling him everything what was bothering her made her want to lock herself in her bedroom and never come out. Yet she was here, and she would not back down.
Georgie said nothing as he handed them their horses, though he did not attempt to hide his curious look. Jonet mounted Fenella quickly and looked at Matthew as he mounted Temper. “Are we goin’ to the pool?” she asked him.”
“Aye—”
