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“Have ye given up?” he whispered again. “And here I thought ye were a fighter.”
“Ye play dirty,” she murmured, mostly to herself.
Matthew chuckled, “I daenae ken what ye’re talkin’ about, Jonet.”
It took all her energy to force herself away. Her face was hot and when she faced him, she was having a hard time looking him in the eye. She made sure the water brushed her chin, fearing that he might catch a glimpse of how much her body was reacting to him.
After a few moments, Jonet splashed water at his face, and their race started up again. This time, she was not so sure she wanted to win anymore, if that was what it meant to lose.
By the time they were finished, the sun was setting, the water had grown unbearably cold, and it was time for them to leave. As they did in the beginning, Jonet climbed out first, keeping an eye on him as she donned her clothes. After, she turned her back and waited for him to put on his.
“Ah, I daenae think I have laughed like that in a long while, Jonet,” Matthew gathered everything up and headed back to the horses.
“Aye, I suppose life has gotten in the way a little, hasnae it? It is good to play like that again.”
“Somethin’ ye are very adept at, I notice.”
“Oh, come now, nay teasin’.” She chuckled as she mounted Fenella and he climbed atop Temper. The irate horse stomped his feet, as if annoyed they had taken so long. Matthew did his usual calming ritual and Temper settled down.
“That will never fail to amaze me,” she shook her head with her eyes on the now-calm horse. They set off, the setting sun to their back.
“I daenae ken what to tell ye. I suppose I am just good with horses.”
“That is a bit of an understatement considering Temper is such a difficult horse.” Temper snorted after she said that and Jonet quickly added, “Nae that anythin’ is particularly wrong with that.”
Matthew chuckled. “We are similar spirits,” he smiled, “Temper and I.”
“Truly? I dinnae see how.”
“It is nae for ye to see, but for us to feel.” He leaned close to Temper’s ear and patted him lovingly. “She willnae understand our relationship, Temper. Daenae worry about a thing she says.”
Jonet sighed, shaking her head. The back of her dress was steadily growing wetter from her dripping hair. She would have to return quickly so that she did not catch a cold.
Suddenly, there came the sound of hooves thudding against the ground. Matthew drew to a sharp halt, and so did Jonet. A scarred face man swerved his horse into their path, grinning wickedly. “Ye willnae go any further or else ye willnae like it.”
Jonet’s first thought was to race away. The man—the bandit—brandished a rusty looking ax. They should both be able to escape him considering they were on such speedy horses, but the sound of pounding hooves did not stop.
Her heart shot into her throat when she realized that, in a matter of seconds, they were surrounded.
Chapter 19
There were three of them, all standing in strategic locations that effectively cut off their escape route. Matthew’s eyes wandered from the one before them, to the other two on either side of him and Jonet. They all bore the same evil sneer, with battle scars marring their bronze skin.
The one in front was clearly the leader and liked to flaunt this position. He rode the largest horse, bore the biggest ax, and had a head of wild black hair that seemed to serve as his crown as he lorded over his motley band of brigands.
Matthew steered Temper closer to Jonet, wanting to shield her from whatever might be coming. She was the Laird’s daughter after all. Matthew would not be surprised if she were the reason they had approached them in the first place.
“What do ye three want?” He asked.
“There willnae be any questions from ye,” said the one on Matthew’s right. Matthew looked at him from the corner of his eye, taking care not to take his attention off the other two.
“Aye, we only wanted to see yer face before we do what we have to do,” spoke the other. They sounded a lot alike, looked alike as well. Perhaps twins?
It was the most information he could glean from them, much to his frustration. Matthew narrowed his eyes on the leader, lifting a brow in question, but the leader only barked a harsh laugh and tilted his head.
Matthew jumped off his horse. As if Temper knew what was about to happen, the horse reared back on his hind legs and stepped out of the fray while the other two brigands dismounted as well, brandishing their axes.
“Matthew!” Jonet screamed.
