“Yer Faither and Uncle are takin’ care of everythin’,” Matthew assured her.
A thought struck her. She looked at Matthew. “There is one woman I ken that might be able to tell us somethin’.”
She got to her feet, pulling him up with her. Jonet turned to her mother, “I will come to visit ye later, Ma,” she said, already walking away.
“I hope ye find somethin’ good when ye do,” Rinalda called out to her.
Jonet threw a hand up in farewell. She dragged Matthew out of the room with her.
“Who is this woman?” he asked her.
“Her name is Christal,” Jonet said, with quick steps. “She works in the scullery. She’s a bit difficult to talk to but she’s been here longer than anyone else I ken. She might be able to tell us somethin’.”
“Ah, she is the one who always help ye with yer bakin’?”
“She is, though she helps me with far more than that.”
Together they made their way down to the scullery. Jonet was happy to find that Christal was down there alone, gazing at the floor, clearly lost in thought.
“Christal,” she called to her, drawing her attention.
Christal looked up with surprised eyes when she saw Matthew trailing behind Jonet. “Oh, what do we have here?”
“Oh, I havenae introduced ye two before, havenae I? Christal, this is Matthew. And Matthew, Christal.”
“It is a pleasure to finally meet the famous Matthew McDulaigh,” Christal said with a lopsided grin.
“Famous?” Matthew asked, his voice tinged with amusement as Jonet’s face flushed red.
“Of course! Ye cannae think this lass here spend so much time down here just to bathe herself in flour, do ye? Though I am beginnin’ to wonder if she enjoys it more than she lets on.”
“As adorable as that sight was,” Matthew spoke with interest, “and as clear as it is that I want to hear more about it later, tell me all about what makes me so famous.”
“Well…” Christal leaned closer. Jonet did not know if she would have truly said something, but she was not going to wait to find out. She slid in between them, shaking her head at Christals’ mirthful face.
“That is enough of that,” she shook her head quickly. “That isnae why we’re here.”
“Ah, then does it have to do with the fact that the Laird has been questioning the servants?”
“Has he already questioned ye?”
“Nay.” Christal shook her head.
“Then how did ye ken?” Jonet asked, confused.
“Those new kitchen hands may nae fancy me all that much, but I do still have me ear to the ground in this Castle. Though, I am yet to ken what has driven the Laird to do such a thing.”
Jonet did not hesitate to tell her. This was Christal, one of the few people in Jonet’s life that she completely trusted.
“Matthew was sent a death threat,” Jonet declared. “It told him to leave the Castle or else both he and I will die a painful death.”
Christal’s eyes widened at that. She blinked rapidly, her gaze sliding away. Jonet waited for her to process the information and it took a few seconds longer than she had expected.
Christal eventually looked at Matthew and asked, “And ye are still here?”
“Christal, I daenae think—”
“Daenae worry, Jonet,” Christal dismissed her. “I’m pleased that he remained. Lesser men would have tucked tails already.”
Jonet was surprised at that, but she had to agree. She smiled up at Matthew. Certainly, after so many attempts on his life, it would make sense for him to leave her side, yet here he was.
Matthew did not return her smile, but he squeezed her hand. “The last thing I want to do is to leave her, especially at a time like this,” he assured her. “She needs protecting and that is what I’m here for.”
Christal lifted a brow, folding her arms. “Ye’ll find that Jonet is very good at protectin’ herself when needs to.”
“She is. I’ve seen that with me own eyes. Why, I might have been dead had she nae taken her horse and kicked that brigand in the chest. But I want to do all that I can to keep her safe, whether she can do it on her own or nae.”
“I like this one, Jonet. He’s a good one.” The sides of Christal’s mouth turned down in acceptance.
“Oh my,” Jonet gasped. She leaned closer to Matthew and whispered, “She’s never said those words before.”
“Should I bow?” Matthew whispered back. “Should I get on me knees and thank her? What should I do here?”
Jonet giggled and Christal, who had overheard them, rolled her eyes. “I assumed ye two had a reason for disturbin’ me peace?”
“Ye werenae doin’ anythin’ when we came,” Jonet pointed out.
“I was thinkin’. Ye should ken that well enough. Yer mind is always wanderin’ at times it shouldnae.”
Jonet laughed. It felt easy, lightening her heart as if to erase the fear that resided in them. Between Rinalda, Christal, and Matthew’s constant presence, she was beginning to feel a little better.
“All right, yes,” she nodded. “We did have somethin’ we wanted to ask ye about. We think there is a chance that whoever is doing this is someone who is jealous of me. Do ye have any idea who that might be?”
Christal made a show of thinking about it, then nodded. “Aye, I can see why ye would think so. There might very well be people in the Castle who is jealous of ye, but whether they are vindictive enough to send ye threats, I daenae ken.”
“Does nay one person come to mind?” Matthew asked.
“Jonet is well-liked, which also comes as nay surprise. Even if they are jealous, I cannae think of anyone who might envy yer life enough to kill ye for it. If it were a case where they might gain somethin’ from yer death, then perhaps that is another influence, but that isnae likely either. The only thing I can think of is that that jealousy is born from somethin’ that ye cannae see just by lookin’ at ye from the outside.”
“Are ye suggestin’ that the likely culprit is someone close to Jonet?”
“I’m nae suggestin’ anythin’.” Christal shook her head. “I’m speculatin’ based on very little information. But it is the only thing that makes sense to me. Say, a kitchen hand would see Jonet as the beautiful daughter of the Laird who has a Castle filled with servants and handsome gentlemen to marry. But someone closer might see the little things that others willnae, the things that might allow that jealousy to progress into somethin’ dangerous. But,” Christal shrugged. “As I said, it is only me speculations. I daenae ken if what I’m sayin’ is right or nae.”
“But ye’ve really given us somethin’ to think about,” Jonet spoke her thoughts. “If we apply that, we may be able to narrow down the search.”
“Is that so? Then, I’m happy to have been of help.” She leaned off the counter and flashed her hands at them, indicating that it was time they should leave. “All right, begone with ye two. I have dinner to prepare for.”
“Thank ye, Christal. Ye’ve helped a lot. Like ye always do.”
“Thank me by sendin’ me new kitchen hands that doesnae jump every time I call to one of them.” She looked Matthew up and down, eyes glittering. “This one might do nicely.”
“Oh, ye flatter me,” Matthew smiled. “Though, do ye really want to risk being outdone?”
“Oho! We’ll see about that.”
Jonet watched on happily as Matthew charmed yet another person important to her. Christal was by far the most difficult one, but he had managed to do it in such a short amount of time. The love she had for him grew.
Yet Christal’s words tinged her happiness with darkness. She was not close to many servants. She was close to Georgie, but Georgie being the one who sent the threat sounded as likely as the Earth being split in two. It felt especially unlikely since he had been the one to find the letter in the first place.
The other person that came to her mind was Freya, but Jonet dismissed the thought instantly. Freya had been
by her side through everything, even if she had an odd way of showing it. Jonet could not believe she would ever betray her in this way.
The search would continue and each second it lasted, Jonet wondered if it was only bringing her a second closer to her death.
Chapter 23
Matthew had managed to drag Jonet away from the Castle once he realized that she was committed to questioning every servant she came across. It had taken more effort than he had expected, her stubbornness had joined forces with her determination to get to the bottom of the dangerous mystery. He did not think she was considering the fact that her questioning could prove riskier than she thought.
He had not taken her far, remembering the orders the Laird had set out. He debated taking her to the training yard, but then thought that it might be best that she not see anyone involved in the investigation. If she saw Jonathan or Dougal, he had no doubt she would bother them with her questions, wanting to know their progress.
Matthew wanted her away from it all, not running headlong into it.
In the end, he took her to the stables. They could not leave, but it might be fine to take the horses out on a few walks around the Castle grounds, just to clear her head. Jonet had been gnawing on her bottom lip ever since they had left the scullery, clearly deep in thought.
“Ye should trust the Laird,” he assured her, not knowing how many times he would have to repeat himself.
As many times as it takes, he promised himself.
She paused and glanced up at him, her eyes distracted. They caught the sunlight in that moment, shining a caramel brown that had him stepping closer to her. He did not care who might be watching them. He grasped her by the waist, watching her brows lift in surprise.
“I daenae like to see ye worry,” he murmured to her. They were standing by the entrance of the stables, the smell of used hay wafting around them.
“I’m nae worryin’,” she sighed. She wrapped her arms around him, a movement that seemed as natural as breathing now. He masked his pleasure. “And I do trust him. But… if I can do somethin’ meself to help, then shouldnae I…?”
“What ye should be doin’ is relaxin’ and stayin’ out of trouble.” Matthew shook his head.
“Ye make it sound as if I’m always findin’ meself in trouble in the first place,” she mumbled.
“If I take me eyes off ye, I have a feelin’ ye’ll be off tryin’ to find answers yerself. That cannae be anythin’ good.”
Jonet tilted her head to the side as she lifted a brow. “So, is that why ye’ve been trailin’ me? Because ye think that I’ll run off on me own?”
“That’s part of it,” he nodded. He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, listening to her giggle. “The other part is that ye are so irresistible that I cannae help meself.”
“Watch it, Matthew,” Jonet warned. “If ye continue like that, ye’ll make it seem as if ye wanted this all along.”
“To follow ye night and day? It’s a dream come true.”
Lifting his head, he pecked her on the lips, earning a bright smile. He took her by the hand and pulled her into the stables. There were not many stable hands around, but that did not matter. He was looking for only one person, and he was standing by the stall farthest to the back.
Georgie perked up when they approached. He dropped his shovel and raced over to them. His sweet face was awash with apprehension. “Miss Jonet,” he whispered frantically. “Are ye all right?”
Jonet frowned in confusion.
“I forgot to mention to ye that Georgie was there with me when I found the letter,” Matthew explained. “I told him nae to say a word to anyone.”
Georgie took Jonet’s hands. “Ye tell me if ye see anythin’ amiss, Miss Jonet and I’ll come runnin’.”
Jonet laughed. It served to ease some of the fear on the boy’s face. “Aye, if I’m ever in any danger, I will come to ye first.”
“Great.” Georgie seemed satisfied by that. He let go of her hand, picking back up his shovel and resting his arm on it. He flashed his usual bright smile. “What brings ye two by today? Ye arenae thinkin’ of leavin’ the Castle, are ye?”
“Unfortunately,” Jonet grimaced, “we’ve been told to stay here. It’s dangerous to leave with that threat hangin’ in the air.”
“Aye,” Matthew agreed. He could not take his hands off her. He had his hand resting on the small of her back, her lovely scent masking the stench of the stables. “I thought it would take Jonet’s mind off things if she saw Fenella. Maybe walked her around the grounds. Relax her a bit.”
Jonet looked up at him with a happy smile. Matthew returned it, his chest warming. There was a note of surprise in her eyes that he wanted to be rid of. He wanted her to know that he was willing to do whatever to make sure she was well.
“A great idea, Matthew,” Georgie tossed aside his shovel again. He began to lead the way to the horse in question. Fenella lifted her head when they approached, seeming pleased by Jonet’s presence.
Matthew stood back and watched as Jonet petted Fenella on the head and brought her out the stall.
“I’ll just walk her around a few times,” Jonet said. “I think ye might be right, Matthew. It might clear me head a bit.”
“I shall come along with ye,” Georgie claimed.
“The more, the merrier,” Jonet smiled happily and began leading the way out the stables. She seemed to be in a much better mood, which was all Matthew wanted. To take her mind off everything that was happening. He knew that if she did not, the concentration would wear away to reveal the burning fear hidden underneath.
Georgie hung back behind Fenella, walking alongside Matthew. They both watched Jonet as she murmured to the horse, sparking up a conversation with the creature as if she could respond.
“Is all well with Miss Jonet?” Georgie asked, his tone worried.
“She’s well,” Matthew said. “She’s strong.”
“Aye, she is, though she probably doesnae think so.” His voice lowered even more. “Do ye have any idea who might have written the letter?”’
“I havenae a clue.” Matthew shook his head ruefully. “I wish I did. Somethin’ to send me in the right direction. Jonet wishes she does too, which is why she’s so determined to find her answers. She wants this all to be fnished with.”
Matthew understood her pain, and her fears. It was one thing for the letter to bring to light the reality of her situation, that the deaths happening around her were not the cause of her own supernatural curse. Yet it also brought forth the stark realization that she was still in some way responsible, that anyone who dared to come close to her would meet a terrible end. At least, he knew that was what was going through her head and he wanted nothing more than to bring those thoughts to an end.
“I want to help,” Georgie declared.
Matthew huffed a laugh. “The best way ye can help is to tell me whatever ye overhear. Maybe ye might hear somethin’ that pushes us in the right direction.”
“Anythin’ that I can do, Matthew, I’ll do it.”
They continued around the Castle estate, drawing near to the training grounds. They kept close to the walls, and Jonet put her hand out to run it against the smooth stone. From behind, Matthew saw her gaze grow longing and distant. Her mind seemed to be wandering again and he did not want to know what it was lingering on.
“If ye are still thinkin’ of a way to be romantic to Miss Jonet,” Georgie continued to say. “I think I’ve come up with a great idea.”
“Oh, is that so?” Matthew was distracted by Jonet. He could not take his eyes off her. He watched her pause, patting the stone walls of the Castle before she turned her attention to Fenella again. The conversation she was having with the horse struck back up and he thought he caught a hint of a smile. His heart settled.
“The Highlands are a beautiful place, Matthew,” Georgie nodded eagerly. He waved his hand around him, looking up at the sky. “During the days, the skies are clear and blue. And at night, they are
filled with stars—”
Suddenly, Georgie shoved himself into Matthew. Matthew stumbled a few steps though he righted himself in time when he heard Georgie cry out in pain. Whirling, Matthew saw the boy on his knees, clutching his left shoulder.
“Georgie!” Jonet cried out, rushing to his side. Matthew knelt next to her. Broken pieces of an earthen pot were scattered by him.
Georgie gritted his teeth in pain, his eyes watering as he lifted his gaze to Matthew. “Are ye all right?”
“Aye, aye, I’m all right!” Matthew quickly took his hand, trying to pry it away from the injured shoulder. His shirt was already being soaked through with blood. “What happened?”
Highlander's Trials of Fire: A Steamy Scottish Historical Romance Novel Page 20
