7. Isla #3
Isla crossed her arms and stared directly into his eyes. “I apologize. My temper quite often gets the best of me, and awakening to find my front yard overtaken by sheep put me out of sorts. I’d still be open to exploring the possibility of a compromise.”
She heard Jonto’s growl even though they stood quite a distance apart.
His pause gave her time to admire his straight bearing, not to mention the way his muscular thighs fit nicely into his tight black breeches.
He lifted his hands out to the sides and, in a resigned gesture, let them drop again.
While she could tell he was mumbling something, she couldn’t fully understand what he was saying.
As he slowly returned, she heard “lunatic,” which she chose to believe was something he might call himself for coming back to speak with her rather than a reference to her own mental deficiencies.
On top of that, there were “can’t believe” and “head examined.”
He stopped on the other side of the wall and crossed his arms. “What did you have in mind?”
“Since you’re apparently unwilling to lease those upper pastures to me….” She paused to afford him the chance to confirm that the unfortunate fact was, indeed, the case.
He shook his head decisively. “I intend to have my own flock of sheep, which, of course, will graze in my upper pastures, so no, your leasing my land isn’t an option.”
Isla thought for a moment. “Then, you may not be aware, but I believed I would be allowed to purchase Count Deverell’s estates before our King so graciously gifted them to you.
” Her smile was less than genuine, but it was the best she could manage, given the circumstances.
“Acting under that belief, I increased my herd by a factor of two. Since using your pastures is no longer an option, perhaps you would consider buying your new herd from my overstock?”
Jonto let his arms fall to his side, looking at her as though she’d grown a second head. “Have you changed your mind, then?”
Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “Changed my mind about what?”
“A few days ago, you said if you’d known a pirate was buying your culls, you would have taken them off the market.
Now, suddenly, you’re willing to sell me your extra sheep, more of your culls?
You do realize I’m the same man I was three days ago, correct?
” He had the gall to turn to his first mate, hold his arms out to the side, and ask, “Tell me, Nico. Am I the same person who’s sailed with you for the last ten years?
Did you not return from Portugal with my father in the caravel before that?
Have I suddenly become someone else in the last few days? ”
Nico pretended to study his master. He rubbed his chin with two fingers and narrowed his eyes. “I’d say you’re the same man I’ve been sailing with the last ten years, My Lord. And I’d say you were the same man riding a gray gelding three days ago when you came upon the lady walking home.”
With a shrug, Jonto prepared to leave. “If that’s all, My Lady, we either need to finish working on this wall or, since it seems you may be a while, Nico and I were headed up to the manor for a morning cup of coffee and some of Tucker’s rock-hard scones.”
With a very unladylike growl, Isla waved her hands at the wall. “Finish closing up your silly wall, then. And feel free to work on the rest of the damaged places as well.”
After straightening one leg out in front of himself and pointing his toe, Jonto waved his arms out to the side and, with a flourish, bowed low. “Thank you very much, My Lady, for giving me permission to fix my own wall.”
Isla’s eyes stretched wide, and her whole body stiffened.
Behind her, Lily muttered, “Oh, dear.” Even though she was only a lady’s maid, she stepped between her mistress and the two men, placed her hands lightly on Isla’s shoulders, and gently turned her toward home.
“I think it might be better if we went back to discuss things over breakfast, My Lady, or maybe we could send word to Celie and see if she could come by for a visit.”
Shouts filtered down from the trees further up on Lord Jonto’s land, and soon, another ten Ewes and their lambs trotted down the hill on their way to the opening in the wall. Jonto and Nico both stepped back and, with their arms wide, guided the sheep through the hole.
Isla turned and marched down the hill but was soon overtaken by the trotting animals who surged around her, brushing against her skirts as though she wasn’t even there. Using her broom as a shepherd’s staff, she swooshed it from side to side to force them to give her a wide birth when they passed.
From behind the wall, Jonto called out, “Perhaps if you mounted and took to the air, it would be an easier trip.”
Lily attempted to stifle a giggle, but it bubbled up all the same.
Isla stopped and glared back at her maid’s twinkling eyes.
Lily’s ruby-red lips stretched into a wide, unapologetic smile. “Sorry, My Lady.”
With a growl, Isla continued down the path. As they approached the manse, she used the broom to clear a path through the sheep so she could mount her front steps. When the ram noticed their approach and began trotting their way, the two women ran inside, slamming the door behind them.