12. Jonto #4
Sharp bitterness colored Isla’s words when she finally answered.
“Apparently, Lord Montfort is gathering support from several of the more influential men in the community. He intends to convince the King that I, as an addlebrained woman, am incapable of managing my estates. He says the destruction of my pastureland by my uninformed decision to double my herd is proof of the fact. That blasted man intends to propose to the King that the best course of action would be to remove me from my estates and give the business of providing mutton and wool to the good people of Fachan’s Bay into his hands for safekeeping. ”
Jonto’s gaze hardened. “Doesn’t he own the land on the other side of your estates?”
“He does. And not only that, he sent an invitation for me to dine with him in three days’ time. I would guess it will be yet another plea for my hand in marriage, only this time, I’m not sure I can refuse without losing my family’s estates….”
With her blood roiling in her veins, Jonto stood.
“We’ll see about that. You have me on your side and I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you keep your land.
Don’t allow Montfort to bully you into marriage or anything else for that matter.
” She bowed slightly before jamming her hat onto her head.
“If you’ll excuse me, Lady Brighton, I have some business to attend to.
” She stalked from the cave and returned to where Nico waited patiently with her horse.
As Jonto watched her first mate, or rather, her best friend, sitting astride the muscular gelding staring out over the sea, she wondered for the thousandth time why she’d been so lucky to have him in her life.
Quite early in their seafaring days, they’d discussed his feelings for her.
She’d been worried that he’d had romantic ideas of them one day becoming a couple, but when she’d broached the subject, he’d quietly spoken of his great-aunt and her lifelong female “companion” and had intimated that he believed her heart would lead her in that direction and not to a man.
Nico, like his father before him, was a man out of his time.
He reminded her of such visionaries as Leonardo Da Vinci or Michelangelo.
He was someone wise beyond his years, who, on the one hand, understood human nature and, on the other, could wield a sword or hammer better than most. She moved to her gelding, stroked his neck and took the reins. “Ready?”
The big man turned and grinned down at her. “You can see the Jest from here. I’ve wanted to come up to see her, but, well, the time….” He shrugged and looked back out to sea.
Jonto followed his gaze. Even though her emotions were still roiling, pride welled in her chest at the sight of her ship and its mate, the Altham, sitting majestically on the open sea.
The sails were neatly furled, and she could barely make out men dangling over the side on ropes, scrubbing her hull, and checking and rechecking for any needed repairs.
“They’re beautiful. Are you missing the sea already?
” She mounted, and they chatted as they rode along the edge of the cliffs toward Fachan’s Bay.
“I always miss the sea when we’re on land.”
“Well, you’ll be glad to know that as soon as you have Kozma trained to run the estate, we’ll be taking a quick trip south to try to convince Norae to return with us.”
Nico’s brows rose into his hairline. “Norae?”
“Yes, Norae. Don’t look so surprised. You saw as well as I did how badly those fools mismanaged Isla’s upper pastures.
It’s going to take a hedge witch with Norae’s specialized training and abilities to heal the land.
I’m hoping that once I explain the damage that’s been done, she might consider relocating here.
Have you seen that small cottage at the far end of the woods?
I want to convince her that she’d be isolated enough there that no one will bother her. ”
“Hmm. I’d like that. Norae’s a good woman, solid and steady. Maybe a little crazy, too.” He grinned. “But that’s the spice of life.” His playful words sobered to a more serious tone, “She won’t be accepted here, you know.”
“She’s not accepted where she is now. At least here, she’ll be safe and protected. I won’t let anyone throw rocks, threaten to burn her home, or trespass on my land to get to her.”
“She stops them with her hexes. You don’t need to protect that woman, and you better not tell her you will, or she’ll never come.”
They merged onto the road leading into the city.
Traffic was light at first, consisting of out-of-town travelers from other cities and a few country dwellers bringing their goods to sell.
Once they entered the city proper, though, it was a different matter altogether.
Heavily laden wagons carrying barrels of whiskey and rum rumbled behind their four-horse teams while others piled with lumber or any number of different loads crisscrossed the city streets, making it nearly impossible to travel at any speed.
Add to that the personal carriages, cabs for hire, and individual riders and the trip took three times longer than it should have.
As planned, her two sailors met them in front of the carters. By the time Paddy led them down a narrow alley to a livery where they could leave their horses for a short time, Jonto’s irritation had risen enough that she took a moment to settle herself before entering the Dangerous Dog.