A Most Inconvenient Wish by Eileen Richards

marching up the hill to the house.
    The back of her dress was covered in grass and muck. He really had shoved her into a dung pile. He unclenched his fist and winced. He looked at his hands, scratched and bloody from the horns of the ram.
    â€œI’d never seen anyone do that with a charging ram, McDonald.”
    â€œOne of the workers had to stop a ram from charging him once. It looks easier than it is.”
    â€œYou need a brandy and someone to look after those hands.”
    â€œBrandy sounds good.” Now that his anger had faded, he felt as weak as a baby.
    â€œThank you for saving her. I couldn’t have gotten to her fast enough. Come up to the house. We’ll see to your hands.”
    Ian followed Tony into the house, hiding his still trembling hands in his pockets.
    * * *
    Sophia walked awkwardly toward the house, the muck on her skirts causing them to stick together. The smell was even worse. She couldn’t decide if she was going to gag or cry or both. Never had she been so humiliated. She pulled at the back of her dress, trying to move it away from her body.
    Juliet and a maid were waiting in the doorway, watching her approach.
    â€œYou are covered in mud. What happened?” asked Juliet.
    â€œIt’s not mud and don’t ask.” She wasn’t in the mood to talk about it yet. Her emotions bounced between fear and admiration for Mr. McDonald, something she didn’t want to feel. She wanted to hold on to her anger. It was the only thing keeping her from throwing herself at the man.
    He’d rescued her. He had put himself between that stupid sheep and her. He’d taken that creature by the horns and kept her safe. No one had ever done anything so heroic for her. She’d had no idea he was so strong.
    Men had fawned over her. Sophia knew it, and had manipulated those men over the years. She liked being the center of their attentions. She liked their flattery. It fed her vanity. Vanity was a sin, she knew that, but still it felt good to be admired. But not one man had ever done something heroic for her. Now she was forced to look at Mr. McDonald in an entirely new light and she didn’t like it one bit.
    â€œYou smell awful.”
    Sophia groaned. Ian had seen her covered in sheep dung. “Ian shoved me behind him and I slipped.”
    â€œWhat were you doing in the pasture?” Juliet asked. “You knew Ian was here for mating season.”
    â€œWhy would I know about the mating patterns of sheep? I was in a hurry, so I cut across the pasture. I’ve done it before.” Sophia slipped off her shoes and handed them to the maid. “These are ruined.”
    â€œI’m sure we can get them cleaned up. Why weren’t you wearing your half boots?” Juliet took a rag from the maid and wiped at Sophia’s cheek.
    â€œI had to escape the house, Juliet. It was awful.” Sophia took the rag from her sister and wiped her hands. “I didn’t stop to think. Our guests arrived and Lord Bateman brought a lady with him. He’s going to marry her. This is all my fault.”
    â€œI doubt that. Come upstairs. I’ll have a bath prepared and find a change of clothes,”
    Sophia followed Juliet to one of the spare rooms where soon a hip bath was set up. Water steamed from the bath. Sophia almost groaned. She couldn’t wait to get the muck off her.
    â€œNow tell me all. Who is this mysterious lady? And why this is your fault,” Juliet said once they were alone.
    â€œMiss Hamilton is her name. I met her in London.” Sophia turned her back to allow Juliet to unbutton her gown. She peeled it off, leaving it in a heap on the floor. “Lady Catherine couldn’t wait to get in a taunt about Lord Bateman’s intentions.”
    Juliet loosened the laces of Sophia’s stays. “Miss Hamilton? I don’t remember her when we were last in Town.”
    â€œShe is the daughter of a wealthy merchant. The rumor