The Last Midnight

Chapter Nine: "Unsportsmanlike"

Back at the chateau, Matt removed a bucket with feed from the barn and walked over to the outdoor chicken and duck pen. Sprinkling handfuls of the feed around, he nudged some of the greedy ducks and chickens away to let others eat. Thoughts of how he was going to ask Drizella for help him rippled through his mind. Would she help him? What if she didn't and told the Baron? The more he thought about it, the more the idea of the ball was becoming a burden. Would it really be worth all the risks he'd have to take to go? Sighing heavily, he glanced over at Maisy who was busy picking weeds from the herb garden on her hands and knees. While over in the field, he could see the other servants finishing up the corn harvest. They'd need help carrying the heavy baskets of corn to the crops shed soon. While feeding the chickens and ducks, he removed a thin ribbon to wrap around the necks of those that would be slaughtered soon. He never picked the good ones. He always picked the ones that bit him or scratched him. He didn't want them spreading bad habits to the others. It was even clear that some of the older chickens and ducks were on to his scheme, because they behaved whenever he took their eggs or had to look them over.

After wrapping the last ribbon around the neck of a chicken that slashed out at his legs and pecked at his hands, he shoved it away and heard Maisy calling out his name. Getting up to his feet, he called back nicely. "What is it?" Maisy rushed over with Clare who was out of breath. As Clare gathered her breath, Maisy told him quickly. "He is here. He's asking for you." Perking up, he asked a little hopefully. "Who's here?" Maisy opened her mouth to answer, until she saw Matt's eyes shift to look at someone behind her. His face fell and his quickly turned away as the man approached. It was the Baronet Fairfield. He had the lowest title that one could receive but was the wealthiest man with his title. He had once been a knight but after single-handedly taking a fort for the King's father, he had retired with the new title bestowed upon him. He was arrogant and vile. Those of Noble birth tended to ignore him for his uncivilized behavior. They saw him for the brutal knight he was. He didn't belong with them, but he loved to think otherwise. He was attracted to power and wealth. The Baronet waved a hand to signal his four mercenary brutes to give them some distance.

The Baronet didn't care that his knee-high black boots stomped into the mud as he approached the fence of the coop. Tipping the brim of his large silver embroidered cavalier hat that had a large black feather hanging off the back, he smiled at Matt. Maisy bowed to him reluctantly and inched away from him with discreet hatred. The Baronet placed a gloved hand on the coop fence, asking in a cool tone that made Matt shiver with disgust. "Good evening, Matthew. Look at you. Every year you seem to blossom. One could almost mistake you for a woman with a body like that." As much as he didn't like keeping his back to him, he did. He didn't want to see him looking him over like an animal to be slaughtered. When he said nothing to him, the Baronet cooed out casually. "It's a pity that your soil is the best in the province... and yet... so poorly tended. I could help you. If you give me a chance." Finishing off the feed bucket, Matt avoided eye contact as he moved to the coop fence and answered under his breath. "I don't need the kind of help you'd give me, Sir." The Baronet placed a hand on the coop door to keep him trapped inside, trying to meet his eyes as he eerily purred out. "A flower that grows despite great struggle tends to be the most beautiful... but eventually it desires to be plucked and put on display. Admired."

Swallowing nervously, Matt kept his eyes low and tried to push open the coop door. When he couldn't get out, he asked him as nicely as he could. "Sir, please move. I have things to do." The Baronet leaned more on the door, purring through the wires. "You look good in a cage. I'd love to take you from this one, to one that is more to your liking. You'd have a soft bed and fine clothes. All I ask is that you get on your knees and... beg for it." Backing up a step or two from the door, Matt turned his head away from him and uttered out in a soft firm tone. "I won't do that, Sir. You are wasting your time." Maisy stepped closer then to blurt out as nicely as her tone allowed. "I'm sorry, Sir. But the Baron isn't home. So, if you have business to discuss, come back later. Otherwise, are you here to buy our harvest again?" The Baronet ignored Maisy and yanked the coop door open so suddenly that it startled everyone. Grabbing Matt's arm, he pulled him out and pushed him up against the coop fencing. Maisy quickly rushed with Clare to keep the ducks and chickens in the coop, while the Baronet grabbed Matt's jaw and turned his head to the other side slowly. Matt gripped the bucket handle in his hand tighter but remained as still as possible. He didn't want the Baronet to hit him or yell at him.