Pony frowned more at her. "Woman!?" He spoke as if he had no clue, but he knew exactly who she meant. "There is nothing serious between us, she is an aristocrat and I have been hoping to get her to buy some of my stock. I haven't done anything scandalous with her AND.." He made sure to emphasize it. "I have barely seen her since you had the children. I've been riding poor Jenny four hours back and forth outside the town so that you wouldn't get caught up in my business! Since you decided to settle your roots here, I have been trying to keep you out of it so that you wouldn't have any trouble. That makes me the bad guy, doesn't it. We work to the bone and you get mad because you assumed things and I didn't want to spend more time than necessary because I am trying to be here for you even if you don't believe it!"

He stepped back and lifted the clock high above her reach. "Don't! I am merely taking it because it isn't a clock to you anymore. It's a love letter that reminds you of him every time you see it. Be happy I'm not smashing it right here on the ground. I will let you have it back when I approve of him." His green eyes flared at her as she tried to make this about her ability to take care of the children. "Oh I do believe they are alright. I'd hope you hadn't lost your mind and let them be neglected, even if its the sweet lady next door doing more than her fair share of the work!'