Amelia exhaled loudly and attempted to replace her hair pins once again. But her fingers were not as nimble in this Scottish cold. She would have to apologize to Lady Kinnaird for her ruffled appearance and tell her about the man in her garden.
Jamie laughed and swayed slightly. He’d had his last drink only an hour before, so he was still a bit woozy. He’d walked home to work the alcohol out of him and appear somewhat sober in front of his mother and her companion.
William was right. Luscious treat after all. With her blond hair all askew, skin pink with heat and anger, lips open, her white breath hanging in the air, blue eyes filled with fire, and large breasts heaving with exertion, this young woman was about the best thing Jamie had seen in a long time. He wanted to drink her in and savor the moment, but he remembered her accusation, and he replied,
“Well, then yer in luck, my dear, for I am no gentleman. I’m more of the type who rambles about in the evening, finding pleasures where I can.”
“Are all Scottish men so distasteful?” Amelia’s hands were on her hips now as she stared at him with disapproval. Her perfectly clipped English accent gave Jamie the impression she was a lady and found it confusing that she’d chosen such a far out place in the world.”
“Aye, but they’re only distasteful to those with an English tongue.”
“Ah, I see. So, then our two tongues will be eternally at odds?”
Jamie rubbed his face and lifted an eyebrow, “Well…”
Amelia’s eyes briefly widened for a moment, and then she lifted a hand to stop him. “Do not answer that. I will be on my way.”
Jamie chuckled and replied, “Come, let me open the gate for you, so you can get inside and get a break from berating strange men on the road in this cold.”
Amelia looked surprised and shivered. “You have the keys to the gate? You, you live here?” She motioned towards the castle. She did not attempt to veil the disgust in her voice.
“That I do. Welcome tae Kinnaird Castle.” And he opened the gate and bowed again, allowing her to enter first. Amelia touched her hair once more, hoping it would be presentable enough, and she walked through the gate, head held high, her face a complete mask of confidence and reserve.
Jamie paused for a moment to glance at the derriere that seemed to fit perfectly into his hand, but he knew she wouldn’t be inviting him to touch it again. Disappointment tugged at him, but he waved it aside as he closed the gate and caught up to Amelia.
Fiona heard the creak of a door and jumped up excitedly, nearly dropping her cup and saucer on the floor in front of the hearth. Prince Charlie barked and ran towards Jamie as he entered. “Och, my bonny prince,” Jamie said as he bent down and rubbed the dog’s head.
Fiona rushed forward with her hands out. “And you must be Amelia. My dear, I am so happy to meet you. Was your journey pleasant?”
Amelia’s relief soared as she heard the same soft accent exit Lady Kinnaird’s mouth as her own. She felt strengthened by the new heat in the room, and she curtsied low, and smiled meekly. “Lady Kinnaird, lovely to make your acquaintance. Please do forgive my appearance. The journey was very pleasant, but there was a bit of an... accident outside, and my dress and hair were the victims.”
Fiona clapped her hands with joy. “Ah, and you’re English as well! I don’t believe my good luck! And don’t you worry a mite about your appearance, my dear.” She waved her hands to the side, as if not bothered by such a small problem. “We’ll have you sorted straight away. You must be freezing as well! Here, meet my son, the Laird of Kinnaird clan and castle; James, or Jamie, as we call him.”
Before Fiona could motion her hand towards Jamie, Amelia stepped forward and curtsied low in front of William Fraser, his brief surprise melting into wide-eyed pleasure. He glanced quickly at Jamie and winked. “I win”, he mouthed over Amelia’s bent head.
Fiona chuckled and touched Amelia on the arm. “Oh, my dear, forgive the confusion. This here is William Fraser, my son Jamie’s best friend.” William bent to kiss Amelia’s hand, and she nodded in greeting. Fiona motioned behind Amelia, “This is James, my son, the Laird.”
Amelia rose slowly, trying to straighten her back as much as she could to combat the embarrassment she felt flooding her veins once again. She knew that that man, that mocking man, would be smiling as wide as the devil once she turned around, and she was not disappointed.
“Forgive me, Lady Kinnaird,” Amelia said breathlessly, and forced herself to look into Jamie’s face with her chin jutting forward in stubborn defiance. She dipped slightly and said “Laird James. Lovely to meet you.”
Jamie’s pleasure at Amelia’s second discomfort of their acquaintance could not be beat, except by perhaps William’s proud statement of victory.
Fiona said, “No, Jamie will have to ask for your forgiveness as he’s a bit worse for wear this morning.” She clucked disapprovingly in his direction. Jamie smiled and bent low to grab Amelia’s hand and plant a kiss on it, his green eyes not leaving her blue ones the entire time. “Yes, Miss Parker, please do forgive me.” He lingered longer than normal over her hand, and Amelia was annoyed at the frisson of pleasure which wormed its way through her stomach at second encounter with his green eyes.
“Of course,” she replied with a tight smile, and tried to draw her hand away from his. Did she dream it, or did he hold onto it just a little bit longer? She looked away. She had to get away from those eyes. Just because a man had two eyes that could stun a woman into believing whatever he said, it doesn’t make him a good man. He was the devil.
Fiona took Amelia by the arm and started towards the corridor. “Now, come, my dear, let me show you everything! We can sort out your dress and hair, and you can make yourself comfortable. Would you like a cup of tea?” The men couldn’t hear Amelia’s answer as she disappeared down the hallway with Fiona, the ladies’ mingled footsteps growing fainter and fainter. William and Jamie stood still for a moment before William burst into raucous laughter and clapped Jamie on the back.
“Well now that’s the first time I’ve been confused with a laird. Hmm...perhaps I ought tae take over for ye, Jamie, since ye don’t look the part tae the ladies?”
Jamie smiled and stared after her, a little worried about his mother, and what the new woman’s presence would bring. “Och, I don’t think ye could handle the responsibilities, ye blaigeard.” Jamie hit William on the shoulder. “Miss Parker and I met outside just before, and I confused her with the lush lass I’d been spending the night with. I even grabbed her arse.”
William exploded into a new round of laughter and Jamie joined him. “Och I see yer gettin’ to yer new…” household responsibilities” earlier than expected of ye. Now, isn’t she just as luscious as I said she’d be?” William winked at Jamie.
Jamie was about to heartily agree with William, but he didn’t want to give his friend the satisfaction of a victory. He crossed his arms, shrugged, and went to sit by the fire. “She’s acceptable. Certainly not a mousy schoolmistress, but she’s a Sassenach with a plain face.”
William rolled his eyes, grabbed a bottle of whiskey from a side table and two glasses. He shook his head as he poured a glass for himself and for Jamie. “It seems that Jamie Kinnaird, formerly known as the Laird of Kinnaird castle, simply can’t bear tae lose tae a flame-haired Scotsman, newly installed as Laird.” He chuckled and handed the glass to Jamie. “I’ve known ye for about as long as I can remember. I know when ye think a woman is bonny, and yer eyes spoke the truth. She’s about as bloody bonny as a lass can get. Don’t ye lie tae me, Kinnaird.”
William sat down. Jamie laughed and sipped the whiskey. “Och, come, I was just trying tae make her uncomfortable under my gaze, as ye can tell she’s not an experienced woman. She gave herself away outside when she slapped me in the face for my insolence and called me hardly a gentleman. I enjoyed watching her squirm. That’s all.” Jamie kept his feelings about the arse-grabbing and the odd flutter staring into her icy blue eyes had given him to
himself.
William laughed once again. “Och, but this is a fine bloody day. I’ve had about as much entertainment one can fit intae a morning. I like the bonny lass even more now.”
Jamie rubbed his face again, dark scruff pushing through. “She’s got a tongue strong enough tae lash a mule.”
“Well then, a tongue-lashing is what ye deserve for such brazen behavior, ye wicked man.” William stuck out his chest with faux-self-righteousness. “I expect we won’t be hearing the end of her...lectures?”
Jamie smiled. “I think she’s subdued for now, after her double embarrassment. Getting grabbed by a man and mistaken for a prostitute, and then mistaking ye for the Laird.” Jamie rubbed the back of his head and thought with pleasure, One mistaken identity should be forgiven for another. She’s got nothing to reprimand me for now....
William stood up abruptly and finished his whiskey in one fast gulp. He moved to stand by the fire and turned to look at Jamie with a mischievous grin. “Now, I’ve got an idea. Seeing as the weather could freeze a man’s ballocks off at any time, and you’ve got yer mind full of Donald’s schemes, why don’t we entertain ourselves a bit. Let’s make a wager.” He paused, grinning even wider as he rubbed his bearded face in thought. “I wager that ye’ll be kissing her by yer mother’s Christmas celebration, and maybe even more.”
Jamie scoffed at the idea. “And if I disagree with yer wager?”
William said, “Lad, have we not gambled ourselves til dawn many a time? Ye must make a counter wager.”
“Well, I wager that she’ll have kissed me by then and expressed her undying love.” Jamie rolled his eyes, knowing it sounded ridiculous but not wanting to back down in the face of a bet.
“Agreed. If ye can get the lass tae kiss ye first and declare love, then ye win. But, if ye kiss her first, then I win.”
“What do we bet?”
“The man who loses the bet must arrive tae a clan meeting as naked as the day he was born.”
Jamie laughed, and the two men shook hands. “Agreed.” Jamie replied. “So, I expect I’ll be seeing ye naked after the Christmastide feast.”
William sat down again, a big smile on his face. “Och, but ye’ve got a Laird’s bullish pride, don’t ye? Since ye’ve got tae spend time with the lass in order tae win her over, I know ye’ll be begging for that kiss soon enough.”
Jamie poured another dram of whiskey for them both and clinked his glass with William’s. “We’ll see about that. I’m off for a bath and sleep.” He walked off to the twisting upward staircase.
William remained, sipping his whiskey by the fire, smiling to himself. “Aye, we will see about that. And, the wager didnae say anything about me not getting in the way.”
Chapter Six
Amelia’s heart was beating so rapidly as she left the main room arm-in-arm with Lady Kinnaird that she was afraid the woman could hear it. How could I have made such a mistake? So, that was Laird James, the “good boy” Mrs. Fletcher was talking about. She’s right about him not having any manners. He was savoring the moment when I had to curtsy and apologize to him. He is an utter beast. A new thought jumped into her mind. But Mrs. Fletcher didn’t say anything about those eyes, green as the sun gleaming off a Scottish hilltop. So green you could get lost in them. Stop that, Amelia! Her heart increased its pitter patter. He’s a horrible, disgusting, odorous man, fresh from doing his dark deeds! He hasn’t a redeemable quality about his person. I’m sure he’ll make my time here as difficult as possible.
Amelia was drawn out of her chiding thoughts by the excited voice of Lady Kinnaird. “And now, we’ll go to my chamber where my maid will help you get the clothes you need as well as make any adjustments to your hair that you’d like. Then I will show you your room, so you may put down your things, and then we will have some tea.” Lady Kinnaird was beaming, talking to Amelia as if they were old friends.
“My room?” Amelia’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Fiona chuckled. “Why yes! We want you to be as comfortable as possible. This is a strange new land for you, and I want you to have your own space. Is that a problem?”
Amelia shook off her surprise and smiled back at Lady Kinnaird. “Oh, no, Lady Kinnaird, thank you very much. But, will I be able to visit my mother?”
“Oh, of course, dear! I nearly forgot! Saturday’s you may go to see her. And if you’d need to visit her any other times, you are free to do so. This is not a prison, although it does give the appearance of one, especially in this dreary part of the year.” Fiona shivered, and drew her tartan shawl around her. “Oh, and please do call me Fiona. You are a companion after all, not a maid.”
“Thank you, Fiona.” Amelia stuttered out.
Fiona replied, “Excellent! Now, let’s get you comfortable, and then you can tell me all the news from London. These past months, I have been craving any bit of gossip I can find!”
Fiona and Amelia ascended the stairs to the upper rooms, and Amelia’s realization of her new fate slowly melted in. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so horrible after all.
* * *
A whole week had passed at Kinnaird Castle, and Amelia rose in the morning, rested and smiling, feeling a bit of her old happiness come creeping back. She was an independent woman now. It was a feeling she had never experienced before. She could take care of herself and her mother. She was free of the control of men. And if there wasn’t the matter of bringing her father back from prison to make her mother happy, then her own happiness would be complete.
And to make her even happier, she hadn’t seen much of Laird James in the past week, and only at a distance when she did see him. She was satisfied he would keep away from her. What does the laird have to do with his mother’s companion, anyway?
Lady Kinnaird had told her he was busy on a recent land project he was developing, hoping to make things more profitable for the clan and those that worked the land. Amelia often saw him and William and Mr. Fletcher discussing together out in the fields, carrying papers and pointing to different areas.
As for Lady Kinnaird, after that first cup of tea they’d shared together a week prior, where Amelia had told Fiona about how fat Lady Wilmington had torn her gown at the most recent ball in the London season, they’d become fast friends. Fiona collapsed with laughter and said, “That is the best news I’ve heard in months. She has always been a most pernicious woman. I can’t say I feel any pity for her.”
Her first week as a companion had flown by pleasantly, with Amelia waking every morning with time to herself to read and write by her small stone window before attending to her companion duties. She still hadn’t found that inspiration yet for her poems, but she was improving.
A fire was built for her each day, and she savored the morning peace she was given. It gave her time to think and plan how she could save the money and send it back to London when needed. It would be difficult and take time, but she was confident she would be able to pay it off in a year or two, what with the Parker belongings and home being sold to help shoulder some of the debt.
The lady of the castle was a kind woman who only needed a friend. They spent time reading together, writing letters, talking, and walking around the castle or in the forest.
Today was Amelia’s day to go visit her mother and bring her a book and what payment she had earned that week. She hoped her mother was faring well in this cold Scottish weather. Amelia peered out of her window, dressed in her white nightgown with a blond braid down her back. Being allowed to bathe as often as she pleased, Amelia felt so lucky to be where she was.
Outside, the sky was clear and blue, and the frost had already melted from the tips of the grass. She had hoped to walk to her mother’s house and enjoy the time outside and get some much-needed exercise. She would stay at the cottage for one night and return the next morning to resume her duties.
Amelia dressed excitedly, desperate to breathe that fresh air and let the blood start pumping through her veins. The maid, Emily, entered with a cup of tea and offered her assistanc
e with her stays. She donned a blue work dress over top, which lightly brushed the tops of her shoes. And it was a little bit snug around the breasts. Fiona had let her use some of her old dresses, and the seamstress had yet to come by the castle to adjust the fit.
But Amelia loved the freedom even a few less inches in length gave her, and she knew it would be perfect for her morning walk. She covered the dress with a heavy tartan plaid and woolen cape to keep her warm on her sojourn. I’ve already turned into quite the Scottish lass, she thought with a smile.
Before Emily left, she said. “The lady requested a few rolls and tarts to be baked for ye tae take tae yer ma. The basket is in the kitchen for ye tae fetch.”
“Oh, thank you! Please give Lady Kinnaird my thanks and inform her I will return on the morrow.” Amelia drank her tea quickly and grabbed her poetry book and a book for her mother on the way out the door. “I just know this walk will give me some poetical inspiration!”
She wandered down the stone stairwell that wound its way to the ground floor. Humming to herself, she walked through the main hall and found her way to the kitchen. As she entered, it was empty but warm, it being too early for the cooks to be preparing the morning meal, but the fires had been lit. A basket was laid on the middle table, covered in a cloth. Amelia approached it and breathed in the tarts and rolls’ warm, fresh scent. She was about to turn and leave when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
Capturing The Highlander's Heart (Lasses 0f The Kinnaird Castle Book 1) Page 4