Jamie’s hands roamed her waist and gained confidence as they moved, slowly making their way to her backside, and once he laid his hands there, he crushed her to his hips, and she felt his member pressing into her abdomen, causing a shock of heat to soar through her whole body.
Their lips parted, and their quickened breaths were heard over the sound of the storm. Amelia moaned as Jamie planted kisses of fire down her neck, and then she used her hands to return his mouth to hers, their lips dueling for who could taste the other more deeply.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder lit up the whole room and shook it. A couple of books fell off a nearby shelf and Amelia jumped, breaking the kiss to look around at the sound.
After a few moments, Amelia stood back from Jamie, and touched her hands to her lips, freshly kissed. She was trembling, and a few stray pieces of hair came loose to frame her face. He watched as her old nervousness returned to her previously fiery eyes.
“I...I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I think the wine has addled my brain and made me far bolder than I should be.”
She took a step farther back away from him.
Jamie rubbed his hand on the back of his neck, feeling the coolness on his chest that her absence left. “Lass, there’s nothing tae apologize for, it was a surprise, but it was a lovely one. Aye, it was.” He took a step closer to her. “Ye are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen...or tasted.” He winked at her, and her face grew crimson.
“Who is it yer talking tae in here?” A booming voice came from the entrance to the library. Amelia’s heart fell, and Jamie’s smile disappeared at the sight of one William Fraser.
Chapter Eleven
Amelia gasped and clamped a hand to her mouth, tears threatening to pour out of her eyes if she didn’t leave the room. She hurriedly gathered up her skirts and ran past William into the darkened hallway.
William and Jamie stared after her fleeing form for a few moments, and then William turned with a big grin on his face. “Well, well, well, Kinnaird. What have we here? A possible tryst in the library? A potential man kissing a woman? Could that be it, lad?” William crossed his arms in front of his broad chest, grinning from ear to ear with smug pleasure.
Jamie grumbled at his friend and said, “Not exactly. And what are ye still doing here? Have ye not a place of yer own, lad?”
William ignored Jamie’s grumblings. “Well, why don’t ye tell me what happened here?” He motioned to the spot where he and Amelia had been standing, breathless.
Jamie went to sit by the fire, and William joined him, still smiling. But he was met with a scowl from Jamie.
“Naething has happened, lad. So don’t ye worry yer red head about it.” Jamie filled his wine glass again and took a big gulp.
“Now, as I’m an expert in the matter, I know when two people have been kissin’. Ye both looked as if ye could bloody eat each other. I felt a fire in here more than the one in the hearth.” He chuckled.
Jamie leaned forward, his eyes staring into the flames, and he furrowed his brow. “She kissed me.” He whispered, not looking at his friend.
Shock shone on William’s face for a moment, and then he broke into loud laughter, his hand on his chest to contain his glee. “Yer jokin’, lad! That lass, who just ran out of here like she couldnae get away fast enough, who’s been sad since she arrived since her fiance threw her off in London, kissed ye?”
Jamie’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “She was engaged?”
“Aye. Tae a viscount or some fop. She said something changed in her situation, and he sent her a note tae cancel the engagement.”
Jamie leaned back in his chair and rubbed his short beard in contemplation. His brow was still furrowed, and he looked at William. Who would throw off such a lovely creature? “Well, I’m not joking. I’m just as surprised as ye are.”
William poured himself a cup of wine and stared back at Jamie. “Aye, and now ye think ye’ve won the bet, don’t ye? Ye’ve been concentratin’ all yer efforts on this little game, ye’ve even rejected Alana the other night.”
Jamie waved a hand in frustration. “Och, Alana. Always comin’ round and begging me. I wasnae interested.” William watched Jamie’s reaction closely.
Then, Jamie smiled. “Well, donnae I win? The lass did kiss me after all. I’m just a helpless victim tae a passion-filled crime. And ye’ve been trying tae get in the way.” He threw his friend another brief scowl.
Jamie’s casual demeanor returned and he leaned back at ease.
William tapped his finger to his chin. “Well the way I see it, all’s fair in bets, aye?” He laughed. “And, donnae fash yerself the winner just yet. If the lass had kissed ye, and ye pulled away, then yes, ye’ve won the bet. But, since there’s nae way ye did that, and ye told her she was beautiful, I think I’ll be winning the bet, me friend.” He flashed Jamie a satisfied smile.
Jamie let his cocky facade falter for a moment. “When did ye find that out?”
William replied. “I just did.”
* * *
Amelia ran, her cheeks burning with humiliation as she fumbled through the corridors, hurrying down the steps to the second floor to find her chamber. It was difficult in the dark, and she tripped a number of times, but she was guided by the dim sconces on the wall.
She made it to her room, shut the door, and put her back against it, trying to catch her breath. She closed her eyes, and she covered her face with her hands, feeling the warmth of her shame.
She remained like this for a few moments before sitting in front of her vanity mirror to look at herself.
Her face was pink, and her hair was falling loose from its pins after her mad dash down the hallway.
She saw her lips, reddened and swollen and she touched them with her fingertips. His kiss. The kiss that I started. “Amelia, you fool!” She looked at herself angrily. “How could you have done something so bold, so brazen?! You’ve been spending all your time here trying to convince him you’re not a painted tart and look what you’ve done! You have gone and done just what a tart would do!”
She shuddered at the idea of Marianne or Fiona finding out what she’d done. “I’ve just kissed a man against the shelf in the library. No, first, I watched a man half naked without his knowledge, and then I kissed him in the library.”
She sat in silent shock for a moment at her behavior. But a frisson of pleasure tingled through her after a while. She, Amelia Parker, wasn’t controlled by men, she controlled her own actions and destiny. She took power into her own hands. She’d wanted to taste Jamie once she saw him in his room, and so she’d tasted him. And how delicious he had been.
This brawny, Scottish man had heated something in her she didn’t recognize, but she’d loved it. She’d let it make her into this brazen woman she could almost respect. Amelia let her mind wander to when he’d grabbed her from behind and pulled her to him, feeling his hard shaft between them. And their kiss had filled a need of hers, she didn’t know she’d had. It made her feel full, but something still wanted. What was it?
A wicked thought came to her mind and she pushed it down. “Kiss him again? Certainly not! I refuse to give him the satisfaction. That can never happen again. And I should probably avoid wine as well.” And she nodded to herself in the mirror, as if encouraging her resolution.
* * *
The next morning, the sky was white with impending snow, but the day was still bright and cheerful. After Amelia read in bed, a new feeling of power and courage filling her, she breakfasted with Fiona, and they donned their plaids to head out on their daily walk.
“I think it would be best to walk early, as I fear snow is in the air.” Fiona had recommended after staring for a few moments out of the castle window.
She and Fiona strolled around the rough gray stone of the castle and entered the inviting forest. Many trees were bare, and their barren boughs made Amelia think of a few lines of poetry, “The boughs hung lonely on the wintry day, their tongues silent until Spring.”
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“Ah that’s lovely, dear. What poem is that from?” Fiona smiled to her young companion, noting how beautiful Amelia looked in the cold winter air, so refreshed and energized. Her blue eyes sparkled.
Amelia laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I’d said it aloud. I...I write poetry in my spare time. It’s something my father interested me in.”
Fiona’s heart swelled with endearment and affection. She paused to put a hand on Amelia’s arm. “My dear, it’s beautiful. You must be quite the poetess.”
They continued on, and their winter boots crunched loudly on the forest path, their skirts billowing against each other. Amelia replied after a pause. “I’d like to be. That is, I would love to become one of the few published female poets. Wouldn’t that be absolutely lovely? ‘Tis a dream I’ve held dear for many a year.”
“What a beautiful dream. Well, I think you must strive for it. Send in a few poems to the publishing companies and see what their reply is.” Fiona smiled in encouragement. Amelia looked into the older woman’s face, so grateful for a friend. Fiona had the spirit of youth, and her renewed vigor gave her a glow that made her face so kind and gentle. Her brown eyes revealed feelings of care and affection.
Amelia smiled in return. “I believe I will, once I can pen the poem I’ve been trying to create for a long while.”
Soon, Amelia and Fiona emerged from the forest and headed over the expansive grounds towards the castle. To their backs came the sound of thudding hooves over a winter-hardened ground. They turned, and they saw Jamie riding towards them on his gray horse. Amelia’s breath caught for a moment, to see young Jamie in all his manly majesty. He was wearing a thick coat, but she could still see the outline of those delectable muscles she had spied and felt only an evening before. He stopped in front of the pair of women, and Amelia swallowed slowly, gathering her confidence and resolve to not let his presence sway her.
Jamie slowed his horse and said, “Good morning, Mother and Amelia.” His gaze lingered on Amelia for a moment, and she simply lifted her chin in response, not breaking eye contact.
Fiona said, “Jamie, would you be a dear and escort Amelia to the castle door? I’ve a mind to walk the distance to Fletcher House and have a nice long chat with Mrs. Fletcher.”
Jamie jumped down from the saddle, and stood before his mother, concern in his eyes. “Are ye sure, Mother? ‘Tis quite cold today.”
Fiona leaned up to kiss her son on the cheek. “Stop your worrying, dear. I am not an old or broken woman. Besides, Amelia says the walking will do me good. And I believe her.” She stared pointedly at Jamie, and he averted her gaze. “Please do accompany Amelia to the door.”
“Oh, I can walk by myself to the door. There’s no point in bothering the Laird.” Amelia replied.
Fiona clucked. “Nonsense! I’m simply teaching my son to be a gentleman, my dear.” And she winked. “I shall return within a few hours!” And she waved and was off, leaving with a smile on her face and two people behind her with their mouths slightly open in discomfort.
“Come to…” “Oh, no need…” Amelia and Jamie’s voices collided in conversation, as their best to recover from Fiona’s instructions.
Jamie made a motion towards the direction of the castle. “Ye know, my mother will find out if I’ve not escorted ye tae the castle, so it’s best if I do.”
Amelia gathered her plaid around her for support and protection from the growing warmth inside her at the appreciative gaze of Jamie’s eyes. She nodded in agreement. “I will abide by my mistress’ orders.” And she followed the direction of his arm, hoping he would walk behind her in silence, so she didn’t have to smell him or feel his warm closeness. It might break her resolve to ignore him.
“So, I see ye’ve cooled after last evenin’.” He smiled to himself and walked beside her, step for step.
Amelia’s ire rose, and she replied with force, “One cannot cool if one was never heated.”
Jamie nearly choked on his laughter. “Aye, ‘tis true, but that’s not the case for ye, lass. I do believe it was ye who pushed me up against the library tae take advantage.”
They had approached the castle wall, and with Jamie’s remark, Amelia flew around to face him, her back to it.
“Take advantage? I’d hardly call it that. I didn’t take anything that did not want to be taken. Besides, I do believe the wine had made me a bit ill and drove me to...irrational behaviors.”
“Aye is that so?” Jamie let the reins go on his horse, Faolan, knowing he wouldn’t wander far. He came closer to Amelia, leaning his hands to frame Amelia’s face against the castle wall.
Jamie watched as Amelia’s cooled attitude faltered for a brief moment before returning. She spoke with a Scottish accent in response. “Aye, ‘tis so.”
Jamie thought, Bloody hell this lass is more beautiful than last night, her face and eyes lightened by the fresh air and walk. All he wanted to do was grab her to him and make her moan again like she did yesterday, but he also wanted to do more. He swallowed to keep in control of the moment.
“Well, what I remember is a hot-blooded young woman comin’ tae me in the library and taking what she desired from me. And take it she did. She tasted like honey and wine, and all I can think about is...tasting her again. And I ken she’s thinking about tasting me as well.” He moved a hand from the wall to lightly stroke her bottom lip. Amelia’s eyes flickered to his mouth, and he knew she was thinking it too. For a moment, they stared at each other, lost in a mix of green and blue before Amelia swallowed and said. “That’s where you’re wrong, Sir. This young woman you speak of has already forgotten about the incident, and it will not occur again. Not in this lifetime.”
“So, in the next ye’ll be ready?” Jamie smiled, and Amelia’s heart melted, but she set her chin in determination.
She scoffed angrily and pushed his chest to move him out of the way. She trudged with angry steps away from him towards the castle door, and Jamie thought, “Aye, she’s turning into quite the Scottish lass with all her fire.” He chuckled, and then grabbed Faolan’s reins to take him to the stables.
* * *
Christmas came and went, with Amelia spending time with her mother, and avoiding Jamie at any chance she could. William would walk her to her mother’s and sometimes back, and if he was in the castle, they might play cards in the evening. She was teaching him the rules of whist. She was very grateful that he never mentioned the episode in the library, but he often spoke of Jamie, watching her face closely.
One evening, they were playing in the main hall by the fireside, and Amelia wore a brown gown with a Kinnaird color plaid around her, for this was the coldest evening she’d experienced in Scotland thus far. William wore only a shirt and open waistcoast, his hand on a pint of ale. Prince Charlie lay asleep at the hearth. William was explaining Hogmanay to her. “It’s simply a celebration for the end of the year, which ye English also celebrate. But, insteada Christmas, we give gifts for Hogmanay.”
Amelia turned over a 6 of clubs, and said, “Now you must play clubs to see if you can beat me. And about Hogmanay, that sounds lovely. Gifts to warm your souls at the close of a year. I always love new traditions.” She smiled in William’s direction. She was grateful for his friendship. There was no seduction and no fear in their relationship, and he never tried to anger her. He only made her laugh and would comfort her if need be.
William studied his cards for a moment before laying a 10 of clubs.
“So, you win the trick,” Amelia stated with a smile, and they continued playing for a while.
Later, they sat before the fire, and William poured her a cup of wine. Amelia hesitated before taking it, but realized that it was William she was with, not Jamie.
They stared into the flames before Amelia asked, “So, Fiona tells me you have a house nearby but often stay here.”
“Aye, ‘tis a bit lonely for me in the winter time in that drafty place. Me da and ma are gone along with me brother, so it’s not a place I
go tae spend a lot of time in.”
“I’m sorry, William. I understand. It’s nice to be with people if you can.”
“Aye.”
Amelia paused for a moment and took a sip of wine to bolster her courage. “Will you tell me about the battles? And what happened to Jamie?”
William smiled. “Curious about our laird, are ye?”
Amelia stiffened. “I just feel like it would be helpful to know all I can about Scottish history and the Kinnaird family, so that I can do my job properly.”
Capturing The Highlander's Heart (Lasses 0f The Kinnaird Castle Book 1) Page 9