Jamie moved back to his desk and poured himself a whisky. He rubbed his face over his hand in utter surprise. “Now what the bloody hell was that?”
* * *
Donald sat in the main hall of Kinnaird Fort, barren of furniture except for a few odd wooden tables and chairs. The hall was not as large as in the castle, but it had been richly furnished in the past before his father’s death, and now he’d had to sell much to pay for his own keep. None of his plans had turned out as he’d hoped.
“Ye bloody fool,” He said to Alana as he sat across from her in the darkened main hall, just the evening before Hogmanay. “Ye were supposed tae get whatever information ye could, not simply beg for his bloody cock.”
“I tried,” Alana whined. She was dressed warmly, as if she’d walked to the fort from a long distance away. “But he wasnae interested in bringing me anywhere near to his workroom. He wasnae interested in any tryst, so how was I tae get intae that room?”
Donald’s sharpened features hardened as he looked at her.
“What good are ye? Nothin’. Ye’ve brought me nothin’. And now, ye won’t get yer precious Jamie either.”
“I want me money.”
“Not a foking chance in hell. Ye’ve not done what I’ve asked.”
She stood, gathering her woolen plaid around her. “I could try again, at the Hogmanay feast.”
“Nay, I donnae want any other disappointments. I’ll need tae find someone else.” His dark eyes stared at her standing figure, and Alana felt a chill run through her. She turned to look at the hunting knives Donald had so proudly displayed on the wall, their sharpened edges gleaming in the firelight. She didn’t want to press him any further.
“I do have a thought, though, which may be of use.”
“Aye, and what’s that?” Donald didn’t raise his glance from the flames.
“Jamie was never one tae throw me off before. I think there may be another woman takin’ me place.” Her lips pursed in jealousy.
She then walked toward the door, away from the warmth of the flames. She heard the clink of a coin on the floor behind her.
“For ye. ‘Tis a useful nugget.”
Alana rushed to pick it up and leave the cold fort as soon as she could, inwardly happy she wouldn’t have to be working for that red-headed fiend any longer. She wasn’t exactly sure what Donald wanted from Jamie, but she needed this money desperately. And if Jamie Kinnaird wasn’t going to be marrying her, then she needed to do all she could to survive.
* * *
The hall was lit with candles and firelight, warm with bodies and merriment. The whole clan was back together to celebrate the last day of the year. The born and bred Scots were making merry more on this day than Christmas, as it was a true Scottish holiday. There was drinking and games and dancing and food.
Amelia spied the drunken man who taught her the dance steps at the Christmas dinner, and she smiled in his direction. He waved her to the dance floor as she sat at the long meal table, resting in between all of the activity. She declined with a wave and a smile. She had enjoyed a few dances already and was now relaxing by watching all of the reddened faces. So happy everyone was, despite such hardships. And not one of them had been cold to her, despite her English status. Suddenly, she felt someone standing beside her. A voice asked, “Will ye dance, Sassenach?”
She looked up to see the eyes that had looked at her hungrily only one evening ago, and the lips that had kissed her so fiercely and thoroughly. It made Amelia redden with the thought. Jamie held out a rough, workworn hand to her. Those hands touched me...there. She swallowed slowly. Will they ever touch me again?
“Aye, ‘tis been a long time since you’ve called me that,” she said in reply and stood. Amelia had dressed with care that evening, in a beautiful light blue gown, made of silk. Her stomacher was white with ruffled lace, and there was lace at her elbows where the sleeves ended. She wore a wide skirt that moved elegantly across the ground. Her neckline was square and low, and she’d tied a white ribbon around her thin neck. A maid had curled her blond hair to sit higher on her head but also frame her face. She wore white slippers. Amelia felt more at home than she had in a long time. These past weeks she’d been wearing stays under a more suitable home dress, made of wool or linen, but now she could be dressed like a lady, thanks to Fiona and the seamstress.
Jamie’s mouth opened slightly at the sight of her standing next to him. “A beauty ye are, lass. Did ye take this with ye from England?”
Amelia blushed with pleasure and pride, and said, “No. It is your mother’s. We simply had the seamstress adjust the fit.” She looked down to lay her hand on her stomach and make sure everything was still in place.
Jamie leaned in to her ear. She closed her eyes as she felt her heartbeat rise with his closeness, and...the throbbing ache threatened to return.
HIs voice was a whisper, “Aye, ye would need tae accommodate that pair of perfect, luscious breasts of yorn.” He smiled at Amelia’s sharp intake of breath. “Tell me, will I be gettin’ the chance tae taste them?”
And he pulled away to see a surprised Amelia who looked around and whispered, “Taste?”
“Aye, they look rather delicious tae me.” He winked, and decided to end the tease before Amelia would be too dazed to walk to the dance floor. She laid her hand on his arm, as he led her into the Scottish steps.
Fiona stood with William on the side, dressed elegantly in a purple gown and William in kilt and shirt. She smiled to see Amelia and Jamie gazing into each others eyes as they spun hand in hand, weaving through the partners to meet once again.
“She looks lovely, does she not?”
“Aye, she is a bonny lass. And I believe yer son thinks so as well.” He laughed and took a sip of ale.
Fiona laughed as well and replied, “I believe you are correct, but he’d never admit it. He’d better not be toying with my young friend.” She turned a threatening glare to William.
William held his hands up. “I think ye’ll find ‘tis the other way around.”
“Really?” Fiona turned back to the dance floor and placed her hands on her silken hips. “Well, isn’t that fascinating? I do not think my Jamie will be able to resist.”
* * *
Amelia sighed into the now familiar library chair, leaving the crowd for a bit of respite from the noise and merriment. She leaned her head on her fist and stared at the fire, thinking dreamily of Jamie in his kilt and sword, and the way his hand had felt against hers on the dance floor. As she had left the main hall, Jamie had followed her and they shared a hot and urgent kiss against the cold stone wall, his hands holding hers above her head. Then, he’d left her wordlessly to return to the party. She had needed some alone time even more after that.
So much had happened since she’d first arrived in Scotland. She had come a broken woman, feeling the weight of rejection and betrayal, and loss of status. But, now, some of her pieces had been put back together: by Fiona, by Wiliam, and by Jamie. She had received such kindness here and freedom that she felt like a different person: stronger, bolder, braver, and was willing to fight for what she wanted. She smiled at the renewed feeling of strength that filled her core.
She stood to return to the party, and a maid rushed into the library. “Och, thank the Good Lord I’ve found ye, Miss. I want tae apologize, but here is a letter I’d received yesterday for ye. It must have got lost in all the madness of Hogmanay preparations.” The maid bent her head, and Amelia thanked her. She left hurriedly once again.
“Ah, it’s from London Prison of Debts...Father.”
Anger and fear boiled in her stomach and threatened to choke her as she ripped open the envelope. Her eyes scanned over the page hurriedly.
Dear Amelia,
Your mother has written to me a few times, even though I told her not to, and told me of my beautiful, resourceful daughter. She has given me your address, so that I could write to you as well. Tell me of your time in the castle. Are you writing?
Forgive me,
Father
Amelia could have bellowed into the skies, she was so seething with anger. “He feigns apology and remorse, yet he concerns us more with these facts about the house and the true horror of his debts. Does he think I can really let my mother be brokenhearted forever?”
Amelia paced the library, breathing in and out, attempting to calm the red fire that swirled inside of her. “He continues to be my burden, even after he has taken my inheritance from me. I cannot, will not, watch my mother descend into weakness and despair. She has hope now, and I cannot take that away!”
A clearing of a throat caught her attention, despite her fury. It came from the library door, and she looked up to see cousin Donald.
“Well, I couldnae help but overhear. Perhaps I might be of service?”
Chapter Fourteen
Jamie looked around the hall, but there was no sign of Amelia. Her blue figure whirling around the room had kept her in his gaze after they’d changed dancing partners. She was like a fairy in a dark forest, and he loved to watch her form flit from person to person, laughing, smiling, her ease and confidence growing. And she would catch his gaze every so often, and they would stare at each other for long moments before someone would tear them away in conversation. All he could think about was kissing her again. After last night, he’d barely slept. He stayed late in his workroom, making corrections to a map and sipping his whiskey, but he couldn’t stop thinking of what had happened on his desk.
She had been so hot and wet, lying with her back on the top of the desk, her legs wide, welcoming the touch of his hand on her womanhood. She had writhed and moaned, calling out his name in quiet, sensual whispers. It had taken all his power to not plunge into her in that moment, but he knew she needed time. And her grip on his cock had been such a surprise. He had spilled over faster than he expected, as her delicate hands belied their strength.
And now, today, she was the most beautiful woman in the room, and he could not focus on anyone else. Once, she had walked towards the corridor, and he followed her, leading her to a quiet area, kissing her against the wall, wanting to take the opportunity while he had the chance.
He hadn’t seen her since. Where could she be? Why does it worry me so much that she’s not here? Isnae she just a lass who works for me ma? She’ll be gone eventually and then what?
And then it hit him. Donald. He was the only other one missing from the main festivities, and last time he had tried to steal Amelia away into the shadows.
The last time he had seen Donald, he and William had been talking together along with a few other clansmen. Donald was nearby them, standing alone of course, drinking from a glass by the fire.
“He must have seen her leave and has gone to find her. If he hurts her, I will break his bloody neck!” Jamie whispered angrily to himself and set out on the journey of searching the three floors of the castle to find them…
* * *
Donald was dressed in breeches and a tartan coat, and his black eyes watched her closely as she moved to sit by the fire near the light. He moved silently, slinkingly toward her, and sat down in the chair opposite.
Amelia looked confused. “And how might you be of service? I’m afraid I do not want anything from someone who tries to forcibly take woman without their consent.”
She lifted her chin with an air of confidence, but inside she was trembling, fearful of what he might say or do next.
“Well, my dear lass, it does seem that yer in a bit of trouble, pecuniary trouble, tae be precise.” Donald laid back comfortably in the chair, knowing he was in charge of the situation. With his elbows on the arms off the chair, he touched his fingertips together.
Amelia’s chest tightened, but she tried to not let her strong facade crumble.
“And? What of it?”
“Well…” he almost purred, and it made Amelia feel ill. “I would be only too happy tae lend ye the money ye need. Our family continues tae have quite the fortune and profitable lands.”
“Really?” Amelia’s eyes opened with excitement. She could have almost kissed his slimy face. But then she drew back. “Why?”
Donald chuckled. “Smart girl. Such gifts are not without cost. But, my price is small. I only want ye tae...be a sort of lookout for me.”
Amelia’s eyebrows furrowed. “A lookout? What do you mean?”
Donald smiled, ready to explain, but taking his time just to torture this beauty bit by bit. “I need information, pertaining tae the handsome young laird. Anything ye can find would be of use: papers, letters, documents, information about his land project, his thoughts on being the new laird, etc. Now, wouldnae that be only too simple to obtain, ye being the companion and all, and having free access tae the castle?”
“But what do you need them for? Surely you could ask all of these things from Jamie himself. You are cousins, after all.”
Donald face flushed slightly at her lack of immediate agreement. Then, he pasted another smile on his moist lips. “Och, but that would be a bit of a problem, as Jamie and I do not...see eye tae eye on many things, and he does not enjoy the presence of his cousin, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, I see.” Amelia looked down for a moment.
“‘Tis nothing heinous or fiendish. ‘Tis for the good of the clan. His father and my father were twins, you see, and so I have just as much right tae that information as he does. It’s just that our relationship is not what it once was.”
Amelia thought for a moment. The idea of working with this man and having to report to him filled her with an oily queasiness, but the idea of having all of the debts repaid in full, and her father returning to her mother’s arms, that made her think all the harder.
“I’m sorry. But, I don’t feel that it would be right to keep secrets from my employers. They have been so kind to me. I wouldn’t want to risk my relationships with them.” Amelia stood to leave.
Donald didn’t move as she made her way to the door. “Och, yes, yer...relationships. That handsome cousin of mine does seem tae have an eye for ye. I don’t blame him of course for admiring a luscious beauty.”
Amelia paused, thinking she could almost vomit from a compliment from such a man.
“And do ye feel the same way?” Donald stood up from the chair, his piercing eyes on her again.
Amelia flushed, “Excuse me, but my feelings and emotions are none of your business.”
She turned to leave again, and her hand was on the door when he said, “He made a bet ye know. And ye fell right intae his trap.”
She turned back to him slowly, the soft swishing of silk the only sound in the library as his words sunk into her mind.
“A...a bet? What do you mean? Explain yourself!” She clenched her fists at her sides, that recent rage beginning to form again at the base of her belly.
Donald sighed and turned to stand over the fireplace. “Jamie’s friend, that bastard William, becomes quite chatty after a few pints. After a few moments of conversation and a few well-placed questions, William told me that there was a bet between them to entertain each other over these boring winter months.”
Donald paused, savouring that feeling of growing tension. “Och I do love a fiery woman,” he said as he could see her face begin to redden with fury.
“What was the bet?” she nearly snarled at him.
“It went something like this: William believed that Jamie thought ye were bonny but was just not admitting it. Jamie said he didnae think ye were bonny. William bet that Jamie would be kissing ye and telling ye ye were beautiful before the celebration of me Aunt’s Christmas holiday, and Jamie bet that it would be ye doin’ the ki
ssing and the admitting of feelings for him.”
Donald smiled and waiting, watching the understanding come into Amelia’s eyes. She looked as though she could either laugh, cry, or strangle him.
After a long silence, Donald said, “So, I donnae believe ye’ll need tae be worryin’ about yer employers and yer relationships with them. ‘Tis all contrived, ye see.”
“I can’t believe it,” Amelia whispered to herself. “How could he have done such a horrible thing?”
Donald made an impatient face. “Och, yes, ‘tis horrible. So, would ye like the money? And ye’d be willing to give me information? I took the liberty of creating a sort of contract for us tae sign.”
Capturing The Highlander's Heart (Lasses 0f The Kinnaird Castle Book 1) Page 11