Capturing The Highlander's Heart (Lasses 0f The Kinnaird Castle Book 1)

by Kenna Kendrick

  Fiona turned to Jamie, surprised. “Oh, really?”

  Jamie cleared his throat. “Well, I wanted tae welcome our guest, of course. And she will need help with the garden when the time comes.”

  “I see. Well, that was quite gentlemanly of you, dear. You are turning into quite the laird.” Fiona smiled at her son.

  William broke in. “And the storm? I see that we’ve concluded that Jamie is a good laird and a gentleman, and that Miss Parker’s mother is faring well. But what about how ye both fared in the storm?”

  Jamie laughed and hit his friend on the back. “Och, William. Ye know I cannot resist a conversation that compliments me.”

  William rolled his eyes but laughed as well, sipping his beer.

  Jamie responded. “The storm was scary tae be sure. I was a bloody idiot for trying tae ride tae Jessica’s cabin and then tae come back. ‘Twas foolish. But, I must admit, I wasnae cold. I had a brave rider with me.”

  Amelia smiled, and William rolled his eyes once again. She replied, “Yes, I was a little afraid, but I had trust in Jamie and Faolan, that they would lead us to the right place.”

  “And lead they did.” Fiona said. “Well, just imagine what I would have had to say to your mother if you hadn’t returned! I shudder to think of it.”

  After all was settled, they ate heartily, laughing and joking, with Prince Charlie milling about their feet, hoping for scraps and Faolan in the corner, enjoying his oats and hay, seemingly grateful he didn’t have to spend the night in the barn. The room heated well with the fire blazing and the four bodies crowded at the table.

  Jamie felt a thrill at the sight of Amelia once again. Just an hour before, she had been gloriously naked, her breasts in his mouth, writhing underneath him, moaning out his name, and he had cried out hers on his release.

  She seemed more reserved now, with her woolen dress, and a tight bun at the nape of her neck, but she was no longer the woman he had first met outside the castle. He knew the fire that lay under everything that Amelia showed to the world. She was passionate yet guarded. She hadn’t said she’d forgiven him, but she’d opened him into her arms. Perhaps she was still angry?

  Dinner ended, and Fiona excused herself to go to bed. “My dears, I am afraid my worry from the day has fatigued me. Please excuse me for the evening.” She placed a hand on Jamie’s shoulder and began to walk out. William and Jamie stood as she left the table, and William made a suggestion.

  “Well, lads and lasses. What do ye say tae the idea of a card game tae end the evening?”

  “Aye.” Jamie agreed, and they moved to a smaller table by the fire, with Prince Charlie at their heels. “I shall pour the wine.” And, he grabbed the wine bottle from the side cabinet and poured it into three waiting cups.

  Amelia smiled as she sat down, smoothing her dress. “Well, we can play, though I may turn out to be the victor.”

  William laughed and began to shuffle the cards. Jamie glanced up at Amelia to wink at her. William dealt the cards to everyone, and as he did so, he asked calmly, “So what has happened between you two?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Amelia’s relaxed manner turned to tension, as she let William’s question sink in. She kept her eyes down on her cards, not sure what to say in reply.

  Jamie kept his relaxed manner and smiled. “Lad, what do ye mean? Donnae mince words.”

  William chuckled and drank a sip of wine, undoing the cravat at his neck. “‘Tis bloody hot in here now with ye lot, staring at each other like yer about to burst intae flames. Should I retire for the evening and let ye two alone?” At that, he grinned and looked from Jamie to Amelia.

  Amelia blushed down to her neck, and finally replied, “No, do not be ridiculous, William. We’ve nothing to hide.” She picked up her pile of cards and looked down at them to appear more relaxed and casual. “I shall tell Marianne what she ought to expect from her visit to the Highlands and the rough Highland manner with all their impertinent questions.”

  William laughed loudly. “Och, lass, so yer on tae changing the subject once again are ye?”

  “Who is Marianne?” Jamie turned to Amelia, his eyes questioning, thrilled to escape his friends’ questions in front of Amelia. He knew William would ask him again later.

  “I’ve told William that my friend Marianne will come to visit, once I gain the permission from your mother, and you of course.”

  Jamie smiled and turned to his red-haired friend who was sipping his wine pleasantly enough. “Is she now? And is she a well-looking woman?”

  Amelia laughed. “Yes, yes she is. I have told William already of this fact.” Her face turned serious and she added with a joking mocking tone, “But, I should be truthful. She is no weak woman who will succumb to the charms of any man. She is quite virtuous.”

  William raised an interested eyebrow. “Virtuous, ye say?” He winked at Jamie and then turned back to Amelia.

  Amelia pointed a finger at him. “Now, don’t you get any untoward ideas. I tell you she is virtuous and pious. She will not be seduced, even by you, William.” Amelia smiled, enjoying the tease she was creating for her Scottish friend.

  “A moral Sassenach who will have naught tae do with me. That does sound intriguing.” William tapped his finger on his bearded chin.

  “That it does.” Jamie replied, catching Amelia’s eye. “‘Tis fine with me if she visits. She will be a welcome guest if she is a good friend of the Parkers. When will she arrive?”

  “I’m hoping she will come in the next few weeks. I need to send her a letter to confirm.”

  Jamie leaned back and looked to his friend. “Well, will it not be nice tae have another bonny lass in the house for ye tae attempt tae woo with yer charms? I confess I cannae wait tae see it.”

  William grumbled in response.

  They played hearts and whist and drank until late into the evening, when the snowstorm had finally calmed. They walked to the window to look out into the white, silent night, and Faolan moved in her corner of the hall. Jamie went over to him to rub him on the nose. “All is well, Faolan. Ye’ve been quite a prince today.”

  Amelia decided it was time to retire. She needed time to think about all that had happened as well as think of what to say to Marianne in her next letter. “Well, gentleman, I shall be off for the evening. Now that the storm has ended, so must I.” She curtsied to them and proceeded to exit by way of the corridor.

  Once she was out of the room, Jamie left Faolan and said to William. “I’d better see the lass tae her room,” and he rushed out after her, William rolling his eyes behind his friend.

  “Och, lad, yer as besotted as can be. And I’ll be gettin’ me answer tae me earlier question soon enough.”

  * * *

  Jamie caught up with Amelia in the hallway, eliciting a gasp of surprise from her as he touched her arm. She spun around.

  “Bloody hell! You gave me a fright. Has no one ever told you ‘tis impolite to sneak up on someone in a darkened hallway?” She smiled.

  Jamie took her shoulders and slowly guided her to stand against the wall, getting closer to her face. His bare forearms rested on either side of her head against the wall. Amelia got a waft of his scent. “Hmm... that does sound like something I would have learned, but I do know a young lass who doesnae follow that rule herself. And she curses up a bloody storm as well. She has got me burning once again, like a fire that never cools.”

  Amelia stared back at this man, who weeks before, annoyed her to no end with his closeness and his flirtations. Now, she had spent her pleasure with him in her bed, and it made him feel safe and not something to be feared. His bearded face, beautiful lips, and mesmerizing eyes looking down at her in that moment made her feel something new. She wanted to encapsulate this moment and forget everything else.

  Amelia kept her hands behind her back, touching the coolness of the stone. “Well, this woman sounds like quite the temptress. I wouldn’t trust her if I was you. But, as for me,” she snuck under his arms aw
ay from him, a sly smile on her face. “I am a very busy woman and have things to attend to, such as the aforementioned letter to Marianne.”

  She laughed and waved. “Good night! Sleep well!” and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Jamie feeling slightly bereft but amused. He crossed his arms as he watched her walk down the hallway.

  “Little minx.” He smiled and returned to the main hall, dreading the return of William’s question.

  William was still sitting at the card table, drinking and shuffling the cards. “Shall we place another bet, lad? Whether or not ye’ll be telling me about what happened between ye and the BONNY lass?”

  Jamie sat down across from him and sighed. He poured himself another glass of wine and took a long, slow sip, not giving William the satisfaction of an immediate answer.

  “Yer a curious lad with annoying persistence. I donnae think this Marianne will like that.” Jamie leaned back with his arms crossed.

  William put both arms behind his head. “Och, I’ve not met a woman who can withstand my kind of persistence.” A self-satisfied smile crept across his face. “But...yer ignorin’ me question. What has happened now tae have ye two lookin’ like two guilty cats?”

  Jamie smiled. “I think ‘tis safe tae say that we’ve both lost the bet.”

  “Oh? Well how about ye tell me how I’ve lost the bet, and I’ll tell ye with good explanation how ye have lost the bet?” William sat forward to lean on the table and look pointedly at Jamie.

  Jamie remained behind his crossed arms, and he lifted an eyebrow in amusement. “Aye, agreed.”

  “Excellent!” William smiled. He pointed at his friend. “Ye have lost the bet in this way. Ye have let Amelia kiss ye and ye enjoyed it. Ye also told her she was beautiful in the library. This was all before Christmas as the bet stated. But since then…” William tapped on his chin again to appear deep in thought. “I think ye’ve gone a little farther than just a kiss...Now I’m just waiting for ye tae tell me what it was.”

  William emphasized his point by clapping his hands. He then drank the rest of his wine in one gulp and laid his cup down hard.

  Jamie held his hands up in defeat, not having the energy to fight his friend anymore. “Och, I admit it. Yer right in all points.”

  William stood and raised his arms out to the side, grinning from ear to ear. “I will not be humble in victory, lad! I am quite the clever one, am I not?”

  Jamie laughed. “Too true. Ye are not humble. This Marianne will not like that either.”

  “I think a woman likes a bit of pride. Gives her the impression she’s not in control even though she is.”

  William walked around the back of his friend and slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll not press ye for too many details, as she is not some common whore ye’ve had a romp with in town. So, it seems we need tae collect payment for your debt.” He continued walking around the table until he could make eye contact with Jamie once again. William crossed his arms.

  “Wait just a minute.” Jamie responded. “I’ve not told ye how ye have lost the bet.”

  “Och, go on, then.”

  “Ye have lost because I was not the one who kissed her first, and those were the terms of the bet.”

  “True.” William thought for a moment. “I’ll concede tae that as ye’ve amused me with your bold confession. So, does that cancel the bet or do we both need to complete the terms?”

  Jamie thought for a moment. “Hmm...let me think on it for a bit, in order to provide us with the best punishment, equal for all.” He smiled and leaned back once again, enjoying his own minor victory.

  “And do ye know what else I think?” William leaned over the table until he was on level with Jamie’s eyes.

  “What’s that?”

  “I think ye’ve fallen for the lass. Head over heels, ye don’t even know which way yer kilt is on.”

  Jamie laughed, but it wasn’t convincing. “Me? I’ve never been in love with anyone before.”

  “‘Tis true, ‘tis true. But it doesnae mean it cannae happen. I’ve not seen ye act like this before, Laird Jamie Kinnaird. Yer about as lovesick as ye can get. The looks, the winks, the way ye act with Amelia. Yer besotted, my friend.”

  Could it be true? The thought had crossed his mind before at Jessica’s, but he dismissed it as ridiculous. This kind of thing never happened to him. He had been with scores of women, one no different than the last. But, this. This woman had changed something in him.

  William laughed uproariously at his friend’s changed expression. Jamie’s smile had slowly slid off his face and now he was sitting, looking down, apparently in thought.

  “Well, I’ll leave ye with that thought. Good tae sleep on this kind of thing. Good night!”

  William walked away, and at no response from Jamie, he burst into a new round of laughter that echoed down the stone corridor.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Fiona was reading a few letters when Amelia arrived at the breakfast table the next morning.

  “Hello, my dear! You’re looking fresh. Did you sleep well?” Fiona had on a soft green gown with a square neckline, and her brown hair was up in curls.

  Amelia smiled as she sat down next to her friend. The maid had curled her hair as well, and she felt crisp and new in a brown dress, ready for their walk after breakfast.

  “Yes, I did, thank you. I’m becoming quite used to this house. It’s really very cozy. And did you sleep well, Fiona?”

  “I did rather. I’m feeling quite restored and ready for our walk after we have a bit to eat. Oh, I did want to let you know, my dear, that Donald will be by today to have tea. He has not visited often in the past, but I supposed he wants to change that.”

  Amelia was in the middle of biting into a piece of toast when she paused. Donald. Perhaps he’d forget about the discussion they’d had at the Hogmanay feast? But, his request is not that strange, and shouldn’t do much harm to anyone. Amelia calmed herself with this thought and changed the subject.

  “Shall I take tea with you both, then?”

  “Oh, please do! You are my companion, after all.”

  Amelia quickly remembered the request she wanted to make of Fiona as she filled her plate with food. “Fiona, I had mentioned to you before about the possibility of my friend coming to visit. Would that be acceptable? She will be traveling in Scotland, and as we’ve not seen each other for many weeks, she wanted to request a visit to Kinnaird Castle.”

  Fiona’s face lit up, and she clapped her hands. “Why, of course, dear! She will be most welcome. She may stay at the castle if she likes. Any friend of yours, sweet girl, will be a friend of ours. When would she like to visit?”

  “Well, I have a letter here, requesting her to come in the next few weeks. She is not too far away, as she’s traveling in the country, but I wanted to discuss it with you first. I know it is a bit unconventional, but my family…” Amelia’s expression fell, slightly.

  Fiona waited for an explanation from her mysterious young friend. She knew there was something behind her coming to the castle, but she didn’t want to press her. When Amelia didn’t finish her sentence, Fiona replied, “Oh dear, it is a wonderful idea. We will send your letter today, and I look forward to meeting your friend. Is she married?”

  Amelia’s smile returned, grateful for Fiona’s ladylike manners. “No, she is unmarried. Her father is quite strict and places a lot of restrictions on her. I believe she will enjoy the freedom of the castle.”

  “I see. Well I hope she will enjoy her time. How blessed am I to be given two young, pretty companions in my old age? We will have fun.”

  “Perfect!” Amelia stood, her letter to Marianne in her hand, too excited to wait. “Are there any letters you would like me to give to the boy for post?”

  “No, thank you. But you must promise you will eat your breakfast after you return from giving him the letters.”

  Amelia laughed. “Of course!” Then, she raced off to the kitchens.

  * * *

>   Fiona sat across from Donald, a sweet smile on her face as she poured her nephew tea. “So? To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Donald?”

  They sat in a small parlor off the main hall, reserved only for private guests.

  Donald took a sip and said, “Tae nothing, Aunt Fiona. I simply come tae visit ye and Jamie. Has been a long time since we’ve spent much time together. Grows rather lonely at the old fort.” He sat back in his chair, a stiff smile on his face.

  Fiona touched him on the arm. “I know that loneliness well, nephew. And I miss your dear mother very much.” At the mention of his parent, Donald lost his smile and his greasy demeanor returned.