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

by Kenna Kendrick

  “Aunt Fiona, would ye happen tae know where the birth records are found? For my father and uncle, I mean?”

  Fiona sipped her tea and furrowed her brow. “The church will have them, of course. But,” she paused for a moment. “I believe we have other copies, being the laird’s family. They would be in Jamie’s workroom. I can ask him for you if you like. But why?”

  Donald waved a hand at her suggestion. “Not tae worry. I shall ask him meself. I simply wanted tae check something. Ye donnae need tae fash yerself over it.”

  Fiona acquiesced for the moment, but she didn’t enjoy the heavy feeling that developed in her stomach, a sense of foreboding. She passed a plate of tarts to Donald and replaced the smile on her face. “Tell me, are there any women in your life, Donald? Are you looking to marry?”

  Donald grumbled and crossed his arms. “Nay, aunt. I have not been so fortunate yet. None of the women of me acquaintance want anything tae do with me.”

  Fiona could not help but agree in her mind, but she tried to conciliate her nephew. “Well that just means the right one has not yet come along.”

  Donald didn’t reply. Footsteps sounded outside of the room until Amelia appeared at the doorway, breathless, her hair a tad askew.

  She entered in, and Donald stood, a large smile plastered on his face.

  “You must both forgive me. I lost track of the time. How rude of me! I hope I am not too late.” She curtsied to Donald who bowed dramatically, and she took her seat.

  Fiona noted the way Donald looked at her. It was with admiration, but there was something else in his dark gaze, something sinister. She would not wish her nephew on any woman, and she hoped Amelia would not fall into his clutches.

  Fiona replied, “No, do not worry, my dear. Please join us. We are only on our first cup of tea, and Donald was telling me of what’s happening in his life at the moment.”

  Amelia smiled politely, albeit a bit stiffly, and she smoothed her gown before sitting down between the two relatives.

  “Miss Parker, Amelia, how are you enjoying yer stay in Scotland? How does it fare against the busy city of London? I confess, I would very much love tae see that bustling metropolis myself.” Donald smiled, but it didn’t reach his black eyes. Amelia stared at him and swallowed slowly, fearful of what he might say next. She felt like he was attempting to act like a foppish Englishman, with only a slight tinge of that Highland brogue. It didn’t suit the man at all.

  “I am enjoying it very well. The city is all well and good, but much can be sad about the beautiful rolling green hills of Scotland. ‘Tis restorative and purifying. I feel like a different woman.” She smiled at Fiona, and Fiona smiled back, her face beaming with pleasure.

  Donald lost his smile. “I see. Well, after tea, would ye be so kind as tae take a stroll with me in these green hills? I would like tae see them from yer perspective.”

  Amelia’s eyes quickly glanced at Fiona, hoping for some excuse, but Fiona simply nodded, and Amelia agreed.

  Donald’s grin widened. “Excellent. So, will ye tell us about yer life in London? I’m sure my aunt would love tae hear about it.”

  “I believe I will tell you about it when my friend Marianne arrives from visiting the Scottish countryside. We can tell you all about it together. It will be much more entertaining.” Amelia smiled stiffly and put the china teacup to her lips.

  Donald leaned back and crossed his arms. “Fine. Well, once ye are finished your tea, and with your permission, dear aunt, we will go take a walk on the Kinnaird grounds.”

  “Of course.”

  Fiona filled the rest of the conversation until Amelia finished her cup, and then she escorted the two young people to the door of the castle, a large smile on her face which Amelia knew wasn’t real or genuine. Fiona wrapped Amelia’s shoulder in a warm plaid, and as Amelia left, she turned back to see a worried Fiona, her hands clasped.

  Donald held out his arm to be taken as they exited the castle door, and he turned toward the left to walk in the direction of the thick woods. Amelia accepted the arm but pulled back slightly to indicate that they should walk towards the grassy hills ahead and not get caught in the dense trees.

  Donald agreed, and they walked arm in arm for a few minutes in silence before Donald asked, “So, my dear? Have ye uncovered anything useful? Donnae forget yer contract.”

  Amelia hated the way “my dear” sounded on Donald’s lips. It made her mind flash to when Jamie had called her “minx” in the hallway, and she smiled to herself, allowing herself a moment to get caught on daydreams. Donald cleared his throat beside her, and she sighed. “Must we be so litigious? I do remember the contract, of course, but was it really necessary? I signed it in haste, in a fury of anger. But, if you need the information, this is what I have so far. It was my idea, after all. Jamie intends to hire an old experience shepherd from Brechin to come to the farm and bring in a few of the young clansmen to learn the trade from him. That way he does not have to hire anyone else, and he can save money as well as strengthen the clan. He plans to work on the grazing area when the ground softens.”

  Donald exhaled a long, relieved sigh. “Excellent, my dear. You are quite the spy. So, Jamie does not plan tae turn the whole of Kinnaird land into grazing pastures and remove tenants who bring no profit tae us? He would make more money that way.” Donald twisted his face in frustration. “If I were clan leader…”

  Amelia replied quickly and boldly, “Well, you are not. Jamie cares about his people and his responsibility, despite the destruction of the old system by the English. He wants to preserve a way of Scottish life and protect his clansmen and women. He plans to keep all tenants as farmers and laborers and only use a formerly unused section of land as the grazing pasture. So, he fulfills the need for more income and keeps the people in their homes.”

  “Hmph. So, it’s Jamie now, is it?” Amelia felt Donald’s arm stiffen, and a tingle of pleasure at his anger went through her.

  Donald kept looking ahead as he said, “Now, your next task is tae find the birth records of Jamie’s and my father. I...would like to use them for some business.”

  “What business?”

  “No business of yours. But, donnae worry, all is well. When can ye acquire these documents for me?”

  “I will search for them as soon as I return to the castle. Will you be remaining behind?”

  “No, I do not want to see Jamie as we’ve naught tae say tae one another. I will leave ye tae attend tae the matter yerself. I’m trustin’ ye, lass.”

  They walked on, their boots crunching over the old snow, which had been darkened by dirt and slowly melted by the afternoon sun. Amelia stared off towards the green hills that seemed to roll into the sea, and she felt a slight flush of hope.

  “Donald, I say that Scotland has much more to offer than the city of insanity that is London. One can breathe. One can truly feel the heart of this place. Have you a desire to go to London?”

  Donald shifted awkwardly next to her, but kept his arm holding hers. “Yes. I have long wanted to see this place which has held so much sway over the rest of the world. Power, especially political and land power as well as wealth holds a lot of interest for me. I want tae meet the men who have completed such an act. ‘Tis an inspiration.” His toothy grin at his last statement made Amelia shudder. She hoped Donald would just assume it was the cold.

  “I see. Well, power and wealth are not always something to be admired.” She thought of her father and Charles. “Circumstances can change in an instant. And foolishness and greed are blind to class.” She made a fist with her hand, feeling the anger still within her, but she was set on her path.

  “Donald, since we’re being litigious, we might discuss the matter of payment. I do need to continue to save money for my father.”

  He stopped and turned towards here, his moist lips curling up at the corners. “Och, yes, of course, my beauty. An agreement is an agreement.” He reached a hand inside his coat pocket and pulled out a small cloth
bag. “Inside is yer first payment. I will pay ye bit by bit until we’ve reached the end of our contract, and I no longer need yer services.” He handed it to her.

  Amelia’s heart fell as she clasped the small cloth bag of coins. She had hoped he could pay her the money all at once, and she could send it to London right away. She didn’t want to give Donald the satisfaction of seeing her disappointment. She stood tall and lifted an eyebrow. “I was under the impression that you would be paying me in full up front.”

  Donald grabbed her arm once again and pulled them back into a walking pace. “See that’s the problem with assumptions. They donnae really serve one well. In addition, that wouldnae be good business, would it, Amelia? Tae give all the money away before the service I’m paying for has been provided?” He shook his head. “Nay, not good business at all.” He patted her hand as though she were a child.

  Amelia gritted her teeth. She knew he had all the cards, and she would have to go along with his little game if it would mean her mother would be happy and at peace again, and their family could be whole.

  She kept silent, for fear that whatever would come out of her mouth would make him take back the money.

  Donald chuckled and let go of Amelia’s arm. “Well, if ye’ve nothin’ further tae say, I have some business tae attend tae. Remember yer task. I’ll be back tae check in on ye.” Amelia did not reply immediately, and her face was furrowed. His smiled faded, and his eyes turned dark. He moved ever so slightly closer to her, his voice lowering almost to a growl. “Donnae be thinking of telling yer beautiful Jamie about any of this. Ye will not get yer money tae save yer father, and ye may lose something even more precious tae ye.” Donald opened his coat to display a long silver blade, shiny and clean, and the sun glinted off its metal edge. Amelia’s eyes widened, and she gasped.

  As quick as he had changed before, his mood changed again. He chuckled, closed his coat, and with a smile, said, “Good day, Miss Parker. Until we meet again.”

  And with that, he was off.

  * * *

  Jamie sat in his workroom, boots up on his wooden desk, holding a small box in his hand. His eyes had dark circles under them, and his hair was pulling from its tie. He had barely slept, thinking about William’s words about him being in love. It was true, he had never wanted a woman more. But...love? He kept spinning the box around and around his hands. His mind flashed back to the love between his father and mother, the way their eyes found each other at the dinner table or at parties, the way they would dance together at clan feasts, his mother laughing and his father planting a kiss on his mother’s cheek. He could not remember a time where he did not feel them to be so in love. He fought back the tears that suddenly welled up without warning at the strong desire for his father to be here right now. His father would know what to do or to say. And he would have loved Amelia.

  Jamie sighed and rubbed a hand over his unclipped beard and around the back of his neck. He felt like a mouse stuck inside a box, desperately searching for a hole through which to escape, not wanting to face the truth that stood in the center of the room. He finally opened the wooden box in his hands. It had been ornately carved into swirls and flowers by his Scottish grandfather, and it perfectly matched the treasure it held inside.

  Jamie looked down at his grandmother’s ring, with the beautiful blue topaz gem set in the center surrounded by tendrils of gold, twisting around the gemstone and around the ring itself. He always loved this ring because it made him think of flowers or trees. It seemed like it was alive. As a child, he thought it might imbue the wearer with life and vitality. His mother had worn it, but after his father died, she placed it back inside the box and gave it to Jamie.

  He had looked in this box many times before, but now he noticed a small slip of paper lying underneath. It read:

  My dearest son,

  Your father and I had always wished for you to find your true love and to present her with this ring. Love is a blessing from God, and our loves were made full and complete by it. Even though your father is gone, I still have that love with me, and I always will. We were blessed to have the years together that we did.

  I know you, my son. You have found a woman who makes you feel that same way. You may have not yet admitted it to yourself. Do not fear it. Seize this, for you may lose your chance. Love is what life is all about. I could not have wanted a better woman for you.

  I love you,

  Your mother

  Jamie felt a tear slide down his face at the mention of his father and the reminder of his mother’s loss. But, this note proved to him that she was happy and at peace now, and a heavy weight shifted from his heart. He sighed. His mother was right. He was deeply and madly in love with Amelia, and he would present her with this ring. He closed the box, and with a smile, left the room.

  Chapter Twenty

  Over the next week, the sun melted all the remaining snow and heated up the green hills and fields once again, softening the ground. With the return of winter storms a possibility, Jamie began to assemble men to help him prepare the pasture for the new flock. He sent word to the old shepherd in Brechin to arrive at the castle.

  Amelia had been grateful for Jamie’s recent ventures into the fields during the day, so that she could find the time to search for the birth records. She feared Donald’s return, and she wanted to be prepared for when he visited next. One sunny afternoon, while Fiona was resting in her chamber and Jamie out with William and Mr. Fletcher, Amelia decided it was the right time to enter his workroom. He never kept it locked, so it was easy to enter. As soon as she did, though, she felt a queasy feeling in her stomach.

  Was this really for the good of the clan? Why could she not tell Jamie about it? She consciously tried to quell those feelings as she stood in the center of the room staring at Jamie’s large, wooden desk. Just looking at this spot in the daylight brought out a chuckle from her and a warmth at the delicious memory of her laid on its cool surface, with Jamie newly exploring her. She walked over to it and ran her hand around the carved edges, trying to remember each detail. Since the night in her bedroom, they had shared many kisses in the hallways around the castle, but there was not yet another occurrence of lovemaking, and Amelia wondered why. Perhaps she had done something wrong?

  This thought stayed with her as she began to search for the records in the drawers of the desk and on the shelves, desperately trying to calm the niggling fear that something was amiss. But, then she remembered her mother’s face, and she worked harder to find them. Eventually in a box that was clasped shut on the wooden shelf behind the desk, Amelia had found the papers, stiff and yellowed, with the cramped handwriting of the parish minister which displayed the dates of birth and birth order:

  Laird James Kinnaird, eldest, born 4 October 1694. Kenneth Kinnaird, youngest (twin brother), born 4 October 1694.

  Amelia smiled at her victory, and she closed the box shut before leaving the room hurriedly. She returned to her bedroom and attempted to conceal the delicate pages in a dresser drawer. She covered them with a plaid and grabbed her notebook and new writing paper to head out into the sunshine and put the event from her mind.

  * * *

  Out in the field, Jamie and William were working together to remove a large boulder from the ground. They had dug at the sides with shovels and then had to resort to using their hands to pull it out the rest of the way.

  William struggled with the effort, and said, “I should have bloody stayed at home if I knew it was tae be this kind of work.”

  Jamie tried not to laugh, and he replied breathlessly, “Then, ye wouldnae get any exercise, lad. Ye’ve been sitting and drinking a bit too much lately, if ye ask me.”

  They eventually pulled out the boulder and carried it to the edge of the future grazing field. William stretched out his back. Both men removed their cravats to wipe at their faces. They loosened the buttons at the tops of their white shirts and rolled up the sleeves.

  “Bloody hard work, that is. I was never one t
ae enjoy that. I need some ale.”

  Jamie laughed. “Remember what I said, friend. We both know ye want tae look yer best when the moral Miss Marianne comes a’visitin’.”

  William punched Jamie in the shoulder. “‘Tis not just the body that attracts; ‘tis also the wit and humor.” He smiled.

  “Och, I see. What a wise man ye are.”

  Mr. Fletcher had been farther out in the field digging and pulling as well, and they saw him walk towards them.

  “Well, lads, I’d say we’re close tae bein’ ready fer the new flock.” A face lit up his already ruddy complexion. “I think there will be another blast o’ winter cold, but after that, we can bring the flock here to graze. Over the summer, we’ll need tae build the barn.”

  “Thank ye, Fletcher. Lads, I say we’ve had enough fer today. I think we could all use a pint.”