The minister began speaking, his sonorous voice echoing through the cold, empty chapel. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” Donald bent to grab both of Amelia’s hands in his own. She tugged slightly, trying one last weak attempt at resistance against her fate, but he clung on tightly, stilling her with his dark, threatening eyes. The minister droned on. Amelia barely heard him. She looked away at the empty pews, her expression plain and calm, her mind elsewhere, thinking of green hills, gray sea, white writing paper, and then she smelled it: rosemary and peppermint. It was faint, but it came to her mind, and her brows furrowed with the unusual addition to her daydream. She could actually smell him. It made her smile; it was as if he was right there with her. But then she looked up at Donald’s grinning face, and a shudder went through her. This is my life now. This is my fate.
Amelia had lost track of where the minister was in his marriage service, and she saw Donald opening his mouth to say something. Just then, before he could utter a syllable, a slam sounded from the opening of the church. Both Donald and Amelia turned to see a breathless Marianne, a scowling William, and a fury-filled Jamie.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Donald’s eyes widened in anger and surprise, and Amelia noticed, since she was so close to him, that there was fear in them as well.
He let go of Amelia’s hands, for which she was grateful, and he began the journey back down the long aisle, pointing his finger at the trio. “How dare ye invade my private wedding ceremony, in which I marry my beautiful, blushing bride? He smirked at Jamie briefly.
Jamie rushed down the remaining distance that lay between him and Donald, and he swung his fist hard until it landed squarely on Donald’s weak jaw, spinning his face to the right and forcing him to the ground.
“Ye weak, bloody foking bastard!” Jamie yelled, as he stared at the crumpled form of Donald on the church floor. “Ye have always hated us, threatening tae hurt anyone and everything, and now ye’ve stolen the lairdship, and the love of my life! Yer da wouldnae be proud of ye, lad, if he saw what ye’ve done. And who knows what other atrocities ye have committed from the confines of yer stone fort!”
Breathless from hitting Donald, and yelling at him, Jamie looked up to see a shocked Amelia. Her mouth was open, and she stared from Donald to Jamie, speechless. She looked beautiful and elegant in her white dress, and Jamie kept his eyes on her as he stepped around the groaning Donald, still laying on the floor, clutching his jaw. At the end of the aisle, William held back a worried Marianne, with his hand on her elbow, once he noticed Jamie’s intentions. Marianne looked back at him angrily, until he motioned with his head at the pair of lovers. Marianne turned back and sighed.
Jamie had arrived at Amelia’s side, and her eyes turned up to him slowly, almost as if they didn’t believe he was really there. “It’s you,” she breathed. “Am I dreaming?”
Jamie smiled and held her shoulders with his hands to move her to face him. “Nay, lass, ‘tis real life.”
“So, it wasn’t a dream when you told Donald you loved me?”
Jamie laughed, his joy filling him with a fervor, to finally find himself in Amelia’s warm presence once again. “Nay, Sassenach. ’Tis only partly true. Ye could say that I loved ye, although ‘tis much more than that. I adore ye, and I want ye tae be my wife.” He pulled out the ring from his pocket, having kept it with him since he’d taken it from his workroom days ago.
He held it in front of her. The surprise still evident on her face, Amelia looked back at Donald and then uttered quietly, “But, Donald, the money, the contract.”
Jamie pulled her closer, and her gaze was drawn once again to his bright green eyes, which spoke to her of his love, their past, and their potential future.
“There is naught we cannot fight. Together.” He said. “Ye have not yet been married.” He glanced back at the surprised minister, who, once realizing he had been noticed, scurried away to the side door and escaped from view.
“It appears we may need a new minister. One who does not marry such people in such a state, or hurries away from where he may be needed.” Jamie turned back to Amelia, whose eyes were filled with tears. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, until the end of time.” She held out her left hand, and Jamie smiled, placing the ring on her finger. Once he did so, he placed her hands around his neck, and he moved closer to her face, his eyes on her lips.
“Ye know, ‘tis customary to tell someone who’s told ye they love ye tae say the same in return...if ye feel it that is.” Jamie swallowed slightly, a tiny pinprick of doubt entering his mind. Amelia smiled drawing even nearer. “Aye. I love ye, my Scottish hero,” imitating his Scottish brogue.
“My Scottish Sassenach.” Jamie replied, and with abandon, crushed his lips to hers, her arms around his neck and his hands gripping her waist, pulling her as close as he could. Amelia went on her tiptoes to deepen the kiss, putting her hands on his face as she moved her head to the side to take him in even further.
Seeing the lovers make their amends, Marianne and William smiled, and then looked at each other to share in the moment. But seeing a devilish smirk on William’s face, Marianne turned away in a huff. “We should give the two lovers their privacy, Mr. Fraser.” She said with her teeth nearly clenched and turned to exit out the church door.
William chuckled. “Of course,...me lady,” and he followed her out. “Feeling discomfort at the sight of a man and woman kissing are ye?”
They were outside the church now, the door closed behind them. “No! I...I have seen it before.”
“Aye? With that blush growing on yer bonny face, I doubt that. I doubt ye’ve seen anything even close tae such a wanton act.”
In her mind, Marianne warmed at being called bonny. No one had said so with such a brazen attempt to make her uncomfortable. But, her mouth said, “I am happy for my friend. ‘Tis…’tis not wanton between two people who love each other.”
“Really? Well, well, well, ye are changing yer tune. According tae Amelia, yer quite the moral and virtuous lass, who wouldnae have agreed tae such a statement...and who wouldnae welcome the advances of a rough, Scottish gentleman.” Marianne stood against the stone doorframe of the church and William leaned on the other side. At his words, he moved towards her, but seeing the heat in his eyes, she squealed and ran from the doorframe. She turned back to him, breathless, “And Amelia was quite right! I have virtue, and I would not be so weak as to fall for such a man.”
William burst into a fit of laughter which had him bending over in the church doorway. His joy was complete. His old friend and new friend had finally found each other. And he had upset the composure of the new, enticing lass that had entered his orbit. All goals achieved.
Marianne crossed her arms at such a display of frivolity. This caused William to continue laughing at her expense with Marianne’s anger boiling to such a degree that she turned around and walked to stand by the horses. She couldn’t bear to look at him.
Inside the church, the passion of the kiss had slowed to soft and gentle, the two of them still gripped in each other’s embrace. Donald began to stand up, and at the movement to her left, Amelia pulled away from the kiss, but Jamie kept his arm around her, eyeing Donald with anger.
Donald still rubbed his jaw, his clothes rumpled, and his mind flashed to the knife in his jacket. But, he knew that Jamie could overpower him. Instead he said, “Ye will regret this, Jamie. Ye and William and anyone who is connected with ye.” His voice was a growl, and spittle flew from his mouth in his rage. He kept his distance from Jamie, as to avoid another punch, but his fury could bridge that gap. “Am I not the laird of Kinnaird clan? I will use what power I have tae break ye. Beware of the darkness of the shadows, for in them, ye will find me!”
Jamie stood tall and confident, his happiness not lessened one bit by the fierceness of the creature before him. “Aye, ye are laird for now, but do not worry. We will sort that problem as well.” He moved closer to Donald, towering over his small frame, and Donald almost
imperceptibly took a step back. “And if ye so much as touch a hair on me bride’s head, cousin, I shall cut ye myself with yer own blade!”
The last threat was bellowed at such a degree, that even Amelia jumped a little with surprise. Donald scowled and huffed but ran off, out the door of the church, nearly toppling over William in the process. He hissed at William and Marianne, and then fled deeply into the darkness of the night, finding his horse to gallop away. William peered into the doorway from which Donald had dashed in such a rage and saw that Jamie and Amelia had found each other’s lips again. He smirked and shut the large church door. He called out to Marianne, “Lass, ye may want tae ride back with me now, as I think these two will be a long while yet.”
* * *
Both Marianne and Amelia had requested their riders to take them to the Parker cottage from the church, so that they may check on Henrietta. Henrietta slept soundly, a feverless sleep, and Amelia’s heart was full.
The next morning, William and Jamie, landed at the doorsteps of the Parker cottage, with a wagon in tow to escort all the occupants back to Kinnaird Castle. Fiona had tasked herself with the duty of finding the old ailing minister and getting the truth from him about her husband’s birth order. She had fled to the woods, as Jamie and William rode together on the wagon.
Jamie had approached the door, William lingering by the carriage, to avoid a likely seething Marianne at the door. Jamie knocked and was greeted by Amelia, tired, but smiling. “Good morning, my love.” He smiled and kissed her hand. Amelia blushed at the intimate name and gesture, so public. “Good morning, Jamie. Come in!” He nodded and entered, and Amelia waved to William to come in as well.
They walked in and were allowed to enter the bedroom to visit Henrietta. She was sitting up in bed, with Marianne helping her to eat warm broth. They all seated themselves around her, and Henrietta smiled at her guests. “Welcome, gentleman. I’m sorry I cannot welcome you with more flourish, but I wanted to see you both after what you did to save my Amelia.”
Amelia beamed with pleasure, and both men bowed their heads in thanks. ‘Twas nothing, me lady. We wanted tae be of service. Jamie is the hero,” William replied. He glanced at Marianne whose eyes were looking anywhere but at him. Jamie stood to kneel by Henrietta and take her hand in his. “Me lady, perhaps Amelia has already told ye, but I would like tae ask if ye would mind if Amelia became my wife.”
Henrietta nearly glowed with happiness. “Ah, that’s what I was hoping we’d discuss.” She looked down at Jamie with fondness. “Amelia has told me everything about you, and all that you’ve done. I would be proud to have you as a son-in-law, my dear.” She placed her other hand on top of his.
Jamie smiled, and said, “Thank ye. Yer daughter is very special. She means everything tae me, and I couldnae let her go tae that madman. I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.” He stood and returned to his seat next to William. “Lady Parker,” he continued. Marianne stood. “Mr. Fraser and I will leave you all to discuss matters.” Without looking at him, she walked past William, and he followed obediently and closed the door behind him.
Jamie paused for a moment and then said, “Lady Parker, I would like tae help ye with yer husband’s debts. Now, that Amelia has agreed tae be my wife, ye are family.”
Amelia looked surprised and touched at such a gesture. “Jamie, we could not lay the burden of this at your feet. You did not ask for this.”
He smiled. “Yer burdens are my burdens, my love. Please permit me tae help. Me grandda was a viscount, who wanted nothing tae do with me, but had no male heirs save me, and he left me his home. I have been waiting for an opportunity tae sell it, for I donnae plan tae live there, and I would like tae use this money tae save yer father.”
Tears fell from both Henrietta’s and Amelia’s faces, and they did not speak for a few moments as they gathered their thoughts.
“My son, I have not experienced such kindness or generosity in the whole of London. We have spent too long in the clutches of societal structure and rules, and it has lacked warmth and true friendship. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Jamie nodded. “‘Tis only right for a family tae be together. And, we are here tae bring ye all to the castle, if ye are well enough tae move. My mother would think of nothing better than tae wait on ye until ye feel a return of yer health.”
Henrietta nodded in agreement. “I do believe a bit of fresh air would do me good. What do you think, Amelia?” Amelia was still full of emotion at the warm interaction between mother and soon-to-be son-in-law. She wiped her tears with her hand and said,” Aye. I agree, Mother. Let us go and move to our new home.” But, suddenly, despite her happy change in circumstance, a memory of last evening came through her mind like a flame. “Wait. What about Donald? The lairdship? Everything?” Her heart quickened, and she started to go pale.
Jamie stood. “Donnae worry, lass. Me ma has gone tae the minister who was there to register my father’s and uncle’s births. He will help us find out the truth. Calm yourself. Right now, I will go find Marianne tae assist ye ladies to pack, and then William and I will help ye tae the wagon, Lady Parker.”
“Thank you, my dear.” And he left the bedroom, leaving Amelia and her mother slightly in shock at their change of fate.
Henrietta beamed warmly at her daughter, and then coughed slightly. “My dearest Amelia, you have chosen a man with something more valuable above all the others that have courted you: kindness and generosity. This is an invaluable trait; one that can last a lifetime.”
Amelia wiped a tear from her eye and went to hug her mother. “Oh, Mother. I am so blissfully happy. You are well, father will return home, and I love a man who loves me back. Can you think of anything more wonderful?”
Henrietta tapped a finger on her lips thoughtfully, and then she smiled. “Bring me, your father, and Lady Kinnaird beautiful grandchildren.”
Amelia blushed at the reminder that her mother did not know that she had already engaged in such an act that would bring about children. “Mother! ‘Tis too soon to hope for such a thing.”
“Ah well. I believe I am ready to get dressed and to have a little journey.” And Amelia helped her mother out of bed to help her dress, for there were ready to leave the cottage for good.
Chapter Thirty
Back at Kinnaird Castle, Fiona paced anxiously in front of the fire, Prince Charles matching her speed back and forth across the stone floor. She gripped a document in her hands behind her back, and her long brown braid bounced energetically on her shoulder. She had left as soon as the morning sun arose, and she’d had no time to dress and prepare adequately for the day. She had left the castle through a backdoor to avoid any interaction with Donald. Last night, she had been unable to sleep and so she sat in the parlor drinking tea. She heard Donald enter late in the night, and she had hidden briefly as she saw him stumbling towards the entrance, his hand on his face. William and Jamie had returned later, and she had everything from them, her heart bursting nearly to full at the good news.
The three of them had set their plans in motion for the following day. Fiona hoped Jamie would return before Donald would arise and ask her what the document was. She knew he would take the next chance he could to throw her out of the castle, and him seeing the document she got from the old minister, would only assure her of her homelessness and remove the last chance of ever restoring the true laird to his post. Every few moments, she would pause, thinking she heard a creak at the door, and she and Prince Charles would crane their necks hopefully, but the door did not yet open.
“Oh, goodness. Lord, please help them on their journey. Preserve justice for Jamie!” She whispered to the ceiling. She moved her eyes to the paintings of former lairds which hung on the castle walls, preserving the reign of each laird going back only a few generations. They were stately men yet rough with strong and stern expressions. She paused at the painting of her late husband, painted with sword and kilt and Kinnaird colors, his gray beard and
green eyes looking down at her with what she liked to think was love and admiration. “My dear James,” She whispered to his painted face. “Our Jamie has had to fight for his birthright. If only you could be here to see how he has grown. He has found someone, you know. Another Englishwoman.” She smiled. “He loves her dearly, and she loves him. Take comfort in their happiness. But imbue him with your strength, so that he can get here in time to get this document!”
Suddenly, a door creaked from inside the castle, and slow footsteps could be heard approaching closer and closer. Fiona’s heart sank. She quickly glanced at the door, willing it to open with Jamie and everyone on the other side. She sat down and jammed the document under the cushion of the armchair, hopeful that would gain her at least some time, if he did not begin to get suspicious. She smoothed her hair and dress and took a few calming breaths to reduce the panic she felt fluttering in her heart.
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