Accordingly, Hamish decided to take some food and ale then made his way over to her tent, which was dark. He had to duck to enter, and when he did, holding up a candle, he saw one of the loveliest sights he had ever beheld.
Amanda was lying on her cot snuggled into her blankets, breathing gently and smiling in her sleep, obviously enjoying a happy dream. Presently, she gave a soft laugh and stretched out for a moment before curling up into a cosy ball again. She looked utterly content, and so was Hamish as he settled down beside her to watch her for a few moments.
He was completely still for a while, revelling in the sight of Amanda’s exquisite face and the pure, womanly shape of her body. He reached out a hand to cup her cheek, but the touch startled her, and she jerked into wakefulness with a little squeal.
For a few seconds, Amanda’s wide eyes looked into his, then she relaxed and sighed. “You frightened me,” she said, trying to sit up.
However, she winced as a spasm of pain shot through her back, and rubbed her arms to relieve the pain in them before rubbing the back of her neck. Every part of her seemed to be aching.
“You haven’t had anything to eat,” he told her, holding out a plate of haggis, eggs and bread. The smell was divine, but Amanda was too sore everywhere to contemplate eating.
Hamish frowned. “You really worked too hard today,” he said gently, “and now you’re paying for it. Sit up and let me take care of you.”
“You are too busy,” Amanda protested. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I want to,” he replied. “You took care of my people, and now I am going to take care of you. Hush now, and don’t argue.”
As he spoke, Hamish had taken hold of her right arm and was massaging it gently. He had noticed—from the countless hours he’d spent observing her but would never admit to—that she was right-handed and wanted to ease the pain in that one first.
Amanda lay back and relaxed, abandoning herself to the pressure of Hamish’s touch, which was firm, yet gentle. It was absolutely glorious, she thought.
“Have you done this before?” she asked.
Hamish shook his head. “No, but I have seen others do it,” he said, smiling at her.
“Then you are a natural,” Amanda told him as he moved on to her left arm.
She felt her whole body begin to tingle, and as she looked up into his green eyes, she saw that they had darkened and their gaze had dropped to her lips. They were alone, he had his hands on her, so what was stopping her from taking advantage of the moment and stealing a kiss?
In the end, she broke the charged silence. “One of the ladies told me the story of how you lost the Lairdship,” she said.
Hamish’s eyes met hers, and his face was a mask of rage. “I did not lose the Lairdship,” he growled. “It was stolen from me by a creature who has no regard for anyone but himself. But never fear, Amanda, it will be mine again, and then we can start clearing up the mess he has left behind him, and mete out to him the punishment he deserves. I cannot wait for that day!”
“I’m sorry,” Amanda said quickly, dismayed at his reaction. “I did not mean to upset you.”
Hamish ran his hand backward through his golden hair and sighed. “No, I should not be so touchy, Amanda. None of this is your fault, but when I hear of Struan’s treachery, sometimes it has a bad effect on me. My mother knew he was not her own child, but she brought him up as if he were out of the goodness of her heart, and yet he treated her so badly in the end. He was never a very loving person, but I think he hated my mother because he never knew his own.”
“But you did,” Amanda said softly. “And you loved her—and your father, did you not?”
Hamish nodded, sighing. “Indeed I did.” He smiled at her. “You remind me of her in some ways—both so gentle and caring. I wish you could have met each other.”
“I do too,” Amanda said, smiling.
“Let me take care of you now, Amanda,” he said softly, then he brushed her hair aside, and he began to knead the sensitive spot between her neck and shoulders with his thumbs.
Amanda moaned softly and relaxed into his touch, loving the feel of his rough fingers on her soft skin. She closed her eyes and felt the heat of his body and the warmth of his breath as he leaned over her, and she inhaled his scent, a mixture of leather, earth and male musk. It was heady and sensual, and Amanda breathed it in as though it were a magical potion.
Hamish’s hands moved to Amanda’s shoulders and the pressure of his fingers became harder, but she had no complaints. She was loving every moment of his tender treatment, and felt as though she was being worshipped.
“Turn over,” he instructed, and Amanda obeyed.
She felt his hands move down her back, pressing against her flesh, inching down towards her waistline and leaving a trail of pleasure behind them.
Hamish felt his lips tingle as he worked his way down Amanda’s back. He imagined himself leaving a trail of tiny kisses down her back and making her giggle. He loved to hear the musical tinkling of her laugh, since it always made him want to do the same.
“I think I am fine now,” Amanda said.
She felt as though she was taking up too much of Hamish’s time, and having his hands all over her was far too arousing. She turned over, and once more looked into his hypnotic leaf-green eyes.
