Chapter Nine
“Ye ken,” Darragh said, his lips right against Amelia’s ear, so he could be heard over the horse’s hooves digging into the dirt, “ye nae givin’ me yer full name makes me even more curious about yer identity.”
A prickle of discomfort whispered up her spine. She forced her breathing to steady. Picking a point in the distance to watch, she cleared her throat.
“Remain curious,” she said stiffly, her fingers holding onto the creature’s mane as she tried pointlessly to put distance between herself and Darragh on the saddle. It was hard to focus on anything but him.
“I’m nae a man that sits comfortably in me curiosity,” he replied, the word vibrating in his chest and transferring to Amelia’s back. “I like to get answers.”
The way he said it was almost teasing. If it weren’t for what she’d overheard at the seamstress’s shop, the new fear that it awakened in her chest, she might even find it amusing. Now, she simply felt trapped, cornered even.
“That’s unfortunate,” she said, frowning even though he couldn’t see it. “I’m nae givin’ ye any further information on me. Just kennin’ ye can call me Amelia will have to be enough.”
He grunted, the sound nearly a laugh. His body pressed forward, his raw strength spiking fear and something she couldn’t quite name in her gut. She set her jaw, maintaining her own posture stubbornly.
After a few moments of silence, the only sounds were the crunch of dirt beneath them and the wind whipping past them. It would have been peaceful if it weren’t for the looming threat of being imprisoned once more. Then, suddenly, they veered off course.
“Where are we goin’?” she demanded.
“Ye seem tense,” he explained, expertly guiding the horse through a thicket of trees. “There’s a bonnie wee pond just through here. We can make a brief stop before returnin’ to the castle.”
“Ye’re nae afraid of me runnin’ away?” she challenged, only half-considering the possibility.
“If ye do, I’ll catch ye again,” Darragh replied with a low laugh. “But I doubt ye’re goin’ to attempt it.”
“Nae yet,” she scoffed, smiling despite herself.
A few minutes later, the aforementioned pond came into view. The clearing was a gorgeous, vibrant green. At the edges of the water, a few birds were drinking.
Darragh dismounted first, grabbing onto her waist and helping her to the ground before she had a chance to protest. When her feet were firmly on the grass, she said, “I could have gotten down on me own.”
“I ken,” he replied, gesturing for her to follow him, “but I would hate to see ye roll an ankle because of uneven ground.”
She huffed but walked beside him. As those words she overheard echoed in her mind, she decided that she should enjoy each moment of freedom she could. Besides, she had to admit to herself that he was correct about the pond. Itwasbonnie.
“Perhaps,” he said lightly as they walked in a slow, lazy circle around the edge, “ye’re Amelia of Inverness.”
She looked at him from the corner of her eye, nearly tripping over a root protruding from the ground. Darragh reached for her, helping her regain her balance. Once she was righted, she shook his hand off.
“Nae, that’s nay me name,” she said, paying more attention to her footing as they moved.
“Ach, I suppose it’s nae,” he agreed thoughtfully. “Or maybe ye’re called Amelia of Skye.”
This time, Amelia didn’t respond. She looked ahead, watching as birds swooped in front of them. Their song was so pleasant, filtering through the air free and unrestrained. She envied them and the lives they lived, no fear of being caged, only the open sky and fresh air.
“I ken what yer name is,” he declared, seemingly set on interrupting the peace. “Amelia of stubborn silence.”
Ach, that was almost humorous. It’s a shame that I’m nae in the mood for his attempts.
She turned her head toward him slightly, careful of where she placed her feet, and asked, “Do ye enjoy hearin’ yerself talk?”
“Aye,” he replied without hesitation, an arrogance slipping into his voice that made Amelia’s skin feel too tight. “Someone has to fill the silence since ye refuse.”
She exhaled slowly, turning back toward the path. It seemed as if her irritation only made him more pleased. She gritted her teeth, refusing to rise to his bait.
“Perhaps ye could give me a hint since ye’re nae goin’ to make this easy for me, or tell me outright,” Darragh suggested after a few moments. “Otherwise, I’ll just keep guessin’.”
“Ye already decided for me,” she said, his presence grating on her nerves. She’d always considered herself to be a patient person, but at the moment, she was at the very end of her stores.
