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Scott bowed in front of me, a tiny bow with just his head as my thoughts were running wild and I couldn’t possibly speak.
“My lady, may I escort you to the table?” –He whispered, leaning in towards my ear so I could hear him. His breath on my neck, his soft whisper in my ear made my toes curl. I wanted this man like I haven’t wanted anything before in my life. I nodded, feeling my cheeks blush as he put my hand under his and walked me towards the main table.
As we approached the main table, I could clearly see the McKenzie family there. Ros McKenzie, the father, the chief sitting in the middle, his shoulders broad and his face stern. He was known as the protector and the chief of the Clan, proud and determined. The years showed on his face as a burden. Sitting on his left was his wife Ceana, known for her bright-red hair and deep green eyes. Even with the age, she was graceful and calm. I felt her gaze on me and it made me more anxious than I already was. On Ros’s right was his eldest son, Osgar McKenzie. Osgar was notoriously famous for being cruel. Everyone knew he was the hammer but not the brains in the family. One look upon him, and it was clear this man was strong and ready to fight. Next to him was Una, Osgar’s wife. A tender beauty, a complete opposite of her husband, Una came from a poor family and managed to take Osgar’s heart. It was rumored that she was Osgar’s only weakness and he fell to his knees in front of her. Next on the table was Corc, the middle child. Although
a proud Scott, he was not a fighter. He proved himself in matters of accounting and books. Knowing he would most likely never rule, Corc was happy to stay in the castle and provide support from within. Muriel, his wife, was a strong woman. Just by looking at her it was clear she had no feminine side. The peasants joked how Muriel was the man in that marriage and how she took Corc’s virginity on their first wedding night. Seeing her, this was completely believable.
An empty seat was placed next to her and the seat next to it was occupied by a face I did not recognize. It was a woman, a tall, slender, royal-looking woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. Those characteristics were extremely rare in the Highlands and were treated with the outmost respect. I was sure the woman was a distant relative to the Clan. Her poise was
gracious and her face was mild, shining with divine beauty.
“Father, Mother, brothers. This is Amelia, our guest.” – Scott announced loudly thus interrupting my thoughts. I bowed in front of the Chief. My palms were sweating and my heart was racing so hard I was afraid they would be able to hear it. I couldn’t speak, in fact I was so nervous my stomach was in a turmoil of its own. The Chief smiled and raised his glass to me:
“Scott has told us all about you, child. Welcome to the McKenzie clan!
Please, share our table and our food.”
His voice was strong and even though his words were polite, the Chief’s demeanor was telling me that was an order. I bowed one more time before Scott took my hand and took me to the table.
As I was finally seated next to the beautiful woman, Scott leaned in between the two of us, making the introduction:
Briana, this is Amelia our guest. Amelia, meet Briana, my wife.”
That one sentence sent the whole world spinning down on me. Almost as if a dagger ran through my stomach, I was grasping for air. I did not know Scott was married. All my desires fell down in the one place where I had to keep calm. I smiled, nodding towards the beauty next to me.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Amelia. Scott told me all about you.” – Briana was speaking in a soft, seductive manner. I smiled and reached out for my cup. The thirst inside my belly felt as if a wildfire was storming through me. I looked towards Scott and I saw his eyes were solely focused on Briana. My heart sank.
“Your bedchamber is next to ours. You have been assigned to our household, as my maid.” – Briana kept talking and I kept nodding and smiling.
“You must be famished! Please child, eat!” – She continued with the pleasantries while putting food in my plate.
Even though I was starving up to that moment, when I learned she was Scott’s wife, I didn’t feel the hunger anymore. All I wanted was to go back to my room. Even more, all I wanted was to go back to my parents and accept the marriage proposal.
The rest of the feast is too hazy for me to recall. I remember people singing, dancing and drinking. I recall them talking to me and me replying in simple, short sentences. Nothing was significant anymore since I had just lost all hope in having the one I wanted.
As the feast was coming to an end, I excused myself and I left the table. As I was about to turn in the left corner, I turned towards the hall one more time and I saw him. Scott was in his seat, smiling with his eyes set on me. As our eyes met, I smiled as I felt my heart was joyous again.
Chapter 5
As I walked to the room, I felt slightly nauseous but not in a sickly way. I had a weakness in my knees and my heart was pumping faster than usual, leaving me almost out of breath. I had a smile on my face and my mind couldn’t possibly explain why, although deep inside I knew it was because of him. As I was walking through what I thought were empty hallways, I saw a shadow lurking right behind the corner where I was walking. I stopped in my track, scared of the possibility that it could be another attack. As I did, I heard slight laughter, both male and female. At first I thought those were servants, taking the advantage of the empty hallways so I decided to move along, paying no attention to them. As I walked next to that corner, I could clearly see it was Osgar, the eldest brother, pinning a woman on the wall. I quickly looked away and picked up my pace but before I did, I clearly noticed Briana was the woman he was pinning down. I stroke of horror woken by the realization that she was cheating Scott with his brother made my blood cold. I tried to pretend I hadn’t notice them as I ran to my room, but Osgar was quick to follow. He caught up with me right before my door and he grabbed my hand, pulling me towards him. I could feel his smell: of wine and dirt, on my face. I tried to stay calm, pretending I had no notion of his sin.
“What are you doing here?” – he barked, his voice commanding.
“I was walking to my chamber, lord. How can I assist you?” – I retorted, trying to keep my calm.
Osgar stood staring into my eyes, as if trying to read my thoughts and in a second, I was sure he knew what I saw. Instead of saying anything, he smiled and grabbed my hand even tighter.
“You’re hurting me.” – I said, begging him to let me go.
“You have no idea what I’m capable of.” – Osgar barked, bringing fear to my bones. Just as he squeezed my hand even tighter, another shadow walked through the corner, ending up right in front of us.
“Osgar, brother what’s the meaning of this?” – I heard Scott’s voice and immediately, I felt relief. Scott picked up his pace and in a second was standing right next to me.
“Nothing, dear brother. I was just… chatting with our guest. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, lady.” – Osgar barked, leaving me alone and leaving the hallway.
“What was that all about?” – Scott asked, turning towards me.
I tried to smile and tell him it was nothing, but right as I was getting ready to speak, Briana walked right next to us.
