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CHAPTERELEVEN
Thenext morning, Jonan awoken before dawn. His victory yesterday had been hard-earned, and it was now time to resume his training with the men. He was hot and sweaty by the end of it, but his muscles were well worked.
On theway back to his chambers, heplotted. Callan had delivered bad news the day before. The milkmaids were unable to keep up with the work on the farmlands, and the farmers appeared to be suffering as a result. It was crucial for him to visit them.
After a hot bath, he went to the breakfast table, where Amelia was already seated, looking radiant. For a brief moment, Jonan imagined what it would have been like if they had married under different circumstances.
"Good morning, my lord," she greeted. Unlike before, she met his gaze and smiled. Jonan stared at her for a moment, lost in her beauty.
What a man would do to keep that smile on her face...
The table was full of bread, eggs, and some strips of bacon.
“Did ye make this?” Jonan asked.
“No, the cook did, but I assisted her.”
Amelia was a talented cook, and if she had a hand in it, he would eat it. So when he tried the food, he was relieved to discover that he had been right. The bacon and eggs were better than usual. Amelia had unquestionably improved the recipe.
“And what will ye be doing today?” he asked, trying to start a conversation.
Amelia paused and answered. “Well, the cook has delivered what I need for my soap and candles.”
“Ye will make them today, then?”
“No, I do not think so. Perhaps I shall make the lye today and the soap tomorrow. Today, I would like to take stock of the store, if you would not mind.” Her eyes were hesitant, and Jonan wondered if she had been scared to ask.
“You are the lady of the keep.” He held her gaze before she looked away. “The staff answer to ye. Ye may change whatever ye deem fit.”
“Thank you.” Her voice was light, but her face held the most beautiful smile. “What about you?”
“I have urgent business to attend to.” Jonan averted his eyes as he spoke. He refused to admit it, but he was guilty. He was aware that a new bride would want to see more of her husband, but he was not a man with much spare time. He had the responsibility to save the clan.
Amelia nodded. “I see. Will you be present for luncheon?”
“Nae,” he said, his guilt almost visible. “But I shall be home for supper.”
Jonan was relieved to see Amelia nod and smile. Highlanders rarely married Sassenachs. It was frequently stated that they required a great deal of attention from their husbands. Jonan was relieved to find it was false because she seemedto be the type of woman who could manage on her own.
“You said something peculiar yesterday,” she said suddenly.
He waited for her to go on, and when she didn’t, he asked, “Will you nae speak further?”
“You said,” Amelia began, turning to him, “that you did not know much about me.”
“Aye.” Jonan wondered what her words would lead to. She would not look at him so there was little he could decipher.
“Why?”
“Look at me,” he requested, instead of answering her questions.
Amelia obliged. Her beautiful green eyes were lovely to look at, and Jonan wondered how many men she—or her father—had turned away.
“Ye wish to ken why I said so?” he asked.
“Yes.” Her words almost a whisper.
Jonan paused. “I said it, for ‘twas what I believe. There is more to ye.”
