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Chapter Eight
Amelia hadn’t had so much fun in... well maybe she’d never had so much fun. Her parents had been loving and kind, but there were always strict rules of behavior, especially when at court. She had thought that was fun, dressing like a decorated peacock, bowing to all the nobles, with powdered face, rouged cheeks, and wigged men kissing her hand and leading her to the dance floor.
She remembered how Charles had done so, and she thought that had been the best day of her life. But, this...this rough Scottish gathering with music and revelry was better. Everyone’s faces were red and smiling from the alcohol, and there wasn’t a circle of people she couldn’t enter without hearing a laugh. And the dancing. She hadn’t felt so free in years. It was like she could move how she wanted to, laugh as loud as she wanted, and drink however much she wanted without hearing reprimands or fearing repercussions for her lack of courtly grace.
Amelia sat, backside against the table, watching Fiona speak to Jamie. He looked clean and regal in his belted tartan plaid, sword, and white shirt. His hair was tied back, and he’d let his beard grow a little since she’d arrived. His strong hand gripped his cup of ale, and Amelia idly wondered what those hands would feel like on her skin. Would they be rough, like the Scottish accent that rolled off his tongue?
She giggled.This wine must be going to my head. Why would I want him touching me?While she was dancing, she had felt Jamie’s eyes on her, and he turned to gaze at her now, every so often, his face a confused look of anger and concern.I’m sure he means to find some fault with my behavior, so that he can use it against me later. I wish he would find interest in some other woman here, who would certainly love to jump into his bed.Amelia smiled. Her mother would disapprove of such thoughts, but she didn’t care. She hadn’t felt so relaxed in a long time.
A red-haired thin man began to approach her through the throng of dancers. She had noticed him looking at her throughout the evening as well, but she hadn’t paid him much mind.
“Miss, let me introduce myself. I am Donald Kinnaird, nephew tae the former laird, and cousin tae the current one.” He bent low to kiss her hand with an overdone dramatic flourish.
Amelia was instantly reminded of the wig-wearing fops that Jamie had mentioned to her. “I am Amelia Parker. Lovely to meet you. I didn’t realize Laird Jamie had a cousin so close in age.”
“Och, yes, our mothers wanted to raise children at the same time, so that we could be...friends.” He smiled, showing his stained teeth, so it made it appear as a grimace.
Amelia knew it was her duty to be kind to guests and relatives. She swallowed her disgust and discomfort. “How nice. So, are you very close?”
“Aye, very close.” Donald came closer to her and touched her on the arm. “Would ye mind accompanying me tae the library? My aunt Fiona has told me ye are quite the reader, and that ye’ve found a few books on science that interested me. I’m not one for parties and dancing. Would ye be able to show these books tae me?”
Amelia was stuck between politeness and revulsion, and she felt his dark eyes burning into her own. As it was a relative of Fiona’s, she went with politeness. She and Donald moved towards the corridor to head to the library.
Once they reached the hallway, it was dark and cold, the sounds of the merriment fading fast, and Amelia’s pulse quickened in fear. “I think I’d prefer to stay with the clan. It is a party, after all, and my duty is to Lady Kinnaird.”
She turned to walk towards the light coming from the opening to the main room, but his grip tightened on her arm.
She turned to see him close to her face, and she smelled a sourness coming from his breath. She recoiled.
He said, “Och, come, lass, there’s something I want tae show ye.” And he pulled her towards him down the hall.
“No, thank you,” she replied with more firm resolve and worked to break free of his grasp. Suddenly, the hallway darkened further as a tall figure filled the entryway to the main room.
“Donald, it appears yer not wanted. The lass would like tae return tae the festivities.” Jamie’s voice practically bellowed at Donald, and he moved to place a strong hand on Donald’s arm.
Donald hesitated, his face of mixture of anger and disappointment at being caught. He released Amelia abruptly, with Amelia falling back into Jamie’s hard chest, her anger filling her at being quite the damsel in distress, having to be saved by none other than Laird Jamie.
“Of course!” Donald said lightly. “Forgive me, Miss Parker. I was not intending tae be impertinent. If ye’ll excuse me, I’ll be headed to the library.” And he slunk away into the dimness of the hallway and faded from view.
Amelia was still leaning against Jamie and she let out a breath of relief and indignance at herself.
Jamie touched her shoulders and turned her around. He stared into her eyes and asked, “Are ye all right, Amelia? He didn’t hurt ye?”
Amelia stared into his eyes for a moment, and despite her frustration her gaze was drawn to his perfect mouth. Although twisted in concern, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from his beautiful lips, feeling the urge to move her own lips towards them.
“Amelia?” Jamie asked again.
She broke out of her wine-filled reverie, and pulled away from him abruptly. She said, “Ah, yes, I’m fine, I’m sure your cousin had good intentions. I don’t need a man to save me, so that he can puff his chest out with pride. And remember, you’re not to be within an arm’s length.”
Her icy facade had returned even after he’d seen that delicious moment of her eyes on his mouth. Shewantedhim, and she would do everything she could to pretend otherwise.Perhaps this bet will be easy to win after all.
He released her shoulders and moved away. “By God, woman, a simple thank ye would suffice.” He ran his hand over his newly grown beard in frustration.
Suddenly footsteps began to sound in the darkness, coming from the direction where Donald had just gone, and Amelia leapt away into a side room. Jamie followed her and closed the door.
“Even though I’m just a daft Scottish blaigeard, I was under the impression ye wanted tae return tae the party?” He lifted an eyebrow and rubbed the back of his head.
Amelia wandered about the unknown room, heading towards the fire burning on the side wall. “I just needed a few moments to collect myself before returning to guests. What is this room?” She looked around her at the shelves and desk dimly lit by firelight.
