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The next morning, the sky was white with impending snow, but the day was still bright and cheerful. After Amelia read in bed, a new feeling of power and courage filling her, she breakfasted with Fiona, and they donned their plaids to head out on their daily walk.
“I think it would be best to walk early, as I fear snow is in the air.” Fiona had recommended after staring for a few moments out of the castle window.
She and Fiona strolled around the rough gray stone of the castle and entered the inviting forest. Many trees were bare, and their barren boughs made Amelia think of a few lines of poetry, “The boughs hung lonely on the wintry day, their tongues silent until Spring.”
“Ah that’s lovely, dear. What poem is that from?” Fiona smiled to her young companion, noting how beautiful Amelia looked in the cold winter air, so refreshed and energized. Her blue eyes sparkled.
Amelia laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I’d said it aloud. I...I write poetry in my spare time. It’s something my father interested me in.”
Fiona’s heart swelled with endearment and affection. She paused to put a hand on Amelia’s arm. “My dear, it’s beautiful. You must be quite the poetess.”
They continued on, and their winter boots crunched loudly on the forest path, their skirts billowing against each other. Amelia replied after a pause. “I’d like to be. That is, I would love to become one of the few published female poets. Wouldn’t that be absolutely lovely? ‘Tis a dream I’ve held dear for many a year.”
“What a beautiful dream. Well, I think you must strive for it. Send in a few poems to the publishing companies and see what their reply is.” Fiona smiled in encouragement. Amelia looked into the older woman’s face, so grateful for a friend. Fiona had the spirit of youth, and her renewed vigor gave her a glow that made her face so kind and gentle. Her brown eyes revealed feelings of care and affection.
Amelia smiled in return. “I believe I will, once I can pen the poem I’ve been trying to create for a long while.”
Soon, Amelia and Fiona emerged from the forest and headed over the expansive grounds towards the castle. To their backs came the sound of thudding hooves over a winter-hardened ground. They turned, and they saw Jamie riding towards them on his gray horse. Amelia’s breath caught for a moment, to see young Jamie in all his manly majesty. He was wearing a thick coat, but she could still see the outline of those delectable muscles she had spied and felt only an evening before. He stopped in front of the pair of women, and Amelia swallowed slowly, gathering her confidence and resolve to not let his presence sway her.
Jamie slowed his horse and said, “Good morning, Mother and Amelia.” His gaze lingered on Amelia for a moment, and she simply lifted her chin in response, not breaking eye contact.
Fiona said, “Jamie, would you be a dear and escort Amelia to the castle door? I’ve a mind to walk the distance to Fletcher House and have a nice long chat with Mrs. Fletcher.”
Jamie jumped down from the saddle, and stood before his mother, concern in his eyes. “Are ye sure, Mother? ‘Tis quite cold today.”
Fiona leaned up to kiss her son on the cheek. “Stop your worrying, dear. I am not an old or broken woman. Besides, Amelia says the walking will do me good. And I believe her.” She stared pointedly at Jamie, and he averted her gaze. “Please do accompany Amelia to the door.”
“Oh, I can walk by myself to the door. There’s no point in bothering the Laird.” Amelia replied.
Fiona clucked. “Nonsense! I’m simply teaching my son to be a gentleman, my dear.” And she winked. “I shall return within a few hours!” And she waved and was off, leaving with a smile on her face and two people behind her with their mouths slightly open in discomfort.
“Come to…” “Oh, no need…” Amelia and Jamie’s voices collided in conversation, as their best to recover from Fiona’s instructions.
Jamie made a motion towards the direction of the castle. “Ye know, my mother will find out if I’ve not escorted ye tae the castle, so it’s best if I do.”
Amelia gathered her plaid around her for support and protection from the growing warmth inside her at the appreciative gaze of Jamie’s eyes. She nodded in agreement. “I will abide by my mistress’ orders.” And she followed the direction of his arm, hoping he would walk behind her in silence, so she didn’t have to smell him or feel his warm closeness. It might break her resolve to ignore him.
“So, I see ye’ve cooled after last evenin’.” He smiled to himself and walked beside her, step for step.
Amelia’s ire rose, and she replied with force, “One cannot cool if one was never heated.”
Jamie nearly choked on his laughter. “Aye, ‘tis true, but that’s not the case for ye, lass. I do believe it was ye who pushed me up against the library tae take advantage.”
They had approached the castle wall, and with Jamie’s remark, Amelia flew around to face him, her back to it.
“Take advantage? I’d hardly call it that. I didn’t take anything that did not want to be taken. Besides, I do believe the wine had made me a bit ill and drove me to...irrational behaviors.”
“Aye is that so?” Jamie let the reins go on his horse, Faolan, knowing he wouldn’t wander far. He came closer to Amelia, leaning his hands to frame Amelia’s face against the castle wall.
Jamie watched as Amelia’s cooled attitude faltered for a brief moment before returning. She spoke with a Scottish accent in response. “Aye, ‘tis so.”
Jamie thought,Bloody hell this lass is more beautiful than last night, her face and eyes lightened by the fresh air and walk.All he wanted to do was grab her to him and make her moan again like she did yesterday, but he also wanted to do more. He swallowed to keep in control of the moment.
“Well, what I remember is a hot-blooded young woman comin’ tae me in the library and taking what she desired from me. And take it she did. She tasted like honey and wine, and all I can think about is...tasting her again. And I ken she’s thinking about tasting me as well.” He moved a hand from the wall to lightly stroke her bottom lip. Amelia’s eyes flickered to his mouth, and he knew she was thinking it too. For a moment, they stared at each other, lost in a mix of green and blue before Amelia swallowed and said. “That’s where you’re wrong, Sir. This young woman you speak of has already forgotten about the incident, and it will not occur again. Not in this lifetime.”
“So, in the next ye’ll be ready?” Jamie smiled, and Amelia’s heart melted, but she set her chin in determination.
