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Jamie leaned in to whisper into her ear, his warm breath tickling her skin, “Lass, all will be well. Faolan knows the way true enough.”
Above Amelia’s head, Jamie was smiling, despite his own fears. He loved the feel of Amelia’s body molded into his and when she let her guard down. He felt hope in their reconciliation.
“Why did you name him Faolan?” Amelia asked, attempting to draw attention away from their potential doom.
“Me da always taught me tae call out me fears by name. They lose their power being brought out from the shadows. Faolan means wolf in Scots. When I was young, I was always afraid of the wolves howling at night. Me da had tae come in tae comfort me in my bed. So, when he purchased Faolan for me, he suggested the name tae help me associate it with something I loved and bring that fear out of the darkness.”
“And did it help you?”
Jamie laughed, despite the snow swirling around their heads. “Do ye mean am I still afraid of wolves? I can’t say that I’d like tae meet a pack of them out on the moors, but aye, I sleep well at night.”
Amelia grinned widely, knowing he couldn’t see her face. She enjoyed hearing about him as a boy. It made him seem so...vulnerable. Not this man who made her feel such a range of emotions from rage to interest to mind-altering desire.
They rode on in silence. She knew Jamie needed to concentrate, she knew it was cold enough to freeze toes, but she was warm in his arms, and as she leaned back, she could feel the pump of his heart against her shoulder.
A few minutes later, they came up to a gray stone wall, and they both breathed a sigh of relief. The followed the wall until it brought them to the gate. Jamie opened it and pulled Faolan inside, knowing there was no way he could make it to the barn. Candles were lit in the windows, potentially to help guide their way as Fiona knew they were out on the moors. They paused in front of the large front door, and Jamie jumped down, his tall boots crunching into the snow.
“Are ye all right, lass?” He asked, as he held her waist again, to pull her down. Her skirts floated down after her, sliding along Faolan until they pooled around her as she laid her feet on the ground. They stood like that for a moment, despite the cold, Jamie’s hand on her waist, waiting for her answer to his question, his eyes on her lips, red and full, even though the temperature threatened to turn them blue.
Amelia’s hands lingered on his shoulders, feeling their familiar shape and strength, and she noticed his gaze and knew his thoughts in the pit of her abdomen.
He whispered, “Well, yer lips are still as red as ever, so ye must be healthy enough after such a ride.”
She replied quietly, “Yes. Yes, I am well. The warmest I have ever been.” She paused and then cleared her throat, “on a snow-filled horse ride that is.”
He brought his gaze back to her eyes. “Amelia…”
She hurried out of his grasp, afraid of what his next words might be, afraid she would succumb to his kiss. “We had better get ourselves indoors. The storm rages on.” And she hurried through the door.
Jamie stared after her. “Aye, it does.”
* * *
As soon as they entered with Faolan, Fiona cried out and Prince Charlie barked, “Oh, thank Heavens! I was so worried about you two! Amelia, I pictured you stuck in a snowbank and Jamie out rescuing you and not being able to find his way!” She placed a hand on her heart. “‘Twas enough to drive me mad with worry. Come, come! Cook will prepare you some warm wine. Sit by the fire.” She grabbed their cold hands and pushed them into the armchairs.
Amelia leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the heat envelop her. Jamie said, “Ma, we must keep Faolan inside until the storm clears. I couldnae make it tae the barn.”
“Of course. I will tell the servants to bring some hay and water and lay some hay on the floor for him.” She hurried away and returned with two large clay mugs of warm red wine.
“‘Tis a special recipe of mine from my grandmother. I’ve added a few different spices.” She smiled and passed Jamie and Amelia the cups. “Please drink and warm yourselves. Tell me of all that has passed.”
“Fletcher and I had just returned from Brechin, and we saw Mrs. Parker and Amelia in the old cemetery, so we wanted to greet them. I offered to take Amelia back, so that she wouldnae have tae walk.” Fiona noticed Jamie’s sideways glance at Amelia.
He continued, “We hired the shepherd from the village. And we went tae speak tae Jessica Kinnaird about hiring a few of her sons tae learn as shepherd. ‘Twas Amelia’s idea.”
“Really? How wonderful. So, this project can begin as soon as the weather warms a bit.”
Amelia turned worriedly to Jamie, “Oh, I do hope Mr. Fletcher has found his way in the storm.”
“Fletcher is a lot smarter and wiser than I. He will have known to not go as far as the town in such weather or he would have stayed at the pub in town tae wait out the storm. Donnae worry.” He laid a hand on hers and just as quickly pulled it away. He and Amelia sipped their wine at the same time.
“Fiona? Would you mind if I went to rest for a brief moment? I feel quite tired from our dangerous journey. I will return for the evening meal.”
“Of course, Amelia. Please do take the wine with you. I have had a maid light your fire, so the room will be bursting with healing heat.”
“Thank you. I will see you shortly. Oh, and thank you, Jamie. And thank you, Faolan, for guiding us through the storm!” She smiled and stood up to leave, her wine cup in hand, the two plaids still hanging about her shoulders.
Jamie asked quickly, “Ye are not ill?”
