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Amelia shook her head. “No, I am well, simply tired.”And needing a moment away from you to organize what battles inside.
She took her leave, climbing the cold stone stairs to the second floor, listening to the haunting, howling sounds of the snow and wind outside. She just needed a moment. A moment to make a decision. Jessica’s words rang in her ears. “Do not let anger make you a stubborn fool.” She spoke aloud to herself as she entered her room to sit in front of her tiny hearth, sipping at the delicious red wine that made her legs tingle and revitalized her cold fingers and toes.
She was still angry at Jamie, at her Father, at Charles. But does that mean she should let it hold her back from living her life? She was mad at Charles, but does that mean she did not deserve love and affection? She was angry at her father, but shouldn’t she still help him to come home and make their family whole again? And she was angry at Jamie, but shouldn’t she...let it go for a moment to experience what pleasure he could offer her? When she forgot her anger at him for a moment, being near him was bliss and made her feel things she didn’t understand but wanted to explore.
* * *
Fiona waited a moment after Amelia left and looked at her son, staring into the flames. “Your concern for Amelia becomes you dear. You were quite the hero, I imagine.”
He shook his head. “Not me, ma. She was far calmer than me on our dangerous ride, and she’s none too happy with yer son.”
“Oh?” Fiona’s curiosity was piqued, but she didn’t want to press in case it would push him further inside himself.
He sighed and leaned his head back into the chair. After their dangerous journey, he felt the need to open up to his mother. “Aye. Ye will not like this, ma, but William and I made a bet when Amelia first arrived. He thought she was bonny and wanted me tae admit it as well. I said nay. So, William made a bet that I would kiss her and tell her she was bonny by Christmastide, and I made a counter bet. I said that she would kiss me and admit her feelings.”
He covered his face in his hands. Fiona tsked. “Jamie, shame on ye both!” A little Scottish brogue escaped her lips, feeling it was best used in anger. “That poor girl. Does she know?”
“Aye. She knows as Donald had told her at the Hogmanay feast. He found out from a drunken William. And the worst part is...we have kissed. After, she found out about the bet, and now she thinks it happened just because of it. And that I took sweet satisfaction in winning.”
Jamie waited for his mother’s reaction. But she simply frowned and exhaled slightly. “I see. I asked you not to toy with a young woman’s affections, Jamie. We taught you better than that.”
Jamie turned to his mother. “I know. ‘Twas not right. But, I was just as surprised as anyone when she kissed me.”
Fiona desperately tried to hide her smile.This is turning out just perfectly. Now, only to add a little nudge in the right direction.
She placed a hand on her son, ready to instruct. “Jamie, no matter who kissed who, ‘tis your duty to apologize and to apologize from the heart. You must explain to her what happened and ask for forgiveness.”
“Aye. I had tried at first, but she was as mad as a wild boar.”
Fiona chuckled. “Well, now she’s had time to cool down, in more ways than one. Go to her and tell her you are sorry. ‘Tis a noble thing for a laird to do and a man, when he knows he is in the wrong. It shows he is still human.” She smiled.
Jamie returned her smile. “And a wiser woman there could never be.” He stood up and kissed his mother on the cheek and headed down the corridor to Amelia’s room.
Amelia sat with her eyes closed, reveling in the warmth returning to her skin and bones. Her breath steadied and slowed, and she could feel the familiar embrace of sleep coming to her mind. But, before she fell into its comfortable warmth, she heard a quiet knock at the door.
Confused, she stood, and removed the two heavy woolen plaids, the fire having done its job. She walked to the door, unlocked it, and swung it open to see Jamie on the other side.
