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She entered in, and Donald stood, a large smile plastered on his face.
“You must both forgive me. I lost track of the time. How rude of me! I hope I am not too late.” She curtsied to Donald who bowed dramatically, and she took her seat.
Fiona noted the way Donald looked at her. It was with admiration, but there was something else in his dark gaze, something sinister. She would not wish her nephew on any woman, and she hoped Amelia would not fall into his clutches.
Fiona replied, “No, do not worry, my dear. Please join us. We are only on our first cup of tea, and Donald was telling me of what’s happening in his life at the moment.”
Amelia smiled politely, albeit a bit stiffly, and she smoothed her gown before sitting down between the two relatives.
“Miss Parker, Amelia, how are you enjoying yer stay in Scotland? How does it fare against the busy city of London? I confess, I would very much love tae see that bustling metropolis myself.” Donald smiled, but it didn’t reach his black eyes. Amelia stared at him and swallowed slowly, fearful of what he might say next. She felt like he was attempting to act like a foppish Englishman, with only a slight tinge of that Highland brogue. It didn’t suit the man at all.
“I am enjoying it very well. The city is all well and good, but much can be sad about the beautiful rolling green hills of Scotland. ‘Tis restorative and purifying. I feel like a different woman.” She smiled at Fiona, and Fiona smiled back, her face beaming with pleasure.
Donald lost his smile. “I see. Well, after tea, would ye be so kind as tae take a stroll with me in these green hills? I would like tae see them from yer perspective.”
Amelia’s eyes quickly glanced at Fiona, hoping for some excuse, but Fiona simply nodded, and Amelia agreed.
Donald’s grin widened. “Excellent. So, will ye tell us about yer life in London? I’m sure my aunt would love tae hear about it.”
“I believe I will tell you about it when my friend Marianne arrives from visiting the Scottish countryside. We can tell you all about it together. It will be much more entertaining.” Amelia smiled stiffly and put the china teacup to her lips.
Donald leaned back and crossed his arms. “Fine. Well, once ye are finished your tea, and with your permission, dear aunt, we will go take a walk on the Kinnaird grounds.”
“Of course.”
Fiona filled the rest of the conversation until Amelia finished her cup, and then she escorted the two young people to the door of the castle, a large smile on her face which Amelia knew wasn’t real or genuine. Fiona wrapped Amelia’s shoulder in a warm plaid, and as Amelia left, she turned back to see a worried Fiona, her hands clasped.
Donald held out his arm to be taken as they exited the castle door, and he turned toward the left to walk in the direction of the thick woods. Amelia accepted the arm but pulled back slightly to indicate that they should walk towards the grassy hills ahead and not get caught in the dense trees.
Donald agreed, and they walked arm in arm for a few minutes in silence before Donald asked, “So, my dear? Have ye uncovered anything useful? Donnae forget yer contract.”
Amelia hated the way “my dear” sounded on Donald’s lips. It made her mind flash to when Jamie had called her “minx” in the hallway, and she smiled to herself, allowing herself a moment to get caught on daydreams. Donald cleared his throat beside her, and she sighed. “Must we be so litigious? I do remember the contract, of course, but was it really necessary? I signed it in haste, in a fury of anger. But, if you need the information, this is what I have so far. It was my idea, after all. Jamie intends to hire an old experience shepherd from Brechin to come to the farm and bring in a few of the young clansmen to learn the trade from him. That way he does not have to hire anyone else, and he can save money as well as strengthen the clan. He plans to work on the grazing area when the ground softens.”
Donald exhaled a long, relieved sigh. “Excellent, my dear. You are quite the spy. So, Jamie does not plan tae turn the whole of Kinnaird land into grazing pastures and remove tenants who bring no profit tae us? He would make more money that way.” Donald twisted his face in frustration. “If I were clan leader…”
Amelia replied quickly and boldly, “Well, you are not. Jamie cares about his people and his responsibility, despite the destruction of the old system by the English. He wants to preserve a way of Scottish life and protect his clansmen and women. He plans to keep all tenants as farmers and laborers and only use a formerly unused section of land as the grazing pasture. So, he fulfills the need for more income and keeps the people in their homes.”
“Hmph. So, it’s Jamie now, is it?” Amelia felt Donald’s arm stiffen, and a tingle of pleasure at his anger went through her.
Donald kept looking ahead as he said, “Now, your next task is tae find the birth records of Jamie’s and my father. I...would like to use them for some business.”
“What business?”
“No business of yours. But, donnae worry, all is well. When can ye acquire these documents for me?”
“I will search for them as soon as I return to the castle. Will you be remaining behind?”
“No, I do not want to see Jamie as we’ve naught tae say tae one another. I will leave ye tae attend tae the matter yerself. I’m trustin’ ye, lass.”
They walked on, their boots crunching over the old snow, which had been darkened by dirt and slowly melted by the afternoon sun. Amelia stared off towards the green hills that seemed to roll into the sea, and she felt a slight flush of hope.
“Donald, I say that Scotland has much more to offer than the city of insanity that is London. One can breathe. One can truly feel the heart of this place. Have you a desire to go to London?”
Donald shifted awkwardly next to her, but kept his arm holding hers. “Yes. I have long wanted to see this place which has held so much sway over the rest of the world. Power, especially political and land power as well as wealth holds a lot of interest for me. I want tae meet the men who have completed such an act. ‘Tis an inspiration.” His toothy grin at his last statement made Amelia shudder. She hoped Donald would just assume it was the cold.
“I see. Well, power and wealth are not always something to be admired.” She thought of her father and Charles. “Circumstances can change in an instant. And foolishness and greed are blind to class.” She made a fist with her hand, feeling the anger still within her, but she was set on her path.
“Donald, since we’re being litigious, we might discuss the matter of payment. I do need to continue to save money for my father.”
