AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Two
Marianne stopped and turned to her friend, her mouth agape. “Why, that’s wonderful news, Amelia!” Marianne hugged her. “I was so concerned you had not gotten Charles out of your head, and with his wedding...I thought it would crush you.” She smiled again, clasping Amelia’s hands. “I am so happy for you. But how did it all transpire?”
Amelia was about to begin to explain, when she was saved from the intimate details by the pounding of hooves. Both women turned to find Jamie and William approaching on horseback.
“Hello, ladies,” William called to them before halting before them to dismount. Jamie dismounted next to him. Amelia held Marianne’s elbow before turning to smile at William. She said in a proud voice, “Mr. Fraser, this is my friend, Lady Marianne Browne. She has already met Jamie this morning. Marianne, this is Laird Jamie’s good friend, William Fraser.” William’s face was blank as he quickly glanced at Jamie before turning to Marianne to grasp her hand. He bent low over it, but he kept his eyes on her as he kissed it. “Lovely tae make yer acquaintance, me Lady.” He slowly rose and lingered on her hand before letting go. Amelia saw the slightest of flushes cross over Marianne’s face before she nodded and answered, “And you as well, Mr. Fraser.”
Jamie smiled at Amelia from across William’s and Marianne’s hands. He clapped his hands together. “Well, we would love tae show ye ladies around the grounds, but I’m afraid Donald has come early tae the gathering, so we will need tae return home quickly.”
Amelia nodded in understanding. The men mounted their horses once again, and before turning towards the stables, William called back to Marianne, “I hope to see ye again, me Lady.” And he winked before kicking the horse to ride on.
Marianne put a hand to her chest. “The bold impertinence of that man! To wink at a lady! How vulgar!” Amelia laughed heartily and clasped Marianne’s arm again to walk towards the castle, trying not to think about Donald and what she was to do.
“My friend, I’m afraid that is what William Fraser is like. I told him you would think him crass and caddish, but he is not to be stopped.” Marianne glanced at the fading figures on horseback, and then they continued their walk.
* * *
Inside, Donald was pacing in the main hall, waiting for Amelia. He had sent out a servant to find them, but the servant had returned to say only that he had alerted the Laird and Mr. Fraser of his arrival. Blast! How would he get this meeting with Amelia? He needed those records to compare to the ones he’d gotten from the church.
He had torn the pages from the church’s register, and returned home to adjust the information, making his father the heir to the lairdship. He smiled to himself. “Ye are quite clever, old boy. Lord Braithwaite will soon hear of my victory by post, and I can begin to accrue all the wealth that I’d lost.”
He kept pacing. What if Amelia told Jamie about this? Well, then he would simply tell Jamie what he knew and what he’d discovered. And, he could use his silver knife to do the talking for him. He had used it before, for sport, and he thought back to the broken soldiers he had found during the war, left alone to die in the woods. Well, he had helped them, and pleasantly. Now, he was unafraid to do what he must to gain whatever he desired.
The door opened, and Amelia and another young woman entered. Donald rushed to her. “Miss Parker, it is imperative that we meet this afternoon.” Sweat was starting to form on his brow and upper lip, and his eyes narrowed.
Amelia calmly replied, “Yes, of course. Do allow me to introduce to you my friend, Lady Marianne Browne.”
Donald nodded curtly, and then repeated his request.
“Let me return to my room with Miss Marianne. I will gather the documents that you seek and meet you in the library.”
Donald rushed off, and Marianne looked at Amelia questioningly. Amelia waved her hand casually. “‘Tis only a bit of business. Come, let’s go to my room, and then you may rest. I will return to you later.” Marianne nodded, and they walked towards the stairs to the second floor.
* * *
In the library, Donald continued his pacing before the hearth. “If that whore has somehow tricked me, she will pay!” He angrily spat into the flames as he passed. Amelia quickly entered the library, softly shutting the door behind her.
Donald simply stared angrily at here, until Amelia handed him the birth records. “Here, this is what I found in the workroom.”
She sat down by the fire, and Donald did as well, not taking his eyes off the document. “Perfect! This is exactly what I needed. Ye have done well, me lovely.”
Amelia shuddered, only lingering behind to receive her next payment. “And the money?”
Donald still searched the document, handing Amelia a small bag with his other hand. Amelia took it, once again disappointed. “So, there is more to be done? More tasks?”
Donald looked up and smiled. He leaned back in his chair, with an air of confidence and satisfaction. “Our contract does not outline a time period. I have nae idea what tasks lay ahead for ye, Miss Parker.”
Amelia felt dejected. So hopeful was she of getting out of this contract, that she hadn’t thought about how long it could potentially last. She stood up, her anger building and giving her a moment of strength. “And? If I tell Jamie and the rest at the clan what you have asked of me?”
Donald remained poised in confidence. “My dear, if you do so, then Jamie will have to hear how you signed a contract to work against him, how you’re secretly a lady from London whose father gambled her inheritance away, and how you’ve betrayed him for money. Now, shall I tell him these things? Or shall my knife do the talking if you do not see sense?”
Amelia’s heart was gripped in an onslaught of emotions and her fists tightened at her sides as redness creeped up her neck. “You bastard! How did you know about my family? And You told me it was for the good of the clan!”
Donald laughed. “I have contacts in London. And it will be, my dear. But, keeping Jamie as laird does not mean ‘tis good for the clan. With me at the helm, the true laird, Kinnaird land will gain money and power like it has naught seen before.” Amelia felt sick and dizzy. She gripped the back of the chair to stay standing, searching her mind for some solution.
In her daze, Donald stood and came to place a hand on hers. He spoke close to her hair, like Jamie had done, his hot breath on her making her feel sicker and sicker. “All will be well, my dear. Now, be a good lass, and come tae the meeting tae watch the true laird take his place.”
Amelia didn’t respond, and Donald left, his spindly form disappearing behind the door.
