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Chapter Five
It took her a moment to realize it was a person she’d run into. Her hair pins loosened again, and her hair was almost fully out of place. “Damnation!” she said, without thought of propriety. Warm strong arms surrounded her to hold her steady. She was momentarily grateful for the relief from the cold winds. She slowly turned her head to look into the face of her obstacle, and she fell into two pools of green, the most beautiful color she’d ever seen in the world. Her lips parted slightly as she fell under a spell. But then, the obstacle spoke with a thick yet slurred Scottish brogue.
“Aye, ye naughty lass, didn’t get enough last night did ye, and following me back in the morning for more?” A wide smile spread across his face and Amelia noticed perfectly straight, white teeth. But, then she smelled a mixture of pipe smoke, whiskey, and ale. It brought her mind to her father’s smell of late, returning so often the next morning from his nightly endeavors. Her stomach soured at the memory, and she tried to push against his hard chest.My God, was this man made of stone?Before she could get lost in his eyes again, a hand came around her waist and took a handful of her backside. “Aye, but yer a cheeky woman. I can’t say I’ll be as good as last night, but I’ll give it a good try.”
Amelia gasped and slapped the man hard and loud. He winced and let her go.
“Excuse me, sir, but I am not whoever you were with last night! I am no painted tart! I am Amelia Parker, coming to be Lady Kinnaird’s companion. Please do not be so forward with me!”
Jamie stood back, a look of surprise on his face as he rubbed his sore cheek. But then, that wicked smile returned. “Och yes, I’ve heard about yer arrival. And yer a Sassenach as well. Lady Kinnaird will be happy about that particular bit of information. My apologies, Miss Parker, for the mistaken identity.” He bowed obsequiously.
Jamie looked Amelia up and down. “But ye’ll have tae forgive me the confusion. What with yer hair pins all askew and hair flying around yer face and grass-stained dress, I didn’t take ye tae be a companion. Well at least not the kind that caters tae wealthy ladies.” He winked.
Amelia was aghast. She looked down at her dress to find two grass stains where her knees had touched the ground as she’d fallen. Anger and embarrassment filled her, and she could feel the redness creeping up her neck.
“Heavens! Am I to be met with two such unruly and impertinent young men this morning? How dare you mention a woman’s appearance in such a rude manner? But if that’s to be the order of the day, then, sir, I must mention that you reek of whiskey, ale, and smoke, no doubt the result of your dastardly nightly deeds. You haven’t the manners, words, or appearance of any sort of gentleman!”
Amelia exhaled loudly and attempted to replace her hair pins once again. But her fingers were not as nimble in this Scottish cold. She would have to apologize to Lady Kinnaird for her ruffled appearance and tell her about the man in her garden.
Jamie laughed and swayed slightly. He’d had his last drink only an hour before, so he was still a bit woozy. He’d walked home to work the alcohol out of him and appear somewhat sober in front of his mother and her companion.
William was right. Luscious treat after all. With her blond hair all askew, skin pink with heat and anger, lips open, her white breath hanging in the air, blue eyes filled with fire, and large breasts heaving with exertion, this young woman was about the best thing Jamie had seen in a long time. He wanted to drink her in and savor the moment, but he remembered her accusation, and he replied,
“Well, then yer in luck, my dear, for I am no gentleman. I’m more of the type who rambles about in the evening, finding pleasures where I can.”
“Are all Scottish men so distasteful?” Amelia’s hands were on her hips now as she stared at him with disapproval. Her perfectly clipped English accent gave Jamie the impression she was a lady and found it confusing that she’d chosen such a far out place in the world.”
“Aye, but they’re only distasteful to those with an English tongue.”
“Ah, I see. So, then our two tongues will be eternally at odds?”
Jamie rubbed his face and lifted an eyebrow, “Well…”
Amelia’s eyes briefly widened for a moment, and then she lifted a hand to stop him. “Do not answer that. I will be on my way.”
Jamie chuckled and replied, “Come, let me open the gate for you, so you can get inside and get a break from berating strange men on the road in this cold.”
Amelia looked surprised and shivered. “You have the keys to the gate? You, you live here?” She motioned towards the castle. She did not attempt to veil the disgust in her voice.
“That I do. Welcome tae Kinnaird Castle.” And he opened the gate and bowed again, allowing her to enter first. Amelia touched her hair once more, hoping it would be presentable enough, and she walked through the gate, head held high, her face a complete mask of confidence and reserve.
Jamie paused for a moment to glance at the derriere that seemed to fit perfectly into his hand, but he knew she wouldn’t be inviting him to touch it again. Disappointment tugged at him, but he waved it aside as he closed the gate and caught up to Amelia.
Fiona heard the creak of a door and jumped up excitedly, nearly dropping her cup and saucer on the floor in front of the hearth. Prince Charlie barked and ran towards Jamie as he entered. “Och, my bonny prince,” Jamie said as he bent down and rubbed the dog’s head.
Fiona rushed forward with her hands out. “And you must be Amelia. My dear, I am so happy to meet you. Was your journey pleasant?”
Amelia’s relief soared as she heard the same soft accent exit Lady Kinnaird’s mouth as her own. She felt strengthened by the new heat in the room, and she curtsied low, and smiled meekly. “Lady Kinnaird, lovely to make your acquaintance. Please do forgive my appearance. The journey was very pleasant, but there was a bit of an... accident outside, and my dress and hair were the victims.”
Fiona clapped her hands with joy. “Ah, and you’re English as well! I don’t believe my good luck! And don’t you worry a mite about your appearance, my dear.” She waved her hands to the side, as if not bothered by such a small problem. “We’ll have you sorted straight away. You must be freezing as well! Here, meet my son, the Laird of Kinnaird clan and castle; James, or Jamie, as we call him.”
Before Fiona could motion her hand towards Jamie, Amelia stepped forward and curtsied low in front of William Fraser, his brief surprise melting into wide-eyed pleasure. He glanced quickly at Jamie and winked. “I win”, he mouthed over Amelia’s bent head.
Fiona chuckled and touched Amelia on the arm. “Oh, my dear, forgive the confusion. This here is William Fraser, my son Jamie’s best friend.” William bent to kiss Amelia’s hand, and she nodded in greeting. Fiona motioned behind Amelia, “Thisis James, my son, the Laird.”
Amelia rose slowly, trying to straighten her back as much as she could to combat the embarrassment she felt flooding her veins once again. She knew that that man, that mocking man, would be smiling as wide as the devil once she turned around, and she was not disappointed.
“Forgive me, Lady Kinnaird,” Amelia said breathlessly, and forced herself to look into Jamie’s face with her chin jutting forward in stubborn defiance. She dipped slightly and said “Laird James. Lovely to meet you.”
