Page 28 of Highlander's Runaway Seductress
Ben’s gaze shifted between the two of them, but he too kept his silence. When he stood, Amelie helped him out of the tavern and to the roadside, waiting for Damien to get their transport ready while wondering—and fearing—that Morgana had overheard them.
So far no one knew why they were there and their plans, or her supposedly being the daughter of a Laird, though the whole realm knew that Laird Dolberry was searching for his daughter and the money prize that would come from it.
If Morgana had heard that Amelie was going there, what would she do with that knowledge? She waited with shifting feet for Damien to carry the cart around and while she stood, she glanced at the sky. It looked its normal slate grey and while the wind was nippy, she hoped no snow would fall that day.
The rumble of the cartwheels had her head shifting to the left where Damien was coming from. When it stopped at her feet, Damien came off the saddle, helped her get Ben into the bed, and then her as well.
Did she hear us?
Ben cleared his throat. “Care to tell us why ye wanted to run away from the tavern as if the hounds of hell were bitin’ at yer heels, lass?”
“Aye,” Damien added. “What happened?”
“I think Miss Binney heard us,” Amelie said tightly, “About me bein’ Laird Dolberry’s daughter and the money prize. I dinnae like that.”
“Even so,” Damien replied. “I doubt she would do anythin’ about it.”
“Still,” Amelie shifted uneasily on her already uncomfortable seat, “I daenae like anyone knowing our plans. It is still mostly a hope now and I daenae want anyone or anythin’ makin’ problems for us. Especially her because I ken she doesnae like me.”
“I keep tellin’ ye, lass, ye have nothin’ to fear from Morgana.” Damien sounded defeated.
Amelie grew irritated, “Does she have any ties to this place? Parents?”
“I daenae ken,” he replied.
“A husband?” Amelie asked, even though she felt it foolish to ask. If she had a husband, why would the woman have wanted to sleep with Damien?
“I daenae believe so,” Damien replied.
“A child?” Amelie pressed.
“Nay,” he grunted.
Knowing that Damien could see her point, Amelie’s pressed more. “So if she has nay ties to here, nothin’ to stay for, what is goin’ to stop her from usin’ her knowledge of Dolberry and me?”
“I still daenae understand why ye think she will make trouble,” Damien replied. “I’d think she has other more important things to do with her time, aye? Trust me, Amelie, soon, she’ll only be a faint memory for ye.”
Try as she might to take Damien’s words as a comfort, Amelie could not. She felt, deep within, that Morgana was an issue and wondered why Damien kept protecting her.
What if he isnae as disinterested with her as he says he is?
“I’m goin’ to say our farewells,” Damien pronounced.
Her lips flattened while her eyes followed Damien as he went back into the tavern. She kept silent, hoping that Damien would not linger, but when he did not come out for a while, she told Ben that she was going to look for him. Padding quietly into the tavern she heard voices coming from where she assumed was the kitchen.
Edging up to it, she heard Damien speaking. “Thanks for yer help.”
“Daenae go yet,” Morgana stopped him. “I have somethin’ to tell ye. Ye must ken about Laird Dolberry and his missin’ daughter, aye?”
Amelie’s mouth stiffened— Morgana had heard them!
“Aye, and what of it?” Damien said cagily.
“Ye daenae ken, but I am an orphan. For a long time, I’ve been tryin’ to piece together some things about me past, and I’ve been getting; strange memories. About a woman talkin’ to me with an English accent and I—I believe I’m her, Damien. I’m the missin’ daughter.”
“Ye are the missin’ lass?” Damien said slowly.
“Aye,” Morgana said. “I havenae been ready to tell anyone but I’m sure, Damien. I’m Amelie McDulah.”
