Page 52 of Highlander's Runaway Seductress
She dried quickly, donned her clothes and her cloak. While slipping her shoes on again, she took the soiled sheets with her downstairs. She met Ben there and though his eyes flitted to the ball under her arm, he did not say anything.
Soon, the carriage came around, and they boarded. Amelie kept quiet as her mind was sorely fixed on Damien. It bothered her that he had not been there that morning and that there was no sight of him at all. Half the day was nearly gone, and she feared something was amiss.
They arrived at the castle’s outer gate and after the bridge was lowered, crossed over it and took the path to the castle. Ben looked on the castle with appreciation. “Ye have a lovely home, lass.”
“And I would have never found it if it werenae for ye and Damien,” Amelie replied. “I’m so happy he told me last night that he willnae be askin’ for the reward, that taking me here was reward enough.”
“Och,” Ben shook his head. “I’m sorry, lass, he told me this mornin’ that he had a change of mind. He wants the money.”
Taken aback by his words, Amelie bit her lip, trying to swallow over the pain and disappointment she felt.
Last night had felt so magical, so utterly complete and loving, and even more satisfying when Damien had told her that he was going to bypass the money.
“I—I suppose faither will still pay it to ye,” Amelie said. “Tis only right after all.”
“I hope Damien gets to the castle soon,” Amelie mentioned as they moved toward the next gate of the castle. “Faither dearly wants to meet him.”
“I’m very sure he will come,” Ben uttered. “The lad is very taken with ye, lass. Dare I say, he might even marry ye. I daenae ken what ye changed in him but he is changed. Ye’ve gained more than his trust, somethin’ even I havenae been able to fully gain and I’ve raised that boy.”
“Ye raised him right,” Amelie nodded, while looking out, she saw that they were approaching the base of the next castle gate. “I ken he fears a lot of things, how me faither is goin’ to receive him mostly, but I think I got him to realize that there is nothin’ to fear. Me faither kens most of what happened to me. We spoke about it at length.”
“Good, good,” Ben nodded.
It was still unfamiliar and intimidating to Amelie to see the magnificent castle that she now knew as her home, but she hoped that with time, she would grow accustomed to it. The carriage passed through the final gate and started up the road to the inner courtyard.
The older man whistled, “Tis impressive, Amelie.”
“I ken,” she replied, while looking out as well. “I still feel overwhelmed at times. I feel as if I’m walkin’ in a dream. That this is a home that only sits in one’s wildest dreams.”
“Aye,” Ben nodded. “If I were uprooted and suddenly planted here. I would think it a dream as well.”
The vehicle drove into the courtyard just as snow started to flutter. A liveried guard came to help them out and ushered them into the castle’s front room. Turning on her heel, Amelie looked out worriedly at the thickening snowfall.
Where are ye, Damien?
Her worry must have showed on her face because Ben rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Daenae ye worry, lass,” Ben said. “He will be here.”
As she turned back, the now familiar thump of her father’s cane came down the hall. A bright smile flew to her face as she went to him and embraced her father tightly.
“I’m home, faither.”
“Aye,” he said gruffly. “And who is with ye?”
“Mister Benjamin McLowe,” Amelie replied. “Damien Glogow, the other man was nae at the inn when I went back but he told Mister Lowe that he would come after he finished some business in town.”
Her father pulled away and stuck out his hand to Ben. “Ye were one of the men who brought me missin’ daughter back to me, thank ye.”
“T’was the right thing to do, Laird Dolberrry,” Ben shook the larger man’s hand. “When we got wind of yer search, we set out to help. Damien took on the brunt of the search, comin’ even to Dolberry to ask about the lass and what we could use to find her. He did it because he himself is an orphan and kens how hard it is to live that way.”
Colin’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I’d love to meet this Damien.”
“I daenae ken what is keepin’ him,” Ben shrugged. “But he shouldnae be long.”
“Come, sit with me,” Colin said while resting a hand on Amelie’s shoulder. “We have a feast ready for ye.”
Ben looked uncomfortable, or possibly unwilling. “I wouldnae want to intrude. If ye may, I’d like the reward and I will be off back to Inverness.”
