Page 21 of Married to the Highland Devil
Does she?
“That was bonnie,” he told her. “When ye said ye hated dancin’, I thought ye would be terrible at it.”
“The only thing I am terrible at is seeing,” she said in a light tone, and they both chuckled before he took her hand again.
Duncan led her into the inn and to their chamber then he waited till she climbed into the bed.
The rest of the night, he lay awake with her fast asleep by his side, and he tried not to move so his body did not brush hers. He had to do everything possible to make sure he did not lose control and take her innocence.
They continued their ride the next morning, but instead of heading to his clan, Duncan took a detour so they could explore the valleys and other Highland clans.
When they reached Doune, they trotted past the market, and he took her to a bordering cliff where they could stand on top and stare down at the waters beneath.
He knew she could not see anything, but he still wanted her to experience what it was like standing on the edge.
“This is what it feels like?” she asked when they reached the highest peak.
“Aye, this is my favorite place in the world,” he told her. “Whenever I’m standing here, it feels like the whole world is at my feet.”
She spread her arms out by her side and blew air through her lips before closing her eyes. The wind blew at her air and ruffled it all over her face. Duncan stood behind her, protecting her with his arms on either side of her. He could not risk her falling off.
“I love it here,” she yelled after some time, and the wind carried her voice, made it echo in the air, and tore a rumbling laugh from him. “Say it,” she urged and angled her head to look at him. “Say it, Duncan. Do it… It is so refreshing.”
He laughed then touched her cheek, and dragged in a deep breath before yelling at the top of his voice, “I love it here.”
At that moment, Duncan forgot all about the reasons why he ought to protect his heart from feeling anything for her and gave in to enjoying their time on the cliff.
“I love it here,” she yelled again then lowered herself to the ground and sat there.
He did the same and made her head rest on his shoulder. At that tender moment, he lost himself and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Tell me what it looks like,” Amelia said to him then.
Duncan looked around them before he began his description. “It’s a sunny day, but the reflection of the sunrays only makes the skies even more vibrant. It is bonnie… Below us, there’s a meadow. It’s lush, green, and fresh like spring itself…”
10
“The most beautiful sight I’ve seen in my years is the sun,” she told him.
They had spent hours discussing memories. Amelia told Duncan of her mother and the garden. She loved stories and flowers the most. She knew little of anything else, and she did not mind that.
With Duncan, she felt like she would learn more and know more. He had told her about the sights beneath the cliff, and the meadows they had strolled in. Amelia felt like she had seen them for herself now, but there was still one more thing she wanted to see.
His eyes.
She longed to know what shade they were. She wished she could see his face.
Even once.
He helped her to the bath that night, and once she lowered herself into it, he walked away. It took her time to get out of her chemise. The warm water offered comfort as always, and she cleaned her skin with her hands gently.
When she reached for soap, she struck her hand against something hard and yelped.
Duncan returned with speed. “Are ye all right?” he asked as he rushed to her side. He took her hand and massaged it. “I am sorry, I should have handed ye the soap.”
“It is all right,” Amelia said to him while loving the feel of his hand on hers. “I am all right.”
Duncan placed the soap bar in her hand, and she lifted it to her hair. She wished to wash her hair tonight, and usually, Lily would have done it for her.
