Page 6 of Married to the Highland Devil
That conversation was not appropriate for a lady though, so he cleared his throat and thought of something else. Looking at her again, and taking in her mesmerizing looks, he found the perfect one.
“In my castle, there was said to be a Scottish faerie walking the grounds. It is told that she was blessed by the moon and cursed by the sun. Whenever the clan’s people saw her, something disastrous happened, and so she locked herself away in the walls of the castle, never to be seen again till she passed away. Some say they still see her on the nights of the full moon, and others rumor it is every night when there’s no sun.”
“And do you believe this, My Laird?”
Duncan shrugged. “I do not believe in fairytales and myths, My Lady. Only what is in front of me.”
Judging from the myth, Duncan realized the strange feeling he got with her was because of the tale.
Blessed by the moon and cursed by the sun.
Her eyes were the same pale blue he saw in the skies at dawn each time he looked up. Her hair was the reflection of sun and fire.
“I, too, do not believe in myths,” she said with a laugh, “but I found your myth very entertaining.” She rose to her feet then, and he did the same. “Lily, please prepare a chamber for our guest. I shall speak with my father and tell him that Laird McLennan shall stay with us for as long as he wants.”
Duncan thought he saw shock on Lily’s face, but she moved quickly, came to him, and took his cup.
“Welcome to Brandon Estate, My Laird,” she said and curtsied to him. “I shall prepare your chambers.”
3
Amelia enjoyed the warmth of the water soaking her skin as she sat in her bath after supper that evening.
She had not realized she was grinning until Lily came towards her bath and touched her shoulder. “My Lady,” Lily’s soft voice called, “you seem happy.”
“I would not say I am happy,” Amelia answered before turning towards her. “I am, however, not unhappy at the moment.”
“It is because of the Laird, is it not?” Lily queried and muffled a loud giggle. “If you saw him for yourself, My Lady, you would not hesitate to wed him right at this moment.”
Amelia laughed at that and shook her head. Flutters picked up in her heart as she recalled his tone. The grave sound had excited and troubled her at the same time. “Is he that handsome?”
Amelia had never cared for looks. Even as a little girl before she had lost her sight, she had cared for conversations. Her father had labeled her inquisitive. Her mother had thought she talked too much for a little girl.
Amelia’s curiosity had always been her weapon.
And also my downfall.
She lifted her hands from the water and began smoothing down her wet skin.
“He is, My Lady,” Lily answered. “His hair is a brown shade, like the sand, and he has intense and mesmerizing eyes. They make him look—” She paused, and Amelia knew she was searching for the right word. “Fearsome.”
“You think I would fear him?” Amelia asked as Lily handed her a soap. “Does he seem unkind? He has a nice voice. I do not think someone with such a nice voice would be unkind.”
“No, My Lady. He just looks fierce. I mean, I can tell he is a warrior from his stance.”
Amelia felt a wistful pang. She wished she had seen him for herself. She rarely wished things were different.
“I do not think I need to accept any more callers,” she said to Lily as Lily continued stroking her skin with light motions. “I will tell my father at breakfast tomorrow.”
“That is all right, My Lady,” Lily agreed. “I am certain he will be most delighted.”
“Of course, no one wishes to see me leave the estate more than Father.”
Lily chuckled, and Amelia managed a small smile.
When Lily had first read the publication in the morning journal to her, the rush of betrayal and intense hurt Amelia had felt had nearly crippled her.
She understood her father worried for her, but why did he need to marry her off to a stranger?
