Page 69 of Married to the Highland Devil
Her nearness made him shiver inside, and since it was their first official dance, Duncan wanted to savor every moment. His heart hammered in his chest just at the thought of having her in his arms like this.
They danced for a long time, and he twirled Amelia around till she laughed hard.
“My head is spinning,” she told him after a while, but Duncan raised her off the ground and twirled her around again till she laughed hard and clung to him.
That night, he was happy. He wanted every night to be like this. If only his friend could be here with them too.
But while Duncan danced and enjoyed his time with Amelia, he did not forget about being alert. He watched every man in the room, making sure nothing was amiss.
31
Amelia and Duncan went riding into the village. She liked riding with him. The feeling of his strong muscles by her sides, guiding and keeping her from falling off the horse, was all she needed. Amelia loved the light feeling in her muscles and the way he made her feel.
Last night was a success. At least she had not heard a single murmur from the servants this morning.
“We are now in Kret,” Duncan said as he helped her get off the horse and then walked with her. “We are on a field,” he added. “This is where most of the farmers do their work, and they sell most of their farm produce to the castle and make their profits.”
“That’s wonderful,” Amelia said. “Everyone will earn, and they can care for their families. You are a good laird, Duncan.”
“Most times, it doesnae feel like I am.”
Amelia stopped walking and turned towards him. He was holding her hand, but now, she wanted to make sure he stared into her eyes as she said, “You are good laird, Duncan. You care for your people; you do everything you can to protect them. Everything that happens in your clan is not your fault.”
Amelia hoped her words touched him because they were sincere. This man cared for his people, and even though it took her this long to finally visit one of his villages, she hoped they would come out more often.
“I want it to all be over.” Duncan sighed. “I want you to be safe, Amelia. That is the only way I’ll be truly happy.”
“Are we the only ones here?” Amelia asked him with a sheepish smile after some time. She wanted to hug him and kiss him on the lips, but she had to be certain that they were alone.
She also wanted to tell him her thoughts. All she could think about these days was him. He made her heart tingle in many ways, and there was the hunger burning deep inside, making her crave the same pleasure he had brought her the other night.
“My guards are around. I have guards watchin’ the villages every second of the day. They are scattered all over the place.”
Amelia smiled again and decided to caress him instead. At that perfect moment, as they stood on the fields and enjoyed the full breeze mingling with the pitiless afternoon sun, she wished she could see him.
All she needed was a glimpse of his face. Amelia knew that would be enough. She was never getting that wish though, so instead, she moved her hand to touch his face, and he took it, guided it to his cheeks, then rested it there.
Seconds ticked away as they stood without saying a word to each other. Her heart grew full as she explored his skin, felt the roughness of his jaw and the softness of his lips. Amelia loved everything about him. She loved him.
The thought of love made her heart swell, and she became aware of her racing pulse. A flush crept over her too, and she considered telling Duncan how she felt.
Amelia was still lost in the bliss of touching him when she felt the first thud of something hitting her.
“What is that?” she asked then glanced around her as another tiny thing hit her shoulder again.
“Someone’s throwing stones at ye,” Duncan answered in a gruff tone then moved her to stand behind him.
“What? Why would anyone?”
“Amelia!” Duncan’s yell came as a shock, and the rest happened so fast. In the next second, Duncan pushed her to the ground and covered her with his body.
Amelia did not hear anything but the echoing in her ears as he pressed her into the ground. Duncan protected her head with his hand as they both landed, but a slight pain still echoed through her.
He then lifted her off the ground in another rush and yelled to whoever was around them. “Get me that shooter right now. All of ye… Go after him; he cannae get far away from here.”
Next thing Amelia knew, she was on the horse, and Duncan was riding away at full speed. Her body was yet to settle… Her pulse sped up, and her muscles tightened with the fear that spiraled through her.
It took them a long time before they stopped riding again, and when they did, Duncan helped her down and hurried into the keep with her hand in his.
