Page 23 of Married to the Highland Devil
“I have missed ye, Brother. Ye took longer than expected to return home. Maither and I were worried.”
Duncan did not reply before the young lady speaking took Amelia’s hand. “Ye must be my brother’s new bride. Welcome to McLennan, My Lady. How was yer travel? I trust that yer well and my brother has treated ye well?”
Amelia could only smile as the lady held both her hands and asked her all the questions at once.
“My travel was all right,” she said. “I am well. It is nice to meet you, Lady…”
“Oh, please, I am nae lady. Call me Yvaine. I am so excited to meet ye. I am sure ye will love it here. We shall be such great friends.”
“We shall,” Amelia agreed, loving the young woman’s light and amused tone. She could tell Yvaine would be a beautiful young woman. She sounded full of life and lovely.
“Duncan,” another voice soon called, and Yvaine released Amelia’s hand. “Welcome home, Son.”
Amelia had not expected to meet so many people upon their arrival to his clan. Listening to the exchange of greetings now, she realized Duncan had not talked about his family much during their travel.
Actually, he had not talked to her at all after that kiss. She lifted a finger to her lips and gently stroked where his had been last night.
Does he know what that kiss did to me?
“Ye must be the new bride,” the other woman spoke. She sounded steadier, and Amelia nodded to her.
“I am Amelia, My Lady.”
“Please…I am nae lady,” the older woman said, using Yvaine’s same words. “I am Elspeth, Duncan and Yvaine’s maither.”
That made her the lady of the keep, but the folks here seemed to be humble.
“I am pleased to meet you,” Amelia said to her, and the woman flung her arms around her.
“Oh, please… I have longed for the day my son will bring home a bride. Yer most welcome, Amelia. Come, I shall show ye to yer new chambers, and—”
“I will take her,” Duncan interrupted before his mother could lead Amelia away. Amelia felt his touch then, and he took her hand, linked their fingers, then added, “I will take her to her chamber.”
“Oh,” Yvaine and Elspeth blurted, but neither of them objected.
“Come with me, Amelia.”
11
Afew hours later, Duncan sat in his study, his head buried in tax reports and other petitions filed in his absence. He rubbed his eyes because they hurt a little, and he tried to get his mind to focus.
He knew he buried himself in work because there was nothing else he could do to get his mind off Amelia. They were in his castle now, and she had all the help she needed. She did not need him.
A soft knock sounded at his door moments later and distracted him again. Duncan only raised his head to see Arran walk into his study. He did not move from where he sat as his friend locked the study door and then strode all the way to his desk.
“Laird McLennan,” Arran said in a stiff voice first, and both men exchanged hard looks before they burst into a loud chuckle.
“It is good to see ye, me friend,” Duncan greeted as he rose to his feet, walked around his desk, and engulfed Arran in a tight hug.
Both men were of similar height, but Duncan’s build towered over Arran’s.
Arran’s black hair had lengthened in the time Duncan had been away, and he tied it into a ponytail while letting some strands fall to the sides of his face.
“The entire clan speaks of yer new bride,” Arran began as Duncan offered him a seat. He poured himself and his friend some whiskey then sat too. “How is she? I would like to see her. And how is her dowry? Have ye gotten it yet? Is it a sealed deal?”
“Marryin’ the lass isnae a sealed deal,” Duncan corrected Arran with a sigh.
“Oh, so ye already love the lass, then? Come now”
