Page 25 of Married to the Highland Devil
Duncan stared into his mother’s brown eyes, and he knew she was worried about him.
“I will go to her now,” Duncan said and rose to his feet.
Yvaine seemed excited, and his mother grinned as she clapped her hands together. He headed to Amelia’s chamber, and he did not pause in his strides until he got there and knocked.
She did not answer at first, so he let himself into the chamber and looked around for her. It was dimly lit, and it smelled of lilies and lavender.
“Amelia?” he called.
There wasn’t anyone in the chamber, so he walked out and headed down the stairs in search of her.
“Amelia,” he called again. “Amelia.”
He ran into Yvaine and his mother, and they both shot him stunned looks. “I cannae find her. She isnae in her chamber. She shouldnae be out of her chamber!”
“We will find her,” Yvaine assured him and set out before he could say anything else. “Come, Maither, let us check the hallways.”
“Who was the servant assigned to her?’” Duncan asked as he ran with them down the hallway.
“Her name is Dahlia,” his mother answered.
“Find her,” he ordered.
Some of his guards rushed forward, and Duncan ordered them to start the search.
“I will check the garden,” he said then turned away from them and ran down the stairs to go find Amelia.
His heart pounded as he looked for her everywhere. He should not have left her alone the first time in a strange place. He had wanted to control his thoughts.
Every time he was near her, all he could think about was her lips… her scent and how she made him feel.
If anything happened to her, Duncan knew he would blame himself.
How could I not?
12
Amelia felt trapped. When she began the journey to Scotland, she had envisioned spending most of her time with Duncan. He could be her eyes and tell her of the things she could not see.
But after he had showed her her bedchamber, he had disappeared. Amelia had spent most of the day asleep. What did she know here? The girl, Dahlia, was kind to her and helped her around the chamber, but even that was not enough.
She sighed and raised her head to the sky. It was dark here, but she could make out the shadow of the moon and feel the crispness of the air kiss her skin. That was more than enough and better than sitting up in her chamber all day with nothing to do.
“Me Lady,” Dahlia said to her as they continued their slow walk. Amelia was yet to learn the grounds here, so Dahlia guided her. “Are ye certain this is all right, Me Lady? I dinnae wish to offend the Laird, and he hasnae given me permission to let ye walk the grounds of the castle.”
“Am I his prisoner?” Amelia asked.
The girl’s silence told Amelia she had cowered in fear of speaking ill of her Laird. Amelia knew this was her chance to get to know Duncan better. He ruled here, and even if the people did not like or respect him, they would fear him.
She hoped it was the former.
I do not wish to be married to a brute.
Although, nothing about Duncan made him seem like one. He was gentle… too gentle and warm.
Remembering their kiss made her cheeks flush again. She used her free hand to cover them.
“Where can I find herbs, Dahlia?” she asked.
