Page 7 of Married to the Highland Devil
Her worries seemed less worrisome as she remembered Laird McLennan again. With a man like him, she did not need to fear boredom in the least. His tale about the faerie had been a fine one.
It was a myth, but strangely, it reminded her of the day she had lost her sight.
Blessed by the moon and cursed by the sun.
The beautiful image of the golden rays and streaks of sunlight high up in the clouds that afternoon had been the last thing she had seen.
Amelia recalled it had moved. The streaks had more than one color. It had been a breathtaking sight that day. She had followed the rays, wanting to see more until her eyes had begun to hurt.
Did he notice?
Amelia had never cared what people thought of her eyes, but she found herself wondering what the Laird thought when he had seen her.
Did he notice I could not see him?
“Will you step out of the bath now, My Lady?” Lily asked.
Amelia got up gently with Lily’s help and slipped her arms into the nightdress held out for her.
“I would like some fresh air tonight,” she told Lily when she sat on the chair held out for her. “It feels like a starry night.”
“It is, My Lady. Would you need me to walk with you?”
Amelia rarely went out in the sun. Her father made sure she did not most times. But while she spent her days locked inside the manor, she had the liberty of the night. That way, she could enjoy the cool breeze and let her imagination run wild.
“Not tonight, Lily,” Amelia answered. “I want to enjoy some solitude. I have not done that in a long time.”
“Not since your father’s announcement,” Lily chimed in. “It will do you good to enjoy the night, but you must take your bell with you and ring it if you need any help.”
Lily was brushing her hair now, and Amelia lifted a hand to stop her. “I shall be all right, Lily,” she said. “You need not worry about me. I know my way around the garden. I have walked it alone countless times.” She smiled, and she could imagine Lily did the same.
“All right. I will leave out your cloak.”
“Thank you, Lily.”
After brushing her hair, Lily handed her supper. Amelia enjoyed the Haricot Lamb served with asparagus, and she waited till Lily left her before she put on her cloak and headed out of her chamber.
It was a brief walk to the garden from there. She took slow steps, using the wall as her guide, and the shadows of her sight for assistance. The shadows she saw at night were clearer, but during the day, the reflection of the sun made them blur.
Her bedroom was situated on the ground floor, so she did not need to use the stairs often. It was not far off from Lily’s, in case she needed help, and her father made certain to have the footman on standby at all times.
“My Lady,” Amelia heard Mr. John Barrow call when she reached the garden’s entrance, “do you need any assistance?”
“I am all right, John,” she answered him. “Thank you.”
“Any time, My Lady.”
Amelia finally reached the garden, and she slowed her steps as she walked further in. She smelled the crispiness in the night air and outstretched one hand to touch the petals surrounding her.
Without hesitating, she raised her head to stare into the night sky and stayed that way until she could finally make out the rough shadows and the full moon seated majestically there.
Amelia’s awe was cut short when she picked up the rustling sounds in the leaves around her. Every nerve in her body tightened in alert immediately. Losing her sight had heightened her other senses.
“Who is out there?” she queried in a loud tone then spun around. “Who is there?” She sounded edgy now, and her right hand flew to her chest because her heartbeats had quickened.
She heard the heavy thuds of footsteps now, and they did not remind her of anyone she has known for a long time. Her panic climbed, slowly clawing at her as she backed away from the approaching intruder.
“Tell me who you are this instant, or I will—”
