Page 50 of Married to a Highland Brute

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

The ride to town was awkward and quiet. Jonan found himself staring across his seat at Amelia, who had said nothing to him other than a greeting.

She had worked in the kitchen that morning. She had made breakfast, a delicious meal that Jonan would have enjoyed if he hadn't been so worried about her silence.

Amelia had been quiet the entire ride out of the keep. Her green eyes did not meet his, but instead looked out the carriage window at the greenery and the village as they approached.

Is she vexed with me? Jonan questioned. But I have done nothing wrong, he thought as he watched her occupy herself with everything but him.

It bothered him she was notlooking at him. Especially because hewas not the type of man who craved the attention of others — on the contrary, it was he who drew people's attention. And the woman before himdid not even flinch.

His gaze was still fixed on Amelia when the sounds of the village began to filter into the carriage.

Shall I ask her? His unease pushed him, but he quickly dismissed the thought. He was a proud man. The idea of making himself vulnerable to hersurprised him. He was liking Amelia more than he had anticipated.

Nae. I will nae. Jonan decided andlooked out the window. The village was already populated by people, many of them waved at the pair, shouting greetings and well wishes.

“Lady McKay!” People were thrilled to see Amelia. He smiled at her, but her attentionwas still fixed on the crowd.

Jonan's eyes were burned by the sun's rays and heshielded his eyes as he noticed the peaks of a mountain just beyond the village. It was often referred to as the Red Peak because it hidthe sun in the early morning hours, only to harshly exposeitonce the other end of the mountain was revealed.

The Clan McKay regarded it as a beautiful sight, and it was here that his father had sworn his heart to his mother.

“Ye should go up the mountain when ye are free. It's just as beautiful from the ground as it is from the top," he said and she nodded in response.

What did I do? he wondered again.

Amelia tried to get out of the carriage first, but Jonan stopped her by stretching his arm across the door.

For the first time that morning, her green eyes met his. He was expecting to see malice, but there was none.

A bell was rung outside to summon the clan folk, but they remained in the carriage.

“Have I done ye any wrong?” he asked.

“No,” she replied in a soft tone.

Jonan could tell that something worried her. He had no idea what it was, but he had a strong suspicion that he was the source of her melancholy.

“Then tell me what it is.” She gave no answer. “I am yer husband, and if ye care nothing for that, ken that I care what worries ye,” he urged.

Her face softened as little as she looked back up at him.

“I lied,” she breathed.

Jonan kept a calm face as he waited on her next words.

“I lied to a kind man,” she added.

Does she speak of me?

“Was this lie in recent times?” He asked her.

“It was some time ago,” she said, turning her eyes away from him.

It should nae be me. Jonan sighed with relief. Amelia was a good woman, and he could not imagine her a liar. But, having previously fought in battles, heknewof the constraints that could easily be placed on a person's sense of morality.

Whatever she'd done was weighing heavily on her. He also didnot want to pry no matter how much he wished to help.

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