Page 43 of Capturing the Highlander's Heart

Chapter Eighteen

Amelia’s relaxed manner turned to tension, as she let William’s question sink in. She kept her eyes down on her cards, not sure what to say in reply.

Jamie kept his relaxed manner and smiled. “Lad, what do ye mean? Donnae mince words.”

William chuckled and drank a sip of wine, undoing the cravat at his neck. “‘Tis bloody hot in here now with ye lot, staring at each other like yer about to burst intae flames. Should I retire for the evening and let ye two alone?” At that, he grinned and looked from Jamie to Amelia.

Amelia blushed down to her neck, and finally replied, “No, do not be ridiculous, William. We’ve nothing to hide.” She picked up her pile of cards and looked down at them to appear more relaxed and casual. “I shall tell Marianne what she ought to expect from her visit to the Highlands and the rough Highland manner with all their impertinent questions.”

William laughed loudly. “Och, lass, so yer on tae changing the subject once again are ye?”

“Who is Marianne?” Jamie turned to Amelia, his eyes questioning, thrilled to escape his friends’ questions in front of Amelia. He knew William would ask him again later.

“I’ve told William that my friend Marianne will come to visit, once I gain the permission from your mother, and you of course.”

Jamie smiled and turned to his red-haired friend who was sipping his wine pleasantly enough. “Is she now? And is she a well-looking woman?”

Amelia laughed. “Yes, yes she is. I have told William already of this fact.” Her face turned serious and she added with a joking mocking tone, “But, I should be truthful. She is no weak woman who will succumb to the charms of any man. She is quite virtuous.”

William raised an interested eyebrow. “Virtuous, ye say?” He winked at Jamie and then turned back to Amelia.

Amelia pointed a finger at him. “Now, don’t you get any untoward ideas. I tell you she is virtuous and pious. She will not be seduced, even by you, William.” Amelia smiled, enjoying the tease she was creating for her Scottish friend.

“A moral Sassenach who will have naught tae do with me. That does sound intriguing.” William tapped his finger on his bearded chin.

“That it does.” Jamie replied, catching Amelia’s eye. “‘Tis fine with me if she visits. She will be a welcome guest if she is a good friend of the Parkers. When will she arrive?”

“I’m hoping she will come in the next few weeks. I need to send her a letter to confirm.”

Jamie leaned back and looked to his friend. “Well, will it not be nice tae have another bonny lass in the house for ye tae attempt tae woo with yer charms? I confess I cannae wait tae see it.”

William grumbled in response.

They played hearts and whist and drank until late into the evening, when the snowstorm had finally calmed. They walked to the window to look out into the white, silent night, and Faolan moved in her corner of the hall. Jamie went over to him to rub him on the nose. “All is well, Faolan. Ye’ve been quite a prince today.”

Amelia decided it was time to retire. She needed time to think about all that had happened as well as think of what to say to Marianne in her next letter. “Well, gentleman, I shall be off for the evening. Now that the storm has ended, so must I.” She curtsied to them and proceeded to exit by way of the corridor.

Once she was out of the room, Jamie left Faolan and said to William. “I’d better see the lass tae her room,” and he rushed out after her, William rolling his eyes behind his friend.

“Och, lad, yer as besotted as can be. And I’ll be gettin’ me answer tae me earlier question soon enough.”

* * *

Jamie caught up with Amelia in the hallway, eliciting a gasp of surprise from her as he touched her arm. She spun around.

“Bloody hell! You gave me a fright. Has no one ever told you ‘tis impolite to sneak up on someone in a darkened hallway?” She smiled.

Jamie took her shoulders and slowly guided her to stand against the wall, getting closer to her face. His bare forearms rested on either side of her head against the wall. Amelia got a waft of his scent. “Hmm... that does sound like something I would have learned, but I do know a young lass who doesnae follow that rule herself. And she curses up a bloody storm as well. She has got me burning once again, like a fire that never cools.”

Amelia stared back at this man, who weeks before, annoyed her to no end with his closeness and his flirtations. Now, she had spent her pleasure with him in her bed, and it made him feel safe and not something to be feared. His bearded face, beautiful lips, and mesmerizing eyes looking down at her in that moment made her feel something new. She wanted to encapsulate this moment and forget everything else.

Amelia kept her hands behind her back, touching the coolness of the stone. “Well, this woman sounds like quite the temptress. I wouldn’t trust her if I was you. But, as for me,” she snuck under his arms away from him, a sly smile on her face. “I am a very busy woman and have things to attend to, such as the aforementioned letter to Marianne.”

She laughed and waved. “Good night! Sleep well!” and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Jamie feeling slightly bereft but amused. He crossed his arms as he watched her walk down the hallway.

“Little minx.” He smiled and returned to the main hall, dreading the return of William’s question.

William was still sitting at the card table, drinking and shuffling the cards. “Shall we place another bet, lad? Whether or not ye’ll be telling me about what happened between ye and the BONNY lass?”

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