“Let us be honest now, shallwe?” Josephine said, linking her arm through Amelia’s. “Clearly you are distressed. You’re about to marry the Butcher of the Highlands.”
Amelia exhaled heavily. “If only I could explain how difficult it has been.”
“Please try, Amelia. You cantellme anything. I am a woman, and Iwillunderstand. I know the circumstances of what brought you here, and it cannot have been easy.”
Josephine’s understanding opened a floodgate of emotions and explanations. Amelia described Duncan’s terrifying appearance over her bed at the fort andallthe things that had occurred in thefollowingdays. She told Josephine about Fergus and Gawyn and Angus and how they had treated her. She described the details of her first escape to the English camp and what revelations hadfollowedregarding her opinions about this country aswellas her own. She also told Josephine about meeting the boy,Elliott, and how Duncan had been a very different person that day.
“That is the Duncan I know,” Josephine said. “And I believe that is the man youwillcome to know as your husband. Not the Butcher. Youwillforget that other side of him. It is certainly not a side I see very often. Hewillwin your respect and your love, Amelia. You must trust me in that.”
Ameliaswallowed over the jagged rock of uncertainty that had lodged itself in her throat. “I wish I could be so sure of everything.”
“Give it time.”
Theystrolledacross the bailey to a sundial, which indicated the hour with precise accuracy.
“I must confess,” Josephine said, “that I am pleased I can final y speak openly to another woman about my brother-in-law’s activities as a rebel and a hero of Scotland. It has always been awell-guarded secret, but I am so pleased that Iwillnot betray any confidences by regaling his efforts to fight for Scotland in every possible way. There are things I couldtellyou…”
“That would be helpful,” Amelia replied. “I want to knowallthat is good about him, so that perhaps Iwillfind this easier to manage.”
Theystrolledalong the perimeter of the castle island.
“Despite what you must think,” Josephine said, “he is a good man and deserves his happiness. He has not known much of it in a long time.” She described his grief over losing Muira, and her hope that when he found love again the weight of his sorrows would grow lighter.
Amelia pondered this new life and Duncan’s obvious torment, aswellas her ability to bring him out of it, as Josephine hoped. She had made considerable demands on him that morning, asking him to lay down his sword, believing it was in his best interest, and they had both entered into this arrangement hastily. She felt very daunted.
“Let metellyou some tales about his heroics,” Josephine began. “There is one particular story about his courage at the Battle of Inveraray, where he stormed theCampbellstronghold like a wild Viking warrior of old. And then I’lltellyou how devoted and generous he is, as laird of this castle.
He gives work to anyone who wants it; he shares his wealth and takes an interest in the lives of those in his care. He does notallowfor dishonor among his people. A bad egg is punished or banished, and he has the loyalty ofallwho serve him.”
As they slowed their pace along the stone walk, Amelia listened to Josephine’s homily and realized how very little she actual y knew about the complicated man who would soon be her husband.
She wondered uneasily when her uncle would arrive and whathewould make of her decision.
And Richard, of course. She wondered when he would receive her letter.
* * *
That night, they dined at opposite ends of the long table with Iain and Josephine. It was a bountiful feast of oyster soup, Cornish hens, fresh vegetables, and imported wine from the south of France. After a dessert of brandied peaches and cream with chocolate truffles, they played cards in the blue drawing room and conversed about theater and politics, laughed over light gossip.
Amelia was astounded by the fact that everything was so conventional, and there were times she felt almost comfortable and was able to laugh genuinely, without pretense. She felt more at home here than she did in her own house since her uncle had taken up residence. It was not that she did not love her uncle. He was a kind and agreeable man. But he was older, and there was something very relaxed yet exciting about these young Highlanders. Even Beth MacKenzie and her family had made Amelia feel at ease in a way she had not expected. The mood in their modest cottage had been cozy and without airs.
These Scots knew how to laugh and tease and ignore the rules that could sometimes suffocate a polite young lady of good breeding at a dinner party. Amelia did not feel suffocated this evening. Strangely enough, she felt free, easy, and astonished by Duncan’s casual charm.
Sherecalledwhat Josephine had said to her that day:Ibelieve that is the man you will come to know as yourhusband. Not the Butcher. You will forget that other side ofhim. It is certainly not a side I see very often. He will winyour respect…
Indeed, when one was not in the position of fearing the gleam of his axe, his wit was vastly entertaining. Tonight, at least, there was nothing savage or barbaric about him. He was the very model of elegance and refinement.
She had a feeling, however, as she glanced at the clock, that things would be very different when he came to her bed.
At the mere thought of it, her heart began to flutter. She met his striking gaze from across the room.
The heat she saw in his eyes told her that it was time to retire.
Chapter Seventeen
Shortly after midnight, Amelia heard a sound in the corridor.
Herbellyexploded with nervous butterflies, but she made a silent vow that she would not cower. She would enjoy this and focus on the pleasures, of which she knew there would be many. She’d already experienced a number of them in the mountains, and her passion for Duncan was part of the reason why she’d accepted his proposal in the first place.
