Page 16 of Tempting the Highland Captive

At first, she was alarmed that he might walk back to the castle naked in front of everyone, but then she relaxed as she caught a flash of color through the trees and knew he had probably left his clothes hanging on a limb while he bathed. Her breasts and nether places ached with unfulfilled longing. She could have him any time that she wanted him, but what would she be surrendering? Her freedom for one. Her ability to lead her people to a better life for another. Who knew what kind of a man he would be if granted the true power to effect other’s lives? Amelia did not wish to be subordinate to any man, especially not a condemned murderer who had not been found innocent, but merely let go on a celebratory whim. Amelia knew that she was being too harsh on him, but she needed to distance herself from the need she felt, or it was going to consume her.

When she was done bathing, she climbed back up to the village kirk in search of Father Jacob. He had been injured in the fight and she wanted to check in on him. If she happened to cleanse her soul via confession at the same time, so be it. Entering the stone building, she found the local midwife tending to the priest’s burned arm where his robe had caught fire. Seeing Amelia approach, the midwife excused herself and left the kirk to give them privacy. “How are ye, Faither?” Amelia asked, concern wrinkling her brow.

“All is well, my lady. Dinnae fash yerself for me.” The priest reached out a hand to her and she took it. “Now, my child, come and tell me what it is that has brought ye here.”

Amelia told him the entire story from beginning to end.

The priest nodded slowly. “The marriage was nae consummated?” She had not told him that part before now to keep him from having to lie about it to others.

“Nae, it was nae.” She shook her head.

“I see.” He sat in thought for a moment. “I believe that ye have done the right thing in askin’ him tae stay for a while. Nae that I condone lyin’, ye ken, but the clan is safer if our enemies believe that ye are good and truly wed.”

“And the annulment?”

“That will take more time and consideration,” the priest mused. “Can ye afford the price he is askin’?”

“Nae, nae with all o’ this having happened, but what choice do I have?”

“Aye, ‘tis a difficult situation tae be certain. I dinnae envy ye yer task. And ye say he has nae desire tae wield power o’er ye or the clan?”

“He does nae.”

“Then I would say that ye are fortunate. There are a great many men who would feel differently about it.”

“Aye, I ken that all tae well, Michael Rossell lead among them.”

“Well, this young husband o’ yers should aid with that.” The priest chuckled at the thought. “’Tis difficult tae wed a lass who is already wed.”

Amelia smiled back at him, relieved that he was not angry with her for continuing the subterfuge to such an extent. “I am glad that ye understand.”

“Och, lass, if I had been there, I would have come up with the notion myself.”

The two friends shared a quick embrace, then Amelia left the kirk and returned to the castle, contented for the moment that her mortal soul was not in any true danger of condemnation. Perhaps nae for lyin’, but what about lust? Is that nae a sin? Her conscience pricked at her.

“He is my husband. It does nae count as a sin if ye are already married tae one another. Does it?” Amelia shook her head and continued toward the castle. There was much to be done before she could seek out her bed in rest, starting with what to do with the tantalizing person of one Ron Kyall.