Page 30 of Tempting the Highland Captive

“I noticed.” Maggie chuckled. “Ye did nae seem tae mind it.”

Amelia’s blush deepened. “Nae, I dinnae mind, as it convinces the people o’ our marriage, but it makes me wonder about his intentions.”

“Have ye asked him about it?”

“Nae,” Amelia shook her head. “I ken that he wants tae bed me, but more than that, I am nae certain. He intends tae go tae France tae become a mercenary, and I want him tae go, but…”

“But yer heart is nae longer sure o’ what yer mind is tellin’ ye?”

“Aye.” Amelia sighed.

“’Tis the way o’ such things I’m afraid. If ye dinnae wish for him tae go, ye must tell him afore tae long. He has a right tae ken what his options are. ‘Tis clear tae one and all that he cares for ye.”

“Tae lust after the flesh is nae the same as caring for the soul,” Amelia replied, remembering her mother having told her the very same words.

Maggie recognized their origin. “Aye, yer maither was a wise woman in many things, but when it came tae affairs o’ the heart, she did nae have the best experience. What she and yer faither had, or did nae have, is nae the same as what is going on between Ron Kyall and yerself. Dinnae compare yer parent’s marriage tae yer own. Ye will always have doubts if ye base yer life upon such a pitiful example as that.”

“Tell me o’ how it was betwixt ye and Fergus,” Amelia requested, her heart feeling heavy at the mentioning of her parents.

Maggie smiled and her eyes grew wistful as she thought back to the early days of their relationship. “Fergus was a braw man, ye ken, with a wide honest smile and eyes that twinkled like stars when he laughed. I desired his body tae be sure, but it was his heart that I fell for. He cared about his people and about me with a fierceness that was irresistible. A man with a true heart is hard tae deny.”

“I am beginning tae see that,” Amelia murmured, moving to the kitchen door to watch Ron decorate the hall.

“He reminds me o’ my Fergus,” Maggie admitted, standing behind her.

“He does?”

“Oh, aye.” Maggie nodded, her eyes growing teary. “The way he carries himself, the way he cares for ye and those around him. He is nae anythin’ like I thought he would be when we first came upon him.”

“Nae, he is nae,” Amelia agreed. “I so wanted tae prove that I could do this on my own, and I still believe that I can, but when I see him with our people it is as if he fills a place in their hearts.”

“And in yers?”

“Aye, and in mine.”

“Then tell him, lass, afore it is tae late.”

Finishing her breakfast, Amelia left Maggie to her work in the kitchen. Leaving the castle, she walked to the village to ensure that all was ready for their influx of guests. A clearing had been set aside for tents and wagons, while another cleared section had been designated for peddlers selling their wares. It did not seem to matter how little time was allotted to get the word out about a celebration, but traveling merchants always found a way to be present. Pleased with what she saw, Amelia went in search of Lucas to discuss what security measures they would be taking to ensure everyone’s safety and to discourage any further inconveniences from the Rossell clan. She was certain that he and Ron already had a plan in mind, but she wanted to be kept abreast of all matters concerning the clan’s wellbeing.

She found Lucas speaking with a woman at the edge of the training field and smiled to see that it was his sister. “Elspeth,” she greeted warmly, hugging her fellow clanswoman. “So glad that ye could come.” It had been quite a while since Elspeth and her growing family had been able to make the journey to the castle. Elspeth was tall for a woman, with the same flaming red hair as her brother, and the same exuberant nature when excited or angry.

“Amelia!” Elspeth returned the embrace and kissed her on the cheek. “Where is this new husband o’ yers that I have been hearin’ so much about?” She looked all around, then looked back at Amelia as if she could produce him by mere will of thought. “I hear that he is a braw man indeed.” She wiggled her brows suggestively and Amelia could not help but laugh at her childhood friend’s antics.

“He is in the hall readying for the celebrations. Where is yer brood?” she asked, half expecting one of them to come whooping down upon them from the trees. They were a rowdy bunch when they were all together.

“My man has them helpin’ tae set up the tents. Idle hands and all that.” She shrugged her shoulders and winked at Amelia. “It keeps ‘em from pullin’ at my skirts for once, aye.”

Amelia was not certain whether she was referring to her husband or the bairns and she laughed at the funny mental picture her words painted. “Have ye been by tae see Faither Jacob? He will be right glad tae see ye.”

“I have nae as o’ yet, but I plan tae stop in at the kirk for confession.”

“Have ye much tae confess, sister?” Lucas asked, a teasing note to his voice and a gentle light in his eyes. He was fond of his only sibling and greatly enjoyed her visits. It had been difficult for them both when she had moved to be with her husband’s family on the farthest end of the clan’s lands. Lucas rode out as often as he could, but Elspeth was seldom able to do the same being pregnant with one bairn or another a great majority of her married life. At Amelia’s last count, Elspeth had had seven children that survived the birthing.

“Oh, aye. I have a great many sins indeed, brother,” she teased back, “but nae so many as ye.” Lucas swatted at her playfully and she managed to dodge it with little effort, laughing all the time. Looping her arm through Amelia’s, she turned her toward the castle. “Now show me this new husband o’ yers. Lucas says he is tolerable and that is high praise indeed coming from my brother.”

Amelia laughed and walked arm in arm to the hall. Upon arrival, the two women stood in the doorway, and she pointed out Ron just as she had left him standing atop a table hanging flowers. “That is the new laird?” Elspeth’s mouth fell open in awe. “He is delicious. Where did ye find him?”

Amelia did not wish to lie to her friend, so she simply said, “Edinburgh.”