Page 32 of Tempting the Highland Captive

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

People arrived throughout the day, setting up their tents, visiting with one another, and gambling on the outcome of various games and physical tests of strength. The village, castle, and surrounding area was filled with human activity and laughter. Families and friends who had not seen each other in some time called out to each other, embraced, and pounded each other on the backs. Everyone was curious to meet Ron, and he was kept busy with new introductions for most of the day. He handled each new person with grace, dignity, and just the right amount of good humor. Amelia watched her husband with pride. He exceeded her expectations in every way.

When it came time for the evening meal, Amelia retired to her room and dressed in her best gown. She let her hair fall in long brown waves down her back, with two small braids joined behind her head tied by a matching ribbon. The dress had been her mother’s and was a deep rich red damask that fell around her in perfect lines. She smiled with bittersweet nostalgia at the memory of her mother wearing the dress for Yuletide. I miss ye, her heart whispered out to the beyond, and she sent a prayer for her mother’s soul.

Straightening her shoulders, Amelia left her bedchamber and descended the stone steps to the great hall. The hall was alight with torches, a blazing fire in both hearths, flowers, and greenery everywhere, while laughter, conversation, and music filled the air in joyous chaos. She smiled at the sight of her people all gathered in one place enjoying each other’s company. It had been a long time since they had been able to come together in such a crowd. Amelia surveyed the crowd and found Ron coming toward her, his eyes devouring her form with ardent hunger.

“There are nae words tae describe the beauty that ye are, my bonnie lass,” he murmured as he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her close. “I could devour ye right here on one o’ these tables and nae care who stood as witness.”

Amelia blushed from the roots of her hair to the toes of her feet. “Ron,” she blustered, “ye should nae speak thus. Someone might overhear.”

“Let them,” he growled tantalizingly, pressing her body against his.

Amelia smacked at his chest. “What am I tae do with ye?”

“I have a few suggestions,” he murmured nuzzling her neck.

Amelia was running out of ways to refuse him, but she somehow found the strength to stand firm. “This is nae the time.” She pushed herself free, prayed her trembling knees and rapidly beating heart would not betray her, took her husband’s arm, and turned to face the crowd. “It is time tae bring unity tae my people.” Ron did not push her further, but patted her hand on his arm in reassurance, and they stepped out into the crowd together as one.

Everyone wanted to speak with the newlywed couple as they walked through the hall, praising how handsome they were together. Amelia nodded politely making certain to keep a pleasant smile on her face. She did not want them to see the inner tumult that threatened to tear her heart and mind asunder. Ron performed his duties with perfection. She could not have asked better of him were he the true laird in every way. When they reached the dais, Maggie had the serving maids go around and fill everyone’s cups with ale. Amelia picked her cup up and raised it in salute, causing the entire hall to fall quiet.

“It has been a difficult year with the loss o’ our laird, my faither, may God rest his soul, and the fire that destroyed so much o’ the nearby village,” she began, “but we are a strong people who have persevered.” The crowd let out a hearty agreement to this with grunts of approval and the banging of hands-on tables. “It is that strength, that perseverance, that we have come together tae celebrate this day.” Here Amelia paused and turned her gaze to Ron, who raised his brows in surprise to be addressed directly. “But in our pain and loss, we also were given a great blessing in this man, my husband, Ron Kyall, who has served our people diligently since his foot first stepped upon our lands.” Another round of approval passed through the room, and she could see the elders nodding out of the corner of her eye.

Ron took her hand in his and kissed it, his eyes holding hers. “’Tis all for ye, my lady.”

Amelia squeezed his hand and turned back to her people and found them smiling warmly at his gesture of affection. She hoisted her cup higher and proclaimed in a loud voice for all to hear. “Tae life, tae the harvest, tae my dear husband, tae my beloved people, tae the Clan McAlpine!”

“Tae the Clan McAlpine!” the crowd cried out as one and the room erupted into joyous noise once more.

“That was lovely, lass,” Father Jacob praised as he took the seat next to her. Lucas joined them sitting next to Ron, and the elders took the remaining seats. The rest of the clan’s men that had not been assigned guard duty, all the women, and their children took up places at the long trestle tables and benches stretching out the length and width of the hall. Maggie and the kitchen maids served up plates piled high with meats, fruits, steaming hot root vegetables, breads, and deserts. They had truly outdone themselves.

“Aye,” Ron agreed with the priest’s assessment, “I will admit I was a bit surprised tae be mentioned,” he added this last part for her ears alone.

“Ye deserve the recognition for all that ye have done.”

“E’en though…” He let the rest of the sentence hang between them. A look of guilt passed over his features and Amelia reached out her hand to comfort him.

“Aye, e’en though.” There was no need to finish the statement as they both knew the meaning. Their time was limited, and it was better that they both remembered that. They had grown a bit too attached to one another as they had worked side by side to care for the clan’s needs. Ron’s expressions of desire and affection earlier in the evening had made that clear. Amelia’s body throbbed with every beat of her heart at his nearness. It was only a matter of time before they would fall prey to their desires and consummate the marriage. Once consummated, there was no chance of an annulment or a new life for either of them.

“Ye are nae as I thought ye would be when we first met,” he confessed.

“Oh?”

“Aye.” He nodded. “I thought ye tae be cold, distant, uncaring even, but then I came here and saw ye with yer people and I kenned that ye were nae o’ those things.”

“And what am I?” she asked, not offended in the least as she recalled their first meeting. She had not been herself at all.

“I ken that ye are a caring, loving, dedicated, dutiful lairdess, with an intellect only outmatched by yer kindness. I am proud tae have had the opportunity tae ken ye better.”

Amelia blushed slightly and smiled. “I must admit that ye have surprised me as well.”

“I would nae doubt it.” He chuckled. “Our meeting was nae a usual one.”

Amelia laughed and shook her head. “Nae, it was nae usual at all. Ye are far better o’ a man than I expected ye tae be.”

Ron nodded in gratitude for the compliment. “I am glad tae hear it. It would nae be hard tae be a better man than one might suspect given where ye found me,” he admitted for her ears alone. “I am sure ye thought me tae be a heartless scoundrel at the best.”

“Aye, something akin tae that perhaps at first, but then I saw something in yer eyes that I could nae ignore. There was an honesty there that I liked. Since then, ye have proved yerself a hundred times over to be a good man.” She wanted to go on and say that the life of a mercenary did not seem to suit him though he was an exemplary warrior, but that clan life very much did; however, she held her tongue. It was not her place to decide his life, just as she did not wish to be held to the whims of a man. Stifling a sigh, Amelia turned back to her people and took a sip of her ale to cover her true emotions.