“You have no right to ask me this. And come to think of it,” Sophie replies as she places her cup on a side table and looks straight at Amelia. “Do you know what Clach would do if he knew you were here?” she says, smiling mischievously.
“To think you left your marriage to whore around here with lairds in a different village. You have no shame!”
Shame? How dare she say that to her? If Clach had treated her right, she wouldn’t have fled or been here in another man’s arms, or home. Nor would she have had to kill Laird Alexander. And, if she is to fish out who is the whore here, it will be her, Sophie, the married woman who had sex with another woman’s husband without remorse. Amelia opens her mouth just to give her a piece of her mind; a familiar voice calls out her name.
“Amelia,” Oliver calls out, approaching toward the living room. His cheery voice calls her again, “You won’t believe what...What on earth!” Oliver exclaims amidst words when he notices Sophie. “Are my eyes deceiving me. Sophie?”
Sophie stands up with a smile and walks toward him, “My love, it’s been ages,” she says in a sweet voice, then hugs him, but Oliver resists.
“What...Why are you here?” Oliver asks her, confused. Amelia can see the pain, delight, and surprise in his expression, which is uncertain.
“I heard about the death of your father. I thought I should...”
“You shouldn’t have,” Oliver snaps as he moves back from her. “It’s been a long time now. All burial rites have been performed.”
“I would have sent my condolences, but I thought I should do it in person,” Sophie says, moving to Oliver again and holding his hand. “Laird Alexander was like a father to me, I owe it to him,” Sophie says in a calm voice.
“If he were alive, you would be the last person he would want to see here.”
“We believe we sorted out our differences. Things happened that way because it was fate.”
“You chose your part, don’t involve fate to this!”
Oliver snaps, and Amelia could sense the irritation in his voice. “Well, your condolences are accepted, you should leave now.”
Oliver walks toward the front door. Sophie follows him in a panic.
“Oliver, I'm sorry, I know I have wronged you, but...”
“There is nothing to apologize for.”
He opens the door,
“You should leave now.”
Sophie looks at him for a few seconds, and she could see the sting in it. “It’s been a long journey. I will leave in the morn,” Sophie quickly adds. “Or else you still want me to leave, but you know how dangerous it is for a lady to be out there late at night.”
Oliver, silent for a few seconds, mutters, “Fine. You can leave in the morn.”
Oliver proceeds to storm out of the room without saying a word to Amelia.
Chapter 19
The next morning, Oliver wakes up with a headache, and he is sure what caused it; he barely slept last night. Throughout the night, he has been rolling on each side of his bed, trying to make meaning of his previous encounter yesterday—especially who he saw in the living room, Sophie.
Not that he was expecting any visitors; she was the last person he had ever imagined he would see. He has fought so hard to forget the one person he has thought about for the past five years, the very person who contributed to why he left Montrose for Dunfermline. His first love, who he worked so hard to see her memory fade.
Just when he thought he was about to have a perfect life, she shows up randomly in this very castle where she had left her, even after he pleaded with her in tears. How bold of her! It’s been a month and weeks now since he buried his father; why does she still insist on paying her condolences? She knew perfectly well that many people detest her here because of the trauma she caused in this household. Well, he knows her well; Sophie has always been a lady who fiercely goes after what she wants without a second thought.
Sitting on his bed, lost in his thoughts, Oliver could still remember how his mother had begged Sophie when she announced that she is no longer interested in the marriage anymore. She had pleaded with her, giving her many reasons why her marriage to Oliver will be a happy one. Still, Sophie’s mind was made up. Upon seeing him broken, his mother had been devastated. She did everything she could to make him see life beautifully again.
If his parents were still alive to see the same Sophie in their castle, trying to make peace, they would have seen her leave, no matter how late she came visiting. When she started seeing Oliver, his family had seen her as a daughter, another member of the family, They took her as their other child, but she disappointed them even with their act of kindness, especially that of his mother.
She is here, crawling back to him, calling him “love” as if there were no differences between them. When she said that she couldn’t leave yesterday evening because it was getting late, she knew he would not send her away nor allow her to be hurt. She had her way of manipulating him, and foolishly he succumbed to it. Well, the night is gone, and the morning is here, he hopes she will be on her way to wherever she came from.
Even when he thought this castle would bring him unwanted memories of her, luckily it didn’t, lots of events have occupied his mind. Thanks to Amelia, who he believes has a genuine love for him, they have had their differences concerning his father, but the truth made him think she does love him. And speaking of Amelia, where is she? He hasn’t spoken to her since he came back yesterday.
He remembered seeing her in the living room yesterday when he saw Sophie. Also, when he walked away into his chambers, she was standing there, watching all the events without a word. Or has Amelia figured out who Sophie is? Did Sophie tell her? It was unwise of him to walk away then in anger and even lock himself in his chambers without explaining things to Amelia. His rage was toward Sophie and not with Amelia.
He stands up from his bed as his stomach rumbles in hunger; he didn’t eat anything yesterday evening as he was fuming. He will have breakfast with Amelia, but he needs to apologize to her for his irrational behaviour before they do.
He shouldn’t have walked past her the way he did without explaining why things were like that. And most significantly, he owes her an explanation of who Sophie is and how she is linked to him. These matters are not a discussion they should have over a meal, but one they should discuss without any distractions. And probably, they could also talk about what she said she wanted to tell him earlier yesterday morning.
Unlocking his door, he walks out of his chamber, heading to Amelia’s. Still, he sees the one person he never wishes to see this morning.
“My love,” Sophie walks to him and holds his arm with a smile. “I have been looking for you.”
Why is she still here? He expected her to be on her way by now. “Why are you still here?” Oliver asks.
“You don’t expect me to leave without talking to you,” Sophie says with charming smiles.
“We already did. Moreover, there is nothing here to discuss.”
“There is always something to talk about, and we will do that over a meal. Come, let’s have breakfast together.”
She drags him by the arm to the dining area.
Still, in her chamber, Amelia wonders how Oliver is doing. Since leaving in anger yesterday in after seeing Sophie, he had locked himself up in his room. She had checked up on him yesterday evening and early this morning, but the door was locked within. Has he been drinking himself to a stupor inside his chambers, even on an empty stomach?
She vividly remembered that he didn’t eat anything for dinner, and the maids reported that he refused to open the door for them to bring in his food. Is this how much damage seeing Sophie brings to him? Amelia might not know much about their relationship, but she can tell that Oliver honestly had genuine feelings for Sophie. Judging from her journey she made in regards to his father, he is the type of man who loves with all his life and heart. And won’t mind standing at risk with a woman who he claims he loves.
Amelia saw
the sadness in his eyes and voice when he spoke to Sophie, and it hurts her to see that Sophie, of all people, is the one that brings him this pain. She walks out of her chamber again to Oliver’s, hoping he will open the door this time. However, on getting there and swinging the door open, Amelia notices that the door is unlocked. She walks into the chamber and calls out his name, but there is no response. Amelia then walks to the bathroom, thinking he might be having his bath, but he isn’t there.
Where could he be? Has he left for a business meeting without telling her? Amelia walks out of the chamber down the hallway. Sophie claimed she would be going this morning, but Amelia can still hear her voice from the dining room. Sophie’s voice wasn’t one that sounds like she is in a merry mood but one that speaks calmly, with reassurances. What game is Sophie trying to play again? Amelia asks herself this as she walks to the dining room to join them.
As Amelia walks into the dining area, Oliver looks up at her. She could see in his eyes another version of pain, not the ones she had seen before. What is Sophie doing to him again?
“Oh, there you are,”
Sophie says to Amelia.
“I have been calling one of you, but got no response. Get me more milk.”
Ignoring her words, Amelia sits on a chair facing Oliver’s. Sophie looks at her in a daze, then at Oliver.
“You are too nice to your employees. They have no respect. How dare she dine at the same table with you?” Sophie says in anger.
“I don’t remember telling you she is one of my servants. If you need a proper introduction, ask for it.” Oliver says in a low voice.
Sophie looks from Oliver to Amelia in confusion, and Amelia could tell that she never expected Oliver’s response. However, why she kept regarding her as a maid is what Amelia doesn’t fathom.
“What is she doing here if not serving you?”
Sophie asks.
“I have known your father to be one that takes in poor girls out of charity...” She stopped speaking and raised her eyes as if something struck her, “Or is she seeking asylum here while running from her problems?”
“Running from her problems?” Oliver murmurs in confusion but then shakes it off as if he is trying to prevent Sophie's words from crowding his mind. He stands and goes to Amelia, leaning down to place a simple kiss on her mouth.
“When you are through with breakfast, come over, there is something we need to discuss.” Amelia nods, and Oliver places another kiss on her lips. He heads toward the door but stops and turns to Sophie, who has been looking at them in utter astonishment.
“You have overstayed your visit. I expect you to leave now.” He then exits the door.
Amelia looks from Oliver to Sophie with a bit of smile at the corner of her lips. Oh, how much she loves the expression she sees sitting on Sophie's face now. The question Sophie asked about why Amelia is here has been silently answered, and she didn’t like the answer.
“What did my eyes just witness?” Sophie asks with a breaking voice.
“Just what you see.”
“You slut!” Sophie snaps at her. She is on her feet now. “You left Clach to slut around with my man?!”
“Your man?” Amelia chuckles, “When I left Arbroath, you were equally a married woman like me, and it makes me wonder what you are doing here now.”
Amelia can see that Sophie is almost close to tears and trying so hard to keep herself from bursting into tears.
“I am presuming you didn’t tell Oliver that you are a legally married woman,” Sophie sniggers in disgust and walks closer to her. Amelia hesitates. “Poor you, do you think you can swing around two husbands like that?" Do you know it’s against the law?”
“Then why haven’t you told Oliver?” Amelia asks her, “I expected you to have told him I am married back in Arbroath as the Sophie I know. What is preventing you?” Amelia looks closely at her. “What secret are you hiding, and what is your intention here under the pretense of a condolence visit?”
After a few intense minutes, Sophie breaks the silence, but not with an answer.
“Listen to me, Oliver is mine, and I can do anything to have him. Don’t you think that you can dare stand in my way because I will crush you.”
With this, Sophie walks out of the dining room.
Tension flushes within Amelia, that was a pure treat, and she knows she means it. Sophie is the type of woman who can do anything to have what she wants. However, one thing gladdens her heart; she confronted Sophie, and she could see the panic in her voice.
On the other hand, she needs to do one crucial thing, tell Oliver the truth she has held for long.
Chapter 20
Oliver walks into the castle study feeling queasy. He wasn’t sure of what is making him feel this way. Was it because of what Sophie said to him in the dining hall or just merely her presence? Earlier this morning, he left his room hoping to talk to Amelia about yesterday’s event, tell her about Sophie and who she is to him, and render his apologies before they had breakfast together. Then Sophie resurfaces again.
He had hoped she would be gone before the morning brightness comes alive, but he was surprised to see her roaming the castle in the name of wanting to talk to him. Throughout the breakfast, which he didn’t remember eating, she kept saying she missed him and wished to come back to him. He heard her saying things about how her marriage has been a scam, and her husband treating her poorly.
It baffles him how she thinks that after those years of scattering his life to pieces without even a second thought of the happiness they shared, she wants to crawl back into it. She had left him just because he said he wouldn’t want to inherit his father’s business or path but wanted to create his way. Now she wants to have it back, just when he had finally erased everything about her and replaced it with Amelia’s.
“I thought I would find you here.” A voice breaks Oliver out of his thoughts. Oliver turns to see Sophie smiling as she walks into the study toward him. “You sure know how to slip away whenever I want you around.”
Not again. Oliver murmurs to himself. Why does she keep on sneaking around him, and most importantly, why hasn’t she left?
“Fur heaven’s sake, Sophie! Why are you still here?”
“My love...,” she begins
“Stop calling me that!” Oliver snaps.
“I am sorry. I will keep on apologizing till you hear me out,” Sophie says in a voice that looks like she is about to blub. “You can’t keep avoiding me, and it hurts my heart when you do so.”
Is she about to cry? Oliver asks within him, is the soberness he is hearing in her voice real, or is she putting up a facade. It could probably be a front she uses to make him come back in a relationship with her.
“I have taken your apology, Sophie, you can leave now,” Oliver says.
“If you deh have me, then it means you haven’t accepted my apology.” She closes the gap between them and places her palm on his face. “Let’s go back to the way things were before when we had a pure love for each other.
And leave Amelia? Never. He pulls her hand away from him. “I already have someone in my life, and I love her.”
“The slut I saw in the dining room?!” Sophie snaps, which startles Oliver, and he looks closely at her. Trying to compose herself to the sweet lady pleading to him before, she says calmly, “Do you think her love for you is genuine?”
“And how is yours?” Oliver returns the question.
She holds his face again. “My love, no matter what happened, my love for you never died. Even when I left, I regretted every mistake I made, and it took me years to make this decision of coming back to you.”
Something in her voice makes Oliver want to believe her. She sounded like the sweet Sophie he had known long ago; the Sophie who had once professed undying love for him from her heart.
“You broke my heart,” Oliver says with a sad voice. “You left me even when I pleaded with you. My mother pleaded with you.”
“I’m sorry,” She says quie
tly, then leans over and kisses him.
This takes Oliver out of a sudden surprise, he wants to push her away and yell at her to not do it again, but at the same time, he found himself succumbing to her. He could feel her lips and tongue, parting its way into his mouth. He attempts to resist it, but her tongue moves like she is determined to have him. Slowly his lips part and she dives right in with hers. Feeling the taste of her lips in his it brings back forgotten memories and, at the same time, anger.
No, he shouldn’t be doing this; it isn’t right for him and to Amelia. Just as he is about to push her away, a sound of shattering plates brings him and Sophie to a startle. They both turn toward the study entrance to see Amelia standing there, and on the floor were dishes that seem to have contained some meals.
“I...I... Ah'm sorry, I should have announced my presence,” Amelia says with a stammer while trying to look away but again looking at them.
“Amelia....,” Oliver calls out in an apologetic voice and attempts to rush to her, but Sophie holds him tightly and blocks him off. Oliver resists, but Sophie holds on firmly. On Amelia’s face, Oliver can see sadness and disappointment written all over it.
“I came to bring you some food and talk to you,” Amelia says, this time her voice is steady, unlike before. “But the food is a waste already,” she says, looking at the floor, then draws in a sigh and looks up at him. “There is something I need to tell you.”
“Leave us,” Oliver says to Sophie quickly; he wants to see her gone; her presence has already caused enough damage. Sophie intends to hesitate, and Oliver is about to snap at her when Amelia cuts in.
“Let her stay,” she says with a straight and firm expression, and Oliver can’t interpret what it means, including that of her words. He is about to insist she leave, but Amelia adds again, “Please.”
There is an awkward silence between the three for a minute before Amelia breaks the silence.
Highland Lover: A Historical Highlander Steamy Romance Collection (Highland Lover Series Book 6) Page 8
