She stood up, resolving to appear calm and collected before her new employer. She adjusted her hair pins as best she could and dusted off her dress. She bent down again to pick up her small bag of items, poetry book included.
She smiled, “I know such a place will give me the poetical inspiration I’ve been needing. God’s teeth, but it’s beautiful.” Once she collected all her things and put them in the bag, she took a deep breath of the cold winter air and stood up quickly, just in time to bash into something tall and hard.
Chapter Five
It took her a moment to realize it was a person she’d run into. Her hair pins loosened again, and her hair was almost fully out of place. “Damnation!” she said, without thought of propriety. Warm strong arms surrounded her to hold her steady. She was momentarily grateful for the relief from the cold winds. She slowly turned her head to look into the face of her obstacle, and she fell into two pools of green, the most beautiful color she’d ever seen in the world. Her lips parted slightly as she fell under a spell. But then, the obstacle spoke with a thick yet slurred Scottish brogue.
“Aye, ye naughty lass, didn’t get enough last night did ye, and following me back in the morning for more?” A wide smile spread across his face and Amelia noticed perfectly straight, white teeth. But, then she smelled a mixture of pipe smoke, whiskey, and ale. It brought her mind to her father’s smell of late, returning so often the next morning from his nightly endeavors. Her stomach soured at the memory, and she tried to push against his hard chest. My God, was this man made of stone? Before she could get lost in his eyes again, a hand came around her waist and took a handful of her backside. “Aye, but yer a cheeky woman. I can’t say I’ll be as good as last night, but I’ll give it a good try.”
Amelia gasped and slapped the man hard and loud. He winced and let her go.
“Excuse me, sir, but I am not whoever you were with last night! I am no painted tart! I am Amelia Parker, coming to be Lady Kinnaird’s companion. Please do not be so forward with me!”
Jamie stood back, a look of surprise on his face as he rubbed his sore cheek. But then, that wicked smile returned. “Och yes, I’ve heard about yer arrival. And yer a Sassenach as well. Lady Kinnaird will be happy about that particular bit of information. My apologies, Miss Parker, for the mistaken identity.” He bowed obsequiously.
Jamie looked Amelia up and down. “But ye’ll have tae forgive me the confusion. What with yer hair pins all askew and hair flying around yer face and grass-stained dress, I didn’t take ye tae be a companion. Well at least not the kind that caters tae wealthy ladies.” He winked.
Amelia was aghast. She looked down at her dress to find two grass stains where her knees had touched the ground as she’d fallen. Anger and embarrassment filled her, and she could feel the redness creeping up her neck.
“Heavens! Am I to be met with two such unruly and impertinent young men this morning? How dare you mention a woman’s appearance in such a rude manner? But if that’s to be the order of the day, then, sir, I must mention that you reek of whiskey, ale, and smoke, no doubt the result of your dastardly nightly deeds. You haven’t the manners, words, or appearance of any sort of gentleman!”
Amelia exhaled loudly and attempted to replace her hair pins once again. But her fingers were not as nimble in this Scottish cold. She would have to apologize to Lady Kinnaird for her ruffled appearance and tell her about the man in her garden.
Jamie laughed and swayed slightly. He’d had his last drink only an hour before, so he was still a bit woozy. He’d walked home to work the alcohol out of him and appear somewhat sober in front of his mother and her companion.
William was right. Luscious treat after all. With her blond hair all askew, skin pink with heat and anger, lips open, her white breath hanging in the air, blue eyes filled with fire, and large breasts heaving with exertion, this young woman was about the best thing Jamie had seen in a long time. He wanted to drink her in and savor the moment, but he remembered her accusation, and he replied,
“Well, then yer in luck, my dear, for I am no gentleman. I’m more of the type who rambles about in the evening, finding pleasures where I can.”
“Are all Scottish men so distasteful?” Amelia’s hands were on her hips now as she stared at him with disapproval. Her perfectly clipped English accent gave Jamie the impression she was a lady and found it confusing that she’d chosen such a far out place in the world.”
“Aye, but they’re only distasteful to those with an English tongue.”
“Ah, I see. So, then our two tongues will be eternally at odds?”
Jamie rubbed his face and lifted an eyebrow, “Well…”
Amelia’s eyes briefly widened for a moment, and then she lifted a hand to stop him. “Do not answer that. I will be on my way.”
Jamie chuckled and replied, “Come, let me open the gate for you, so you can get inside and get a break from berating strange men on the road in this cold.”
Amelia looked surprised and shivered. “You have the keys to the gate? You, you live here?” She motioned towards the castle. She did not attempt to veil the disgust in her voice.
“That I do. Welcome tae Kinnaird Castle.” And he opened the gate and bowed again, allowing her to enter first. Amelia touched her hair once more, hoping it would be presentable enough, and she walked through the gate, head held high, her face a complete mask of confidence and reserve.
Jamie paused for a moment to glance at the derriere that seemed to fit perfectly into his hand, but he knew she wouldn’t be inviting him to touch it again. Disappointment tugged at him, but he waved it aside as he closed the gate and caught up to Amelia.
Fiona heard the creak of a door and jumped up excitedly, nearly dropping her cup and saucer on the floor in front of the hearth. Prince Charlie barked and ran towards Jamie as he entered. “Och, my bonny prince,” Jamie said as he bent down and rubbed the dog’s head.
Fiona rushed forward with her hands out. “And you must be Amelia. My dear, I am so happy to meet you. Was your journey pleasant?”
Amelia’s relief soared as she heard the same soft accent exit Lady Kinnaird’s mouth as her own. She felt strengthened by the new heat in the room, and she curtsied low, and smiled meekly. “Lady Kinnaird, lovely to make your acquaintance. Please do forgive my appearance. The journey was very pleasant, but there was a bit of an... accident outside, and my dress and hair were the victims.”
Fiona clapped her hands with joy. “Ah, and you’re English as well! I don’t believe my good luck! And don’t you worry a mite about your appearance, my dear.” She waved her hands to the side, as if not bothered by such a small problem. “We’ll have you sorted straight away. You must be freezing as well! Here, meet my son, the Laird of Kinnaird clan and castle; James, or Jamie, as we call him.”
Before Fiona could motion her hand towards Jamie, Amelia stepped forward and curtsied low in front of William Fraser, his brief surprise melting into wide-eyed pleasure. He glanced quickly at Jamie and winked. “I win”, he mouthed over Amelia’s bent head.
Fiona chuckled and touched Amelia on the arm. “Oh, my dear, forgive the confusion. This here is William Fraser, my son Jamie’s best friend.” William bent to kiss Amelia’s hand, and she nodded in greeting. Fiona motioned behind Amelia, “This is James, my son, the Laird.”
Amelia rose slowly, trying to straighten her back as much as she could to combat the embarrassment she felt flooding her veins once again. She knew that that man, that mocking man, would be smiling as wide as the devil once she turned around, and she was not disappointed.
“Forgive me, Lady Kinnaird,” Amelia said breathlessly, and forced herself to look into Jamie’s face with her chin jutting forward in stubborn defiance. She dipped slightly and said “Laird James. Lovely to meet you.”
Jamie’s pleasure at Amelia’s second discomfort of their acquaintance could not be beat, except by perhaps William’s proud statement of victory.
Fiona said, “No, Jamie will have to ask fo
r your forgiveness as he’s a bit worse for wear this morning.” She clucked disapprovingly in his direction. Jamie smiled and bent low to grab Amelia’s hand and plant a kiss on it, his green eyes not leaving her blue ones the entire time. “Yes, Miss Parker, please do forgive me.” He lingered longer than normal over her hand, and Amelia was annoyed at the frisson of pleasure which wormed its way through her stomach at second encounter with his green eyes.
“Of course,” she replied with a tight smile, and tried to draw her hand away from his. Did she dream it, or did he hold onto it just a little bit longer? She looked away. She had to get away from those eyes. Just because a man had two eyes that could stun a woman into believing whatever he said, it doesn’t make him a good man. He was the devil.
Fiona took Amelia by the arm and started towards the corridor. “Now, come, my dear, let me show you everything! We can sort out your dress and hair, and you can make yourself comfortable. Would you like a cup of tea?” The men couldn’t hear Amelia’s answer as she disappeared down the hallway with Fiona, the ladies’ mingled footsteps growing fainter and fainter. William and Jamie stood still for a moment before William burst into raucous laughter and clapped Jamie on the back.
“Well now that’s the first time I’ve been confused with a laird. Hmm...perhaps I ought tae take over for ye, Jamie, since ye don’t look the part tae the ladies?”
Jamie smiled and stared after her, a little worried about his mother, and what the new woman’s presence would bring. “Och, I don’t think ye could handle the responsibilities, ye blaigeard.” Jamie hit William on the shoulder. “Miss Parker and I met outside just before, and I confused her with the lush lass I’d been spending the night with. I even grabbed her arse.”
William exploded into a new round of laughter and Jamie joined him. “Och I see yer gettin’ to yer new…” household responsibilities” earlier than expected of ye. Now, isn’t she just as luscious as I said she’d be?” William winked at Jamie.
Jamie was about to heartily agree with William, but he didn’t want to give his friend the satisfaction of a victory. He crossed his arms, shrugged, and went to sit by the fire. “She’s acceptable. Certainly not a mousy schoolmistress, but she’s a Sassenach with a plain face.”
William rolled his eyes, grabbed a bottle of whiskey from a side table and two glasses. He shook his head as he poured a glass for himself and for Jamie. “It seems that Jamie Kinnaird, formerly known as the Laird of Kinnaird castle, simply can’t bear tae lose tae a flame-haired Scotsman, newly installed as Laird.” He chuckled and handed the glass to Jamie. “I’ve known ye for about as long as I can remember. I know when ye think a woman is bonny, and yer eyes spoke the truth. She’s about as bloody bonny as a lass can get. Don’t ye lie tae me, Kinnaird.”
William sat down. Jamie laughed and sipped the whiskey. “Och, come, I was just trying tae make her uncomfortable under my gaze, as ye can tell she’s not an experienced woman. She gave herself away outside when she slapped me in the face for my insolence and called me hardly a gentleman. I enjoyed watching her squirm. That’s all.” Jamie kept his feelings about the arse-grabbing and the odd flutter staring into her icy blue eyes had given him to himself.
William laughed once again. “Och, but this is a fine bloody day. I’ve had about as much entertainment one can fit intae a morning. I like the bonny lass even more now.”
Jamie rubbed his face again, dark scruff pushing through. “She’s got a tongue strong enough tae lash a mule.”
“Well then, a tongue-lashing is what ye deserve for such brazen behavior, ye wicked man.” William stuck out his chest with faux-self-righteousness. “I expect we won’t be hearing the end of her...lectures?”
Jamie smiled. “I think she’s subdued for now, after her double embarrassment. Getting grabbed by a man and mistaken for a prostitute, and then mistaking ye for the Laird.” Jamie rubbed the back of his head and thought with pleasure, One mistaken identity should be forgiven for another. She’s got nothing to reprimand me for now....
William stood up abruptly and finished his whiskey in one fast gulp. He moved to stand by the fire and turned to look at Jamie with a mischievous grin. “Now, I’ve got an idea. Seeing as the weather could freeze a man’s ballocks off at any time, and you’ve got yer mind full of Donald’s schemes, why don’t we entertain ourselves a bit. Let’s make a wager.” He paused, grinning even wider as he rubbed his bearded face in thought. “I wager that ye’ll be kissing her by yer mother’s Christmas celebration, and maybe even more.”
Jamie scoffed at the idea. “And if I disagree with yer wager?”
William said, “Lad, have we not gambled ourselves til dawn many a time? Ye must make a counter wager.”
“Well, I wager that she’ll have kissed me by then and expressed her undying love.” Jamie rolled his eyes, knowing it sounded ridiculous but not wanting to back down in the face of a bet.
“Agreed. If ye can get the lass tae kiss ye first and declare love, then ye win. But, if ye kiss her first, then I win.”
“What do we bet?”
“The man who loses the bet must arrive tae a clan meeting as naked as the day he was born.”
Jamie laughed, and the two men shook hands. “Agreed.” Jamie replied. “So, I expect I’ll be seeing ye naked after the Christmastide feast.”
William sat down again, a big smile on his face. “Och, but ye’ve got a Laird’s bullish pride, don’t ye? Since ye’ve got tae spend time with the lass in order tae win her over, I know ye’ll be begging for that kiss soon enough.”
Jamie poured another dram of whiskey for them both and clinked his glass with William’s. “We’ll see about that. I’m off for a bath and sleep.” He walked off to the twisting upward staircase.
William remained, sipping his whiskey by the fire, smiling to himself. “Aye, we will see about that. And, the wager didnae say anything about me not getting in the way.”
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Kenna Kendrick is an American based author of Historical Scottish Romance living in Austin Texas with her husband and three children. Her more than 25-year-old experience as an English Teacher has brought her close to the literary world, growing her love for fictional stories.
Her love for literature was also strong because of her father John who used to write crime-stories. While she tried following on her father's footsteps, a trip to Scotland sealed the deal for as she fell in love with the Celtic myths and the bleak Highlands.
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