Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
“Ithought ye were goin’ to miss introductions,” Darragh said, leaning into Amelia’s space.
She stood her ground, glancing up at him with poorly concealed annoyance. Despite the ride they’d shared yesterday, she was still upset about the guests. He respected that emotion, but he wouldn’t be turning the McGowans away.
Especially nae when I believe that meetin’ with Flora will be good for her.
“I dinnae believe I had a choice,” Amelia grumbled, watching as the gates opened slowly and the guards took their places. “Ye’ve made it quite clear that I’m to meet with this Lady McGowan.”
“Aye, ye are,” he confirmed. “But I’ve never kent ye to do what I ask of ye. I wouldnae have been surprised if ye decided to lock yerself in yer room.”
Their exchange was cut short by the sound of carriage wheels on cobblestone. It came to a stop in front of the steps, and two footmen moved forward. The rest of the staff stood at the ready, but before the footman could open the door, Laird McGowan dismounted and cut him off.
“Allow me to retrieve me wife,” he declared, his shoulders back.
As soon as they stepped away, Lucas opened the door. A small hand reached forward, thin fingers wrapping around his forearm. Then, gracefully, Flora climbed down, her feet light on the ground.
Her gaze swept across the welcome party, her expression betraying none of her emotions. This was a woman who’d survived fire and no longer flinched at smoke. Yet, she still had a gentle quality to her aura.
For a moment, her eyes lingered on Darragh. She gave him a grateful nod, acknowledgment for the role he’d played in saving both her and Amelia. Then, she turned her attention to Amelia.
“Amelia,” Flora said, giving her a nod from where she was still standing. “I’m lookin’ forward to makin’ yer acquaintance.”
She turned back toward Lucas as soon as she finished speaking. Beside Darragh, Amelia shifted, an almost incredulous breath coming through her nose. Out of the corner of his vision, Darragh saw her shaking her head.
“She’s nae what ye expected, aye?” he asked, keeping his voice low enough that it wouldn’t carry to the McGowan’s.
Amelia inclined her head toward him, her focus never straying from Flora and Lucas. “Nay, I suppose she’s nae, but I dinnae have high expectations to begin with.”
“Aye, I suppose ye wouldnae,” he conceded. “Once the servants lead them inside, ye are free to go about yer business. I expect ye to attend their welcome dinner.”
“And I’m sure I’ll be expected to participate in polite conversation,” she said, her voice a challenging mix of sarcasm and complete sincerity. He was beginning to expect it from her.
“Ye will be expected to behave as a member of polite society, aye,” he quipped, guiding her off the path Laird and Lady McGowan would take inside. “It’s important that we make them feel welcomed durin’ their stay, even if ye arenae pleased with havin’ to play host.”
Amelia glared up at him, saying nothing else. She remained quiet as Flora and Lucas walked past them. Then, after giving them enough time to clear from the foyer, Amelia marched inside without looking at him again.
It seems Flora’s already made a dent. Amelia cannae hold that bad mood forever though I’m certain she’ll try.
* * *
Amelia hadn’t seen the table so laden with elaborate food since the first night she’d dined in the great hall. Her gut churned in almost the same way. Though the sensation was no longer fear, it felt more like apprehension.
Across from her, Flora tucked a napkin on her lap as the staff made their rounds, pouring mead and wine.
Her eyes hungrily took in the surroundings, almost as if she had only seen her laird’s great hall.
Amelia couldn’t help but follow her gaze, looking at the wallpaper and details in the wooden accents.
I suppose this place is amongst the more impressive keeps and castles I’ve visited. Nae quite as nice as me grandfather on me mother’s side, though.
“Are ye enjoyin’ livin’ in Fraser Keep?” Flora asked when everyone’s goblets were filled.
Amelia paused, searching the other woman’s face for signs that she was being facetious. Everything about her was genuine, though. She lacked the signs of refinement that Amelia was used to seeing. Her grip on her utensil was slightly too heavy, and she sat too far back in her chair.
This may be the second time she’s ever been a guest in a castle.
“Aye,” Amelia said, picking up her own fork. “I’ve been keepin’ meself busy around the place.”
Next to her, Darragh made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a huff of amusement. Instead of finding it irritating, she nearly smiled at his reaction. It unsettled her, and she stiffened for a moment before Flora began speaking again.
“Busy?” Flora asked, glancing at Lucas before she gave Darragh a skeptical look. “Like readin’?”
“Nay,” Amelia admitted. Part of her was embarrassed as she said, “I’ve been doin’ different tasks to help the staff. I spend most of me time in the kitchens.”
“Do ye?” Flora replied, relief palpable. “What are ye helpin’ with? It’s always so busy inside the kitchen at Castle McGowan when I walk by.”
“I’m helpin’ with everythin’,” Amelia said.
Her shoulders relaxed a bit, a soft smile spreading across her face.
“This mornin’ I helped make the bread, and I chopped some potatoes as well.
And two days ago, the cook showed me the strangest thing.
Did ye ken if ye add lemon to sugared cream, it makes the entire thing taste sweeter? ”
“But lemon is sour, is it nae?” Flora asked, leaning forward as though they were discussing a great secret. “That shouldnae make it sweeter.”
“I thought the same thing,” Amelia replied, dropping her voice lower and leaning in as well. Something about the other woman, either her interest or her lack of refinement, made her feel safe. “But Nigell insisted I try it. I’m quite sure it’ll be served as dessert.”
“I cannae wait to try it,” Flora said, the grin on her face erasing all suspicions Amelia initially had.
“Ye’re tellin’ me ye have desserts that change flavors here?” Lucas asked, looking satisfied with himself.
I’m still nae sure how I feel about him.
“Aye,” Darragh said, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “I’ve been hearin’ me staff talkin’ about it incessantly. I’m the one that requested we have it when me cook was makin’ the menu. If it’s as good as they say, then we all must try it.”
It was surprising to Amelia how easy it was to fall into normal conversation.
She didn’t have to force it, and she felt neither compelled nor cornered into participating.
What was strangest to her, though, was the way she didn’t want to fight it.
This sense of normalcy was pleasant. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt like this.
It may have been before me braither was born.
“What else have ye been doin’?” Flora asked softly, snapping Amelia out of the negative thought. There was a knowing look on her face, but she didn’t make any mention of what she’d seen. “Anythin’ outside of the kitchen?”
“Aye,” Amelia replied, her tone softer than normal. She didn’t feel the need to defend herself or lash out to hide away. “I’ve been takin’ inventory of the storage rooms and watchin’ how disputes are settled in the courtyard.”
She could feel Darragh’s eyes on her as she spoke. As much as she was trying to keep her guard up, she knew that he was observing far more than she wanted him to. It wasn’t as if she could do anything about it. She’d promised to mind her manners.
Ach, but when did I start carin’ about the requests Darragh makes of me?
“Ye certainly werenae lyin’ when ye told us that ye were keepin’ busy,” Flora said, delighted.
She seemed completely unbothered by Amelia’s distraction, carrying the conversation with an ease that spoke of understanding rather than pity.
“I’ve only spent most of me time in the library.
Me niece, Elizabeth, she insists I read her at least one story a day. ”
“She’d have ye readin’ to her or playin’ with her all hours of the day if ye allowed it,” Lucas said, seemingly amused by the prospect.
“Ye ken, the healer’s daughter recently convinced me that I needed to play a game of hide and seek for me health,” Amelia said with a chuckle. “And she was so serious when she made her assertion. When I first arrived, I thought she might actually be the one in charge.”
Flora laughed, covering her mouth as her shoulders shook. When she recovered enough to speak, she replied, “I must meet the wee lass while we’re here. She sounds like an absolute delight.”
“If ye have anythin’ that might need a healer’s attention, Isla will happily treat whatever ails ye,” Amelia said a bit fondly.
As the hilarity died down a bit, she continued, “Ye ken, I think she’ll be a wonderful healer one day.
She had the softest hands out of the three of them when she was treatin’ me. ”
Amelia realized too late what she had said. The admission came out so casually that she truly hadn’t realized just how comfortable she’d become around the other woman. They’d only had this short conversation, yet she knew she could trust Flora with this.
Saints, but it’s the others at the table that I daenae need hearin’ it.
“It sounds as if she’s already found her callin’,” Flora said, immediately diffusing the tension that had begun to settle. “I cannae imagine she was glad that ye were injured, but I’m sure she was delighted to have a patient to fuss over.”
“Aye, she was,” Amelia agreed as she turned her attention back to her food. “Always knockin’ on me door with a tray full of tinctures. She was so stern with me that I couldnae turn her away.”
Flora giggled, bouncing slightly in her seat. “Now I must meet Isla. Perhaps I should stage a fall, so I can experience her bedside manner.”
“Nay,” Lucas said. He was smiling, but the word was firm. “Ye’re nay injurin’ yerself, so ye can be treated by the wee healer.”
“Ach, I’m nae actually goin’ to do so,” Flora relented, giving Amelia a private look that seemed to ask if she could believe this man.
“If a fall makes ye nervous,” Amelia said, addressing Laird McGowan directly for the first time since he arrived, “I’m sure that she’d be glad to help ye with an upset stomach.”
Lucas smiled then, big enough that his teeth showed beneath his beard. She didn’t feel threatened when he leaned forward and said, “Ye’re bright, Amelia.”
She looked down at her plate then, telling herself that it was a good thing to be comfortable here. It wasn’t a crime to enjoy company at dinner. And, at least at this table, the men weren’t going to do a thing to her.
When Amelia looked up once more, Flora was studying her. The understanding in her gaze was too much. But when she looked at Darragh, he was wearing a similar expression.
As Flora began to craft an elaborate plan, Amelia let herself sit back and listen. The other woman carefully steered the conversation. It was almost as if she could read Amelia’s mind.
I hate to admit it to meself, but perhaps Darragh was right to invite the McGowans.