Chapter 3
Amelia enjoyed the warmth of the water soaking her skin as she sat in her bath after supper that evening.
She had not realized she was grinning until Lily came towards her bath and touched her shoulder. “My Lady,” Lily’s soft voice called, “you seem happy.”
“I would not say I am happy,” Amelia answered before turning towards her. “I am, however, not unhappy at the moment.”
“It is because of the Laird, is it not?” Lily queried and muffled a loud giggle. “If you saw him for yourself, My Lady, you would not hesitate to wed him right at this moment.”
Amelia laughed at that and shook her head. Flutters picked up in her heart as she recalled his tone. The grave sound had excited and troubled her at the same time. “Is he that handsome?”
Amelia had never cared for looks. Even as a little girl before she had lost her sight, she had cared for conversations. Her father had labeled her inquisitive. Her mother had thought she talked too much for a little girl.
Amelia’s curiosity had always been her weapon.
And also my downfall.
She lifted her hands from the water and began smoothing down her wet skin.
“He is, My Lady,” Lily answered. “His hair is a brown shade, like the sand, and he has intense and mesmerizing eyes. They make him look—” She paused, and Amelia knew she was searching for the right word. “Fearsome.”
“You think I would fear him?” Amelia asked as Lily handed her a soap. “Does he seem unkind? He has a nice voice. I do not think someone with such a nice voice would be unkind.”
“No, My Lady. He just looks fierce. I mean, I can tell he is a warrior from his stance.”
Amelia felt a wistful pang. She wished she had seen him for herself. She rarely wished things were different.
“I do not think I need to accept any more callers,” she said to Lily as Lily continued stroking her skin with light motions. “I will tell my father at breakfast tomorrow.”
“That is all right, My Lady,” Lily agreed. “I am certain he will be most delighted.”
“Of course, no one wishes to see me leave the estate more than Father.”
Lily chuckled, and Amelia managed a small smile.
When Lily had first read the publication in the morning journal to her, the rush of betrayal and intense hurt Amelia had felt had nearly crippled her.
She understood her father worried for her, but why did he need to marry her off to a stranger?
Her worries seemed less worrisome as she remembered Laird McLennan again. With a man like him, she did not need to fear boredom in the least. His tale about the faerie had been a fine one.
It was a myth, but strangely, it reminded her of the day she had lost her sight.
Blessed by the moon and cursed by the sun.
The beautiful image of the golden rays and streaks of sunlight high up in the clouds that afternoon had been the last thing she had seen.
Amelia recalled it had moved. The streaks had more than one color. It had been a breathtaking sight that day. She had followed the rays, wanting to see more until her eyes had begun to hurt.
Did he notice?
Amelia had never cared what people thought of her eyes, but she found herself wondering what the Laird thought when he had seen her.
Did he notice I could not see him?
“Will you step out of the bath now, My Lady?” Lily asked.
Amelia got up gently with Lily’s help and slipped her arms into the nightdress held out for her.
“I would like some fresh air tonight,” she told Lily when she sat on the chair held out for her. “It feels like a starry night.”
“It is, My Lady. Would you need me to walk with you?”
Amelia rarely went out in the sun. Her father made sure she did not most times. But while she spent her days locked inside the manor, she had the liberty of the night. That way, she could enjoy the cool breeze and let her imagination run wild.
“Not tonight, Lily,” Amelia answered. “I want to enjoy some solitude. I have not done that in a long time.”
“Not since your father’s announcement,” Lily chimed in. “It will do you good to enjoy the night, but you must take your bell with you and ring it if you need any help.”
Lily was brushing her hair now, and Amelia lifted a hand to stop her. “I shall be all right, Lily,” she said. “You need not worry about me. I know my way around the garden. I have walked it alone countless times.” She smiled, and she could imagine Lily did the same.
“All right. I will leave out your cloak.”
“Thank you, Lily.”
After brushing her hair, Lily handed her supper. Amelia enjoyed the Haricot Lamb served with asparagus, and she waited till Lily left her before she put on her cloak and headed out of her chamber.
It was a brief walk to the garden from there. She took slow steps, using the wall as her guide, and the shadows of her sight for assistance. The shadows she saw at night were clearer, but during the day, the reflection of the sun made them blur.
Her bedroom was situated on the ground floor, so she did not need to use the stairs often. It was not far off from Lily’s, in case she needed help, and her father made certain to have the footman on standby at all times.
“My Lady,” Amelia heard Mr. John Barrow call when she reached the garden’s entrance, “do you need any assistance?”
“I am all right, John,” she answered him. “Thank you.”
“Any time, My Lady.”
Amelia finally reached the garden, and she slowed her steps as she walked further in. She smelled the crispiness in the night air and outstretched one hand to touch the petals surrounding her.
Without hesitating, she raised her head to stare into the night sky and stayed that way until she could finally make out the rough shadows and the full moon seated majestically there.
Amelia’s awe was cut short when she picked up the rustling sounds in the leaves around her. Every nerve in her body tightened in alert immediately. Losing her sight had heightened her other senses.
“Who is out there?” she queried in a loud tone then spun around. “Who is there?” She sounded edgy now, and her right hand flew to her chest because her heartbeats had quickened.
She heard the heavy thuds of footsteps now, and they did not remind her of anyone she has known for a long time. Her panic climbed, slowly clawing at her as she backed away from the approaching intruder.
“Tell me who you are this instant, or I will—”
The next sound out of her lips as her heels hit a stone was a yelp. Amelia stumbled backward and cried out even before her back touched the hard ground.
Strong arms swooped around her waist to hold her steady, and the intruder pulled her back to her feet as if she weighed nothing. A gasp tore out of Amelia, and her hand moved to his chest.
“My Laird?”
She was so sure it was him. The feel of his arms around her provided warmth and safety. Amelia had never felt that way before.
“It is you, is it not? Duncan Russell?”
“Aye, My Lady,” he answered in his usual gruff tone.
His hand stayed on her, and Amelia began to feel the beat of his heart. Her fingers scrunched up his shirt, and she licked her lips, suddenly nervous.
Her insides tingled. Warmth spread through her and lit up every nerve, stirring it awake like she was feeling for the first time in her life.
“Why are you out here, My Lady?” he questioned as he gently released her.
“I… Uh… I was… I need… Walking,” she stuttered. “I was walking. I love to stroll at night.”
“It’s so dark. Isn’t it better to enjoy nature during the day?”
“I know,” she answered then rubbed her arms. “But I enjoy what I can at night because it is easier.”
They both fell silent for a while, and Amelia was shocked at what he said next. “My Lady, are ye….” he trailed off and sighed. “I should not ask.”
Amelia sensed he was going to ask about her sight, so she made it easy for him. “Are you going to ask me if I can see, My Laird? I know you must have noticed something about my sight.”
“Only that yer eyes are…” He paused then said, “Only that yer eyes are bonnie, My Lady.”
“Oh,” she gasped then felt the warmth heat up her cheeks.
She was still standing with him when she heard Lily call out for her.
“My Lady! My Lady!” Lily got to where they stood and quickly touched her. “Are you all right? I heard you scream. The entire household heard you scream.”
While Lily spoke, more of the servants rushed out and so did Amelia’s father.
“Amelia, my dear.” He got to her and touched her hands. “Are you all right? Is she hurt?”
“I am all right, Father. Lily, Father, there is nothing to worry about, really,” Amelia said to calm them. “I was with the Laird. He saved me from a fall, but I am all right.”
She heard her father’s deep sigh of relief and also Lily’s. “I am all right, everyone,” she repeated, louder this time, so that the rest of the servants could hear her. “We can all return to our chambers for the night.”
Lily took her hand, and Amelia let her guide her away.
“Goodnight, My Lady,” she heard the Laird say just before she walked into the house.
Goodnight, Duncan Russell.
That night, Amelia did not get much sleep. She could not stop thinking of Laird McLennan or his comment about her eyes.
She always wondered what they looked like.
Were they the same pale blue they once were? Or were they ruined?
She had never said these words out loud, but now, she thought of them as she thought of him.
In fact, Laird McLennan was all she could think and dream about.