Page 94 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
“I’ll leave ye all to it,” Nina eventually said, pushing her chair back.
“Och! Before ye go, Nina,” Mabel said, tilting her head toward Amara. “Yehavenae told us yet. Have ye decided?”
Nina paused, eyes sliding back to Amara.
Amara’s cheeks flushed. “I… aye but also nay… I’m still torn.”
Nina’s smile lit like dawn. “Ye’re stayin’. Yemust.”
“I —” she started to say, but the women let out soft cheers, and Mabel leaned over to squeeze her hand. “Ye’re brave, lass, for even considering either option.”
“What else can I do?”
Nina looked to be in near tears, but clapped her hands happily. “Well, I’m thrilled if ye’re to become one of us!Thrilled!Ye’ll have to tell me straight away when ye do decide so I can get your wardrobe settled.”
She left with a wink, and the table slowly returned to its chatter.
But Mabel wasn’t finished.
“If ye’ve chosen to stay, I think that’s wonderful,” she said, her voice quiet and sure. “But… are ye sure ye daenae want to seehim?”
Amara’s hand froze over her tea.
“Me faither?”
“Aye.”
The hum of the room dimmed as her heartbeat quickened.
“I’m nae sure what I’d say to him… or what he’d do if I showed up.”
“That’s nae what I asked,” Mabel replied gently. “I asked if yewantedto see him.”
Amara looked down at the steam curling in her cup. “He gave me away like I was nothin’. Less than. And he made me believe it.”
Mabel didn’t interrupt.
“But now,” Amara continued, voice lower, “I’m starting to believe I’mnaenothin’. And maybe I need to face him. To ken it and close that chapter once and for all.”
Mabel nodded slowly. “That sounds like someone finding her own truth.”
“I’m afraid.”
“Good. That means it matters.”
They sat in silence for a while, just long enough for the laughter and warmth of the room to wrap around her like a shawl.
Amara turned and smiled. “Thank ye.”
Mabel squeezed her hand again. “Whatever ye choose, ye’ll nae do it alone,” she said, and her eyes slid over Amara’s shoulders to what she could only guess what Rhys’s gaze.
After the meal, Amara excused herself with soft apologies and stood. Rhys immediately pushed his chair back.
“I’ll escort ye,” he said it loud enough that William looked up, fork halfway to his mouth.
Amara hesitated. “That’s —”
“Insistence. Nay argument needed, lass,” he said, gesturing for her to lead the way.
