Page 62 of Married to the Highland Devil
Amelia felt Dahlia’s grip on hers tighten, and she drew in a deep breath before clearing her throat.
“Me Lady, it is nonsense talk,” Dahlia murmured to her. “I shall go caution them at once. They shouldnae waste their time with gossip when they should be workin’.”
“It is all right, Dahlia,” Amelia said to stop the maid. She had never cared about gossip. Back in England, every season, the papers would carry news of her predicament as usual, and Lily had usually read the words to her.
Would the Duke’s daughter be finding a match this Season? One can only hope she comes out of her shell.
Amelia remembered the year she had turned blind. The ton had had lots to say about her father that Season. He had always told her he did not care for the rumors, but Amelia had felt he was ashamed of her.
She had never left his estate because of it. Never wanted to go anywhere… Never felt like she would be accepted.
And I was right.
Duncan’s people thought she was evil, and even though she thought it was ridiculous, she could not stop the twinge of hopelessness that settled inside her.
Amelia knew she was not the perfect bride, and neither could she be of much help to Duncan, but she hoped that his people would at least accept her.
Tears stung the back of her eyes, and after heaving in a deep breath, she said to Dahlia, “Let us return to my chamber.”
“Me Lady,” Dahlia whispered in a pleading tone, “dinnae pay heed to their words. They dinnae ken what they speak of.”
Amelia nodded then she followed Dahlia’s path, holding her chin high. She heard the servants’ gasps as she walked past them.
“My Lady,” one greeted in a shaky voice, and their words became hushed whispers.
When Amelia made it to her chamber, she sat by the window and placed her hands on her lap. “I would like to be alone,” she said to Dahlia in a soft tone.
“But… If that is what you want, Me Lady.”
Amelia heard the door close after Dahlia walked out then she drew in another long, deep breath and closed her eyes. She had not heard from her father since she had sent the letter, and her worry was starting to rise.
She had hoped her dowry would arrive by now, and her father alongside Lily with it.
What has happened? Did he not receive the letter?
She sat with her worrisome thoughts till a knock sounded at the door sometime later.
“Dahlia, I said I wanted to be alone,” Amelia called when she heard the door swing open.
“It is me,” Duncan’s steady yet deep voice said. “Dahlia told me about the whispers amongst the servants,” he continued as he entered the chamber fully.
In the next second, Amelia felt his hands on her shoulder, and as he gently massaged, she could not deny that he offered her comfort.
“She did not need to tell you that.” Amelia shook her head. “I have never cared for rumors, and I do not care for them now.”
“Amelia,” he sighed then walked around the chair to stand in front of her. Amelia could feel his nearness and see the darkened shadows of his frame hover in front of her.
She licked her lips. “You need not feel sorry for me.”
“I dinnae feel sorry for you,” Duncan said to her. “I feel angry. I shall caution the servants and make sure ye never have to hear anythin’ like that ever again.”
“No,” Amelia quickly said. “I do not want you to punish them. They do not know me, so I understand why they will believe rumors and how rumors like that have spread in the first place.”
When Duncan said nothing but sighed, she added, “You have heard of the rumors before?”
“Aye, Amelia,” he replied. “I did hear them, but I didnae pay much attention to them because I ken that most of the locals are superstitious. I shall find the one tellin’ the people all these lies and have her punished.”
Amelia moved her hand to touch him, and he put his hand in hers, gently drew her to her feet, and brought her closer.
