YOU'RE FULL OF SURPRISES

" Yes. " Dane replied, his gaze still on her. 

Amelia was suddenly startled when she saw them and that made her stop the horse when she got to their front.

" Good morning. " She greeted, biting her lower lip as she had forgotten how a maiden was supposed to greet in history.

" Good morning to you too. " Dane replied. He was giving her a strange look that she couldn't understand so as Henry.

" Good morning, your grace. " He responded to her and that's when Amelia realised that this was the first time he was talking to her directly. " How come you know how to ride on a horseback? "

His questions seemed to have surprised her as she stared at him in confusion. She thought Abigail said, Katherine knows how to ride a horse. How come they were surprised to see a woman riding a horse? Could it be possible Abigail lied to her knowing that Dane and Henry would be riding a horse at this time? No wonder she…How dare she! 

How was she going to explain herself to these two men who were waiting for an explanation?

 " The ...this is very easy. " She replied, almost stammering. God, this was so awkward. Why did Abigail have to put her in this kind of situation?

Dane glared at her. " That's not how a lady should behave. " 

She glared back. " Tell me, how should a lady behave? " 

He took a slow breath. " Your morals are your own business. "

" My business it is. Then I see no reason for you to question my behaviour. " Amelia bit her lower lip as she mentally scolded herself. She had forgotten that she wasn't more in the 21st century. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a smile appear on Henry's face but disappeared immediately he noticed her staring at him. " Forgive my manners, your grace. " 

When Amelia got into her chambers, she found Abigail waiting.

" Why did you lie to me? " Amelia asked, immediately she saw Abigail. " And don't deny it, for you knew the truth yet you lied. " 

" I wasn't going to deny it, Amelia. "

" Okay, so you also admit that you already knew I could ride on a horseback and that Dane and Henry were going to be there at that time. " Amelia said, crossing her arms and Abigail nodded. " I didn't know how to reply to any of them when they asked where I learnt how to ride on a horseback. I felt like a fool in their presence. " 

" Remember I said something about your life becoming a romance? " Amelia nodded, wondering what it has to do with her lying about Katherine knowing how to ride a horse. " This is just the beginning. "

The next few minutes, Amelia was already bored of sitting down in the room being idle so she decided to come out of the room.

She got out of the bed, walking towards the door, she slowly opened the door and walked out of the room to the long hallway leading to two different staircases. She glanced along to Dane's section in the castle and made her way there.

Every step she took on the wooden floor created a sharp yet peaceful sound on it. 

Her gaze was drawn to a particular door, she opened it and entered the room that was designed with wood. The wall right in front of the door there was a big painting right in the middle. The painting was of abstract art style. The wall on both sides of the painting where dark brown colors wooden bookshelves are made and books are adorned with lines in them. Just in front of that wall, there is a leather creed high back wooden chair in while carrying a leather in green colour, a huge chocolate wood table which is covering most of the front wall, and two chairs facing the wall and the front chair.

Amelia breathed in the woody smell as her lips turned up into a broad smile.

" What are you doing here? " A deep voice spoke from behind and startled her. It was Dane, for she recognized his voice.

He came up behind her, his body so close that she could feel the heat and strength of it at her back, smell the faint cologne he wore. She tensed all over.

" I…I…" She was at a loss for words so she turned to look up at him, her head slightly hitting his broad chest in the process.

Dane's body went taut at the proximity. She was too close. Too female. The scent of her got into his nostrils, drowning him.

He looked down at her quietly, his narrowed eyes lingering on her flushed cheeks and her soft, parted mouth.

" I wanted to take a look at some books. " Amelia said quietly, swallowing the lump in her throat. He smelled like a heady mix of male musk and something so faint and sweet, it made her want to press her face to the skin of his chest for a better smell.

Dane drew in a deep breath. " You're full of surprises. First, you were riding on a horseback and now this. You're suddenly interested in books?! " He scoffed. "Are you trying to trick me? "

She met his eyes and didn't utter a word. Why is he still adamant on thinking Katherine was trying to fool him? Katherine and Dane knew little of each other during their courtship, so she still doesn't understand. She must figure all this out to have an idea of what he meant. 

He stared down at her coldly. " I await your reply, madam. Or is your silence all I need? "

Amelia frowned. " What do you expect me to say? You always think ill of me and that every word that comes out of my mouth is a lie so why will I expect you to believe me now? "

Was she talking back to him?! He'd been noticing some slight changes in her behaviour ever since she gained consciousness or was it just his imagination?

His eyes burned with distrust. ." Don't play the innocent. I'm sure this is one of your schemes and I won't make the same mistake of believing your lies again. "

" This isn't so! " Her eyes are bright with reproach. " Besides, how can you accuse me when your own conduct is disgraceful? "

His jaw clenched. " My conduct? What is that supposed to mean? "

" You call me a liar but you cheat on me with Caroline on the night of our wedding. "

" I forbid you to speak of her! " He said coldly.

" I have never deceived you, Dane, but you make a deceived wife of me every time she is in your arms. You will always love her, won't you? "

" You don't deserve to call her name, Katherine! " He snapped suddenly, seizing her arm and pushing her back on the wooden bookshelf. He looked fiercely masculine and Amelia's knees weakened at the unexpected proximity. His big hands bit into her arm so hard that it bruised. He brought his face closer to hers, his lips drawing back in a snarl.

" You're hurting me! " She cried.

Her skin was soft, and she smelled of lavender.' He thought and then realised this was actually the first time that he was holding her and they were this close.

" Caroline is so different from you. She is priceless, unlike you. "

That stung. Amelia felt it even when she knew the words weren't meant for her but it still hurt.

" What is going on here? " A feminine voice asked and they both turned to see who it was. 

When Dane saw that it was Caroline, he thrust Amelia away.

She maintained her balance from falling, scowling when she saw the expression on his face change to that of care when he saw Caroline. She suddenly felt like a third wheel.

Her eyes suddenly met Caroline's. Her smile could've cut glass. Objectively, she was one of the most beautiful women she'd ever met. But there was something hard about her expression that made her not attractive at all. 

" Your Grace, " She called and curtsied.

And, that's when Amelia realised something, this woman was filled with mischief and she would be nothing but trouble. 

" Leave. " Amelia heard Dane say but didn't think he was talking to her until he turned his head and stared down at her with a scowl on his face. Oh, so he was referring to her. How much she desperately wanted to be in the arms of this man but he was making everything damn difficult? 

She raised her chin, walked past them and left the study.

She has to find out something. But from where? Abigail doesn't want to tell her anything. Where does gossip normally start from in the castle?

To be continued…