Page 22 of Kidnapping Cordelia

“Don’t be alarmed,” Luella called cheerfully, appearing behind them. She looked a little windswept, her cheeks pink and glowing. “They’re very friendly, I promise.”

Reassured, Delia descended the last step and held out her hand to the biggest dog, who sniffed her fingers and gave them a swift lick, wagging his tail at her.

“That’s Murdoch,” Luella said, closing the door behind her. “He’s a sweetheart, and those are his wives, Maggie and Moire.”

“They’re huge,” Delia said, petting each dog in turn. They looked rather like greyhounds, but bigger and covered in wiry grey hair.

“They are,” Luella said, smiling at them. “Go and find Lyall, then,” she told Murdoch, who seemed to understand perfectly as he walked off, pushing at a door with his nose and walking inside, his wives following on his heels.

“I’m sorry I slept so late. I’m not usually such a slugabed,” Delia said apologetically.

“Nonsense, you were worn to a thread, anyone could see that last night,” Luella said, giving Delia’s outfit a critical once over. “That looks rather good, I think. I thought that dark green would be good for you. It sets off your gold hair to perfection. You’re really very beautiful.”

Delia blushed but admitted herself pleased by the compliment. “I can’t thank you enough for lending it to me. I confess it puts one quite out of countenance not to have a change of clothes to hand when one is required.”

“Quite understandable. Now, what would you like to do today? I am at your disposal,” Luella replied, staring at her expectantly.

“Oh,” Delia said, at a loss. “I don’t wish to impose. What would you normally do? Perhaps if you just carried on as usual. If I am to make my life here, I shall have to learn a good deal, I fear.”

“Well, I usually spend the mornings with my children, but they are with their nurse at the moment, for I was thinking of visiting the one of his lordship’s tenants. Mrs Grant had a bad fall and broke her arm a few weeks ago. She’s on the mend now, but it’s hard to cook and clean with only her left hand. I’m taking her a pie Mrs Baillie made and few preserves and the like to help her a little. Should you like to come? We’ll pass close to Muir’s place on our way home, and I imagine you’d like to see that too.”

“Oh, I would, very much,” Delia agreed, for whilst she still did not know whether she really would rather marry Muir than accept her ruination and live quietly among her family, she was beyond curious to know more about him. Not to mention more of the place that she might one day call home.

“Run and fetch your cloak, then, and I’ll collect the basket from the kitchens.”

Delia agreed, and a few moments later, they were heading out of the front door.

“Take Murdoch,” called Lord Buchanan after them, before they had gone more than a few steps.

“Very well, love,” Luella called back, waving at her husband. “Come on then Murdoch,” she called, as the big dog trotted after them.

Delia put a hand to her bonnet as a sharp wind blew, tugging at it.

“It’s often windy here,” Luella said, smiling at her as she strode out. “You get used to it.”

“You said you have children? How old are they?”

Luella smiled. “Yes, we have two, a boy and a girl. Gordy is three now, and Fiona is a little over a year old. I’ll introduce you to them later.”

“Thank you, I should like that very much. I love children, especially little ones. They’re so interested in everyone and everything.”

Luella laughed at that. “Gordy certainly is, the little devil. He’s full of mischief, that one.”

Delia laughed, feeling a little breathless as Luella set a fast pace. “How far is the house we are visiting?”

“Oh, just a wee stretch of the legs,” Luella replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “That’s what Lyall would say, in any case. It’s probably a good five miles, though. Are you still game?”

“Of course!” Delia said at once, not wishing to be thought faint-hearted.

“Good girl,” Luella said with approval. “But I must warn you, if you are to live here, you’ll need to be hardy. Lots of walking and being outside. That is, if you ever want to spend time with Muir, for he’s not one for sitting about indoors, I’m afraid. Not that a farmer gets much opportunity for that. Are you very fond of parties and society?”

“I detest parties and society,” Delia said shortly. “Unless it’s the kind with just family and close friends.”

“Well, that’s a good start, for that’s the only kind we have,” she said with a laugh, and then ran to pick up a stick and threw it for Murdoch, who ran off after it, barking happily.

The visit to Mrs Grant’s was brief, for which Delia was grateful, as was Mrs Grant, who was in no state to welcome visitors. She greeted Delia cordially but with obvious discomfort at being indisposed. It was interesting, however, to see how warmly Luella was treated, and the friendly way the two talked.

“Mrs Grant told me her youngest daughter just had her first baby,” Luella said as they left the property. “A fine, healthy boy. I shall have to tell Lyall. We must think of a good christening present for him.”