Page 28 of Kidnapping Cordelia

“Ah, yes, but the Anderson men all have a deleterious effect on a female’s ability to make sensible decisions. They’re so big and rugged and… and I think it’s the kilt, or at least, it’s definitely the knees.”

“Yes!” Delia exclaimed, throwing up her hands. “How is one to concentrate on a proper conversation when they’re all so—”

“I know,” Luella said sadly.

“And s-so—”

“Yes,” she agreed, nodding with amused sympathy in her eyes. “You don’t need to tell me, love. I quite understand. So, what was it he did when he stopped kissing you that made you uncertain again?”

Delia sighed. “He said he wouldn’t be able to see much of me because of the lambing, and so I asked if I could come and help.”

“And he said no, this is manly man work and not for mere females to dirty their hands with?” Luella guessed, making a face that showed she too disapproved of such behaviour.

“Yes, and I was so vexed,” Delia admitted. “And it was worse because before that I was so—” She sighed, giving an expressive wave of her hand that Luella seemed to understand.

“The rat,” Luella said in disgust. “Honestly, men think they are so big and strong and we’re the ones in need of protecting, when half the time it’s the other way about. Do you know Lyall fainted when I was giving birth?”

“No!” Delia said, finding it impossible to imagine the hulking great Highlander passing out.

She nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t say anything to anyone,” she begged. “He’ll murder me if he knows I’ve told anyone.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t,” Delia said at once.

“Well, to be fair, the poor man was not supposed to be in the room, for the midwife had shooed him away, but I was screaming my head off, calling for him, and so he came rushing in, and then fainted dead away. If I’d not been so furious with him when I was the one who needed the support, I’d have laughed. I have done a fair bit since,” she added conspiratorially.

Delia snorted and the two of them burst out laughing.

“Thank you,” Delia said, wiping her eyes once her mirth had subsided. “I feel a lot better now.”

“And so you should. Don’t you heed Muir. If you want to attend a lambing, I’ll do my best to arrange it for you when he’s not about, and then when you’re prepared, you can show him what you're made of.”

“You’d do that?” Delia asked, delighted by the idea.

“Of course,” Luella said at once. “Many of Lyall’s tenants keep a few sheep. I can’t promise I can do it, for Muir is not the only man with such ridiculous opinions, but if I can, I shall. Just leave it with me.”

Delia gave a squeal of delight and hugged Luella, who grinned at her and hugged her back.

“I like you, Delia,” she said firmly. “And I hope to goodness Muir doesn’t mess things up, for I’d love to have you for a sister.”

Too overwhelmed to know what to say to this, for once Delia was sensible, and kept her mouth shut.

“Afternoon, sis. Good lord, don’t tell me you’re breeding again?”

“Leo!” Arabella, the Marchioness of Bainbridge, set the book she was reading aside and sat up. Though how she could concentrate on reading in the din carrying on around her was anybody’s guess. There appeared to be children everywhere. “Were we expecting you? I thought Mama said you were in Warwickshire?”

“I was, and now I’m back,” he said, catching a small child by the wrists before she could smear her sticky fingers over his boots. “How are you, sweetheart?” he asked the child, not entirely certain which one this was.

“That’s Leona,” Arabella said with a sigh, guessing as much. “The one we named for you, remember? Do keep up, Leo.”

“How can I when you keep producing more every time I turn my back?” he protested.

“If you visited us more often, it would not be so difficult to keep track,” she retorted. “Now go and ring the bell and I’ll send for tea. Then you can tell me what you want of me,” she added sagely.

“What makes you think I want anything?” Leo demanded, going and giving the bell pull a tug.

“You’re here,” Arabella replied.

“Fair point,” Leo allowed and looked around for a place to sit that wasn’t covered in children or their accoutrements. “Don’t they have a nurse?” he asked, watching the younger twins, Rayne and Gabriel, squabbling because Rayne had pushed over the castle Gabriel had been building out of wooden bricks onto the floor.