Page 38 of Kidnapping Cordelia

“I ken it well enough, but I’d like to understand the reason all the same, if yer willing to tell me.”

Delia considered this. She was not entirely comfortable discussing the situation with Muir’s brother and yet he seemed very easy to talk to. The urge to unburden herself was too tempting, despite the fact she’d run away to avoid doing the same thing with Luella.

“Muir is a good man, and an honourable one. If you know anything about what happened, you must know he saved me from an appalling situation and put his own life at risk to do so. I owe him very much, and so I will not force him into a marriage he does not want.”

“He disnae wish to wed ye?” Hamilton asked, his surprise evident, which made Delia feel a good deal better. “Is he mad?”

Delia laughed, shaking her head at him. “You, sir, are a wicked rogue, just as Luella warned me. Of course, he does not wish to marry a woman he barely knows. Who would?”

“I would,” Hamilton said frankly. “I’m an excellent judge of character and I trust my gut. It’s got me this far, and that’s a deal more than most men, let me tell ye. So, if ye are looking for a husband still, I’ll wed ye and be pleased to do so.”

Delia gaped at him in astonishment, hardly able to believe her ears. It took her a long moment to gather her wits sufficiently to respond. “You cannot be serious.”

His expression said otherwise, his eyes calm and grave as he stared back at her. “Aye, I am. But let me be plain, lassie. If there is something between ye and Muir, I’ll not get into that. My brother is my blood, and I’ll do nothing to drive a wedge between us. However, if it’s just that ye must wed to get out of the situation ye find yerself in, well, I’m here and I’m willing.”

“Why on earth would you do such a… a foolhardy thing?” Delia demanded, so shocked she hardly knew what to think. “You don’t know the first thing about me.”

He flashed her a quick grin, and she saw a shrewd glint in his eyes. This man was intelligent, right enough, and she doubted anyone could make him do anything he did not wish to do. “Ah, well, that’s where yer out, lass. I ken a good deal. I know ye are kin to a duke and a marquess, and that’s never a foolhardy match for a man with ambition. More than that though, Lyall and Luella think a good deal of ye. Lyall especially widnae give ye such praise without reason, for he has been burned himself by an unfortunate marriage. But none of that matters more than what I feel in my gut… if ye will excuse me for being so indelicate. Yet, when I ken something is right, is a good thing, solid, dependable, true in every way, well I feel it in here,” he said, striking his midriff with his fist. “And I ken yer a good, kind female, and ye have a twinkle in yer eye which pleases me. Also, yer a fine-looking woman and I would be proud to have ye on my arm.”

Rather stunned by this, Delia could only stare at him in bewilderment.

“I’m sorry if I have shocked ye,” he said, studying her with a regretful smile. “I’m told I’m a bull in a china shop and I cannae deny it.”

“Luella did tell me to brace myself,” Delia admitted faintly.

Hamilton laughed. “Aye, and ye ken now that she had good reason. Ye will think on it, though?”

Delia nodded, for though she could not imagine herself married to such a whirlwind of a man, she could not deny his interest was a balm to her pride. She had never judged Muir for not wishing to marry her, or for his confession of feeling trapped by the situation. Indeed, it seemed an eminently sensible reaction. It was only the way he blew hot and cold that made her furious with him. All the same, to know his brother would marry her, when he had no reason to do so, was a much-needed boost to her morale.

“Have ye visited the beach yet?” Hamilton asked, after walking beside her in silence for a few minutes. He was not a restful presence, and she thought perhaps the quiet was difficult for him to endure for long, so she turned to him with a smile and shook her head.

“Is there one?”

“Aye, ’tis a splendid place for sea bathing when the weather allows it. If yer brave enough, at any rate, for the sea is cold enough to wither yer—er—it’s a tad chilly,” he corrected hastily, before giving her a swift grin that made his eyes sparkle. Delia suspected he was a popular fellow with the ladies and used to getting his own way. “Would ye like to see?”

“I would,” Delia replied, taking his proffered arm.

Up ahead, Murdoch barked impatiently.

“Aye, he kens where we are going right enough,” Hamilton nodded, and they set out after the dog.

Chapter 10

Dearest Ruth,

Firstly, to put your mind at rest. The Lady Cordelia is a delightful girl, something of an original I am bound to say. She has not taken well to society life, and I must say I could see a marriage between her and a man like Muir might be the very thing for her. From what I know of the girl, she would like nothing better than a quiet life with a family to care for. In my opinion, she is the kind to hide her light under a bushel, but she has quite a lively, if eccentric, way about her, which I found charming.

In short, my dear, I think you will adore her.

I am currently awaiting my darling Tilly, who we expect at any moment. Pip is coming to town, and you will not believe this, Ruth, but he intends to find a bride. What is more, he has even asked us for a list of suitable candidates. Can you imagine? I pray he finds someone with whom he can finally fall in love, for it pains me to see him still so alone. I do not believe he ever loved Tilly’s mother, but her death and the discovery of his daughter seems to have had a profound effect upon him. He adores Tilly, of course, but I am afraid the child will rule the roost if he does not find a capable woman to keep her in line. But can you think of a woman who would love the child as she deserves to be loved? I fear for the girl, for there are too many women who would profess they would be a mother to her, only for the chance to be his wife. Still, Pip is no fool, and I do not believe anyone could pull the wool over his eyes.

I am so glad he has agreed to stay with us instead of opening up his own property. Lucian is in alt, though I fear Tilly will be even more spoiled than she is now if I do not keep her doting pops from giving her the moon if she asks for it.

―Excerpt of a letter from The Most Hon’ble Matilda Barrington, The Marchioness of Montagu to The Right Hon’ble Ruth Anderson, The Countess of Morven.

31st March 1850, Wildsyde Castle, The Highlands of Scotland.

“What do ye mean, she is nae here?”