Page 67 of Taming the Heiress
"Let me assure you that she is delectable and charming."
"Ah." Remembering the portly woman bobbing in the water like a seal, he frowned. Matheson had the focus of affection, he told himself. Perhaps the lady was lovely in the face and charming to friends. But she used her influence to strike hard at supposed enemies like himself.
"Lady Strathlin has a refreshing character," Matheson went on, "with a certain... coyness that is intriguing to a man of a hearty masculine appetite. I am sure you take my meaning, sir." He smiled, lifted his beer glass in salute, and drank.
You are a pig, sir, and most certainly a fortune hunter,Dougal thought. Although Matheson seemed at first to be a well-bred gentleman, Dougal was fast realizing that he was smug, self-centered, and quite possibly dangerous.
Some instinct told him not to trust the man's generous offer of help with the lighthouse. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"There is no question that Lady Strathlin has all the wealth and status a man could possibly desire in a woman," he said.
Something flashed in Matheson's dark eyes. "Do you take me for a Don Juan, sir? I give no thought to her wealth. Her kind heart and beauty are what matter to me. She is my goddess. I worship her, even when she goes around like a barefoot fishwife."
Dougal blinked. "Barefoot?"
"She adopts their quaint style when on holiday," Matheson said. He raised his glass and drank, then wiped his lips. "Surprising you never met her, sir. She moves about quite freely on the island, and everyone knows her there. She is quite the little naturalist, as well."
"She managed to avoid me, but then, we are not fond of each other." Dougal pushed his bowl of stew, half finished, away.
"It is possible she finds your contest of wills disturbing to her delicate sensibilities. That may explain why she turned over your argument to her advocates."
"Perhaps. I bow to your greater appreciation of the lady."
"I will speak to her on your behalf. As I said, I have an interest in putting the lighthouse through. When we are married, I hope to have a better influence with her. She can be quite stubborn in a delightful way."
Dougal frowned. "Married?"
"It is premature of me to speak openly, but a happy heart loosens the tongue. I have asked the lady to marry me, and her coquetry gives me hope that she means to accept."
Dougal stared at him. "Her coquetry... Sir, forgive my confusion. Wearespeaking of Lady Strathlin, of Strathlin Castle and Charlotte Square in Edinburgh?"A lady fond of swimming in large hats, fond of her privacy, and very fond of sinking lighthouse engineers,he felt tempted to add.
"Yes. Margaret—Lady Strathlin." Matheson nodded. "I would accept your congratulations now, but it is more seemly to wait until my darling makes the announcement herself. Therefore, I must ask you to say nothing of this to anyone."
Dougal felt a cold sensation seeping through him.Beautiful. Charming. Winsome. A naturalist. Barefoot."Margaret... Lady Strathlin," he repeated softly.
"On the island she goes by Meg MacNeill. Perhaps you have met her by that name?"
Dear God. He had been a supreme fool.
* * *
Dreary rain and the voluminous folds of a dark blue cloak wrapped Meg in shadows inside the hired coach as it rolled through the streets of Edinburgh. Swaying with the vehicle and listening to the steady clop of horse hooves, she glanced at Angela Shaw, seated across from her. Then she peered again through the window at the rain-washed street.
"The driver is slowing," Angela said. "We are nearly there. Oh dear, was a hired coach truly necessary? If we should be seen this way, your reputation would be ruined, madam. And I'm just not certain this is safe."
"I'm here to protect you, ladies," Guy Hamilton said. He sat in the shadows across from Meg and beside Angela, one booted foot propped on his knee. His expression was grim and dubious, but he had agreed to accompany them—had insisted on it when he had accidentally discovered Meg and Angela trying to slip away from the Charlotte Square address for an evening rendezvous.
"One of my own carriages might be recognized," Meg said. "And I simply must speak with Dougal in private."
"Dougal, is it? So you do hold some affection for him. My intuition told me so," Angela said. "I saw it in your eyes, in your wistful expression and your blush whenever he was mentioned. Obviously something wonderful happened on the Isle of Caransay," she added in a soft murmur, her eyes sparkling.
Meg looked out at the glinting rain. "Yes—wonderful, but unexpected. And I have made a thorough mess of it. I want to try to fix it now, if it can be fixed at all."
"Dougal Stewart?" Guy muttered. "It's incredible, really."
"Meg, I hoped such a blessing would come into your life someday," Angela said. "Does Mr. Stewart return your affection?"
"He returned it to Meg MacNeill, but... I am not certain that he will share it with Lady Strathlin."
