Astounded that the man would bring up the subject so quickly, Cyrus nodded. "Indeed, if you and she are agreeable to the match."
"Well, I will say I like a man who is decisive and knows what he wants. Have you met her yet?"
"Aye, briefly."
"What do you think?" Kilverntay questioned.
"She's beautiful and graceful."
"True, but her mother has cosseted her the whole of her life, so she is rather opinionated."
Och, so the man was now blaming his wife for Lily's spoilt nature?
"Thus far, I've lost count of how many suitors she has rejected in the past two years." Kilverntay turned his head to glance at his son. "How many, Robert?"
"Ha. No one could keep up with such things."
"Well, I don't claim to be perfect, but I can offer her a good life," Cyrus said.
"I'm certain you can." The marquess nodded. "'Haps I'll put my foot down and have the contract drawn up."
Rebbie grimaced. "I don't see that going over well, Da."
"What of it?" Kilverntay grumbled. "The lass has had ample time and leeway to settle on a husband. She could not find a better man than Cyrus."
"I agree," Rebbie said firmly. "Cyrus is one of the best men I know. But… I'm thinking Lily wishes a love match, as Calla and I have."
"Ba! You've been a bad influence on your sisters," Kilverntay muttered." With my luck, she'll fall in love with a stable lad."
Rebbie and the other men chuckled at that. Cyrus saw naught amusing. He well knew if Lily wished a love match, he was out of the running. He could not imagine going calf-eyed over the girl, or anyone for that matter. These days, he was far too level-headed and realistic to allow his emotions to gallop away with his rational mind.
Since the last humiliating experience of losing his head over a lass, he'd sworn to never allow a female to have that kind of power over him again. He could not even imagine himself fully trusting a woman.
Cyrus was all for tradition—marrying for alliances and wealth. This new wave of love matches of his friends and family was disturbing.
After Rebbie poured another round of whisky, Kilverntay glanced at Cyrus. "There's no need to decide today. You and Lily can get to know each other during the next few days." He raised his glass. "Wishing you the best of luck."
He would need it. Cyrus raised his glass, then downed the shot of whisky.
∞∞∞
After a grand supper, most of the tables were shoved aside to open up the dance floor. The music started and Cyrus watched several people weave this way and that during the lively reel. Lady Lily was partnered with Dermott, while Fraser danced with Lady Grey.
Saints, he still could not believe she was the daughter of a merchant. Someone had trained her well, for her bearing was fully aristocratic, and her clothing looked like the latest fashion from Paris. How wealthy was she? And how had she gained that wealth if her late husband had been penniless?
"Cyrus, it wouldn't kill you to smile once in a while," Isobel whispered, sitting beside him at the high table. "You're scaring Lady Lily."
"Humph. Surely the lass cannot be so timid." Cyrus hoped she wasn't a fainthearted girl. He had no patience for that sort of thing.
During supper, he had been seated between Kilverntay and Lily. Dermott had been on Lily's other side. His blasted brother had talked to the girl nonstop, while Kilverntay had inquired about every detail of what had happened with the Lewis conflict. The only thing he'd learned about Lily was that she had perfect manners and ate like a wee bird.
Isobel leaned toward him. "You have no inkling how ill-tempered you look right now."
'Slud! He felt ill-tempered, so it fit. Every time he caught a glimpse of Elspeth and her fiery, perfectly styled hair, he felt even more annoyed.
He knew he should think of her as Lady Grey, but somehow the name didn't fit her. She was far too vivid to be called Grey. At the moment, he was more concerned for Elspeth than he was Lily. Dermott would never be so dishonorable as to step on Cyrus's toes. But Fraser obviously felt he could seduce Elspeth anytime he wanted. He was making her smile and blush. Damn him. Most vexing of all, her smile ramped up her beauty three-fold, making Cyrus want to stare like a green lad.
"Why not ask her to dance?"
