Page 20 of Walk on the Wildsyde

“Yes, exactly,” Clara said, her expression one of relief. “I should worry whenever I wore it, and I can’t explain why exactly, only I should not feel at ease.”

“Then thank her kindly and say no thank ye. If she is a friend, she’ll nae press ye. If ye did borrow them, I reckon she might nae like it overmuch when ye outshine her in her own gowns.”

“That’s mere flattery, and not at all likely,” she observed, smiling. “But I shall do as you suggest. Thank you, Mr Anderson. I confess, I did not expect you to understand such a thing.”

“I have a sister,” he said with a chuckle. “I ken more than ye might imagine, and just so we are clear, ye have nae need of Miss Fleming’s gowns, lovely though they may be. Ye brighten the day whenever I see ye, just as ye are, and I reckon I am nae the only one who sees that, and that’s nothing but the truth.”

The blush returned, a shade darker and she let out a little huff of laughter, which was closer but still not what he wanted from her. “You are a rogue, Mr Anderson, and flirting with me will get you nowhere, so kindly desist,” she said reprovingly, but there was a sparkle in her eyes, and he did not think she minded it at all.

“Did ye nae leave a sweetheart behind when ye left yer home to come here?” he asked, curious now, for surely this beautiful girl had been remarked upon. If not, the men of her hometown must be blind and stupid.

Clara shook her head. “My father prefers a quiet life, so we have never had a great deal of society. And you are being impertinent again,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

“So ye are hoping to find one here, I suppose?”

She bristled a little. “You just cannot help yourself, can you?” she said, shaking her head. “You ought not ask such questions of me.”

“Why not? I’m interested,” he objected.

“It’s not done, and I think you know that very well. And if I am looking for a husband, what of it?” she demanded, a little defiantly. Her finger traced the painted pattern on the teacup, but she glanced up at him and away again.

“Nothing at all,” he said, wondering if Mrs Macready was right about her father wanting to keep her by him. “Only if ye were at the school hoping to speak with Malcolm Stewart, I pray ye will look a little higher. Ye can do better than that, I assure you.”

She turned red this time, a much less flattering shade which told him he’d not been wrong. Glaring at him and looking a little incredulous, she gathered herself and Hamilton knew at once he’d touched a nerve.

“Mr Stewart is a schoolteacher, an educated man, and one who has done nothing to deserve such censure. He may not be a man of means but he has an honest trade, teaching the next generation. I am not aspiring to marry a man of fortune, or—or any man,” she added in confusion.

Hamilton opened his mouth to tell her the man was not at all what he appeared to be, and was gaining a dubious reputation in the town, and closed it again. He could not in all conscience slander the fellow, but neither could he leave her without a warning.

“Aye, well. As ye like. It’s just my opinion, but ye will do as ye please,” he said easily, pushing to his feet and regretting the fact he had not made her laugh as he’d hoped. “Just… just dinnae ever let yerself be alone with the fellow, aye.”

She frowned at that, and he wondered if she thought it was jealousy on his part, making him say such a thing. Either way, it could not be helped, he’d had to warn her.

“I shall, thank you, Mr Anderson. You are always so considerate of my feelings,” she replied, and he heard the thread of sarcasm behind the words. He smiled at her, pleased that she was bold enough to speak so to him and wondering if he been right to warn her off. Some women liked a fellow better if they believed he was a rogue, he ought to know. Maybe now she’d be on fire to see the wretched devil, which was an idea which bothered him more than he liked. Malcolm was a loose screw, and he did not think Clara had the experience to deal with such a fellow.

“Good day to ye, Miss Halliday, and thank ye for the tea,” he replied, giving her a respectful bow before he saw himself out.