Page 44 of Walk on the Wildsyde

“Would ye do me the honour of allowing me to walk ye home, Miss Halliday?”

Clara glanced up at him, a look of sheer panic in her eyes. “Oh, but Mr Stewart—”

“Angus is having the devil of a time getting his brother up the stairs, for he’s had a skinful,” Hamilton said gently, steering her to the door. “I’ll make sure ye get there safely. My word upon it. Goodnight, Mary, thank ye for a lovely evening.”

“You’re welcome, and you, Clara. I’m so glad you came.”

“It was a wonderful evening,” Clara agreed. “Goodbye. I’ll see you in church.”

Before Hamilton had the chance to close the door behind them, Clara strode off, at such a pace it was clear she intended to leave him behind.

“Are ye that eager to be rid of me?” he asked, catching her up with ease.

She refused to look at him. “Walking home with you is fraught with danger, as I’m certain you recall.”

“Aye, I recall. I’ve recalled it a deal too often, if ye want the truth.”

“Don’t say such things,” she said sharply, and even in the moonlight he could see the flush of colour upon her fair skin.

“Why not? Does it nae please ye to hear that thoughts of yer kisses are driving me distracted?”

“Indeed, it does not,” she said, though the words were breathless.

“Slow down,” he said impatiently, taking hold of her arm. “Ye will give yerself indigestion by walking at such a pace.”

“My digestion is of no concern of yours,” she retorted indignantly.

Hamilton chuckled. “Aye, maybe, but I want to talk to ye and I cannae do so with ye rushing about like a wee mouse with a cat on its tail.”

“How apt a description,” she said with a short laugh.

Hamilton stopped in the street, and it must have surprised her, for she stopped too, turning to face him with confusion in her eyes.

“Is that what ye think of me? That I’m a predator, out to hurt ye?”

She considered this before she answered. “I do not believe you intend me any harm, Mr Anderson. I fear, however, that your little games will end in pain all the same.”

“Games?” he repeated as she walked off once more. “What games?”

She sent him a look of sheer exasperation. “Please do not insult my intelligence by pretending you don’t know what I mean.”

“Well, I don’t!” he exclaimed testily. “Explain yerself.”

“I mean,” she said through her teeth. “That it may seem like an amusing jest to flirt with every girl in Wick and have them all pining over you, but you will not add me to their ranks.”

“I dinnae flirt with all the girls in Wick!”

She stopped in her tracks and stared at him, arms folded.

Hamilton cleared his throat. “I never lead anyone on!” he protested. “A wee bit of flirtation is harmless. Making a lassie feel pretty and making her smile is nae a crime, is it?”

Her expression softened, and she shook her head. “No, of course not, but… but giving the impression it means more than that… well, that is very bad of you.”

“I never did such a thing,” he said gruffly.

She gave a soft laugh and walked on, taking the lane that led to the back of the vicarage. “Yes, you did.”

“When?”