Lucy Muir by Highland Rivalry

Author:Highland Rivalry [Rivalry, Highland]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

In her dilemma over whether to try to win Lord Murray’s affections from Celeste, Phoebe had forgotten that Lord Murray’s cousin, Miles Huntsford, was to arrive the following day. Celeste, however, had not.

“Lord Murray failed to mention how old his cousin is. I wonder what he looks like. Do you suppose he is dark like Lord Murray?” Celeste eagerly speculated.

“I could not hazard a guess,” Phoebe responded, her conscience feeling partially relieved by Celeste’s interest in the visitor. Surely if Celeste cared deeply for Lord Murray she would not be so curious about another gentleman.

However, Celeste’s excitement was infectious, and when Miles Huntsford arrived early that afternoon, Phoebe was almost as eager to meet him as was Celeste. Her first thought upon seeing him was that here was Mr. Scott’s Malcolm Graeme come to life. He was tall and slender, with a muscular frame and wavy fair hair, and Phoebe felt all he needed to complete the picture was a belted plaid.

Miles Huntsford first greeted Lady Melville, and then Lord Murray presented Celeste to him.

“So this is your choice for your lady, Robert?” he asked. He took Celeste’s hands and looked at her with open admiration. “But she is much too beautiful to be immured in a lonely Highland castle. Indeed, Robert, the thought is positively Gothic.”

Celeste smiled and returned his greeting warmly. Mr. Huntsford’s light banter was very much to her taste.

Nor did Mr. Huntsford ignore Phoebe. “Miss Hartwell. I am indeed charmed to make your acquaintance,” he said when she was presented to him. “Your presence adds a glow to Castle Abermaise that was heretofore lacking.”

“Are you referring to the colour of my hair or my presence?” Phoebe asked mischievously.

“Your beauty and your presence both, of course,” he replied with a twinkle. “But your hair is not the least of your beauty.”

During supper Miles Huntsford kept them all entertained with stories of his adventures on the Continent, not forgetting to include details of the latest fashions and dances. Phoebe and Celeste, and Lady Melville as well, were particularly interested in his descriptions of the new German dance called the waltz.

After the meal the men did not remain long talking over their port, but joined the three women within the half-hour. Lady Melville dozed by the fire she always had lit, contriving to look dignified even when asleep. Miles Huntsford promptly attached himself to Celeste, and Lord Murray was left to converse with Phoebe, to her great pleasure.

Phoebe and Lord Murray were speaking companionably when a peal of laughter from Celeste caused them to turn and look at her. Celeste’s whole attention was on Mr. Huntsford, and her very being seemed to sparkle. It was clear she was in a happier mood than she had been in for a long time. Phoebe involuntarily shook her head at Celeste’s behaviour. Should Celeste conceive a liking for Miles Hunts-ford, Phoebe would be the first one to promote it, but for Celeste to show her preference for another’s company when her betrothed was in the same room was not at all the thing.

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