Page 56 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

“Hunter, at Lady Leask’s party a few nights ago, I couldn’t help but notice Miss Lennox’s attention toward you.”

“Many ladies pay me attention,” he said.

Leave it to James to miss nothing. Erin Lennox was a foolish, spoiled young lady, but Cameron had no wish to sully her name—not even to James—by revealing that she had tried to trap him in the gardens that night. He was the foolish one, however. There was a time and place for discretion. James knew that as well as did he.

“She has had a particular interest in me,” Cameron said, “but I believe that is more her father’s doing than hers.”

“Exactly,” James said.

“You think Lennox is involved in Napier’s business,” Cameron said slowly.

“More than believe it, I know it. Miss Lennox also said that Taylor told Lennox that if they got caught they could hang—and,” he added before Cameron could comment, “Taylor told Lennox to get you in line.”

Cameron recalled Lennox barging in the night Alison had entered his room. Lennox was the reason they’d been caught. He’d even brought a witness…because he expected his daughter to be there, not Alison.

“The fool believes that if I’m married to his daughter, I will work with him in his business, or our marriage will buy my silence—perhaps even lend respectability to his business dealings.” Cameron focused on James. “But why me?”

“That question might be answered by asking what his role is in Napier’s organization.”

“Montgomery’s organization, you mean.”

James nodded.

“I do not like Lennox,” Cameron muttered. “The man is dishonest and power hungry.”

“Two essential elements for a criminal.”

“Aye,” Cameron said. “But he has neither the connections nor the courage to be a skilled criminal.”

“I quite agree, which is where you come in.”

“Bloody hell.” Cameron turned and raked a hand through his hair. “I’ve honed my reputation well if he thought I would do his dirty work.”

James stepped closer. “Here is the thing, we might be able to use him to catch Montgomery.”

Cameron nodded. “I must visit Lennox today—after my wedding.”

“You are to marry today?” James said in surprise.

“I must, if I am to keep my sanity intact.”

James snorted. “Good luck, my friend. By-the-by, in case you haven’t seen her, Miss Lennox spent the night here.”

Cameron barked a laugh. “That is your doing.”

James shot him a narrow-eyed look. “No need to remind me of my blunder.”

Despite James’s obvious frustration, Cameron detected something in his voice that made him think James didn’t quite consider his kidnapping of Miss Lennox a blunder.

“Lennox will hold you responsible for his daughter’s disappearance,” James said.

He was right, of course. But was he right enough for Lennox to feel he held real leverage over Cameron?

“I can hardly marry his daughter if I am already wed.”

“True, but you can still allow him to believe he has power over you,” James said.

Yes, he could.