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“The display of Elgin’s artifacts.”
“Oh, how delightful.”
“Are you two truly related?” Cam asked, causing a mixture of reactions he hadn’t expected. Lady Vigilia, the one he would have expected to take the jest as it was intended, turned to him with wide, scandalized eyes, offended by even the suggestion, while Hilaria merely laughed and turned her attention back to her sister.
“You will join us?” she questioned the younger woman.
“But of course. Haven’t we been trying to go for weeks?”
Hilaria turned back to Cam. “When would you like to arrange the visit?”
“It might take me a few days to make all the arrangements. I will send word.”
“So, you expect us to wait and not accept other invitations?” Hilaria sounded horrified while her sister’s gaze shifted between the two as though she were watching a spectacle. Hilaria must have caught the same idea as she shut her mouth with an almost audible click, pinning a smile to her face with a quick glance at her sister. “My lord, we are most anxious to attend the viewing, which is why I might have sounded brisk. I do apologize as I meant no offence.”
“No offence was taken, of course, my lady. And I apologize for implying I wished you to wait upon my convenience. I will do my best to make all the arrangements as quickly as possible. Are you aware of any plans you might have three days hence?”
The two sisters exchanged a glance filled with meaning but such that Cam couldn’t interpret. It seemed unique to sisters. He felt a momentary pang that felt almost like jealousy. He would so love to have such an understanding with someone. It was a missish, maudlin thought, and he ignored it completely. Finally it was Lady Vigilia who answered him.
“We are not promised anywhere during the day on Thursday, as far as we know. We would be ever so grateful and appreciative if you are able to make the arrangements. Will it be just the three of us, do you suppose?”
“Oh no, we surely ought to make a party of it, don’t you think?” Cam tried to achieve just the right tone, but he wasn’t sure if he managed it when Lady Vigilia searched his face with a surprisingly perceptive gaze. He had thought her young and silly, but perhaps she was playing a role just as much as her older sisters seemed to do.
“How delightful,” was all that she said, though, before turning to her sister. “We probably ought not to monopolize Lord Eastwood’s time any further though, right, Hil? I’m certain our mother didn’t expect us to be gone this long.”
Hilaria’s gaze sought his briefly, and Cam could tell she was fighting embarrassment over her sister’s admonishment.
“Thank you for your time, my lord,” was all she said, though.
“Perhaps I could escort you ladies home?” Cam worded it as a question, but he didn’t wait for an answer, merely offering Hilaria his elbow and setting off in the direction of the Sherton townhouse.
Cam fought his smile as he heard Hilaria’s younger sister sputtering behind them.
“That was well played, Eastwood. I would never have guessed you didn’t have younger siblings.”
“As I mentioned, Wexford shared his. He’s got a brother and a sister. There were various stages of our lives that we obnoxiously did not appreciate their company.”
“Were there stages in which you did appreciate it?” Hilaria asked.
Cam grinned down at her, delighted by the teasing question. “I quite enjoy their company now,” he answered, causing her to laugh lightly.
“They did seem to be pleasant enough. We quite liked Katherine when she spent a couple weeks with us last month. We didn’t get to know Wexford’s brother very well, as he only arrived in time for the wedding and seemed to be preoccupied with his own affairs.”
“Being the younger son is a bit of a trial for him, I suppose. He is trying to figure out his own way in life. It isn’t pleasant growing up around all the dukedom entails and then having to basically be a mere Mister in life.”
“There is probably nothing wrong with not having a title, if you still have the power and influence,” Hilaria replied.
“That’s rather rich coming from the young lady determined to wed a duke.”
She coloured slightly but kept her composure as she scoffed, “It’s quite different for women, Eastwood.”
“Anyhow, with Wexford’s brother, he doesn’t see that he has power and influence yet. Or rather, he suspects that it’s all Wexford’s power and influence, and he doesn’t see how he can lay any legitimate claim to it.” Cam paused and looked away for a moment. “That is one advantage of being an only child, in any case.”
“I can sympathize with the poor fellow. I wish I had realized. I would have made a greater effort to engage him.”
Cam was taken aback by the swift surge of what could only be jealousy that swept through him. Or perhaps it was indigestion, he tried to reassure himself.
“Here we are, my lady. I will see you tonight,” he murmured to her so her sister wouldn’t hear before he took his leave of both ladies.
