AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well,” Cam began, as he placed his napkin by his plate and rose to his feet. “I’ll be leaving in about half an hour if you’d like to travel with me.” The food he had managed to swallow felt as though it were congealing in his stomach at the thought of spending the evening with his toxic mother, but he couldn’tnotoffer her a ride.
“I’ll be ready,” she answered as she continued eating, ignoring the fact that he was leaving.
As he wandered down the hall toward his library, Cam wondered if he had made a strategic mistake. Hilaria wasn’t actually anything like his mother. She had her own reasons for wishing to wed a duke, but it didn’t seem to be for any toxic reason like his mother’s thoughts. He ought to have just continued to ignore his mother’s pressure for him to wed one of the women she had picked out for him and carried on with life. This scheme, and involving Lady Hilaria, was just inviting trouble upon his head. But there was little he could do now. It was already in motion. His mother was already here. And he had been correct in his assessment that she would be willing to drop her pressure upon him to wed so long as he didn’t marry beneath her. Somehow, Lady Eastwood seemed to think she could redeem her own error in marrying a viscount as long as her son married well. Thinking about it made Cam’s stomach surge, and he fought to keep his supper where it belonged.
Taking a deep breath and pouring himself a fortifying glass of brandy helped him restore his balance. Even if he had been wrong in his assessment of Hilaria, he knew she was tough enough to handle Lady Eastwood. They would be able to brazen their way through the quagmire he had created. He would do what he could to shield her from the worst of it.
They didn’t exchange many words in the carriage and parted ways when they reached their destination, but Cam was still on edge when he finally spotted Hilaria and her sister in a cluster of young ladies. It was as though she could feel the weight of his glance because Hilaria’s gaze suddenly rose and met his. Cam couldn’t say what she could read on his face, but enough of his turmoil must have been written there because her tight expression eased into a look of concern. She nodded and offered him a slight smile before her attention was drawn back to her companions.
Unsure if he ought to approach her with his mother present, Cam circulated through the room, greeting his hostess and various acquaintances.
“I was surprised to receive your mother’s acceptance for this evening, Lord Eastwood. You didn’t tell me she was going to be in Town.”
“I’m surprised you invited her if you didn’t expect her to attend,” he countered.
This earned him amused laughter from his hostess. “Are you being deliberately dense, Eastwood? Surely you realize one must invite everyone whether you expect them or not.”
Cam nodded although he didn’t really understand what she was trying to say. While Hilaria was convinced that he was fluent socially, and she wasn’t exactly wrong, that didn’t mean he understood the reasonings of the members of theton. This was one perfect example. But rather than criticize his hostess, he merely bowed.
“I do believe your invitation was so exciting for her that she couldn’t stay away.”
It was exactly the right thing to say. The woman simpered and giggled but managed to still look elegant. Quite a feat for a woman who was probably already a grandmother.
“Lady Hilaria is over there, Eastwood. I’m fairly certain there are available seats nearby.”
Cam gritted his teeth, smiled, and bowed once more to the lady, even if he wondered if it were she who sent the message that had compelled his mother to come so quickly to Town. It was foolish of him to mind. He had known, expected, and even wanted her to be told. But he was still angry over all of it. He made good his escape and did as he was bade, making his way toward Hilaria’s group.
Just as their hostess had said, there was an empty seat beside Hilaria. He was just in time, as the musicians were getting ready to play their recitals.
“Good evening,” she murmured to him as the first notes began.
Inexplicably, Cam felt his tensions ease as he absorbed her presence beside him. He couldn’t have explained, even to himself, why he could possibly find her restful. But all the anger tossing around within him seemed to ease and settle in her presence. He reached over and touched her elbow for the briefest moment. She took her eyes off the musicians and met his gaze fully. It only lasted for the briefest moment, barely a breath, but Cam was certain his heart stopped. He never would have suspected that would be a pleasant sensation, but warmth spread through him even as Hilaria brought her focus back to the musicians and he kept his hands to himself.
For the briefest of moments, Cam felt at peace and as one with another person. It was a rare and beautiful feeling that he savoured as the music swelled around them.
He had always enjoyed music, especially if done well, and that evening was no exception. It passed far too quickly even though it was surely a long set. Polite applause followed the musicians’ final note, and their hostess stood for an announcement.
“There will be refreshments in the dining room while the musicians take a break. We will resume in thirty minutes. Feel free to eat, drink, and mingle. We are all here for a good time.” She smiled around at her guests, who began to gain their feet.
Hilaria’s sister and their friend hurried away, leaving Cam and Hilaria behind.
“Are you well?” Even though there didn’t seem to be anyone in earshot, Hilaria still kept her voice low, a fact that Cam appreciated.
“Why do you ask?”
She smiled faintly but sighed. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t wish to.”
Cam smiled at her as he grabbed her elbow and helped her to her feet, keeping a hold on her much longer than was necessary or polite.
“I was genuinely curious why you would ask, not refusing to tell you.”
He was gratified rather than bothered by her scrutiny after that. The slight frown between her eyebrows indicated her concern and he was touched.
“You seemed stressed when you arrived,” she began hesitantly. “You didn’t really look stressed. It’s hard to explain, actually, so perhaps I’m projecting my own feelings onto you somehow. You looked normal, your usual well-groomed self. But it just felt as though there might be something wrong.” She sighed and waved her hand as though to dismiss herself. “I suppose I’m being fanciful. I apologize, Eastwood.”
Again, Cam’s heart lurched as though it were stopping on him. He momentarily wondered if he were becoming gravely ill, but he dismissed it. There was nothing wrong with him other than who he was spending time with. Cam wondered if this scheme he had concocted with Hilaria was going to be the death of him.
“You weren’t being fanciful, Hilaria,” he answered, matching her low voice and causing her gaze to fly back to his. “I suppose I owe you an apology for making you think so. I appreciate your concern. My mother arrived. She was already in my house when I returned from our walk.”
