AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, yes, it’s a conundrum, isn’t it?” she asked with a shake of her head that belied the grin still on her face.
Cam was tempted to pursue the questions that were chasing around his head, but he managed to hold onto his tongue. It felt disloyal somehow to be discussing Hilaria with her sister. Besides, he could tell from the sound of the music that their dance was about to end. As it did so, he bowed over his companion’s hand.
“Thank you for inviting me to dance,” he said, trying not to sound too sarcastic.
The girl didn’t seem too bothered. She dipped a deep curtsy, with a wide smile, and without a word, slipping away as Camden’s attention returned to watching Hilaria.
He tried to be more discreet about it this time. Cam didn’t believe that he had been glowering as Lady Vigilia had claimed, but while they were trying to cause a stir, they had really already accomplished his aim with his mother, so he couldn’t really begrudge her the success she seemed to be finding with the gentlemen. But he didn’t find that he liked it much.
On one hand, there was nothing truly objectionable about any of the gentlemen when taken from a certain standpoint.
The Duke of Rathnelly was deep in the pockets and well reputed amongst Society. But he was at least twice Hilaria’s age and already had a family. Some of his children were probably Hilaria’s age. It would be uncomfortable at best, he was sure. But Rathnelly was a duke, and that’s what the chit claimed she was searching for.
The Earl of Ramsden had even deeper pockets, but his reputation was slightly shadier. Camden was glad that Hilaria’s determination to wed a duke would probably keep her away from the bounder. Cam couldn’t be comfortable with the way Ramsden was looking at her as though she were an object he would like to add to his collection.
And then there was Prince Felix suddenly dancing attendance on the girl. Cam was certain Hilaria would be pleased with a prince. They had even discussed the possibility of an émigré, but Cam couldn’t see how the girl’s portion would be able to support them both in the manner they were both accustomed to. With the prince’s assets seized by the revolution, it was unlikely he would have much to contribute. From Cam’s way of thinking, it was an empty title and not worth Hilaria’s time. But he wasn’t certain she would see it that way if all she could see were the words and the crown.
Vigilia had been right to ask him to dance. He ought to find another partner. But his heart was no longer in the evening. What he really wanted was to dance with Hilaria again. But with the men clamouring for her attention, he doubted he would have a chance with her.
Cam forced himself to find at least one more partner to dance with. If their scheme was, in fact, having the success each of them had hoped for, he thought he ought to take Vigilia’s advice and not draw further attention to Hilaria. All he wanted to do was go home, but Cam understood Society enough to know that if he left the ball just after dancing with her, the gossip might be more than Hilaria would wish to handle.
But as he settled into his library after he finally felt it was acceptable to leave, he couldn’t even recall who he had danced with. Cam was just relieved he had managed to avoid his mother’s sharp tongue as well.
“I’m surprised you’re heading home so early, Eastwood,” his mother remarked as he handed her into the carriage. “Did you finally see the wisdom of my words in connection with the Sherton girl?”
“I just have some paperwork to attend to, Mother. There’s no need to read anything into it.”
The viscountess hadn’t bothered to say anything, merely sniffing her disdain. After a moment, she broke the silence that had gathered.
“The servants have managed to cobble together my lodgings, so I will be relocating tomorrow.”
Cam didn’t want to insult his mother by rejoicing, but he wasn’t sure how else to respond. “My servants will be at your service to help, if you should need them.”
Cam sighed as he sipped from his favorite goblet and remembered the conversation. He wished he was happier about the success of their scheme. It wasn’t quite over, of course. He still had the promised excursion to see Lord Elgin’s artifacts the next day. It was to be hoped the ladies would be happy with what he had been able to arrange.
