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Chapter Two
Cam wanted to laugh but figured it wouldn’t further his cause any with this particular lady. It was a close run thing, though. Watching her open and close her mouth while no words emerged was a great jest. If only it weren’t such a serious matter for him.
Camden Wallace George Eastwood, 7thViscount Eastwood, 1stcousin to the Duke of Wexford, was about to beg this woman for her help. It was deliciously ironic how much she was like his mother and how much his mother would hate it.
“No, I have not lost my mind, I can assure you.”
“Then what could have possibly led you to believe that I would agree to marry you? Especially when you so eloquently worded it to imply that you don’t actually wish to become betrothed.”
“Because I don’t. I’m far too young to be married.”
The girl frowned fiercely, opened her mouth, seemingly to protest, but then shut it firmly. Cam was actually a little impressed with her forbearance. He had been expecting a proper dressing down from her. She certainly had the reputation of a termagant.
“I think perhaps you need to back up a little and explain yourself before I say something I am likely to regret.”
Cam grinned. For a moment there, he actually thought he might like the girl. But he rejected the thought. He had her measure. She was perfect for his plot, exactly because she was so unlikeable.
“My mother is quite insistent that I ought to marry.”
Lady Hilaria nodded as though to encourage him to continue, not bothering to ply him with questions. It was a common enough situation in their world, Cam acknowledged. All the mamas wanted their darlings married off, it would seem. No explanation required.
“Right, well, I don’t wish to comply.”
The lady nodded, a frown slightly creasing her forehead. “Ever?” she enquired.
Cam shrugged and waved a negligent hand. “Oh, I know the succession needs to be secured someday, but I’m still two summers away from my thirtieth year. Surely, there’s no need to be hasty with this.”
With another nod and her face still fixed in an expression of concentration, Lady Hilaria prompted again, “Has something happened to increase your mother’s pressure? Or have you just come to the end of your tether with it?”
“Wexford’s marriage,” Camden pronounced, as though it were the most obvious thing. He was surprised to see her face gentle slightly as she nodded again.
“I can understand that. The scent of success for one of their cronies seems to stir them up for some reason.”
Cam laughed at her way with words. “So, you can relate.”
“If you can imagine, it’s even worse in my house. We’ve had two weddings in five weeks.”
“Of course, exactly.” Cam nodded vigorously. “So, you can see how you would benefit from this arrangement just as much as I would.”
Now the lady’s frown returned, even fiercer this time.
“Well, there is a difference in our circumstances, though, my lord. You see, I actually wish to be wed.”
“Yes, of course, to a duke, no less. But there’s one less available now, so you seem further from your aim than ever before.”
“You needn’t be rude about it,” she scolded.
“How many offers have you declined so far?” Cam watched with curiosity as her colour rose. It wasn’t unattractive as it was on some ladies when they blushed. On her, despite the anger evident blazing in her direct hazel gaze, the heightened colour made her more attractive, which was a blessing since she was usually a plain little thing, from what he recalled of their few interactions.
“What makes you think you have the right to ask me such impertinent questions?”
“Well, we’re family now,” he explained.
“Just barely connected, in all reality, my lord.”
“Is it such a dreadful question then?”
She could no longer meet his gaze. For a moment, Cam actually felt a qualm over his course of actions, but he dismissed it. Lady Hilaria was just like his mother. Determined to get her own way and unmindful of anyone that might be hurt in the process. He would take a page from their playbook and get what he wanted for once.
