AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If you must know, there have yet to be any offers. But I expect that to change now that my sister is wed.”
“She cast you quite in the shade, did she?”
This time her colour was less complementary. Cam actually feared for her health, as she appeared on the verge of apoplexy.
“You are truly a horrid individual. I have no concept of how you thought I would agree to this.”
“Well if you would quit your caterwauling, I would explain the matter properly.” Cam grinned anew as his statement clearly met with her displeasure.
“Truly, my lord, I don’t know how you are accepted into Society.” Cam was surprised by the lack of true heat in her words. “Very well, explain yourself, and let’s have done with this interlude. I am of a mind to leap from this carriage, but I expect that would cause a greater scandal than whatever you are proposing.”
Cam grinned but complied with her direction.
“I’ll tell you how this is in your best interests, too. You see, people are like sheep, they follow where they are led, in a herd, or I suppose a flock if I’m being specific. Surely you’ve witnessed it.”
She shrugged, not denying his words but not agreeing wholeheartedly either. Cam carried on.
“For example, if you think about what becomes fashionable. Somebody, somewhere, decided to do or wear some foolish thing. Because that person had influence, for whatever reason, others followed suit. Now, everyone is wearing the same or tying their cravat a certain way or what have you.”
“All right, I see your point, but what does that have to do with our betrothal?”
Cam brightened as she seemed to be open minded to his idea.
“If we become betrothed, you will become far more attractive to the other gentlemen.”
“Are you such a connoisseur of women, then?”
“Somewhat,” he admitted with a grin, “but as I said, people are followers.”
“So, you’re saying that if I were to become betrothed to you, then other gentlemen would become interested in me, is that right?”
“Yes, exactly.” Cam nodded, pleased that she was catching on to the idea so quickly.
“But what good would that do me?” she demanded. “I would already be betrothed to you.”
“You could end our betrothal and accept someone else.”
“There would be no someone else,” she pointed out in an exaggeratedly patient voice. “I would be ruined for being a jilt. No other gentleman would want to take a chance on me.”
“Surely if he loved you, he would.”
She snorted. Camden couldn’t believe it. He had never heard a gently bred woman snort before.
“I take it you find my reasoning faulty.”
“I find it more than faulty, my lord. But never mind that. First, I would like to know what you think you would get from our sham betrothal. Surely, you have a plan. We are not friends, so I’m certain you did not come up with this scheme out of a misguided attempt to help me.”
Cam grinned. The girl didn’t beat around the bush or try to sugar coat the matter. He could appreciate that. And she wasn’t having hysterics, which had been one of his fears.
“Well, if I were to become betrothed to you, my mother might not appreciate the match, and she might actually prefer that I remain single.”
The stunned silence that followed his statement made Camden grow uncomfortable. Especially when accompanied by her incredulous stare.
“I beg your pardon. Did you just say that since your mother is not likely to approve of our betrothal, then the pressure upon you to wed would lessen?”
“Yes.”
“Why? What’s so unacceptable about me? A daughter of the Earl of Sherton is considered a good catch by most.”
