“Of course I do not agree. He is nothing compared to Winnie. He is only an upstart who claims to be Earl St. Lucy’s son and now his heir. It’s such a pity his younger brother hasn’t been heard of. I ask you, what happened to his brother?”
Cam wasn’t deaf to the sting in those words, the barely veiled accusations, but everything was different now, she was different. Eliza was Eliza and who cared if she wanted to be a viper?
Eliza jumped on her hobbyhorse and rode. “No matter he’s snagged a title, he’s still not a gentleman. He’s in trade. Imagine he’s building train parts. Winnie wouldn’t ever do such a thing. He only pretends to be interested when he asks Graham questions. No, he will do as he’s supposed to do, learn from his father, and see to his lands, as a gentleman should.”
Cam said, “You don’t believe our father is a gentleman?”
That stumped Eliza, but only for a moment. “Father is unique, he is established, he is recognized. He is admired because he is able to give his attention not only to his lands but to other things as well.”
“I daresay Graham will be like our father and his own father as well. He is also unique. Perhaps Winstead will also be interested in joining Father and Graham. I imagine what with the incredible building of railroads all over England, there will be unimaginable profits to be made.”
Her sister took a tiny bite of sausage. Did she perhaps look thoughtful?
Cam said, “It is a pity we don’t know what happened to Graham’s brother, Simon. It is very sad particularly since Graham still has no memory of him, well, of anyone really. But he will. I’m going to help him once we’re at King’s Head.”
“Perhaps there is no memory of King’s Head because he doesn’t belong there.”
Cam laughed. “Alas, there’s no question he does belong. Graham looks like his father and has his mother’s blue eyes. I thought you knew that.” She paused, chewed on a roll. “Can you imagine, Eliza, what it would feel like to have no memory of your childhood years, not to know your own name, if there is anyone who loved you and missed you, looked for you?”
“Have you considered Graham was a bad penny, both he and his brother, maybe even bastards? And don’t forget he was raised by Ryder Sherbrooke, a man known to take in strays, low-class children better off in an orphanage.”
Cam stilled. The meanness of what her sister said frankly shocked her. She wanted to grab Eliza and shake her until her teeth rattled.No, calm, be calm.“You are very young to be so forgetful. Mr. Sherbrooke saved Graham’s life. Imagine you not remembering Mr. Sherbrooke is much admired, an impressive man, praised for his kindness?”
Eliza gave her a dismissive look and drank her tea.
Cam said, “As to what happened to Graham and his brother, Simon, why I plan to figure it all out once I’m at my new home, at King’s Head.”
“You think you are so smart?”
“Well, no, but I am a fresh eye, so to speak. The odd thing is I think it’s nearly time for everything to be remembered.” Cam laid her napkin beside her plate and smiled at her sister. “Now I shall go write thank-you notes. So many thoughtful gifts. Have a lovely day.” She was whistling, her step light as she left the dining room.
When she was writing her thirtieth thank-you card on the lovely gold-edged cream cards Lady Fortenberry had given her, she wondered how much longer Graham would be away. She wanted to go riding with him, perhaps speak of marital theorems.
CHAPTER 48
Tremaine townhouse
Cavendish Square
Two nights later Cam and Graham attended one of the premier balls of the Season given by Lord and Lady Tremaine in their opulent mansion on Cavendish Square. When they were greeted enthusiastically by the high and mighty of London Society, Cam realized how very different life would be now she was married, and not just married to anyone, but to the heir of an old, important and very rich earldom. The fact that Graham Hepburn also looked like a young god was an added bonus.
Cam had slipped her glasses into her small velvet reticule, joined the receiving line, and received congratulations from her host and hostess. When she and Graham stepped into the grand ballroom, the three hundred guests slowly fell silent when the Tremaine butler introduced their party in a wonderful deep baritone that very likely reached the ladies’ withdrawing room. Her dashing father stood on her left, Eliza and Winstead just behind. It was the first time Cam realizedshe now had precedence over her older sister, and always would since she would be a countess someday. Cam didn’t lord it over her sister, but she was smiling inside.
Graham leaned down, but not very far, and said close to her ear with its sparkling diamond earring, “Put on your glasses so you can see how everyone is staring at you, my beautiful wife, resplendent in the green gown I selected for her.” He paused, grinned down at her. “Not to put too fine a point on it, actually Ryder selected it since he has amazing taste. He does, however, believe I will perhaps reach his level if I am assiduous in my practice.”
Cam hesitated so Graham took her reticule, lifted out her glasses and set them on her nose, carefully hooked them behind her ears. “There, now you look perfect.” He paused. “I shall ask my father if there are St. Lucy jewels for you to wear.”
“Your father is still in something of a state of shock since his son is married, so let’s wait until the queen invites us to dine at Buckingham Palace.” She gave him a mad grin then blinked up at him. “Ah, this is splendid. Now I can see.” She adjusted her glasses and looked out over the throng of beautiful gowned ladies, the men in their stark black with shirts so white they were nearly blinding. She didn’t realize many were studying her, didn’t realize her nervous stillness was taken by all to be a sign of proper arrogance. Graham leaned down, whispered against her ear, “They are all here to pay you homage. Do not forget that. Ah, Cam, should I tell you what we will do when we are finally back to your father’s house, in our bedchamber? Should I whisper to you how I plan to lower your lovely gown, lick your beautiful white shoulders? And then slowly, very slowly, lick and kiss down your beautiful self all the way to your toes?”
She gulped, couldn’t help staring into his eyes, so filled with wickedness and promise, she gulped again.
And she was no longer nervous. Her chin went up, herbeautiful white shoulders straightened. It didn’t matter she was wearing her glasses. She was no longer a young girl at the mercy of her older sister and that witch Averil. Now, she was quite ready to take on the world. She saw her father had blended in with a group of his friends, she heard him laugh at something a gentleman said.
Lady Tremaine, mother of three healthy boys, her hair so blond it appeared nearly white, appeared at their side. Lady Tremaine followed Cam’s eyes and said, “Poor sweet man, how my husband and I have always admired him, counted him a good friend, and now, to be saddled with a mad wife, such a dreadful thing to have happen. A pity her madness wasn’t recognized before he married her. Everyone feels deeply for him. Everyone believes it proper that dear Averil is where she should be, with her family and kept safe.” Was that a bit of malice Cam heard in Lady Tremaine’s voice?
“I imagine both you and your sister were saddened at this tragic turn of events as well, ah, but life, it sometimes gives us sorrow, sometimes joy.”
Cam nodded solemnly, said nothing at all. She towered over Lady Tremaine, who was as short as Queen Victoria. It was fortunate all three sons had their father’s excellent height. Lady Tremaine was near fifty, but she didn’t look it. Her incredible white-blond hair was twisted about at the back of her head and curls fell alongside her face. Her eyes were a lovely green-blue, and kind. As for her jewels—diamonds at her throat, ears, wrists sparkled under the soft candle chandeliers.
