“No, milord, merely a growing interest in politics,” she said. “Mob rule can be so very intriguing.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. We hear about the glorious cause of rights for Englishmen, the demand for self-government, how very ill the poor colonist is treated. But those same brave men raided the home of Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson in Boston, and he was a man very much opposed to the Stamp Act!”
“Madness against an innocent man,” Eric murmured.
“I beg pardon, sir?” Damien said.
“Oh, the lieutenant governor’s words,” Eric said. “Yes, it’s true. Mob rule can turn very ugly. I daresay that the man did not understand just how incensed the people were about the Stamp Act.”
“The ‘Sons of Liberty,’” Amanda said sweetly with only a touch of mockery to her tone.
“Ah, the study of those sons fascinates you, remember!”
“Of course.”
She looked around the room. Eric was aware that she was looking for the men rumored to be at the root of the Virginia dissension.
He rose, bowing to her deeply. “Lady Sterling, Damien, I was on my way out. Perhaps,ifyou are still interested in political discussion, you would be good enough to accompany me to my town house.”
“What!” Amanda exclaimed, startled.
He suppressed a smile at her discomfiture. “I was leaving, milady. But you are most welcome to accompany me. You, milady, and Damien too, of course.”
“I’d love to,” Damien said quickly. “Mandy?”
“I—I—” She hesitated, staring at him. Then she found her smile again. “I’m sure you can’t be so willing to forgive my bad manners that you would want me in your very home.”
“My dear Lady Sterling, you would always be welcome in my home. Indeed, you—and your father, of course—are more than welcome to be my full-time guests at any time.”
“That would not be necessary,” she said, maintaining a sweet smile. “We are guests of Lord Dunmore.”
“Ah, so you are residing at the palace, and I offer my most humble abode. I’m quite sure Lady Dunmore has you in the comfortable guest room on the second floor. It is spacious, and so beautifully appointed. I could offer nothing so grand.”
“Milord, it is a charming room he has given me, yes. You know the palace well.”
“I have been a guest there often myself,” he said softly. “And I regret that you are not my guest for your stay in Williamsburg.” He smiled charmingly himself. It was good to know exactly where the lady was staying—and might be found, if necessary. “And, milady, it is incredibly easy to forgive you. Please, my carriage is outside. Yours can follow.”
Damien was enthusiastic, and Amanda seemed to realize that she had little choice. Eric retrieved his cape and hat and led the two outside. His carriage, with the Cameron coat-of-arms emblazoned on the doors, did await them. The driver started to hop down from his seat, but Eric waved a hand to him. “It’s all right, Pierre. I shall get the steps. We’re going home.”
“Oui, Lord Cameron,” the man replied.
Eric opened the door and dropped the steps, then ushered Amanda up and into the carriage. He breathed in the scent of her hair as she passed him. Did she always smell so sweet and so good, like tender flowers on a sunny day?
“Damien, after you,” he said. He watched the young man climb into the carriage, then followed behind him.
After Eric climbed up and tapped on the carriage roof, the horses started off. His town house wasn’t far from Raleigh Tavern.
“You’re near to the governor’s palace, aren’t you?” Damien inquired.
Eric nodded. “Near enough.”
“Prime, prime property!” Damien applauded.
Eric laughed. “It belonged to my paternal grandmother.”
Damien leaned forward. “There’s a rumor that your grandfather was a pirate,” he said excitedly.
