Page 12 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

Chapter Three

They adjourned to his father’s library. Lennox stood to Cameron’s left, Selwick to his right. Cameron half wondered if the two men had corralled him in an effort to keep him from running. No doubt, Lennox still hoped to wrangle him into marrying his daughter. He would rather commit himself to the cloth than be saddled with her for a wife.

To Cameron’s surprise, the snippets of information he managed to piece together told him one thing: Lady Alison had had no notion of trapping him when she’d entered his room. Nonetheless, her actions had cost them both dearly. Though, perhaps, not as much as might have been paid had Lennox accomplished his plan—and Lennox’s plan it must have been, for his daughter Erin hadn’t forged the note Lady Alison had produced. For weeks, Miss Lennox had shadowed him. Once, he even suspected she’d followed him out of his club. Lennox must have helped her then, as well.

Cameron studied Lady Alison, who sat on the far side of the divan opposite his father. Perhaps he’d looked at this situation in the wrong way. She sat, hands folded in her lap, her attention squarely on his father. She’d been foolish to confront him, but she didn’t flinch from his father’s scowl. He could do far worse than the dark-haired beauty. Her green eyes sparked with daring. She was probably too opinionated, too stubborn, but he sensed a pragmatic mind behind that bravado.

Cameron addressed his father. “I am afraid my carelessness has once again caused harm.”

His father locked gazes with him. “That much is obvious by the fact that we found you in your bedchamber with a half clothed young lady.”

“I am fully dressed and nothing has happened but a misunderstanding,” Alison said in a matter-of-fact voice.

“‘Tis too late to deny the obvious, Alison,” Cameron said.

Her head snapped in his direction. Good hell, her eyes flamed with scorching heat.

Cameron turned his attention to his father. “Father, my transgression has placed me in the fortunate position of fulfilling my obligation to both you and our family. I will have this woman as my wife.”

Alison jumped to her feet. “What?”

“Just a moment,” Lennox interrupted. “What are you saying?”

“Marriage is the most honorable solution,” Cameron said. “We will wed as soon as I can acquire a special license.”

Lady Alison shook her head. “Nae.”

“You have no choice in the matter,” Selwick stated. “I will speak to your cousin tomorrow.”

Cameron’s father arched a brow. “I cannot imagine what you have to say in this matter, Selwick.”

Selwick blinked in surprise.

Lennox stepped forward. “What of my daughter?”

“What of her?” Cameron asked. “Our association has always adhered to the strictest propriety, regardless of what you have heard.”

Or the lies you have been spreading.

“As has ours,” Lady Alison cried. “Marriage is impossible. I am already engaged.”

He looked at her in surprise. “A fact that conveniently slipped your mind when you entered my bedchamber.”

“I wish to speak to you in private,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Speaking to me privately is what landed you in trouble, my dear.” Cameron strode to the open door. “Coleman,” he hollered into the dim hallway. “Please have my carriage brought around. Wake Davis immediately.” He faced Alison. “My driver will deliver you home.”

“But, I—”

“I will see my niece safely home,” Lennox stated.

“I think not. She is now my responsibility,” Cameron said.

“Rest easy, Hunter,” Selwick said. “We will see her home.”

“Oh, never mind,” Alison said in an exasperated voice. “I have a carriage.”

“What?” Lennox said in unison with his father’s, “Of course, you do.”