Page 17 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

“A luncheon date?” He clasped his hands behind his back. “I will accompany you.”

Alison’s heart pounded. She hadn’t considered that possibility.

***

Cameron occupied a leather chair in front of the fire at his club. He set the paper he’d been reading on the table beside him and stared into the amber liquid in the glass he held. Last night’s events had taken less than twenty-four hours to make it into print. What would Lady Alison’s fiancé think now? Any chance she had of smoothing things over was lost. He hadn’t thought otherwise. Or had he? She had been adamant that she would wed her fiancé. Despite the kiss Cameron had given her, he realized that somewhere, deep inside, he’d harbored a small light of hope that things might remain quiet and she would stand firm in her insistence that she marry this other man.

Cameron brought the glass to his lips and drank. The scotch flowed over his tongue and slid down his throat with a pleasurable burn. Heat bloomed in his gut but did little to chase away the anxiety firing through his system. A shadow fell across his lap. He looked up to see his friend, Jonathan Appleton.

Jonathan slapped him on the shoulder and sat in the chair beside his. “Well, Cam, what are you waiting for?”

Cameron narrowed his eyes. “Do no’ rush me. I have waited twenty-nine years to find a bride.”

“I still cannot believe you are going to marry her. Everyone here can scarcely credit the rumors.”

The looks he’d received when he’d entered the club had told him as much. “Might you speak with Bishop Tolleson about a special license for me?” he asked.

Jonathan grinned. “Consider it done. I, for one, am relieved to see you married, regardless of the circumstances that brought her into your bed…um life.” Jonathan smirked. “I must admit, I am relieved it wasn’t Lennox’s daughter lounging in your chambers. I can’t imagine you would have an ounce of peace with that wench underfoot.”

Cameron hadn’t forgotten that Erin Lennox was the woman all assumed they’d find in his room. He had yet to confirm his suspicions that Lennox had set up their meeting and discovery, but was thankful that, once again, fate had intervened and saved him from certain misfortune.

Jonathan signaled a waiter, then looked at Cameron. “By the by, who is this Lady A? I must know her real name, if I am to procure the license.”

Cameron lifted a brow. “Never say you aren’t up on who’s who?”

The waiter arrived and placed a glass of sherry on the table between them, then departed.

“I admit, I am familiar with most ladies of Society,” Jonathan said, “but I do not know this Lady A. Alison is the name I have heard bantered around.”

“Her father was the Earl of Kincaid.”

Jonathan paused in lifting the sherry glass to his mouth. “The Earl of Kincaid who died saving King George from the assassination attempt in eighty-four?”

Cameron nodded. “Aye.”

Jonathan leaned against the chair back. “I didn’t realize he had a daughter. I do not recall seeing her in society.”

Cameron finished his scotch. “She doesn’t frequent bordellos, and you attend few parties these days.”

Jonathan shrugged. “True.”

“In truth, Lady Alison is not a socialite,” Cameron said. “I know her only because Jillian pointed her out at a party two years past.”

Jonathan looked thoughtful. “If I recall, his wife died when the ship she was traveling on went down in the channel.”

Cameron nodded, then caught sight of John Napier. If Society had the slightest idea that the wealthy shipping magnet they’d been throwing their daughters at these last four years made his money selling young women to rich businessmen, they would murder him.

Cameron rose. “If you will excuse me, I have business with Napier.”

Jonathan’s eyes lit. “A business venture that might interest me?”

Cameron had known this question would arise. “I am not certain yet. I will let you know. You will speak with the bishop?”

“This afternoon. We are in luck. He is in town today. You will keep me in mind for any good ventures?”

Cameron nodded. “Aye, but say nothing to anyone else.”

“I am the soul of discretion.”