Page 21 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

Alison started from her stare and reached for the plate of pheasant.

“I assume Mister Thomson would prefer to deal with a higher class of clientele?” he said.

Alison’s heart fell. The earl didn’t have to be specific for her to understand the veiled meaning of his words.

“Robert has an education from the University at Edinburgh, as well as Oxford,” Henry said. “I assure you, Alison’s small mistake will not hinder his ability to secure gainful employment.”

“If that is what you have been telling Lady Alison, then you are not qualified to act as her guardian.”

“I beg your pardon,” Henry began, but the earl looked at Alison.

“Have you seen the paper, my lady?”

“The paper?” she repeated.

He picked up the newspaper and set it on the table to her left. Alison caught sight of the headline, A certainLady A caught in the bedchambers of well-known rake Lord W. She drew a sharp breath and skimmed the remainder of the gossip column. A dress torn, a flush on her cheeks and a fumbling of excuses. She couldn’t tear her eyes from the last lines. Lord W proposed marriage.Will identities be revealed of these secret amours when church bells ring?

“I take it you now have a better understand of the situation?” the earl said. His gaze softened on Alison. “Your position is never easy, my dear. ‘Tis an unfortunate situation for you….and for Cameron.”

“What is it?” Henry reached across her and snatched up the paper. After four heartbeats, he snorted. “Meaningless gossip.”

The earl leaned back in his chair and locked gazes with Henry. “As I said, if you believe that, then you are not fit to be anyone’s guardian. You would be wise to speak the truth. The damage cannot be undone…except by marriage.”

Henry rose. “Alison has made her intentions clear. She will not marry your son.” He pushed back his chair and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Come, Alison.”

She stood, and the earl rose.

“There is no need to show us the way out,” Henry said. “We can find our way.” He grasped Alison’s arm and started away.

She halted and looked at the earl. “Thank you for having us, sir—and thank you for your concern.”

He held her gaze. “Of course. I hope to see you again soon.”

***

Three days later, Cameron’s carriage stopped in front of Lady Alison’s brick townhouse. He’d planned on waiting until tomorrow to see her, when he had the special license in hand, but his meeting with his father two hours ago had changed his mind.

“Her cousin is not to be trusted,” his father had said.

Cameron had long ago learned to trust his father’s judgement. But even without the earl’s insight, Cameron sensed something amiss. Her cousin’s steadfast insistence that she remain engaged to a military man who was ignorant of the scandal in which she’d become embroiled with one of Inverness’s most notorious rakes was not to be believed. The man had an ulterior motive. Nothing that would bode well for Alison.

Cameron opened the door and stepped from the coach. He shut the door, then nodded to the driver. “I will no’ be long, Bob.”

“Aye, sir,” Bob replied.

Cameron strode up the walkway to the front door, then lifted the knocker and knocked twice.

A moment later, a middle-aged man opened the door. “May I help you, sir?”

“Viscount Weston here to see Lady Alison.”

“I am sorry, but Lady Alison is not accepting visitors at this time.”

Cameron would wager she wasn’t. “Not even her fiancé?”

The man showed no surprise and Cameron felt certain he knew of the scandal and engagement.

“No one, sir,” the man said.