Page 55 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

Chapter Sixteen

Seton entered the library. Camron set his coffee cup on its saucer before him on his desk and leaned back. “How are preparations coming for my wedding breakfast, Seton?”

His father’s normally unflappable butler actually swallowed before saying in a neutral voice, “Mrs. Ingram is a bit more testy than usual, my lord.”

Cameron grimaced. “You have my sympathies, Seton.”

“Thank you, sir. You have a visitor. Mister McIntyre.”

“James, so early?” He wasn’t certain if that was good or bad. “Show him in.”

Minutes later, James entered the library. “I was relieved to receive your note that you and Lady Alison reached home safely,” he said once Seton had closed the door. “You cannot imagine what happened in your absence.”

Cameron tensed. “What happened?”

“I believe I have a lead on another man in Napier’s organization, perhaps even his partner.”

Cameron stared in surprise. “How? Who?”

“Believe it not, Miss Lennox provided the missing key piece of information.”

“Erin Lennox?” Cameron demanded.

James nodded. “Last night, I did as you asked, and checked first here for Lady Alison. Seton told me she hadn’t returned, so I went to Miss Lennox’s home and waited. What should happen, but a little after midnight, she leaves her home and begins walking toward town.”

“Alone?” Cameron asked.

“Alone. I mistook her for Lady Alison. I have never met either lady, you know.”

“Good God, James, what did you do?”

“Had she been Lady Alison, I knew you would have wanted me to get her home at all costs.”

Cameron groaned.

James continued, “I forced her into my carriage and brought her here.”

Forced her into his carriage? Cameron glanced at the clock—twenty minutes past eight—then eyed the decanter of brandy on the table against the left wall.

“She told me she wasn’t Lady Alison,” James went on. “But, really, I would have been a fool to have believed her.”

“Indeed?” Cameron said in a dry tone.

James clearly didn’t catch the sarcasm, or didn’t care. “Long story short, it turns out a particular man has visited Lennox twice that Miss Lennox is aware of, Taylor Montgomery.”

Cameron frowned. “Why is that strange?”

James took a step closer. “Because he spoke to Lennox about you delivering ‘the merchandise’ and said that perhaps they needn’t worry about your wedding.”

“Lennox is involved in the sex trade?” he said in surprise. ”Wait, my wedding?”

James nodded. “Odd, is it not?”

“What stake has Napier in my marriage?” he said more to himself than to James.

“None, I wager,” James said.

“What do you mean?”