Page 61 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

Chapter Eighteen

At the light knock on her bedchamber door, Alison looked up from the book she’d been trying to read for the last hour. The door opened and Cameron entered. To her surprise, he was dressed in evening wear. Hurt stabbed. He had been gone when she rose that morning, and she’d left her room only once, when Erin badgered her into coming down for breakfast. He hadn’t sought her out. Now he stood before her, more handsome than he had a right to be. His dark coat was pressed to perfection. His cravat had been tied in a simple knot, and his hair…she couldn’t let herself think of that soft, thick hair.

He hadn’t known Robert, but he should have the decency to understand her loss, and perhaps stay in, at least tonight, in deference to her upset. But why should he? No words of love had passed between them. The concern that appeared in his eyes only angered her. Rubbish. How concerned could he be if he was going out this evening?

“I see you are going out,” she said.

He nodded. “Forgive me, but I must go. It’s the business with Napier.”

Guilt stabbed. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—ask him to let down the women who had put themselves in danger to bring this nefarious man to justice.

“No worries. As you can imagine, I am in no mood for a ball. Are the women, your friends, safe?”

“They are. My men intervened, as planned. The man who bought them is currently under arrest, but we need the head of the serpent. In order to bring them to trial and assure their convictions, we must finish this business with Napier and his partner.”

“His partner?”

“We believe his partner is the driving force behind the sex trade ring, and hope to trap him tonight.”

A sliver of fear wound through her. Might Cameron be in danger from these men?

“You are dressed for a ball, not clandestine encounters and danger,” she said.

Cameron cracked a small smile. “Napier is hosting a party. We are to talk business. And I feel certain his partner will be there.”

“Where is the party being held?” she asked.

He lifted a brow. “Alison, his party is not for you.”

She frowned. “As I said, I am in no mood to attend a ball.”

He smiled gently. “I know, and I am truly sorry.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

She closed her eyes and reveled in the warmth of his lips against her skin, then dropped her gaze when he straightened.

“For leaving you tonight—and the loss of your Robert,” he murmured.

She snapped her head up but he had started for the door. Alison sat up, extended a hand, but stopped short of asking him to wait. Robert had been her friend, but he was no longer ‘her Robert.’

“I may be late, so there is no need to wait up for me,” he said, and she allowed her hand to drop onto her lap. At the door, he paused, hand on the knob, and looked at her over his shoulder. “Shall I send Mrs. Cummings in to sit with you?” he asked.

She swallowed. “Nae. I am reading.” She lifted the book to show him.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t have sent Miss Lennox home with her father,” he said, as if speaking to himself.

Anxiety tightened in her belly. Her uncle had been furious when he learned that Erin had been at Welbourne. Alison had never considered herself a believable liar, but she had sworn that Erin had spent the entire night in her company. Alison didn’t want to consider his fury had he known the truth. She still couldn’t believe that Mister McIntyre had kidnapped Erin, thinking she was Alison—nor could she believe her Uncle Harrison might be involved in the crimes. How she wished Erin had done as she’d asked and stayed with her. But Erin had insisted that it was best for her father not to suspect he was under suspicion.

Alison searched Cameron’s face. “Do you fear that he will harm her?”

Something flickered in his eyes, but he said, “I wouldn’t have sent her home with him if I believed he would harm her.”

“I suspect you told him that if he did, he would face a dawn appointment with you.”

His brows rose. “Duels are illegal, my dear, not to mention, I am not that civilized.”

She couldn’t contain a small laugh. “Never say you threatened simply to shoot him?” She wished that she could shoot him. “It would be worth the consequences.”

“Would you mind terribly if we had to flee to the colonies?” he asked softly.