A Lord's Kiss

by Mary Lancaster et al.

  “I did send a note that I would call at three,” Cameron said.

  Hamilton’s eyes shifted to Mrs. Cummings, who stood rooted to the spot. “That will be all, Mrs. Cummings.”

  She curtsied and hurried from the room.

  Hamilton finished the drink, then set the empty glass on the mantle. “I feel certain your father informed you that Alison will not marry you. You need not sacrifice yourself by marrying her.”

  “It is no sacrifice, at all,” Cameron said. “I am delighted to be betrothed to Lady Alison.”

  “You are not engaged,” Hamilton said.

  “All of Inverness thinks otherwise,” Cameron said. “Myself included.” Hamilton started to reply, but Cameron said, “Does this Robert Thomson know about the scandal surrounding Lady Alison and I?”

  “I have written him of the matter,” Hamilton said.

  “He is at sea, I take it?”

  “He is.”

  Then it will take some time for your letter to reach him. In fact, he may return home before he receives the letter.”

  “I cannot see how that matters,” Hamilton said.

  “But you must,” Cameron said. “No man wants to return home to discover that his future bride was found in another man’s bedchamber.”

  “Robert loves and trusts Alison,” he replied. “He will believe her when she tells him there is nothing to the rumors.”

  “Rumors?” Cameron lifted a brow. “It isn’t a rumor. Lady Alison was in my bedchambers and her dress was torn.”

  Hamilton’s eyes narrowed. “Then perhaps I should make a dawn appointment with you.”

  Cameron laughed. “Why? I have agreed to marry her—as I should.”

  “Sir, I assure you, you need not concern yourself about Alison. She is determined to marry Robert.”

  “You and I both know Mister Thomson will not marry her when he learns that she was with me at two in the morning. As her guardian, it is your duty to ensure that she makes the right choices.”

  “You need not remind me of my duty,” he snapped. “Not only has Alison assured me that her visit with you was innocent, her uncle has also told me what happened. He was there—”

  “If you are referring to Lennox, he arrived long after Alison and I had our visit,” Cameron said.

  Hamilton studied him. “Am I to infer that you plan to spread the rumor Alison and you are conducting an affair?”

  He laughed again. “It isn’t necessary that I spread any rumors. You do not seem to comprehend the situation.”

  “You seem to want to marry her,” Hamilton said. “I am giving you an out. Take it and leave her be.”

  “I’m afraid I cannot. I know my reputation. Society believes we are lovers.”

  “I care nothing for what Society believes,” a woman spoke behind him.

  Cameron turned and smiled. “My lady, I am relieved to see you.” He crossed to her. When she didn’t offer her hand, he bowed. “Thank you for seeing me today. I received no replies to my letters, so wasn’t certain you had received them.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly. “There was no need to reply to your notes—as you know, sir,” she said. “By now, you must know there will be no marriage between us.”

  Cameron smiled gently. “I applaud your loyalty to Mister Thomson. You are an intelligent woman, so you must know that a gentleman will not remain engaged to a woman who was found in another gentleman’s bedchambers.”

  “I have never known a rake so determined to marry a woman as are you.” Her eyes narrowed. “I assume you know I am a wealthy heiress?”

  An unexpected laugh escaped before he could stop it. “Forgive me, Lady Alison. Are you accusing me of being a fortune hunter?”

  She arched a brow that said if the shoe fits…

  “You are wise to beware of fortune hunters,” he said. “I will have my solicitor send over an accounting of my finances. You will see that I am, shall we say, comfortable.”

  “If it isn’t my money, then what is it you desire?”

  “I would think that is obvious.”

  “Please,” she said in exaggerated tones. “You take me for a fool. Do not say that you were so struck by my beauty that you simply cannot live without me, or that you suddenly see the error of your roguish ways and have decided to settle down with a good woman.”

  This time, he was able to stop the laugh that rose to his lips. Still, he couldn’t resist asking, “Are you a good woman, my lady?”

  “Better than you deserve,” she replied.

  Cameron grinned. “In that, we agree. If you want the truth, my lady—” He broke off. “May we speak in private?”

  “There is no need for that,” Hamilton said. “Alison has made herself clear. Now leave, or I will have you forcibly removed.”

  “Henry, for God’s sake, I have had enough of you for today,” she said in obvious frustration. “Leave us.”

  He strode to where they stood. “Nae. Aside from the fact that would not be proper, I do not trust this man.”

  She pinned him with a hard stare. “Unless you intend to lock me in my room, then I suggest you leave. As the viscount has made perfectly clear, my reputation has already been compromised. A conversation in your study is hardly grounds for concern.” She arched a brow. “Otherwise, I will simply meet him at a time and place of my choosing when you are not present.”

  Cameron was impressed. The clever minx had her cousin dead to rights. If Hamilton refused, the knowledge that she would once again meet with him in private was no idle threat. Cameron suspected she knew Henry would relent with that threat hanging in the air.

  Hamilton’s mouth thinned. “Five minutes, Weston. After that, I will have you thrown from my house.” He looked at Alison. “I will be just outside should you need me.”

  She didn’t reply. Hamilton left and, when the door clicked shut, Alison motioned for Cameron to follow her to the far side of the room. When they reached the hearth, she whirled on him.

  “What are you about, sir?” she said in a low voice. “You are not in love with me. In fact, you have no wish to marry, at all.”

  “I did compromise you, my lady.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Rubbish. You did not entice me to your bedchambers, as you well know. You didn’t even know I was there. I came to be in your house, in your bedchamber, of my own doing. If anything, it is Erin you should be offering for, not me.”

  “My lady, I will drag you bound and gagged in front of a minister before I will marry your cousin.”

  She blinked, then he realized his mistake.

  She gave a slow nod. “So your father has had enough of your philandering and has put his foot down, has he?”

  “I asked you to marry me of my own accord,” he said. It was the truth—even if his father had commanded him to marry.

  “I will not be your sacrificial lamb,” she hissed.

  “Marriage to me isn’t quite that bad,” he said.

  “It is,” she said without hesitation. “But that is beside the point. I am to marry—”

  “Robert Thomson,” he finished for her. “Aye, you have told me. Forgive me for saying so, Lady Alison, but for a woman who sees clearly our relationship, you are being particularly obtuse in regard to your engagement to Mister Thomson.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I can only conclude that you are standing firm because you do not wish to marry me. I understand that. But I must wonder if you do not truly wish to marry Mister Thomson, either. You are not so naïve that you fail to realize the seriousness of the situation. If he wanted you—was desperately in love—he would take you as his mistress now. Not his wife. Let me assure you, however, I will take the marriage vows seriously.”

  She snorted. “I do not believe you.”

  Cameron couldn’t believe it. This woman was working as hard not to marry him as most women did to trap him into marriage. Was it really fair to force her? It was, for she really was completely ruined.


  “Lady Alison, surely you can see that a marriage to a future earl is preferable to life as a ruined spinster…or worse?”

  “My God, you are arrogant,” she retorted.

  “Be that as it may, I propose a compromise.”

  Wariness appeared in her eyes.

  “I am not proposing anything indecent,” he said. “Quite the contrary. We will remain engaged—”

  “We are not engaged.”

  Cameron sighed. “We will become officially engaged. Once Mister Thomson returns, you will explain the situation to him. If he still wishes to marry you, you may then cry off on the grounds of my philandering.”

  “See, we are not truly engaged, yet you are still planning to continue on as a rogue.”

  He shook his head. “Not so. I will remain the devoted husband-to-be until Mister Thomson returns. If he does not agree to marry you, we will then be married post haste.”

  “I do not see the need for the charade,” she said.

  “Your faith in Mister Thomson may be unshakable, but do you honestly believe you can fend off your cousin until then?”

  “What?” she blurted.

  Cameron had hit a nerve. “My reputation as a rake is far less accurate than my reputation in business. There is mischief afoot. He plots your future and I daresay he will not wait for Mister Thomson to return. He intends to marry you, my lady.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “He is my cousin.”

  “I believe your father’s title went to a distant cousin, which means Hamilton can never claim that. However, there is a way for him to take full control of your money.”

  “He can no more induce me to marry him than can you,” she said, but a fraction of the fight had gone out of her voice.

  He gentled his tone. “Forgive me for being blunt, but he can, if you are pregnant with his child.”

  She drew a sharp breath. “Henry can be intolerable, but he is not a cad.”

  “I beg to differ. Be honest, my lady, your male guardian should be forcing me to marry you. Why isn’t he?”

  She hesitated, then shook her head. “He wouldn’t.”

  “Then I take it, you decline my offer to a betrothal until Mister Thomson returns?”

  Alison drew herself up. “I am capable of taking care of myself. But I thank you for your concern.”

  “You cannot bring yourself to commit an act you consider a betrayal to Mister Thomson, can you?” Cameron suddenly envied Mister Thomson. “No need to worry, Lady Alison, when Mister Thomson returns, you may tell him that you remained true to him.”

  Cameron hauled her over his shoulder and started for the door.

  She shrieked. “What in the world are you doing, sir? Put me down.”

  “This is for your own good, my lady.”

  The door swung open and Hamilton blocked the doorway. “What the bloody hell?” He started toward Cameron. “Put her down, you bastard.”

  Hamilton reached them and Cameron swung Alison down onto her feet. He rammed his fist into Hamilton’s jaw. The man dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

  Alison gasped. “What have you done?”

  Cameron seized her arm.

  She yanked her gaze to his face. “Brute.” She punched him in the belly with enough force to knock the wind from his lungs.

  “By God,” he wheezed. “You hit like a man.”

  Cameron tossed her over his shoulder again. She twisted in an effort to break free. He clamped an arm over her backside and strode out the door into the hallway.

  “This is kidnapping,” she shouted. “Help!”

  He made a quick turn and descended the stair.

  She twisted violently.

  Cameron grimaced when he faltered a step. He gave her rear end a slap. “Unless you want us both to fall headlong down these stairs, I suggest you cease your struggles,” he growled.

  She gasped, but stilled until they reached the second floor, then pounded his back with her fists. Cameron turned right and hurried forward.

  “Stop!” she shouted.

  They neared the front door and butler appeared at a run down the stairs to the left. A woman gasped. Cameron glanced over his shoulder. Mrs. Cummings hurried toward them at a fast walk with three maids close behind. Cameron reached the front door as the butler reached them.

  “Mister Smithers,” Lady Alison cried. “Help me!”

  Mrs. Cummings reached them as Cameron threw open the door. He whirled to face the servants. “My fiancée and I are on our way to my father’s home. You must be aware that we were discovered together in my bedchambers four nights ago. I will not wait another night to prove to the world that ours is no torrid love affair.”

  Mrs. Cummings’ eyes narrowed.

  “Mrs. Cummings, I am sorry, but I cannot in good conscience leave Lady Alison in this house with her cousin.”

  “How dare you?” Alison cried. “Someone do something.”

  A look passed between the cook and the butler.

  “If you are sincere, then you will take the maid with you,” the butler said.

  “Mister Smithers, do something or you will be free to seek employment elsewhere!” Alison thrashed.

  Cameron locked gazes with the housekeeper. “Mrs. Cummins, if you will accompany us.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but strode out the door.

  “Sir,” the housekeeper called. She hurried after him.

  “Help!” Alison shouted.

  “For God’s sake, Alison, do you really want to stay here with Hamilton?” Cameron demanded.

  “I will not be kidnapped.” She pounded on his back as he strode down the walk to the carriage.

  Cameron reached the carriage and threw open the door as Mrs. Cummings reached his side.

  “In you go, Mrs. Cummings.” Cameron tightened his hold on Alison and grasped the housekeeper’s arm.

  “Sir—” she began.

  “I will send you home in this carriage, Mrs. Cummings, once we have reached my father’s home. It is the only way to get her out of Hamilton’s clutches.”

  “I am not in anyone’s clutches,” Alison spat. “Mrs. Cummings, call for a constable.”

  “Halt!”

  Cameron jerked his gaze onto Hamilton, who burst from the house.

  The housekeeper leapt into the carriage with a lighter foot than Cameron would have thought possible, then he tossed Alison onto the seat.

  “Halt, I say!” Hamilton raced down the walk toward them.

  “Off we go, Bob,” Cameron shouted to the driver, then yanked the door closed as he dove inside.

  Chapter Six

  The coach lurched into motion as Lord Weston seized Alison’s arm and shoved her back down onto the seat beside Mrs. Cummings.

  Alison turned to the housekeeper. “Be advised, Mrs. Cummings, I am giving you your notice. There will be no need for you to return to Eversley Place. I will have your things delivered to your home.”

  “Mrs. Cummings, if Lady Alison is foolish enough not to understand the great service you did her today, you may come to work for me at twice the wages,” his lordship said.

  Alison lifted her chin. “You will not steal my help. I will have you know we pay well, some of the best wages in Inverness, so you should not be so cavalier with your offers.”

  “Forgive me, my lady,” Mrs. Cummings said. “But his lordship’s offer is quite tempting since Mister Hamilton lowered our wages by ten percent.”

  Alison stared. “That is impossible. Henry wouldn’t.”

  Mrs. Cummings shrugged. “You may take my word, my lady, it is true.”

  “But there is no need to lower your wages. What reason did he give you? Did he tell you this himself?”

  The housekeeper nodded. “He did, ma’am. We were told not to question him, and that if we were unhappy with the situation, he would accept our resignations.”

  “How dare he,” she seethed.

  “We all love you, my lady, but Harriet had not been in your employ for long, and she did find a position e
lsewhere. Did you not wonder why?”

  “I— Well, that is, servants often leave employment. I thought nothing of it.”

  “Perhaps you will see that your cousin is not so altruistic as you might like to believe,” the viscount said.

  Alison turned a hard stare onto him. “That does not change the fact that you are mad.”

  He kept his gaze locked with hers. “Lady Alison, do you mean to say that you do not have the slightest misgivings about your cousin?”

  She hesitated. “As I told you earlier, he can be trying, but he is not the sort of man who would force himself upon a woman, particularly his cousin, in order to force her into marriage. His wife died nine months ago. He is in pain.”

  “There are men who have done far worse than force themselves upon a woman in order to secure a fortune.”

  “If I might say something,” Mrs. Cummings said.

  Alison looked at her and arched a brow. To the woman’s credit, she didn’t look away.

  “As you know, ma’am, we servants know a great deal about what goes on in a household. Mister Hamilton has been acting strange of late. For example, I suspect he has been reading your mail.”

  Alison recalled her latest letter from Robert, and Henry’s apology that he had opened the letter by mistake. She returned her attention to the viscount. “None of this means that I will marry you.”

  “You are completely at the mercy of your cousin,” his lordship replied. He is not to be trusted. Accepting my proposal is the safest thing for you, at this point. As I suggested earlier, we need not truly marry. By leaving Eversley Place, you will be safe from your cousin and from further gossip. In six months, when Thomson returns, if he agrees to marry you, I will make a big show of betraying you and you can cry off. No one will blame you and all past scandals will be forgotten.”

  “Where do you suggest I live?” she asked.

  “You claim to care nothing for Society. I have a home in the north where you can stay. Bring any and all staff you like. Take Mrs. Cummings with you—that is, if she is willing to go.” He looked at her. “We are taking you into our confidence, Mrs. Cummings. I trust you will not repeat any of this to anyone.”