A Gentleman's Kiss

by Kimberley Comeaux

  Cameron couldn’t hold back his chuckle as he patted her on the head. “Your time will come and—”

  “Cameron!” his mother’s voice called to him from a distance.

  “Sorry, but I have to go,” he told Lucy then jumped into his carriage. “I’ll talk to you soon,” he promised before shutting the door.

  “If only I could leave as easily as you!” he heard her cry as his carriage began to roll away.

  It was afternoon before he could return to the shelter and speak with his butler. After what his father told him, he wasn’t so confident the meeting would go as he’d hoped it would.

  And he was right.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but it’s best for all if my granddaughter and I do not meet. She’ll never be accepted by the ton if she openly acknowledges me as a relative. And if Moreland finds out, I’m afraid he’ll cut her off as he did the girl’s father,” George told Cameron.

  “Claudia has gone to great lengths to find you—believe me! She’s willing to risk the ton and Moreland to know you.”

  George turned away from him and went to stand by the window. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I prefer not to meet with her.”

  Frustrated by his butler’s stubbornness, Cameron told him the truth. “You’ve already met her, George. But neither of you knew who the other one was.”

  George whirled to face him. “When would I have. . .” His voice drifted off, and his eyes widened. “She isn’t the young woman you brought home the other night, is she?”

  Cameron nodded. “Yes, she is.”

  “And she’s the same one who was dressed in those tattered clothes you were yelling at in your office?” he said carefully.

  Cameron smiled sheepishly. “I wasn’t exactly yelling, but, yes, she’s the one.”

  Cameron took a step back when he saw George’s face redden with anger. “I thought she might be a trollop, the way you spent so much time alone with her! Where was her chaperone, and why were you kissing her?”

  Cameron opened and closed his mouth. What plausible explanation could he give? “Your granddaughter has a penchant for getting herself into messes, which I’ve had to save her from twice.” He knew he should say no more, but he couldn’t keep from asking, “And how did you know I kissed her?”

  “How else would you have gotten dirt on your face?”

  Cameron winced and lowered his gaze. “I know I might have been out of line—”

  “Have you compromised her?” George charged.

  “No!” Cameron exclaimed. “I have only the best intentions toward Claudia. I hope to win her hand.”

  George grew quieter then. “Even more reason for us not to acknowledge our family connections.” With that he walked out of the room, leaving Cameron to wonder what he was going to do.

  ❧

  He was late. For the fourth time in only five minutes Claudia paused before the clock on the parlor mantle and sighed as she resumed pacing.

  Cameron had sent a note to her the night before, saying he would come by at ten. It was now ten thirty, and he had still not come.

  “Stop your pacing, girl!” her grandfather ordered, walking into the parlor. He noticed what she was wearing and grunted. “You’re not dressed as if you’re about to greet a beau.”

  Claudia dropped into a chair and smoothed the skirt of her gray morning dress. “He’s not my beau, and I’m certainly not dressing to impress him.”

  Her grandfather crossed the room to where she sat and scowled down at her. “Not a beau? Then what is his business here this morning if not to come calling?”

  “He’s simply a friend—that’s all.” She glanced once more at the clock.

  “Humph! You certainly seem anxious because he hasn’t arrived yet, and I can’t imagine any young gentleman visiting a lady only because he wants to be friends.”

  “Grandfather—,” she began but was interrupted by their butler announcing Lord Kinclary had arrived.

  Claudia anxiously watched Cameron step into the room and greet her grandfather. She tried to read his expression but was unable to decipher what he might be thinking.

  “So you’re Kinclary,” her grandfather said in his gruff way while making a show of sizing up Cameron.

  “Yes, Lord Moreland,” Cameron answered with a quick bow of his head. “Thank you for allowing me to meet with your granddaughter this morning.”

  “Yes, well, don’t let her American traits dampen your interest. I’m sure with enough time spent here in England she’ll come around to the way of things.”

  “Grandfather!” Claudia exclaimed. “I told you we are not—”

  “Be assured, Lord Moreland,” Cameron interrupted, sending her a mysterious glance. “I find her American ways part of her charm.”

  Claudia rolled her eyes and folded her arms as she watched the pleased smile crease her grandfather’s face. Had she ever seen him smile?

  “Capital!” Her grandfather slapped Cameron on his shoulder. “Well, my sister, Lady Julia, is here to chaperone, so I’ll leave you two to. . .” He waved his hand about and left the room.

  Cameron looked at Claudia before turning to her aunt Julia sitting quietly in the corner of the room doing needlepoint. “Lady Julia,” he greeted her.

  Her aunt glanced up, gave him a vague smile, then went back to her stitching.

  “Aunt Julia can’t hear very well, so you can be sure she won’t repeat our conversation,” Claudia told him.

  Finally Cameron turned his full attention on her and smiled gently. Claudia’s heart picked up its pace when she realized he seemed pleased to see her.

  “Claudia.” He stepped in front of her. “I’m sorry I’m late. I had to attend to a situation at the shelter.”

  She motioned to the chair behind him and sat back down. “Please have a seat.” Once he was seated, she wasted no time in getting to the subject. “Have you spoken to my grandfather?”

  He hesitated, and Claudia’s heart sank. “Yes, but he refuses to see you.”

  Tears filled Claudia’s eyes, and she blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. “But—why?”

  Cameron reached inside his coat and handed her his handkerchief. “He feels it would hurt your standing with the ton. I told him you didn’t care about that, but he seems to think keeping himself separate from you is for the best.”

  “But it’s not for the best,” she insisted quietly so as not to startle her aunt. “He is my grandfather. Shouldn’t he want to know me?”

  Cameron nodded. “I believe he does, Claudia, but the rules of conduct for a servant are hard for a man of his years to overlook. When his daughter married your father, it upset not only Moreland but George, as well. Your parents broke the rules, and neither of your grandfathers knew how to deal with it.”

  Claudia thought about his words; having dealt with servants all her life, she knew he was right. “But what can I do? There has to be a way to let him know I want to be recognized as his granddaughter. I’d be proud to know him better.”

  Cameron leaned over, his elbows braced on his knees. “What if I told you I had a plan?” he whispered.

  Claudia found herself leaning over, too. “I’ll do anything!”

  “It would require you to spend a lot of time with me,” he warned.

  Looking into his sparkling green eyes, Claudia could not see this as a negative point. “I can abide it, if you can.”

  Cameron smiled widely and leaned back in his chair. “Excellent. Now this is what we need to do—,” he began and filled her in on his plan.

  Eight

  Cameron couldn’t believe how perfect his plan was. Having Claudia work with him at the shelter would not only allow her to get to know her grandfather but enable him to spend time with the woman of his dreams.

  What surprised him was
that she didn’t even hesitate to agree. She’d told him it was exactly the kind of charitable work she’d been looking for, and spending time with her grandfather, no matter how much he could ignore her, was better than no time at all.

  The only problem in their plan was that she couldn’t very well bring Aunt Julia along with her, so they decided to enlist the help of Helen and North to bring her to the shelter.

  Before Cameron left Claudia’s house, he made an appointment to meet her and the Northingshires in Hyde Park at three.

  Now, as Cameron paced about the park waiting for her to arrive, he thought about how his feelings for her had grown.

  Had a woman ever plagued his heart and mind so sweetly as this American beauty? She made him feel so many emotions when he gazed at her, and many feelings he didn’t understand.

  One important thing he was aware of, though, was that God had answered his prayer. He had desired to meet a woman who had a zeal for helping others and loved God as he did.

  Claudia had these qualities and so much more. She could fascinate and aggravate him all within a matter of minutes; yet he enjoyed every minute.

  “Cameron!” He heard a voice calling him and smiled even before he turned and saw Claudia coming toward him with the Duke and Duchess of Northingshire.

  “Hello, Claudia. Your graces.” He greeted them all with a casual bow.

  North stepped up and held out his hand. “Good to see you, Kinclary. I saw your sister a fortnight ago and was glad to note your new niece takes after her mother and not her ugly father!”

  Cameron chuckled as he shook North’s hand. “Don’t let Katherine hear you say that. She is quite smug in the fact that she thinks her husband the most handsome catch in all of England.” The men shared a laugh, and then Cameron turned to Claudia.

  “Did you tell them the reason for this meeting?”

  Claudia nodded. “Yes, and they are willing to help get me to the shelter and make sure Grandfather Moreland knows nothing about it for now.”

  “Actually we want to do more than just bring Claudia to the shelter,” North spoke up, putting his arm around his wife. “Our lives have felt a little empty since we moved from Louisiana. Being involved in charitable work to help others is both our hearts’ desire. We’d love to stay and help you.”

  “I could certainly use your help and your connections,” Cameron assured him, adding the last part with a grin.

  North laughed. “Excellent! Then we’ll see you on Monday.”

  They started to walk away, but Cameron stopped them. “Would you mind if I spoke to Claudia alone for a few minutes? It concerns her grandfather.”

  North looked from Cameron to Claudia, then smiled at his wife. “We’ll be over by the pond when you’re ready.”

  Once they were out of hearing distance, Claudia looked at Cameron. “Has something happened?”

  “It is something I should have told you earlier—rather warned you about.” He took a deep breath. “My mother knows about George being your grandfather.”

  Claudia looked at him, a puzzled expression on her face. “Did you tell her?”

  “No, but I went to her for information about George, and I’m afraid she came to the conclusion on her own.”

  “I don’t follow what you’re saying,” Claudia said. “How did she connect me with my grandfather George?”

  Cameron gazed at her and found himself wishing she hadn’t worn such a large bonnet. It covered too much of her beautiful hair. “As you know, she’s hinted at a match between you and me. And when she saw how long we spoke at the ball, she assumed I’d begun calling on you.”

  Claudia’s gaze flew to his. “You denied this, of course?”

  Cameron grinned. “No, I didn’t.” She opened her mouth, no doubt to reprimand him, but he continued before she could say anything. “But you know my mother as well as anyone. She’s a terrible snob, Claudia, and I’m afraid she wasn’t thrilled about your connection with George Canterbury.”

  “But I thought everyone knew my mother was a servant’s daughter.”

  Cameron tried to think of a reasonable way to excuse his mother’s behavior but couldn’t. “It was fine when he was an unknown servant in some other person’s employ; but it’s quite a different story when he has been her servant and now my own.”

  “I see,” she murmured, lowering her head and shielding her face with her bonnet.

  He could tell she didn’t see at all. “Claudia, my mother can be silly and vain at times, but her opinion is hers alone.”

  “But you were thinking the same thing, weren’t you, when you first heard the truth?” she charged, popping her head back up and nearly hitting him with the rim of her bonnet.

  “What?” he exclaimed, letting out a breath. “I thought no such thing!”

  “But you could hardly look at me!”

  “I was surprised by the news, Claudia,” he replied. “And I was upset with myself when I realized I didn’t know my butler—who has become a friend, I might add—as well as I thought.”

  Claudia took a breath, then folded her arms in front of her. “Well, it matters not whether your mother or anyone else thinks my connections too low for you, Lord Kinclary,” she told him stiffly. “We are not courting, as your mother thought, so it is a moot point.”

  Cameron noticed the high color which had arisen on her cheeks was the same color as the lovely gown she was wearing. “Why do you always do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Become so defensive with me. Is this an American trait, or do you just feel uncomfortable around me?”

  She unfolded her arms and propped her hands on her waist. “I’m not defensive; I’m mostly offended! And would you please stop blaming everything I do on my American upbringing?”

  His eyes widened. “I offended you?”

  She sighed. “Well, perhaps that is the wrong word. Confused is closer to the truth.” She began to pace. “I’ve never had a man yell at me, scold me, flirt with me, protect me, tease me about becoming engaged, and, on top of everything else, kiss me! Frankly I don’t how to act when I’m around you.”

  Cameron smiled as she counted off each item on her fingers. If the lady only knew how much confusion he felt every time he was near her! But he’d keep that little fact to himself. There was no sense in letting her know he wasn’t in complete control of his emotions where she was concerned.

  Not yet anyway.

  “We’ve had quite an adventurous beginning to our friendship, have we not?” he said instead.

  She stopped her pacing, looked at him, then burst into laughter. “That is putting it mildly!” She laughed again, and Cameron chuckled with her. “Even my meeting the famous pirate Jean Lafitte does not compare.”

  He stopped laughing. “How would a young lady even be in the vicinity of such a criminal? Surely your father would not allow it?” he charged, his mind conjuring all sorts of scenarios and none of them pleasant.

  She laughed again, clearly enjoying his irritation. “He didn’t know!” she told him, her voice full of mischief. “Good day, my lord.”

  She was uttering her last words as she walked away from him.

  “Claudia—,” he began but stopped when he realized other people were standing around.

  He was still watching when she glanced back at him and grinned. It was only for a moment, but it made him forget his irritation and put a smile on his face.

  It suddenly occurred to him that he was falling in love with a woman who counted Indians and pirates among her acquaintances.

  God truly must have a sense of humor, he thought.

  ❧

  The next morning, because she had stayed the night at the Northingshires’ house, Claudia walked with Helen and North to church.

  She glanced down at her peach gown and ad
justed the bow tied on the high waistline. After that she smoothed down her skirts and reached up to fidget with her matching peach bonnet.

  “Claudia, you look fine,” Helen leaned over to whisper in her ear. “And I’m sure Kinclary will concur.”

  Claudia tried to look as though she had no idea what Helen was talking about. “Oh, really? I didn’t know he went to our church.”

  Helen elbowed her. “What a short memory you have since we saw him there last Sunday!”

  Claudia grinned at her friend. “All right—I did know. But I care nothing about what he thinks of my dress.”

  “I must say it is fortunate we’re going to church this morning since it seems you will need to repent of all your lies!”

  Claudia put her hand over her mouth to hide her smile. “Nonsense,” she murmured when they reached the heavy wooden door to the church.

  As they walked to their seats, they greeted various friends and neighbors and suddenly found themselves facing Cameron’s mother, Lady Ravenhurst.

  “Good morning, your graces,” the older woman greeted the Northingshires, first nodding to North. Then, in a move that shocked them all, she looked right at Helen and smiled sweetly. “What a lovely shade of blue your dress is, Helen. I daresay, once the young ladies see how pretty the color looks on you, they’ll all be running to their seamstresses to order the same shade.”

  Helen, so surprised Lady Ravenhurst was paying her such respect, took a moment to answer. “Th–thank you, your grace,” she stammered.

  Claudia smiled at the treatment Helen was receiving, but her smile faded when the duchess turned to her with a less-than-friendly expression. “Ah. Lady Claudia.”

  Claudia took a breath and forced a smile to curve her lips again. “Good morning, your grace,” she greeted her brightly, while wondering how Cameron could have been born from such a woman.

  With a raised eyebrow and a tight smile, Lady Ravenhurst swept past her. Claudia let out a breath and glanced at Helen. “That was odd, was it not?”