Page 23 of Most Sought-After Scoundrel in London
“I was.”
Cameron took the empty seat and stared at the flickering flames.If his options were a rowdy lot or the company of Guernsey and his cold demeanor, the latter was by far the better choice.“Where is Avondale and the rest of your lot?”The Network had confirmed long ago that the Duke of Avondale and his family were linked to the Foreign Office but had failed to verify Guernsey’s exact involvement.
“Abroad.”
Damn the man’s one-word responses.In no mood for chatter, he steepled his fingers and rested his chin upon them.
Guernsey let out a deep sigh that broke the long stretch of silence.The man then stretched out his long legs and crossed them at the ankles as he reached up and back to place his palms behind his head.“Hurlington, have you ever held out hope for something you knew was less than likely to occur, yet you were reluctant to yield and face reality?”
Just as he had been settling into his own thoughts, Guernsey’s riddle had him sitting up a little straighter in his chair.“Surrender?Never.”Curious as to what could have prompted the man to utter more than a few words, Cameron asked, “Why would you consider capitulating?”
Capitulating.Apparently, Violet’s vast vocabulary was influencing his speech.Argh.Why could he not banish the woman from his mind?
“I’ve run out of time.”
“It’s been a long day, Guernsey, so please, if you wish to unladen your burden, do so quickly.”
The man next to him rolled his head from side to side.
Grand.Guernsey was in no mood to share, and he wanted peace and quiet.Cameron replayed the events of the Council meeting in his mind as if it were a play.Violet’s reaction to Old Cadby’s words had told him to be prepared, yet his wounded heart overrode his mind, and he’d blundered.
Tap.Tap.Tap.
He looked over at Guernsey and glared.“Must you drum your fingers?”
“Apologies.Habit.”
Damn.Damn.Damn.Cameron knew that if he didn’t resolve the man’s problem, he wouldn't have peace to sort out his own issues.“Why are you reluctant to forgo this wish that you obviously have held onto for some time?”
“I owe her my life.”
“Who is she?”
“If I knew the girl's name, I wouldn’t be in such a conundrum, now would I?”
“No need to get snappy with me.”Cameron inwardly flinched, recognizing that he had similarly overreacted earlier.“What do you know?”
“I have a vague impression of her face, but she had a small raspberry-colored, butterfly-shaped mark at her temple.She hauled me out of the river that runs along the outskirts of the village near our country seat.”
“Then someone in the village must know of her.”
Guernsey planted his feet, unwound his arms, and twisted to face him.“It’s too late.I’ve spent too much coin and time looking for the chit.Tonight I discovered that my all-too-clever mama has sought the help of a notorious matchmaker and has arranged everything.”
“You’re a bloody viscount, handsome according to the ladies, and you could marry anyone of your choosing, so why agree to an arranged marriage?”
“If I can’t marry the girl, then it matters not who I marry.”
Cameron studied the man next to him.Guernsey had to be lying.Why would a man give up on the woman he wanted?He should be asking himself that question.He needed to figure out a way to win Violet’s affection.He would not concede defeat.“If you were to find this girl, whom you know nothing of, how would you convince her to marry you?”
Guernsey’s brow knitted.“I suppose I’d have to learn her preferences.”
Hmm.What were Violet’s favorite things?She loved sweets.
“Or remind her of our shared experience.There was an instant bond that made me feel safe and secure in her presence.I’ve not felt that again with another.”
Cameron empathized with the man.Violet made him feel the same.What if he’d never had the opportunity to get better acquainted with Violet?Would he have done the same and agreed to an arranged marriage?Definitely not.
With his resources, locating another wasn’t too hard a task, even with the little information Guernsey had on the girl.Not one to involve himself in others' business, Cameron decided to make an exception.“I’ll help you find your mystery girl.”
