Page 11 of Most Sought-After Scoundrel in London
“We have a message that needs to be disseminated widely and our usual methods have become…”
He finished Lady Bronwyn’s sentence for her, “Outdated.Too predictable.”
Over the years, Cameron had complained to the Network elders and PORFs alike, that following tradition and continuing to be steeped in antiquated methods would lead to their secret being discovered by others.He shifted his gaze back to the lady sleeping soundly in the four-poster bed.There were too many like Violet who were more than capable of putting the pieces together.
Violet rolled onto her side and sighed.His immediate reaction was to go and check on her.
Before he could even move a muscle, Lady Bronwyn swatted his arm and said, “For the love of God, Hurlington, can you please focus?”
Gaze averted back to the woman in charge, Cameron awaited her next order.
Lowering her voice to a whisper, Lady Bronwyn shared, “We have been observing and monitoring Lady Violet for nearly three years.The decision to involve others in our affairs is not one we take lightly.”
Three years.Was it a coincidence that Violet had also been married and widowed three years ago?
Cameron wasn’t a believer in fate or that life events were a result of pure happenstance.Why would he?After all, his entire life had been coordinated by others from birth.
Lady Bronwyn snapped her fingers in front of him.“Hurlington, you are here because we have chosen you to train and work with Lady Violet in devising a method for our message to be distributed.We were extremely excited when Lady Violet came up with the ingenious idea to poll the widows using messages delivered on the wrappers of sweets.You and Lady Violet have our full support, and we are expecting great things from you both.”
Despite knowing full well that information was only provided on a “as needed” basis, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why me?”
“Aren’t you the one who has been vying for us to reassess our methods?”Lady Bronwyn smiled and added, “You have a fortnight.”
A fortnight.Two weeks.Fourteen days was hardly enough time to train another.Unless…
He shook his head.The idea of spending day and night with Violet didn’t make his stomach knot, which was peculiar.He required, even savored, the quiet evening hours for himself.Others might assume his gaiety came naturally, but the truth of the matter was that he had to spend hours upon hours practicing smiles in the mirror and continuously rehearsing conversations in private.Would Violet be disappointed to discover that he wasn’t naturally at ease with others?
Cameron looked about the room.Lady Bronwyn was nowhere in sight, and Violet was sleeping peacefully like she didn’t have a care in the world.That would change the moment she awakened and it was his duty to indoctrinate her into his world that was full of risk and danger.Damn.He should have listened to his mama and been more careful in what he wished for.Had he known it would place Violet in danger, he would have kept his trap shut and been content to conduct matters as they always had, even if they were no longer as effective.
“Violet?”a deep husky voice said.“Violet, it’s time to wake up.”
Violet rubbed her eyes.There hadn’t been a need, nor did she have the funds, to hire a maid to attend to her in years.As her vision cleared, her breath caught in her chest as the profile of the man she’d been dreaming of came into focus.Cameron, the Earl of Hurlington, was indeed a fine-looking gentleman both in reality and in her sleep.
She pulled up the bed linens to her chin.“A good morning to you, Lord Hurlington.”
“Perhaps you were half asleep, but you agreed nonetheless, so I’m going to remind you of our pact to cease with civilities.”He flashed her a charming smile before walking over to the windows and drawing back the curtains, allowing the early rays of daylight to stream into the room assigned to her.
Squinting, Violet pushed herself back to lean up against the padded headboard.She scanned her chamber, which was four times larger than her room at Matron Manor.Her gaze settled on the desk positioned in front of the window, and definitely not on the man who was leaning against the piece of furniture.
Arms folded at his chest and legs crossed at the ankles, Cameron stared back at her.
Was he waiting for a response from her?Had he asked her a question?
The man looked unruffled by the silence that hung in the air.Meanwhile, her mind raced with questions.However, after having spent three days in close quarters with the man, she was well aware that for every query she made, the man would have one of his own that often placed her in the predicament of not being able to answer without divulging facts that shouldn’t be shared.
Rather than feeling uncomfortable under Cameron’s steady gaze, a spark of ire rolled through Violet.
Determined not to let this man intimidate her, she crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head to one side as she continued to lock gazes with the man.It wasn’t until the sound of a cart being pushed in the hall and the entrance of a maid that Cameron moved.
A blushing young housemaid uncovered two plates laden with bread, ham, and eggs.Violet smiled as the maid’s cheeks continued pinkening when she peeked up at Cameron, who was inspecting the food with obvious hunger.Her own stomach growled.She quickly pressed her palms over her midsection and the coverlet, hoping to mute the sound that had Cameron looking back over his shoulder at her.
With a chuckle, Cameron turned back to address the maid, “Thank you, Annie, you may go.”
As soon as the latch clicked into place, he picked up the two plates and placed them on the desk.He then vanished for a moment behind a closet door and re-emerged with a robe.Crossing her chamber as if it were his own, he strode directly to stand in front of her and held the robe out ready for her to don.
She lifted the bed linens and peeked to confirm she was only garbed in a linen slip.Her cheeks warmed at the sight of her nipples through the thin material.
Who had assisted her last eve?
