Page 24 of Most Sought-After Scoundrel in London
“Why would you do that?”
“In return, you must assist me with convincing Lady Violet to marry me.”
“Now, why wouldIdothat?”Guernsey asked.
“Because I love her, and I won’t compromise and marry another.”As soon as the words left him, a weight lifted from his shoulders.He loved her, and he needed to tell her so, but how?
“Bah.First Avondale and now you.”Guernsey raked his hand through his hair.“Bloody hell.Both of your minds are befuddled by love.”
The man next to him was clearly conflicted.Guernsey’s gaze flickered between Cameron and the fire.He waited for the man to share the decision Cameron already knew Guernsey had made.
“Hurlington, you have a deal.I’ll assist you in winning Lady Violet’s hand, and you shall find the girl post haste.”
Two minds are always better than one when dealing with a problem, and this would be the last time he would need to seek the assistance of another.Going forward, he would have Violet by his side to aid him.The warmth that spread through him had him springing up to his feet.Guernsey didn’t know it, but he had already helped Cameron devise a plan, but Cameron wasn’t going to let the man off too easily.
Violet rubbed the grit from her eyes and walked over to the porcelain bowl in the corner.A splash of cold fresh water would wake her up from the daze that she had fallen into since leaving Cameron the night before.
She turned to face the door of her room at the rapid rap of knuckles that indicated Lady Bertha was eager to see her.
Lady Bertha yelled through the door, “Lady Violet.”
She couldn’t help but smile at Lady Bertha’s greeting as the woman slowly opened the door.With a clean linen, Violet patted her face dry and turned to face her visitor.“A good morn to you, Lady Bertha.”
“You are very popular, my girl.I had no idea that you were well acquainted with the rather charming and handsome Viscount of Guernsey.”
Handsome?Charming?Violet rummaged through her mind to come up with an image of the man.Coming up blank, she recalled having seen the name mentioned in her copy ofDebrett’s.Hmm.What in the blazes was the man’s name?
“Warren Dowling, the Viscount of Guernsey.”Lady Bertha provided the answer she sought.
Warren Dowling.The Viscount of Guernsey didn’t ring any bells.Violet shrugged.“I don’t believe I’ve formally met the man.”
“Well, he is known for being a recluse, preferring to spend all his time at his country seat when he’s not required to attend sessions at the House of Lords.”Lady Bertha rushed over to her wardrobe once more and selected a day gown.Before Violet could object, the woman had the dress over her head, and Violet pushed her arms through at Lady Bertha’s rushed prompting.
“Why is he here?”
“Why?Perhaps to take you for a jaunt about Hyde Park?”Lady Bertha plucked the hairbrush from her vanity and advanced upon Violet.
Hands up to stop the woman who she knew meant well, Violet asked, “Are you certain he’s here to see me?”
“Absolutely.He said, ‘I’m here to fetch Lady Violet.’”Lady Bertha had lowered her voice and gave her best impression of the gentleman.
Violet let a giggle escape her and replied, “Very well.I shall go down and see what the man is about.”She glanced at her image in the looking glass and tucked a wayward lock of hair behind her ear.If it had been Cameron waiting below, she would have stopped to style her tresses.But it wasn’t Cameron seeking her company as soon as calling hours began, it was some stranger.It was her own doing.Disappointment made her stomach ache.
At the foot of the stairs stood a man that Lady Bertha had aptly described as charming.Lord Guernsey gave her a warm, welcoming smile and held out his hand for her as she descended.She put her hand in his as she placed her foot on the last step.“A good morn to you, my lord.”
“And a good morn to you, Lady Violet.”
The viscount’s light touch didn’t send sparks through her like when a certain other male she didn’t want to name came close.Violet looked up at the stranger and arched a brow.
“Shall we?”He motioned for them to leave.
What in heaven was going on?Cameron had never mentioned the lord next to her, and her instincts were screaming at her to proceed with caution.Why her feet disobeyed her mind, she hadn’t a notion, but Violet found herself being led through the front door and to an awaiting carriage.
As he opened the door of the vehicle and assisted her up the steps, Lord Guernsey leaned in and whispered, “You are a brave lady.Hurlington is a lucky man.”The door closed behind her, and she fell onto the rear-facing seat as the coachman took off.
“Cameron!”she yelped as she righted herself.Violet blinked, still not believing she was facing the man she had rejected the night before.If nothing else, Cameron was persistent.
“I’m sorry for deceiving you, but I wasn’t certain you would agree to see me.”
