Page 2 of Most Sought-After Scoundrel in London
Love was for fools.That had been the motto of him and his three closest friends, but now they all boldly and proudly declared themselves as fools without hesitation.
Releasing a deep sigh, he trudged on with an unhurried gait.He sailed past a group of young debutantes giggling behind their fans, their eyes darting toward a pair of dashing young lords.Then his attention was drawn to an older couple who walked arm in arm to his right, their comfortable silence speaking volumes of a long-shared life.As he passed the confectioner's shop, a harried mother ushered her brood of children away from the entrance, their pleading eyes fixed on the display of sweets.Their longing gazes reminded him of his friends' expressions of late.
With a shake of his head, he was about to turn around and head back to his club when a glint of sunlight across the street caught his eye.A bespeckled lady had emerged from a hackney.Arms and hands filled with journals and an overfilled reticule, the woman’s disheveled appearance immediately drew his attention.
"Well, well," he breathed, stepping back out of the main thoroughfare."What is Lady Violet up to today?"
The woman's striking strawberry-blond hair was swept back from her face, which was as charming and delightful as those portrayed along the walls at the Royal Exhibition.Her attire reflected the current Season’s trends, albeit her gown held a hint of unconventionality that set her apart from the other ladies of theton.As she straightened and joined the foray of those enjoying a turn along Bond Street, Cameron caught a glimpse of her gold speckled brown eyes that seemed to take in everything around her with keen interest.
His heart quickened as the woman’s gaze lifted to a shop sign above him.An intricate carving of a harped angel hung there, its wings spread wide in silent song.Cameron studied Lady Violet intently, a small frown creasing his brow.Had the clever woman noted the unique symbol used to identify the members of the secret, centuries-old network that he was a part of?
"Curious," Lady Violet muttered as she waltzed past him and entered the confectionery.
Arms crossed, he followed her into the shop and discretely observed the lady who preferred to inhibit the shadows and avoid others.
“Ah, Lady Violet.”The shopkeeper, Mr.Hardy, a senior member of the network and like a second father to Cameron, greeted her with a warm smile.“I’ll be but a moment.Your order is ready in the back.”
Mr.Hardy’s gaze flickered over at Cameron as he motioned to join him in the back.Masking his footfalls, Cameron slipped into the backroom.
“What are you doing, boy?”Mr.Hardy asked.
“Me?”He donned his most innocent of looks.“I’m merely paying a visit to my most?—”
“Now is not the time to try and butter me up.Why are you trailing Lady Violet?”
“Who said I’m following the lady?”
Hands firmly planted on his hips, Mr.Hardy peeked around the curtain that shielded them from the front of the store and then turned to pin Cameron with a serious gaze.“Lady Violet has a curious nature.You must be extremely careful around her.Extremely.”
“Do you suspect she might be investigating matters she should not?”
Mr.Hardy shook his head.“Difficult to say… always a challenge to decipher a woman’s mind, but especially so when dealing with a lady who possesses a sharp mind like Lady Violet.”With narrowed eyes, the wiser old man continued, “Whatever has caught the woman’s attention has her rather preoccupied.”The shopkeeper retrieved a box from a shelf and slipped back through the curtain to attend to Lady Violet, who was gazing out the window and studying the busy street.
This is madness, Cameron told himself even as he moved closer to peer between the slight gap between the door frame and the curtain he was hiding behind.And yet...He paused, hand tightly gripping the edge of the worn material separating him from her, a war of propriety and curiosity raging within him.
He glanced at Lady Violet as he recalled the details he’d stored away about the young widow.Orphaned and then quickly married off to a wastrel of a baron by her uncle, who was eager to no longer support the gel, Lady Violet hadn’t had the best of fortunes.While Lady Violet wasn’t always dressed in the height of fashion, the woman did not appear to be on the verge of being sent to the poorhouse.His interest piqued, Cameron slipped back into the front of the store and positioned himself out of sight.
“My thanks, Mr.Hardy.I’m certain the ladies shall enjoy these tremendously.”Lady Violet smiled and took the box Mr.Hardy was holding out for her.
“It’s my pleasure,” Mr.Hardy replied.“Is there anything else I can do to be of assistance?”
Rather than shaking her head and declining the man’s offer for help as Cameron expected, Lady Violet’s eyes widened for a brief moment before her brows knitted and she leaned forward to whisper in Mr.Hardy’s ear.
Pitched forward in an attempt to listen, Cameron nearly toppled the column of boxed sweets he was hiding behind.Lady Violet turned to gaze in his direction as he quickly ducked and held the teetering boxes in place.
Mr.Hardy cleared his throat and said, “While I don’t have an objection to fulfilling your request, such an undertaking will require time and preparation.”
Thank the heavens for Mr.Hardy’s diversion.But what in the blazes was Lady Violet up to?
Peering around the corner, Cameron released a slow breath as Lady Violet's narrowed gaze returned to the shopkeeper.“How much time?”
“Two weeks?”
“That simply won’t do.I shall have to devise another strategy to obtain the answers I seek.”
Answers?
Cameron attempted to quell his instantaneous curiosity and need to assist a lady, but failed as his leg cramped, forcing him to roll to his full height and stretch out his calf.The movement gave away his presence, and in a blink of an eye, he found himself face-to-face with a very stern-looking Lady Violet.
