Page 2 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
The young lady cocked her head at an angle, careful to flutter the fan so no one would notice her untoward conversation with him. “I have read the book twice through, but I still have difficulty remembering the arbitrary rules by which high society conducts itself.”
Cameron grinned. She was utterly charming, evidently as unimpressed with fashionable society as he. Seizing his chance, he spoke quickly before he could lose his nerve. “I must meet you! What, pray tell, is your name so I may find a mutual acquaintance?”
A becoming blush stole across her cheeks, and she subtly turned to look him over. He hoped he cut a fine figure, in her estimation, with his above average height, broad shoulders, flat stomach, and his legs long and lean in his fashionable trousers. Tanned from his years in the British Army, he knew his hair was streaked with blond. He did not often pursue the fairer sex, but he had enjoyed some success in his college days at Cambridge. Not the same level of success as his chum, Brendan Ridley, who had dragged him to this event, but enough to have developed confidence in speaking to ladies.
Palpitating the delicate fan in front of her mouth, the young woman responded, “Isabelle. Isabelle Evans.”
Cameron silently sounded out the name. It suited her.
“And your name is …?” she prompted with a raised brow.
“I am the Right Honorable Mr. Cameron Bolton, second son of the Baron of Limpton. How would this lowly baron’s son go about properly meeting such a lovely lady?”
Her lips curved upin pleasure. “I suppose you could have my … relations introduce us.”
Cameron wondered why she had hesitated. “Who would that be?”
“The Earl and Countess of Saunton.”
Cameron’s stomach tightened, and he blinked slowly.An earl?How could he possibly aspire to such great heights? Not just any earl, but the much-lauded Earl of Saunton, who had expanded the wealth and power of his estates these past years. Certainly, they shared no acquaintances who could introduce him to the earl?
“That poses a problem. I suppose it would be unutterably gauche to simply walk up to your chaperone and present myself?”
Isabelle snorted charmingly in rejection. “In theory, you should be allowed to do so because this is a private ball, but in practice, it would be as poorly judged as Mr. Collins approaching Mr. Darcy at the Netherfield ball.”
Cameron was elated to hear her reference toPride and Prejudice. He knew it! Isabelle was a bibliophile like himself. His estimation and interest rose even further.
“I most assuredly would not want to offend your family. I have a friend who might know someone who could introduce us, but he has disappeared somewhere with a lady.”
Isabelle’s smooth forehead furrowed, her rosebud lips twisting in disquiet. “I hope the lady does not come to regret the choices she is making.”
“I would never say anything against a fine woman of theton—”
“No need. I have said it for you. I hope you are not here to try to lure me into a private tryst?” She quirked an eyebrow as she glanced at him playfully.
He laughed. The young lady was not only beautiful, but she was well read, with a wry sense of humor. Tonight’s attendance had been a favor to his university friend, but Cameron was pleased he had agreed to accompany Ridley now that it had led him to Isabelle. They were two intelligent adults who simply needed to solve the obstacle standing in their way. It was high time he located his roguish friend and found a path to formally meet Isabelle Evans this very night. “Be assured I do not share my friend’s tendencies. I recently sold my commission in the army after many years stationed in India, so there has been no opportunity for such pursuits, even if I was so inclined … which I am not, to be clear.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “You were in the army overseas? You must be well-traveled. What brings you back to England?”
“I wish to settle down and open a bookshop.”
Isabelle’s head bobbed in reaction to this news. “Truly? That sounds wonderful!” She was genuinely intrigued, and so was he.
They talked for a bit, Cameron telling her a little of his career in the British Army. She told him of her parents residing in Saunton, and how her father was a tutor who hosted boys in their home to teach them classical subjects in preparation for Oxford. Her learning was evident, along with her appetite for books.
While they spoke, Cameron surveyed the ballroom, but Brendan Ridley was nowhere to be found. Feeling rather pressured, Cameron scrutinized faces for anyone he knew. Finally, he recognized an old acquaintance from their university set, one whose name he could recollect. “If you will excuse me, I see someone who might be able to introduce me to the countess.”
Isabelle gave a barely perceptible nod, and Cameron once more skirted the perimeter of the overflowing ballroom.
Back at Cambridge, Hadley had run in the same circles as Brendan and Cameron. Too important to be welcomed by the middle-class students below them, and far too unimportant to be accepted by the sons of higher-ranking noblemen, the sons of barons had flocked together to form a club of sorts. Brendan Ridley was the only friend from that time whom Cameron had maintained a relationship with, but he boasted many baronial connections across the realm.
After several moments of discussion, Hadley revealed he had recently inherited the title, so he was now an actual baron and a member of the House of Lords. Relieved, Cameron waited for an opening and took the opportunity to swing the topic.
“Hadley, do you happen to be acquainted with the Earl of Saunton?”
“Of course. We serve in Lords together. An interesting fellow. A notorious rogue until he recently wed. Apparently, he has become quite the bore now, enamored with his wife and spending all his time with family.”
Cameron’s spirits lifted. “That is wonderful news. I am seeking an introduction to Lord Saunton and was hoping that you might do me the honor as I wish to meet a relation of his.”
