Page 3 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
Hadley burst out laughing. “Dear chap, just last week, I voted against a bill that was quite dear to the earl. I am afraid he has not forgiven me yet, so if I were the one to present you, you would be most unwelcome in his domain. Nay, I will grant you a favor bynotintroducing you.”
Cameron’s spirits fell once more. He had never met a woman who captured his attention in the way that Miss Isabelle Evans had, but he was fast losing hope of finding a path to meeting her.
Where isblasted Ridley?
Cameron knew his friend’s sister had married very well, but Cameron did not care much about the goings-on of thebeau monde, so he had not paid much attention. Now he wished he could remember whom the young Miss Ridley had married. He had a hazy idea it was someone important. Someone who made Brendan Ridley well-connected since the esteemed wedding two years earlier. If he could just find his blasted friend, he was certain the man had the connections required to make an upstanding introduction that would allow Cameron to engage in a courtship. His own honor dictated that he must pursue the young lady in a proper manner, even if he briefly wished he could steal a page from Ridley’s book and take what he wanted without thinking of the consequences—a kiss to taste the sweetness of Isabelle’s rosebud lips.
* * *
Isabelle watchedCameron circulating the room, fascinated by the handsome young man who toiled to find someone to introduce them. She wanted him to succeed. In the many weeks since she had taken residence at Balfour Terrace, the earl’s London home, her interest was finally engaged by someone. The homesickness that had plagued her had lifted, and she found herself enjoying the music and the twirl of dancers for the first time.
It was not only that he was handsome, which he was, but it was the conversation they had shared. He had demonstrated that he was a well-read young gentleman. Despite the breach of etiquette, he had displayed respect in their discussion before he excused himself to look for his friend who might assist them. Fortunately, the countess was in deep discussion and must have lost track of time, so she did not notice her charge’s activities.
“I have traversed the room and can now confirm you are the most beautiful woman present tonight.”
Isabelle felt her cheeks warm at his return.
“Did you find your friend?”
Cameron sighed deeply. “I am afraid he has vanished. I attempted to find another method to meet you, but I am afraid I failed. I wanted to return and talk to you before supper. And perhaps discover what social engagements you plan to attend, so I may have another opportunity to meet you.”
“We are attending the Lawson musicale in a few days. Apparently, his daughters are quite talented, and he is holding another by popular request.”
“I could be there. Lord Lawson was an army man once, although I do not know him personally. I may not be very important, but as a former officer, I daresay I could find one of his guests to invite me to the musicale.”
“You are important to me …” she said in a shy voice, unsure he could even hear her from where he stood in the shadows until she saw him smile from the corner of her eye, revealing a flash of white teeth in the dark.
Isabelle very much looked forward to meeting this young man. How wonderful to be courted by a gentleman who set her at her ease and shared common interests.
Cameron leaned against the column, out of sight, and continued their earlier conversation. She learned his father had passed away earlier that year, and subsequently, he had sold his commission in order to pursue his own dreams.
“Did you mean it—that you wish to own a bookshop?” Isabelle could not quell the excitement in her voice.
“I do. I discussed it with my brother, who is now the Baron of Limpton, and we agreed I may pursue a trade. His only request was that I do so far from his constituency, so I thought I might go south. I was surprised to find him so supportive, but he said the ways of the aristocracy were changing, and he did not mind if I went into a scandalous trade if I did so discreetly. It turns out my older brother is quite forward-thinking about the accumulation of income.”
“I would dearly love to own a bookshop!”
“If I can find a way to court you … perhaps you shall.”
Isabelle could not deny the thrill that ran through her at his words. Earlier, she had wondered if this was an elaborate ploy to seduce her into an untoward tryst, but that concern had passed when she had watched him put so much effort into seeking an honorable means to approach her.
Damn these rules! Why did a simple introduction have to be so complicated?
CHAPTER 2
NOVEMBER 14, 1820
Isabelle sat, once again, in a spindly chair, scouring the guests within the crowded room, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tanned, blond man who made her giddy with anticipation. Had he managed to find entrance to this well-attended event? She had spent three days poring over her etiquette books for ideas on how they might resolve their problem, and she wanted to share the news of what she had found in case he had not yet found a solution.
Since they met, Isabelle had frequently wondered if her interlude with Cameron had been a dream or a figment of her imagination. It had been a moment of respite, interrupting the isolation she had felt since Lord Saunton had collected her from her papa’s home in Somerset to bring her to London. Her new brother had instructed her to call him Richard, but she was having trouble thinking of her newfound relations as … well … family. To her, family meant Papa and cozy evenings reading or discussing their thoughts over dinner with his pupils, while Mama scolded them for inappropriate conversation.
Her new kin were friendly and did their best to welcome her, but their townhouse was so gigantic that Isabelle lost herself in endless corridors daily. Dinner was the time they came together, but the conversation in which they partook was unfamiliar to her small-town upbringing and felt like she was visiting a foreign land. From the fine clothing and fine dinners, to the lavish rooms and, most of all, the aloneness of being surrounded by strangers, Isabelle felt isolated in her new life and yearned for the cozy comforts of home.
Her friends and family were all so far away, and she had to pretend to be someone she was not—the distant cousin to an important earl—to protect her reputation and that of her parents. The role she played was simply that—a role. But Papa had insisted she take advantage of the benefits offered by her new brother, so she smiled and pretended she was at ease.
Until three nights earlier when Cameron Bolton had struck up a secret conversation with her at a ball, and she had made a friend. While they had talked, he made her relax and feel like her old self, and they found many common interests and ideas. The thought of seeing him tonight had made her shivery with nervous excitement. She had fussed over her appearance, wanting to look her best in anticipation of their next encounter.
Across the room, several men walked away from the laden refreshment table and, through the parting created, she saw Cameron watching her. Catching her eye, he gave a brief nod of greeting. She permitted a subtle smile in acknowledgment.
