Page 44 of A Viscount to Conspire (Sherton Sisters 2)

“I do hope you’ll be able to get these things sorted shortly. These beautiful pieces deserve to be enjoyed.” Hilaria must have realized she might be insulting the man as she quickly added, “Of course, there’s a certain element of excitement at being one of only a few who’ve gotten to witness them. We do thank you, Lord Elgin for allowing us to do so. I’m sure you’re too busy to be dealing with constant visitors.”

“It is my privilege, Lady Hilaria. It isn’t often I get to host such lovely guests as you and your sister.”

Suddenly, Cam remembered the rumors surrounding the state of Elgin’s marriage and he regretted his decision to bring the sisters there. With a quick glance at Vicky’s sketches, he realized they had probably been there long enough. He feigned a fit of coughing into a quickly drawn handkerchief before putting his hand on Hilaria’s elbow.

“I do believe we have taken quite enough of his lordship’s time, have you seen all you wished to see?”

Mixed messages flitted across her face before Hilaria smoothed out her expression and shifted her smile between him and the earl.

“Thank you once more, my lord, for your kind hospitality. We shouldn’t keep you, but perhaps we will take you up on your offer of returning another time if Vicky needs to touch up her sketches.”

Vigilia added her voice to the farewells. “They are remarkable subjects for sketching, my lord, I thank you too for your time. It was a pleasure to look upon.”

Elgin looked about ready to burst from the praise and Cam could barely stand it, hurrying the girls back to his carriage.

As they settled into the carriage, Cam met Hilaria’s searching gaze and nearly cringed when he felt as though she could read his very soul. It would be good if Rathnelly would come up to scratch, he told himself firmly, despite the sinking feeling that gave him in the pit of his stomach.

“Shall we take a few minutes to stroll in the Park before I return you home?”

“Thank you, Eastwood, that would be lovely, if you’re sure you can spare us the time.”

Cam was surprised that the usually somewhat managing young woman was being so deferential. It would seem he wasn’t the only one who found it unexpected as Hilaria’s sister laughed shortly from her position across from him.

“I, for one, would like to do a little more sketching now that I’m in the mood. The Park might just be perfect, thank you, my lord.” Cam appreciated her speaking up.

“That’s settled then,” Hilaria returned to form and nodded firmly as Cam gave direction to his coachman.

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“I didn’t expect to see Rathnelly there.” Hilaria kept her voice low even though they had moved a little bit away from her sister who seemed to be absorbed in her art.

“Were you pleased to see him?”

“Of course.” She wished there was a little more conviction in her tone as she replied but there was little she could do about that. “It is a relief to see that he has an interest in that type of thing.”

Eastwood laughed. “Which type of thing? Stolen artefacts or historical artwork?”

Hilaria tried to remain severe but she finally laughed along with him. “Both I suppose. It is telling that he wasn’t too starchy and important to visit such a lowly location. He didn’t have overmuch to say, but I should be pleased that he was willing to do so.”

She tried not to squirm under Eastwood’s scrutiny. “That’s an interesting turn of phrase. You say you should be pleased. Does that imply that you aren’t as pleased as you think you ought to be?”

Hilaria laughed again. “Do not put thoughts in my head or words in my mouth, Eastwood. It has given me food for thought, that is all. Now tell me, how is your situation with your mother?”

He hestitated for a moment as though he didn’t want to allow her to turn the subject but finally with a smile, Eastwood admitted, “She has moved to her own lodgings, which is a relief. And with only one more lecture about what I owe to my lineage, she is allowing me to keep the matter in my own hands. Provided of course that I see the light and cease my courtship of you. Then she will happily wait a while longer for me to start trying for an heir.”

“Oh dear. For someone who doesn’t ring peals, she certainly has plenty to say in trying to direct your life.”

“I’m fairly certain it is a mother’s life’s purpose. Mine just does it in a unique way but every mother I’ve ever witnessed tries to direct her children’s lives. Even yours. You’ll be just the same when you become a mother.”

Hilaria laughed but then sobered. “Perhaps, if I ever have the opportunity.” She laughed again. “Now I’m truly not living up to my name.” She paused for a moment, absorbing the comfort of his warm hand over hers where it rested in his elbow. “I must thank you again for making it possible for us to see Elgin’s pieces. I wasn’t even sure what to expect from them, to be honest.”

“So were they what you were hoping for?”

She shrugged. “They were bigger than I expected. I don’t know how he managed to get them all here on a ship. But I also wonder why he thought to take them. I found it interesting that he was concerned about their safety and he wanted to preserve them. But it seemed to me that their removal caused as much damage as leaving them behind might have done.”

“His lordship had mentioned to me that he had seen similar pieces destroyed for the materials. That the artistic value of them wasn’t appreciated in their native setting.”

Hilaria nodded. “I suppose everyone takes for granted what they’ve always known.”

Eastwood laughed. “Now we’re turning philosophical.”

Hilaria snorted. “I suppose that’s a sign that it’s time for us to return home. We’re promised to two balls and a rout this evening. I’m tired just thinking about it.”

Eastwood’s chuckle warmed her insides and she felt her steps to be bouncier than usual as they returned to collect Vicky and her artwork.

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