Page 7 of A Viscount to Conspire (Sherton Sisters 2)

“My mother was the Duke of Wexford’s daughter.”

When she looked confused, Cam hurried to explain. “Obviously not the current duke, nor the previous. The 4thduke, to be precise. The 5thduke’s sister. My mother is the current Wexford’s aunt.”

She was nodding, but there was still a frown of concentration between her brows as though she were trying to work out a problem.

“I still don’t understand what you’re trying to say. You’re a viscount, as was your father, am I right?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re saying that your mother is high in the instep despite the fact that, in her opinion, she married beneath her. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“So, she wouldn’t want you to do the same thing, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But if we’re talking about the order of precedence, an earl is higher than a viscount.”

“But not higher than a duke.”

“So, your mother wants you to marry a princess? Are there even any of marriageable age?”

Cam laughed, surprised by her sarcasm.

“I have to say, I’ve never been considered inferior by my noble birth before. My gender, of course, but I have never thought of being the offspring of an earl to be a disadvantage. This has been a singular experience on many counts, my lord. But once again, I think I will have to ask that you return me home. Or else have your driver stop the vehicle so I can get out. I am not finding myself terribly appreciative of your company.”

Cam admired her spirit and her restraint, far more than he would have ever thought possible. He didn’t like this new addition to his extended family and didn’t think there was anything admirable about her. But she would be perfect for his scheme, and he wasn’t ready to stop trying to convince her.

“Please, my lady, hear me out a little longer.”

“Eastwood, you aren’t making any sense. Jilting a betrothed could ruin me. And negatively impact my younger sisters. Nothing you can say will be able to convince me there would be any good that could come of this type of scheme. And I think your idea that your mother would consider me beneath you is ludicrous.”

“I take it you’ve never met my mother, then.”

“No, I have not, but this is my second Season. I know how our world works. I am not beneath the notice of a viscount.” Suddenly she blushed. “I do not say that in an attempt to denigrate you in any way. I’m just trying to explain to you that your reasoning is flawed. You really need a barmaid or a chambermaid, or some such. The daughter of an earl isn’t going to work.”

“But since you don’t actually know my mother, you don’t realize that you’re wrong on this count, my lady. Yes, you’re right that a maid would be perfect, but I couldn’t be so churlish as to ask one of them to enter into such a hoax. They would get all sorts of ideas that I wouldn’t be able to fulfill.”

“And I won’t? What if I ended up expecting you to follow through?”

“Wexford told me how dead set you are on finding your available duke. That’s when I came up with this idea.”

“I see.”

Cam wasn’t sure what he heard in those two words but suddenly he wished he hadn’t said the last bit. He cleared his throat. “It seems to be a well known fact,” he tried to excuse.

“Actually, it isn’t, which is the strangest thing. For some reason, my words were attributed to my sister.”

“Lady Rosabel?”

“That’s Her Grace, to you.” Hilaria nearly snarled the words before stilling. “But yes, most who heard of what I said thought it was she who said it.”

“That is strange.”

“I expect it’s because I’m plain.” The matter of fact way she said it actually made Cam’s heart squeeze. It was as though she accepted everyone’s judgment of her. He tried to brush off his momentary qualms.

“It matters very little what others think in this case. If you are determined to wed a duke, then I need have no fear that you will try to hold me to our commitment.”

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