Page 2 of Most Sought-After Scoundrel in London (Wicked Widows League #31)
C ameron Crestwood, the Earl of Hurlington, aimlessly strolled down Bond Street. The last remaining bachelor in his set, he scanned the street before him with a skepticism that had haunted him for weeks.
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 the ton .
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.
“Eavesdropping is not a gentlemanly act, Lord Hurlington.”
“Never claimed to be a gentleman.” He stared at Lady Violet, amused. Where was the quiet, reserved widow who barely spoke at social engagements? He rather liked this bold new version of the lady he’d not had the pleasure of speaking beforehand.
“Hmph.” Lady Violet crossed her arms over her chest and pinned him with her molten brown eyes that had his heart skipping a beat.
He had been a fool for not seeking out her company earlier, but now that she’d caught his attention, the woman would bear the consequences of piquing his interest. “If you care to share your conundrum with me, mayhap I could be of assistance to you rather than Mr. Hardy.”
Her gaze raked over him. It wasn’t the first time a woman had taken in his form from head-to-toe but it was the first time that he was worried he’d not pass muster.
With a shake of her head, Lady Violet replied, “Unless you can convince Mr. Hardy to carry out my request within a week, I doubt you can be of much help to me. After all, I’m seeking out the name of a gentleman… not a rogue.”
He turned to face Mr. Hardy, whose cheeks were now a bright red.
Given Cameron’s seniority in the Network, he could easily order Mr. Hardy to carry out Lady Violet’s request, but not knowing exactly what information the woman wanted he decided it would be wise to tread with caution rather than make hasty promises.
“Lucky for you, I’m well acquainted with quite a few gentlemen.
If you shared with me your request, you might be surprised at how persuasive I can be. ”
Lady Violet cocked her head to one side and muttered, “ Persuasive ” as if it was a negative trait rather than one to boast of.
After another long pause, she finally shared, “I’ve been tasked by my fellow widows to determine which gentleman is considered to be the most intriguing, the most astute, and which scoundrel is the most scandalous. "
“And how is Mr. Hardy to assist you in obtaining the answers?”
With the barest hint of a smile, Lady Violet explained, “I’ve asked that he individually wrap an order of chocolates with wrappers that pose the questions and have instructions as to how to submit their votes, which shall be delivered to the ladies of the ton, regardless of their marital status.”
Cameron blinked twice. “Brilliant. Allowing for anonymity means your results should be fair and honest.”
“Exactly.” Lady Violet looked over her shoulder at Mr. Hardy. “However…”
Having never had the desire to make a woman happy aside from his mama, Cameron found himself awash with the deep longing to see that Lady Violet’s wish came to fruition. “Mr. Hardy, there must be a way we can accommodate Lady Violet’s request.”
“How do you propose I accomplish the feat of fashioning such wrappers and distributing them to the hundreds of ladies Lady Violet wishes to poll?”
The old man had a valid point.
Cameron attempted to find a solution when Mr. Hardy suggested, “Perhaps, Lady Violet, if you would reconsider the number of ladies invited to vote, I could see to the task.”
The woman took a moment to ponder his proposal. “Mr. Hardy, that is a reasonable request. I’m excited to discover what the results will be.”
Lady Violet had struck Cameron as the unyielding, stubborn sort, but he’d obviously been wrong in his assessment of the woman. What other misconceptions did he hold about the lady?
Mr. Hardy scowled and wagged his eyebrows at Cameron. A clear signal that it was time for Cameron to take his leave.
“Well, now that it is all settled, I shall bid you both a good day. Lady Violet. Mr. Hardy.” Cameron left the confectionery, and it wasn’t until he was halfway to his club that he noticed the bounce in his step that had been missing for months.