A Gentleman's Kiss (6 page)

“I would rather marry a Scotsman!” she returned.

Cameron smiled again and led her out to his conveyance. When they were almost to the duke’s home, he slowed the buggy to a stop. “You might want to get out here and go in by the back entrance.”

She nodded, and before he could come around to help her down she was walking toward the house.

“Will you be at the Lamptons’ ball on Friday?” he called after her.

“Not if you’re going to be there,” she shot back and kept walking.

Cameron chuckled as he watched the tattered figure disappear into the Northingshires’ shrubbery.

He’d prayed God would send him the perfect woman. He had no idea God would think he needed such a difficult one.

But every minute he spent in Claudia’s presence, no matter how exasperating she could be, it made him want her in his life even more.

As he climbed back into his buggy, he remembered how fascinated she’d been by his shelter, the way she’d smiled at the children who were busy with their lessons.

If Claudia were his wife, he knew he’d have not only someone to love, but someone to share his dreams, too.

Now if he could just figure out how to convince her they were perfect for one another.

Six

It wasn’t easy for Claudia to sneak into the servants’ entrance of Northingshire Manor and get upstairs without the servants seeing her. But she finally arrived at Helen’s room and entered without knocking.

The moment Claudia saw Helen standing by her wardrobe, she ran and threw her arms around her. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here—,” she began but stopped when she realized Helen was
not hugging her back but pounding on her arms trying to
get free.

And then she screamed.

Claudia took hold of Helen’s flailing arms. “Helen! It’s me, Claudia!” she cried and was relieved when Helen finally looked her in the face and stopped fighting her.

“Claudia?” she gasped. “Why are you dressed like a boy?”

“Well, I—”

“Stand away from her now!” a man’s voice boomed from the doorway.

Claudia whirled to see North, Helen’s husband, coming toward her with a fierce frown on his face.

“Helllennn!” Claudia squealed as she stepped behind her friend, using her as a shield.

“What—” North started to reach around Helen, but his wife held out her arms to stop him.

“North! It’s Claudia! Calm down!” Helen exclaimed.

North glanced at his wife then glared at Claudia again.

“North! It’s me, Claudia. See?” She tore off her cap and let her hair fall about her shoulders.

North’s glare turned into a look of astonishment, and then he burst into laughter. “Whatever possessed you to don these rags?”

Claudia sighed and stepped out from behind Helen. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” She told them of her trip down to the wharf and her search for her grandfather.

Helen put her hand to her chest. “Oh, Claudia! What if someone recognized you?”

Claudia looked at her friend sheepishly. “Well, I’m afraid someone did. Lord Kinclary.”

North raised his brows in surprise. “Isn’t Kinclary the one who saved you from the mugger?”

Claudia nodded. She had told them both what had happened the day before. “Yes, and he takes great delight in thinking he’s saved my life twice now. The man is arrogant and insufferable.”

Helen’s eyes took on a dreamy look. “I knew he had to be a good man. He’s your conquering hero!” She sighed.

Claudia frowned at her overdramatic friend. “No, he’s more like a thorn in my side,” she stated dryly.

“Well, I like Kinclary. There was some bad blood between him and my friends, the Thornton brothers, but that was all settled when Thomas Thornton married Cameron’s sister Katherine.” North shrugged. “I’ve become better acquainted with him since he’s been back in town, and I like him. He’s even started a shelter, which I’ve donated to, although he likes to keep it a secret.”

“Yes, I already know about the shelter. I was there today,” Claudia said. “But it still doesn’t excuse the fact that he’s exceedingly rude. Do you know he yelled at me? Twice!”

North laughed, making both women frown at him. “I’m sorry, but it sounds as if you’re going to lead poor Kinclary on a bigger adventure than Helen did me while we were courting.”

“North!” Helen admonished

“I’m not leading him anywhere!” Claudia exclaimed. “And we are not courting.”

Apparently North wasn’t convinced. He shook his head and continued to laugh on his way down the hallway.

“Oh, don’t listen to him.” Helen took Claudia’s hand and led her to the cushioned window seat. “So tell me everything—especially the romantic parts.”

Claudia looked away. “What makes you think there is anything romantic between us?” she asked as evenly as she could.

“Because you blushed when you declared you weren’t courting,” Helen stated matter-of-factly.

Claudia glanced at her friend then blurted out, “He kissed me.”

“What?” Helen gasped. “When?”

Claudia knew if she didn’t tell someone she’d burst. “After he apprehended that mugger and then today after he dragged me off the street.”

Helen’s eyes widened. “He’s kissed you twice? You’re not even betrothed.”

“That’s what I told him,” Claudia threw her arms up in exasperation. “Of course I slapped him the first time he did it.”

Helen nodded thoughtfully. “What did you do the second time?”

Claudia could feel her cheeks burning as she looked away again. “I. . .uh. . .well, it’s not important,” she stammered. “The point is, Helen, I have promised myself that I shall never see him again. It is a promise I intend to keep.”

A strange expression passed over Helen’s face. “That might not be possible,” she said.

Claudia shook her head. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve been checking with my staff, and I”—she paused, her eyes shining—“I found your grandfather Canterbury.”

Claudia’s heart pounded faster. “Wh—where is he?”

Helen winced. “Well, that part is a bit sticky. You see your grandfather is working as a butler to—” She paused again as if she were afraid to speak her next words.

Claudia grabbed her hand. “Whoever it is matters not to me, Helen. Just speak it.”

“He’s working for Lord Kinclary,” Helen said in one fast breath.

Claudia pulled her hand back slowly, her mind whirling with the implications of Helen’s news. She didn’t know what to say. “It makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time,” she murmured, bringing her gaze up to meet Helen’s. She fell silent again then finally said, “I think I may have met my grandfather, and I didn’t even know it.” She shook her head. “How could I not recognize my own grandfather?”

Helen reached out and patted her arm. “Don’t worry about that now. You must concentrate your efforts on figuring out a way to tell Kinclary your news.”

Claudia stood and paced. “I am the granddaughter of his butler, Helen. Cameron is the future Duke of Ravenhurst, tenth in line to the throne.”

Helen stepped in front of her to stop her pacing. “Why does it matter? I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with Kinclary,” she reminded her gently.

Claudia shook her head. “I don’t. It’s only—well, he might not want to help me get to know my grandfather Canterbury once he realizes the truth. It might change his perception of me.”

Helen smiled at her gently. “Claudia, it seems to me, no matter how much you deny it, the two of you have feelings for one another. I’m sure he already knows the story of your parents’ elopement. Why would this make a difference?”

Claudia could not deny Helen’s assessment, for it was true. But would those feelings continue once he found out the truth?

❧

“I don’t understand where he could be!” Claudia waved her hands about in the air. “A week has passed, and I’ve attended three balls. Why doesn’t he show himself?”

She leaned back in Helen’s carriage and stared up at the gray velvet ceiling. Helen, sitting across from her, reached out to pat her knee.

“I’m sure something has come up to detain him. Don’t lose hope yet. Once you speak to him today, I’m sure everything will turn out all right.”

“Are you sure we’re doing the right thing by going to his home? What if he thinks I’m pursuing him or something?” she said anxiously.

Helen gave her a level look. “After what you told him the last time you parted, I don’t believe he thinks you’re marriage minded,” she answered dryly.

Claudia thought back to that day and became even more concerned. “Perhaps I’ve offended him. He seemed fine when I left, but later he might have thought about what I said and become angry with me.”

“Stop fretting,” Helen admonished as the carriage came to a stop. “Now let’s put on our best smiles, walk in that house, and tell Kinclary our news. God will guide us, I’m sure.”

Claudia had faith in God; she just wasn’t sure about Cameron.

After a few moments they were standing at the large door, banging with the ring held by the giant lion’s head.

When the door opened, Claudia was disappointed to find her grandfather was not the one behind it. “We’re here to see Lord Kinclary,” she told the servant, hoping her nervousness did not show.

The young servant eyed the two of them. “Do you have an appointment?”

“No, but you can tell him that Lady Claudia is here to see him about a most urgent matter.” She hoped the mysteriousness of her statement would cause him to let her in.

The man hesitated a moment, then showed them into the large entrance hall. “Please wait here while I take him your message.” He motioned for them to sit on a delicate settee by the door.

As they waited, Claudia could only stare straight ahead and concentrate on being calm.

“Just look at these paintings, Claudia. I’ll bet they are worth a fortune.” She pointed to the ceiling. “And have you ever seen such a large chandelier? Amazing!”

“Helen, please!” Claudia whispered. “Reminding me of how rich and powerful he is does not help to calm my poor nerves.”

Helen started to speak but stopped when Cameron suddenly walked into the foyer. He looked at Claudia first, and the smile that lit his face nearly took her breath away. “Lady Claudia.” His deep voice resembled smooth honey as he walked toward them. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“I don’t think he’s angry,” Helen whispered.

“Shh!” Claudia gave her friend a gentle nudge with her elbow.

“Lord Kinclary,” she greeted him in return. “You know my friend, Lady Northingshire?”

She was relieved when he turned to Helen with a warm smile. “Ah, yes. I believe our introduction was interrupted in the park. I’m so glad to finally make your acquaintance.” He picked up her gloved hand and bent over it gallantly.

Helen put her other hand to her chest, and Claudia had to bite her lip to hide a smile. Helen was such a romantic, and now she would be talking about his courtly behavior for weeks.

Cameron escorted them into a brightly lit parlor and seated them on a brocade-covered sofa. After ringing for tea he sat across from them. “Now to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

He smiled at her confidently, as if he found her presence in his home no surprise at all.

“This is not a sociable call. We’ve come only to inquire after a certain matter,” she informed him abruptly.

Cameron’s smile deepened. “Are you sure you’re not here because you missed me?”

“Preposterous!”

“That’s partly the reason,” Helen affirmed at the same time as Claudia denied it.

“Helen!” Claudia admonished.

“Well?” Helen said with a shrug.

“Or did you finally want to thank me for those rescues?”

“No,” she snapped but then decided to soften her tone a bit. She was here, after all, to ask for his help. “I mean, of course, I thank you for rescuing me from that horrid mugger, but it isn’t why I—”

“Wait one minute!” he interrupted her then turned to Helen. “You are a witness to this statement, are you not? She
did
just thank me? I’m not dreaming?”

Helen giggled as she nodded, and Claudia closed her eyes briefly, praying for patience. “Lord Kinclary—”

“Cameron,” he corrected.

She pursed her lips and shook her head.
“Cameron.”
She wasn’t going to argue the point. “We’re not here because I’ve missed you or any other such nonsense.” She ignored his look of disbelief and hurried to say the rest. “I’m here because I found out where my grandfather is, and only
you
can help me meet him.”

Cameron’s flirtatious smile turned questioning. “I don’t understand.”

Claudia exchanged a glance with Helen then looked back to him. “My grandfather is—” Claudia swallowed nervously. Her throat was so dry she nearly choked. She suddenly stood up. “Perhaps this is not the best time to go into all this. I think we should leave. Now!”

Helen stood with her and took hold of her arm. “Just tell him.”

Claudia glanced at Cameron and found she could not say it. It
did
matter to her what he thought of her. She
did
have feelings for him, which went deeper than she wanted to admit. If telling him meant he might look down upon her, she didn’t think she could bear it. “I can’t. We must leave.”

Helen shook her head as Cameron stood up with them. “Lord Kinclary, Claudia’s grandfather is George Canterbury—your butler.”

When he didn’t say anything, Claudia finally let her gaze rise to see his expression. He appeared absolutely stunned.

Claudia’s heart dropped when he glanced at her before looking away. “Are you sure it’s my George Canterbury?”

“Yes. He was a butler in Grandfather Moreland’s home when my father married his daughter,” Claudia answered stiffly. Her fears were coming to fruition when Cameron still would not look at her.

“Lord Kinclary,” Helen cut in, “could you perhaps speak to your butler and ask if he would meet with Claudia? Her greatest desire is to form a relationship with him.”

Cameron nodded slowly. “Of course. I’ll speak to him directly,” he murmured, almost absently.

Claudia couldn’t take it anymore. “Well, we’ve wasted enough of your time, Lord Kinclary. We must be going,” she announced starchily as she marched past him with her head held high.