“There isn’t much to tell. His dog, Jasper, accidently knocked me down while I was on my way to Eloise’s to return a book I had borrowed. I lost my spectacles, ruined the book, and soiled my new gown. Mr. Cameron took it upon himself to replace all but the gown.”
“I see.”
“No, you don’t,” she responded, growing more concerned as she pondered Mr. Cameron’s fate. “He doesn’t have a place to live yet and now he’s spent all his money on me.”
“Obviously, he has settled in with the Duke of Lotheil.”
“He can’t possibly have.” She felt heat creep up her neck and cheeks. “Uncle George, I must speak to Eloise as soon as possible. I’ll need her help to pull Mr. Cameron out of this scrape.”
He slipped the letter out of her hands and into his pocket. “Lily, let me handle the matter. I think it best that I speak to Eloise and Mr. Cameron.”
“You won’t have him put in prison, will you?”
Her uncle shook his head and cast her a wry grin. “Neither he nor his dog will be clapped in irons. You have my word on it. Now, run along and enjoy your ride. It’s too beautiful a day to waste indoors.”
***
“A spectacular day,” Lily decided as she, Dillie, and their cousin, William Farthingale, rode out of the stable and turned onto Rotten Row. William was George’s son and all of twenty-two. He’d been assigned by the family elders to serve as their chaperon during the season, a foolish choice in Lily’s opinion. Her cousin fancied himself a rake and, in true rakehell fashion, had his eyes on every female in Hyde Park but them.
Neither she nor Dillie protested when he rode ahead to greet several young gentlemen of his acquaintance. They purposely lagged behind, neither one of them keen on his circle of friends.
“First blue sky we’ve seen in months, but we have many such days in Coniston,” Lily said with a sigh, thinking wistfully of their quiet country home, though no house was ever very quiet with Farthingales about. “I wish we were there now.”
“So do I.”
“Truly? I thought you were enjoying London?” Lily closed her eyes and turned her face toward the sun, enjoying the warm breeze and clean scent that tickled her nose. London air was rarely this fresh, and she sought to take advantage while it lasted.
“There’s nothing so fine as a day spent fishing at Yewtree Tarn.”
Lily opened her eyes and turned to her sister, a gleam in her eye. “Or reading on the bank beneath the giant yew tree by the tarn.”
“Or picnicking in the valley or hiking up Coniston Old Man. But those days are gone, mere faded memories.”
“Why sound so gloomy, Dillie? The season will be over in a few months, and we’ll return home to enjoy the August heat and October chill.”
“And the Christmas snowfall.” Dillie cast her an odd look. “I’ll miss it without you.”
“Something’s addled your brain. Where do you think I’ll be, if not with our family?”
“Surely, it hasn’t escaped your notice.”
“I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Your encounter with E.C., in front of our townhouse… on Chipping Way.”
“No, no, no!” Lily burst into laughter. “The Chipping Way bachelor’s curse is all stuff and nonsense. Besides, Mr. Cameron didn’t run into me. His dog did. And I doubt Father would consent to my marrying his dog.”
“You’re purposely being obtuse.”
“Who taught you that fancy word? Obtuse? I’m not. Really, Dillie. This is too much!”
“You can’t explain away what happened to Rose, Laurel, or Daisy.”
“More precisely, what happened to the unsuspecting bachelors who met their doom upon encountering them on our street. They were gentlemen. Gentlemen. Not clumsy heathens passing through town.”
“Mr. Cameron is obviously not a heathen. He took the trouble to replace your spectacles and the MacLaurin book.”
“He probably stole the book.” She was uncertain what to do about that.
“He knows Eloise, and she doesn’t invite just anyone into her home.”
“You must put Mr. Cameron out of your mind. He isn’t at all the sort of man I’d consider suitable husband material. No, indeed. Though I would be glad to have him along if I were off on an exotic adventure. He seems quite capable. Strong.”
“Handsome.”
“Very, if one looks beyond his beard and shaggy hair,” Lily admitted, though it wasn’t as much of an admission as a fact. “He seems to be the no-nonsense sort. And he’s big and brutish, the sort of man no ruffian would dare trifle with. But enough about him. As I said, put him out of your mind.”