On him, a very nice combination.
Oh, how had that thought slipped in? She cleared her throat and paused at Eloise’s front door to ring the bell.
“Lady Dayne is not at home,” her butler informed Lily. “Shall I leave word that you stopped by?”
“No, Watling. It isn’t important.”
She returned to the Farthingale residence and prepared for the Royal Society meeting. Today’s lecture was to be on geological formations. For that staid affair, she chose a midnight blue pelisse over a light gray frock, selected a midnight blue reticule and pair of gray lace gloves, and then completed the outfit with a stylish hat topped with a gray feather.
Finally, she nudged her new spectacles firmly onto the bridge of her nose, framed a few playful curls at the nape of her neck, and marched downstairs to join her uncle, also an admirer of the Royal Society and the lectures offered to the public.
“I haven’t had the chance to speak to Eloise or this Mr. Cameron yet,” her uncle George said as they climbed into one of the Farthingale carriages.
“Don’t trouble yourself.” She settled against the black leather squabs. “There’s something you ought to know. Something I ought to have mentioned last night.”
Her uncle leaned forward.
She proceeded to tell him of Mr. Cameron’s connection to the Duke of Lotheil.
“I suspected as much.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “Gossip and such, but didn’t wish to say anything before I was certain.”
“I wish you had told me. I made an utter fool of myself in front of him.”
He patted her hand. “I’m sure he finds you as charming and clever as we all do.”
“Jasper might, but I doubt his owner feels the same way.”
***
Ewan stood in the back corner of the lecture hall watching the crowd. The men looked quite distinguished in their afternoon grays, and the few ladies in attendance were finely turned out. Lily arrived, as he expected she would, escorted by a tall gentleman whose dark hair was sprinkled with gray. The man had a commanding presence and appeared old enough to be her father... possibly was her father.
Ewan decided not to approach, but Lily saw him out of the corner of her eye. Turning to her companion, she began to tug on the gentleman’s sleeve to draw him toward the back of the hall. “Good afternoon, Mr. Cameron,” she said, reaching his side.
He nodded. “Hello, lass.” She looked adorable with those wire-rimmed spectacles perched on her nose. Prettiest scholar he’d ever encountered.
“May I present my uncle, Dr. George Farthingale?”
“A pleasure to meet you, sir.”
Lily’s uncle responded cordially, but Ewan knew the man was wary of him and obviously protective of his niece. He wouldn’t hesitate to confront Ewan—duke’s grandson or no—if he were ever to hurt Lily. Ewan understood and respected the man for it. He would be just as wary of any man sniffing about his own sister, Meggie.
Not that he was sniffing about Lily, though she did smell nice. Like pink roses in the evening dew, sweet, warm, and subtly intoxicating.
Bollix.
“My niece tells me that you’re looking to purchase a horse for yourself.”
He glanced at Lily and then turned back to her uncle. “That I am.”
“I may be able to help.”
“I’d appreciate it.” He glanced at Lily again and grinned. “And just so we’re clear on the matter, cost is no object.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Gentlemen do not discuss their finances in public.”
“I know, lass. Couldn’t resist teasing you. Not that I’m much of a gentleman, but rest assured that I am usually cautious with my blunt. In truth, I am as tight-fisted a Scot as you’ll ever meet.”
The shadow of a smile fell across her lips. “Then I would advise you to keep your hands in your pockets, Mr. Cameron. Lord Squeers is coming toward you to hit you up for a donation, no doubt. He may tell you it’s for a worthy cause, but I hardly think acquiring a case of whiskey for his cellar counts as such. Oh, dear. Lady Marchmain has just seen you, as well. She’s desperate to marry off her widowed sister and will be impossible to shake once she starts talking.”
Her uncle frowned. “Lily, that’s not a kind thing to say.”
“But it’s the truth.”
“Even so.”
A blush ran up her cheeks. “Forgive me. I have an awful habit of... I merely thought to be helpful... obviously, I’m not... being helpful, that is. I must sound quite petty and insulting. I don’t know why I felt the need to warn you about them, Mr. Cameron. I’m sure you can take care of yourself.”