The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress Read Free Page B

most of Cam’s cousins were older and already wed, and Grandmother resided with her only son and his wife, her matchmaking efforts focused almost exclusively on those grandchildren now seated around the table.
    It wasn’t as if they hadn’t tried. Spencer had been engaged to the lovely Eleanora Matthew, the daughter of an earl and eminently suitable to be a future duchess. But Eleanora had succumbed to measles five years ago and it had taken Spencer some time to move on with his life. Cam was fairly certain no one else in the family, except perhaps Simon, knew that Thad had been in love with the young woman as well. Both brothers’ hearts had broken when she died, although Spencer could mourn publicly and Thad’s sorrow was private. This was what love did to a man.
    In spite of the example set by his parents, Cam was glad he had never succumbed to that fickle emotion. Nor did he wish to. And no matter how many prospective brides Grandmother and her friends herded in his direction, marriage held no particular appeal. Fortunately, Grandmother concentrated most of her efforts on his older brothers and sister, but Cam was under no illusion that she did not have him in her sights as well.
    Grace had dutifully married Henry, Lord Watersfeld, a nice enough sort, who was liked and approved by the family and most importantly the dowager duchess, who was notoriously hard to please about prospective matches regardless of how much she wanted her grandchildren to wed. While Grace did appear to care for him, it also seemed to Cam that she relished being a widow far more than she had being a wife. Grace avoided most attempts to find her a new match by declaring, as it had only been three years since Henry’s death, she was still mourning, when in truth she used the freedom accorded her as a widow of independent means to pursue her own interests. Interests of an artistic nature. Something Mother knew and Father did not. Father was not overly fond of artistic endeavors.
    “Being manipulative and meddling is one of the few joys left to me.” Grandmother’s voice rang from the doorway.
    “Mother.” The duke and his sons jumped to their feet. “Fiona said you had retired.”
    “I had but I changed my mind. I’m allowed to do that, you know.” In spite of her age, her voice was strong and determined, but she leaned heavily on a carved, ivory-headed cane. She frequently complained that her mind was as sharp as ever but the rest of her was falling apart. “After a most refreshing nap I found I would rather be in the bosom of my family than in my bed. Besides, I was hungry and I hate eating alone in my rooms. It makes me feel even older than I am.” Her brows drew together. “Now, are you going to make me stand here all night or are one of you boys going to come help me to my seat?”
    At once the brothers moved toward her, but Simon reached her first and assisted her to a chair even as expertly trained footmen prepared a place for her.
    “You needn’t grin like that, Simon.” Grandmother cast him a chastising look. “You haven’t won a prize, you know.”
    “Oh, but I have, Grandmother.” Simon’s unrepentant grin widened. “Escorting you to the table or anywhere is both a delight and a privilege.”
    “Do not waste all that charm on me. It will do you no good as I am immune to it. You are so like your grandfather. He too was a charming rogue.” Grandmother settled into her chair. “Beware of that, my boy. It is both a blessing and a curse.”
    “I shall keep that in mind, Grandmother.” Simon chuckled and retook his seat.
    “See that you do.” Grandmother’s gaze wandered around the table and Cam wondered exactly what she saw when she looked at each of them. Or perhaps whom she saw. “I intend to send each of you a long note tomorrow listing the assorted possibilities for suitable matches.”
    Grace winced. Cam and his brothers traded resigned glances. It would not be the first such note Grandmother had sent them