“Garden?” Cameron followed Lennox, taking the stairs two at a time, but the man was a demon.
Lennox reached the third floor. “Erin,” he bellowed, storming down the hall.
Cameron caught up to him with Selwick close behind.
***
Alison placed a small log on the fire then sat in the chair before the hearth. The longer she waited, the angrier she became. She rose, unclasped her cloak and tossed it over the back of the chair, then dropped into the seat again. The viscount had appeared surprised to see her, but he had to know she was there because of his note to her cousin. She was glad he had discovered her presence. When he returned, she was going to have it out with him. He would never again come near Erin.
It seemed forever before she heard heavy bootfalls in the hallway again…and raised voices. Had someone shouted Erin’s name? That voice. The door burst open and she shot to her feet. Alison stared at her Uncle Harrison and Lord Selwick.
“Uncle? What—”
“Alison?” He scanned the room, his brows drawn down in a ferocious frown. “What are you doing here? Where is Erin?”
Fear stabbed through Alison. He must have learned of Erin’s intended rendezvous with the viscount and came to deal with the rogue.
She started toward him. “All is well, Uncle Harrison. You need not worry.”
“Need not worry? I asked where my daughter is. I know she is here.”
Her heart sank. “My hope is that she is home safe in her bed.”
“It seems you have the wrong girl,” Lord Selwick said. “Tis your niece you should have been concerned with.”
Alison didn’t like the smirk on Lord Selwick’s face. “There is no reason to be concerned. I came here—”
“No explanation is needed, my lady,” Lord Selwick said.
“I would like an explanation,” Viscount Weston interrupted, an odd expression on his face.
“You hardly have room to make demands when we find Alison here in your bedchamber.” Selwick rested a hand on Lennox’s shoulder. “It seems you were misinformed. You can rest easy that your daughter is not involved in this scandal.”
Redness crept along her uncle’s neck, and his mouth formed a rigid line.
“I, er, I—” Alison knew her explanations would tarnish Erin if she were to confess her reason for sneaking into the viscount’s home.
All was not yet lost. She just needed to think fast. Somewhere there was an explanation that would not only protect Erin, but also deliver her from this unfortunate situation.
“You play loose and fast, eh, Hunter?” Selwick said.
“That doesna make sense,” her uncle said. “Alison is a sensible girl. I am sure there’s a good explanation.”
“For her being in Hunter’s bedchambers?” Selwick laughed.
“My uncle is correct,” Alison said. “Things are not as they seem.” Think. “I…I had a meeting with the Viscount Weston.”
“Indeed?” Selwick said. “What was the purpose of this meeting?”
“Business, but you know how it would appear if I were to meet with him in public.”
“What type of business?” her uncle demanded.
Her gaze snapped to the viscount.
He stepped up beside her. “She is interested in the arts and thought I might be of assistance.”
“It is well known that Lord Weston is acquainted with women of the stage,” Alison said. His reputation had him acquainted with women from just about every profession…and now she could include prostitution.
He cocked a brow in her direction.
“Then, I suppose you are in disguise to avoid detection but, what, for a part in a play, perhaps—and”—Lord Selwick arched a brow—“your dress ripped during rehearsal.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to her sleeve. Alison glanced at the sleeve and gasped. She’d forgotten. She tore the sleeve when fleeing upstairs. If she hadn’t grown warm by the fire and removed her cloak, no one would have seen the tear.
She looked at the men. “Surely, you cannot believe the viscount tore my dress. He is not an animal.”
Just a criminal.
“I am gratified to hear you hold me in such high esteem,” he murmured.
Alison frowned. “As you see, Uncle Harrison, ‘tis only a misunderstanding. I now understand how foolish it was for me to come here at this hour. But I feared my cousin wouldn’t approve of my acting and, you see, it has become a passion of mine.”
Her uncle heaved a sigh. “Aye, this is all a misunderstanding. If all that has transpired remains within this room, then nothing more need be said.”
Selwick cleared his throat. “I do not see how you can so easily dismiss the situation.” He turned to Lord Weston. “There are already rumors regarding your association with Miss Lennox. How else do you explain the note to his daughter?”
“What note?”
“Ignorance does not suit you,” Selwick said. “To discover Alison here tonight… Well, you have gone too far.”
“You know nothing of the situation,” her uncle said to Selwick. “His lordship has a tendré for Erin.”
The viscount’s eyes narrowed.
“There is no reason to deny it, my lord.” Alison touched his arm. His flesh was warm, the strong muscle beneath hard and flexed. His gaze dropped to her hand. She snatched her hand back. “Erin has expressed the tenderness she feels for you. What harm can come from the truth now?”
“Aside from being trapped?” he gritted out.
“Trapped—” she began.
“You have brought that upon yourself,” her uncle cut in. “Erin has told me about your time with her.”
“What is the meaning of this?”
Alison jumped at the loud male demand and whirled. The 7th Earl of Weston stood in the doorway staring at them.
“Oh dear,” Alison said.
“You have a knack for understatement,” Cameron Hunter said.
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The Marriage Maker Series
Forbidden Love
My Lady My Siren
His Temptress His Torment
Her Unrepentant Rogue
Not Another Knob
The Original Marriage Maker Saga
Worth of a Lady
The Marriage Wager
A Lady by Chance
How to Catch an Heiress
Rules of Refinement
One Good Gentleman
Shameless
Redemption of a Marquess
A Marriage of Necessity
The Marriage Maker Goes Undercover
A Scoundrel in the Making
Her Wicked Highland Spy
My Lady of Danger
The Marriage Obligation
Daughters of Scandal Collection
A Most Unusual Scandal
The Lady’s Book of Love
Brazen
Flowers of Scotland
The Maid of Inverness
Dreaming of a Gentleman
Reckless Desire
The Marriage Maker and the Widows
Rake Ruiner
Marrying the Belle of Edinburgh
Widow’s Treasure
Seduction of a Widow
The Beasts of Blackstone Abbey collection
A Heart Worth Loving
A Scoundrel’s Promise
A Match Made in the Highlands
Sweet Hellion
Coming Soon
Flowers of Scotland
A Rose in Disguise
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Not Another Nob (The Marriage Maker Book 32) Page 9
