Reaching up, he scratched the moose behind its antlers in an affectionate, if ludicrous, gesture that expressed his gratitude for the splendid day of hunting that particular prize had afforded him.Ī vision of Elizabeth Cameron danced enchantingly before his eyes - an incredibly lovely face with green eyes, cameo skin, and soft, smiling lips. A moose stared back at him through glazed eyes beside it a wild boar snarled. Raking a hand through his sandy hair, he glanced distractedly at the wall beside him, which was completely covered with his most prized possessions - the heads of the animals he'd hunted in Europe and abroad. Unable to believe what he was reading, Lord Marchman paced the floor and read the entire message twice more. Cognizant of the year and a half that had passed since they had been in each other's company, Julius Cameron volunteered to send his niece, properly chaperoned, to spend a night with John so that they might 'renew their acquaintance.' Cameron said he would now be willing to reconsider John's previously rejected offer for Lady Elizabeth's hand. Julius Cameron was desirous of seeing his niece, Lady Elizabeth Cameron, suitably and immediately wed. 'I'll be damned,' he breathed as he read. Lord John Marchman had just returned from his favorite daily pastime of hunting when the Havenhurst servant arrived at his home, and a footman brought him the message. Three of the recipients reacted differently. Twelve of them promptly wrote out replies declining Julius Cameron's outrageous suggestion, then they hurried off in search of friends with whom they could sham this unsurpassed, delicious piece of incredible gossip. Some of them were incredulous, others derisive, and still others cruelly satisfied. The recipients of these messages all had only one thing in common: They had once offered for Lady Elizabeth's hand in marriage.Īll fifteen of these gentlemen, upon reading the message, exhibited shock at its contents.

Julius Cameron, had directed them to deliver at fifteen homes throughout England. All of them carried identical, urgent messages that Lady Elizabeth's uncle, Mr. Fifteen servants wearing the traditional blue and silver livery of the Earl of Cameron left Havenhurst at dawn on the same day.

Judith mcnaught book list by date