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not say another disparaging word about the Messenger , nor shall I insist you resign. Indeed, I shall willingly support your efforts in whatever way you wish.”
    â€œNor shall you throw this in his face should the rest of the world discover Cameron Fairchild is really Cameron Effington, son of the Duke of Roxborough,” Mother added. “Should his work—how did you put it? ah yes—cast this family in the poorest of lights, bringing embarrassment and humiliation down upon us all.”
    Father hesitated, then sighed. “I will agree to that.”
    â€œVery well then, Father.” Cam adopted his most confident tone. “You have yourself a wager.”
    â€œOh, I’m willing to wager on that myself.” Simon grinned.
    â€œSimon Effington, you will not wager against your brother.” Mother huffed.
    â€œI would never do that, Mother. Besides, I think he’ll pull it off.” Simon chuckled. “But I am willing to bet Father can’t keep up his end of the bargain.”
    â€œReally?” Father’s brow rose. “And you are willing to put up your own money to back that up?”
    â€œI’d be willing to wager, oh, ten pounds on it.” A wicked gleam shone in Simon’s eyes.
    â€œAs am I,” Thad added.
    â€œI’m in.” Spencer nodded.
    â€œWhat about you, Grace?” Father glanced at his daughter. “Are you too so lacking in faith as to your father’s ability to abide by his word?”
    â€œOh, Father, I would never say such a thing.” Grace scoffed, then grinned. “But it does seem too good an opportunity to pass up.”
    Grandmother nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”
    â€œYou too, Mother?”
    Grandmother shrugged.
    â€œWhat about you, Fiona?” The duke looked at his wife. “Are you going to join the rest of my traitorous family?”
    â€œOf course not, dear. I said I would not take sides. Besides”—Mother smiled—“I am already planning to do something completely frivolous with the money you shall collect from our children.”
    â€œThank you.” Father shook his head in a resigned manner. “It’s so gratifying to know I have the confidence of my family.”
    Cam glanced around the table and smiled. “That it is, Father, that it is.”
    It was indeed good to know his family had faith in him even if their confidence might exceed his own.
    Because, while any number of ideas were constantly simmering in his head, at the moment, he had absolutely no idea what he would write about.

Chapter Two
    â€œI am curious, Miss West.” Lucy sipped her tea and studied her new companion over the rim of her cup. The woman was no more than a few years older than Lucy herself. It was a delightful relief. “Where do you stand on the subject of adventures?”
    â€œAdventures?” Miss West considered the question for a moment. “I suspect it would very much depend on the adventure in question.”
    â€œExcellent answer.” Lucy grinned. “I think we will get on quite well together.”
    Miss Clara West had arrived at Jackson’s family’s house in London this morning and Lucy hadn’t had time to be little more than introduced to the woman in the flurry of activity surrounding the departure of Jackson and his parents. They planned to travel together on the continent, at least for a while. Jackson had never seen anything of Europe; indeed he had never stepped foot off American soil at all until he had come to England. Their plans were uncertain after that, but he and his father had talked of going on to Turkey or Persia, Arabia or Egypt. Jackson’s father, Colonel Channing, had traveled much of the world and was eager to show strange and wondrous sights in exotic and exciting locales to his wife and son. It was to be quite an adventure, although Lucy did wonder how Mrs. Channing would bear up under it all as she had never