She smiled as she reached him, her blue eyes searching his expression.
“I wanted to tell you again just how grateful I am for what you did last evening. I know just how careful one must be with one’s reputation. I know that it can be gone in a moment. And I am all too aware that last night might have been that moment, had it not been for you.”
Jonathan shook his head.
“You need not continually express your thanks.” He shrugged and placed both hands behind his back, fearful that he might reach to hold her hand, or some other foolishness, should they linger in conversation any longer. Lady Cassandra’s smile remained and she made no attempt to hurry back to the drawing room. Instead, she simply held his gaze for a few moments and then with small sigh, bit the edge of her lip. Jonathan tilted his head a little. “Is there something more you wish to say?”
Lady Cassandra let out a slightly nervous laugh but nodded.
“I have no doubt you will think me quite ridiculous, but I promised Lord Darlington my first waltz whenever I am permitted to dance it.” She nibbled the edge of her lip again, her eyes going to the floor, her cheeks flushing. “No doubt it was foolishness to say such a thing to him, but now I feel as though I am obliged.”
“You have not been given permission to dance the waltz as yet, however.”
“I have been granted it. Lord Yardley told me so before he took his leave.” Lady Cassandra spread out both hands. “If I promised it to Lord Darlington, am I permitted to take it from him again?” Her hands dropped to her sides. “Or would that be very bad form?”
Chuckling, Jonathan shrugged lightly, his hands falling to his sides, despite his previous resolve to keep them safely behind his back.
“It may be alittleof bad form, Lady Cassandra, but it is understandable. If you like, I shall stand up with you for your first waltz, rather than worrying about Lord Darlington coming to seek it from you.”
Lady Cassandra’s eyes widened, and her breath caught in a gasp as she stared at him, clearly a little taken aback by what he had offered her. The next moment she had stepped forward and, putting both of her hands to his, grasped his fingers tightly.
“You truly are a very gracious gentleman.” Her voice was a little wispy, as though it was a struggle to get the words out. “Thank you very much, Lord Sherbourne. I do not have to worry about my first waltz now.”
Jonathan tried to smile, but his mouth seemed frozen in place.
“Mayhap you will be able to look forward to it now, rather than be concerned about it.”
“I believe that I shall.” Standing on tiptoe, Lady Cassandra pressed a light kiss to his cheek and then with a quiet giggle, turned away. “Thank you again, Lord Sherbourne.”
Waiting until Lady Cassandra had turned into the drawing room, Jonathan let out his breath in a slow hiss. The imprint of her lips on his cheek burned, and he only then realized just how quickly his heart was beating. He had never responded to any young lady in a manner such as this. It had only been a kiss on his cheek, so why now was he so overcome by it? She was not the first young lady who had done such a thing… but she certainly was the first young lady to whom he had responded so strongly.
Jonathan gave himself a shake before turning to stride down the hallway, one hand pressed to his cheek. Whatever was happening to him, it was entirely to do with Lady Cassandra. The fact that he had now agreed to help her in securing a suitable gentleman - a gentleman who would fall in love with her, seemed a good deal more foolish than he had ever thought it might be. What he ought to do, Jonathan considered, was stay as far away from her as possible.
Except now, it was much too late.
Chapter Six
“Thank you to all for attending.”
Miss Wynch shot Cassandra a broad smile before she spoke, directing her words to Lady Yardley.
“We are all very grateful to you,” she responded as the other young ladies nodded. “You are very kind to offer to help us.”
Lady Yardley smiled.
“I am glad to be able to.” Her smile continued to grow as she spread her hands. “I myself was someone who found the very same desire within myself as all of you do at present: the desire for a suitable match with a loving gentleman.”
“And you were able to find one.”
In answer to Lady Almeria’s statement, Lady Yardley nodded.
“I was, although it was not without difficulty.” She tilted her head, smiled again, and then gestured to all of them. “Which is why I now seek to help you. If I can share with you some of my wisdom… and some of my tricks to aid you in finding a suitable fellow then I shall.”
It was this last remark which had Cassandra sitting up a little straighter.
“Tricks?” she repeated as her cousin laughed softly “Whatever do you mean?”
She glanced at her friends, seeing how each of them now paid a little more attention, their gazes fixed on Lady Yardley and every head turned towards her. They had only ever had instruction on how to behave correctly, how to talk, how to dress, and how to respond appropriately to any situation – so to hear the mention of trickery was, to Cassandra’s mind, both interesting and also a little disconcerting
