She lifted her chin and Cassandra’s heart sought out the same courage for herself. Taking a deep breath, she caught her cousin’s eye.
“Cassandra? Do you have something to add?”
Licking her lips, she nodded.
“Yes, I think I should.” Her breath began to quicken but her mind was made up already. “I think I should do something about Lord Alderton. He has shown me some attention, certainly, but nothing of note. Even the note he sent me today did not speak of anything specific with regard to his own intentions. I enjoy his company, and I will confess I find him very handsome indeed.” Her friends shared knowing smiles, and Cassandra’s face flushed a little. “There is every chance that I could easily find myself in love with him, but I do not want to allow my heart free until it can be sure of his intentions,andof his character. If he seeks only a little flirtation, or even a mere friendship, then there is no reason for me to further my time with him.”
“Those are wise thoughts, my dear.” Lady Yardley smiled gently as though she understood the confusion present in Cassandra’s heart. “To be aware that you might swiftly fall in love with such a gentleman is to know yourself – and to be aware of the danger which you might find yourself in, if the gentleman proved to be unworthy, is also well considered. It is always astute to be cautious. I commend you for that.”
Cassandra smiled tightly, aware of just how unwise she felt. In fact, she was somewhat frustrated at her lack of good sense. She ought to have immediately mentioned Lord Alderton but had not. It had only been Miss Madeley and her cousin’s prompting that had forced her to do so and, whilst she was grateful, Cassandra wished very much that she had come up with the intention herself.
“I shall write something along the same lines as for Lord Jefferson.” Lady Yardley’s smile faded as a little as concentration steadied her eyes. “In his case, I shall gently suggest that there is more than one young lady interested in Lord Alderton – and such a statement is quite true, for we areallinterested in him, but only to see whether or not he will prove himself.” Her smile returned, glittering now as the young ladies in the room laughed softly, albeit with a slightly nervous air. “To write that will encourage him to prove himself one way or the other, Cassandra.” Lady Yardley’s voice grew quiet as she looked across at Cassandra again. “You are prepared, I hope, for what might take place once this is published?”
Lifting her chin, Cassandra nodded. Lord Alderton might prove himself to be nothing but a selfish fellow who enjoyed the company of one or two young ladies, without giving his specific attention to anyone in particular. She would have to be prepared for that.
“I am more than prepared, I assure you.”
She nodded again as her cousin held her gaze. Yes, she was ready for what would follow, almost eager to discover whether or not Lord Alderton was as he seemed. If he was not, then she would simply have to find herself considering another gentleman, someone who was a good deal more worthy of her time.
And at that moment, none other than Lord Sherbourne appeared in her mind, and Cassandra was filled with nothing but confusion. But yet there he was, lingering in her thoughts, his smiling face soft, his hazel eyes glowing – and Cassandra found herself smiling back as though he were present in the room. The conversation flowed around her, and yet her thoughts lingered on this one gentleman. These last two weeks she had found herself often in his company and certainly had felt some strange sensations rising within her. She had pushed them away quickly enough, however, refusing to allow them to take hold. She would not let herself think of a gentleman who had not only declared himself unwilling to wed but also who had mocked the very idea of a love match. He did not believe in, nor want, such a thing, so why would she ever allow her thoughts to linger on him? Therefore, as she had done so many other times, she pushed him away and tried to center herself once more on the conversation around her.
A quick glance towards Lady Yardley had Cassandra’s face flushing, for it was met with a gentle smile and a slight lift of her eyebrow. Did Norah somehow know what she had been thinking about?
Pushing the embarrassment down, Cassandra looked around the room and tried to smile as the other young ladies continued to talk about the gentlemen of London. Try as she might, however, Cassandra’s thoughts lingered on the one gentleman she knew she oughtnotto be thinking about.
* * *
“I hear you have printed an article.”
“Yes.” Cassandra lifted her chin, and seeing the flash of Lord Sherbourne’s eyes, wondered precisely who - or what - it was directed at. “I felt it was necessary.”
Lord Sherbourne’s eyebrows lifted.
“But Lord Alderton has no defect with his character, has he?”
Cassandra shrugged.
“You have discovered nothing untoward about him, and nor has Lady Yardley.”
“Then why do you seek to write something about him?” Lord Sherbourne’s eyebrows continued to lift until Cassandra thought that they would reach the top of his hairline. “If you are so convinced of his good character, then–”
“Because he has done nothing to show any real interest.” The words came tumbling out of Cassandra’s mouth as she looked up into his face, seeing his hazel eyes widen a little. “No doubt you will think me foolish, but if I am to lose my heart to a gentleman, I wish very much to know what his intentions are for me,beforeI do so.”
Immediately Lord Sherbourne shook his head.
“I should never think you foolish,” he murmured, and to her utter astonishment, reached to grasp her hand for a brief moment. “Over the last few weeks, Lady Cassandra, I have come to consider you one of the wisest young ladies of my acquaintance. I do not think that I have ever met someone with such a spirit of determination as you possess.”
Cassandra could not speak. The warmth of his hand on hers was sending sparks shooting up through her, her throat constricting a little, but she could do nothing other than look into his eyes. All around them, conversations and laughter continued, and yet to her, there was no one else present save for Lord Sherbourne.
“Lord Sherbourne.”
Her voice was soft, throaty, breathless. She did not know what she wanted to say. Was it to ask him to leave his fingers on hers for a few moments longer, or perhaps to ask him to withdraw so that these sensations might stop? Regardless of what she wanted, her words would not come.
“Yes, Lady Cassandra?”
Lord Sherbourne’s voice had dropped lower. Was it just her imagination, or had he moved a little closer? Her eyes dropped to his lips. How strange it was that she should be considering them now, wondering what would fire within her should he dare to touch his lips to her own. Her heart quickened, her breathing became uneven as her eyes began to drift closed.
“Alas, it seems we are not to dance this evening.” Cassandra’s eyes shot open, looking at none other than Lord Alderton. His eyes were fixed on her own, a smile on his lips which she did not feel that she could return. “And here I was, so eager in my desire to dance with you.”
