Taking a moment, Cassandra forced a smile, wishing beyond all things that he had not interrupted her and Lord Sherbourne.
“Again, it seems we are to be denied, Lord Alderton.”
She smiled briefly, glanced at Lord Sherbourne and saw how he had dropped his head. Her heart slammed against her chest as she turned her attention back to Lord Alderton, just as he offered her his arm.
“I am sure you would not mind, Lord Sherbourne, if I stole Lady Cassandra away for a few moments?”
“Certainly I should.” Much to Cassandra’s surprise, Lord Sherbourne’s voice was rather sharp. “You are aware that this young lady ought to be chaperoned. You cannot simply take her through the house without someone being present with you.”
“Then how very good it is of you to offer.” Was there a hint of ice in Lord Alderton’s voice? Cassandra swallowed nervously, worried that there would be some harsh words – but after a moment of hard gazes passing between the two gentlemen, Lord Sherbourne simply shrugged. “Come, my dear.” Lord Alderton offered her his arm for the second time, his smile brief as he glanced over his shoulder to where Lord Sherbourne stood. “A few moments of conversation with me and I shall be satisfied.”
“Only a few moments?”
Cassandra managed a weak smile, relieved when her remark made him chuckle.
“You want the truth from me? Very well, I shall give it.” Smiling, he tilted his head a little closer to her. “I should like to haveallof your conversations solely for myself, but it would not be gentlemanly of me to ask so.” Cassandra glanced away from him, her forehead puckering. Again, there came the sweet remarks, the gentle compliments, but nothing of substance. He had not asked her for her singular company, so that he might enjoy her conversation for a longer time. He had not suggested a walk through Hyde Park, a ride around town or anything that a gentleman would do, were he considering courtship… and thus, Cassandra put barriers around her heart. “You are a little quieter this evening.” Lord Alderton looked down at her again, the smile now gone. “I do hope that I have not upset you in some fashion.” Catching his eyes for a moment, Cassandra merely smiled but said nothing, giving him no explanation. She could not say anything, could not tell him the truth, and therefore her silence must be her only answer. “You say that your parents are abroad?” Lord Alderton continued after some moments, perhaps thinking that this would be the way to have her converse a little more easily. “Do you miss them a great deal?”
Relieved that he was not going to be asking her anything about her quiet manner, Cassandra quickly fell into conversation.
“Yes, at times.”
“Do you know when they might be returning to England?”
She shook her head.
“I write to them on occasion, but even they are uncertain as to when they will return. Our letters are infrequent, given the distance.”
“I see.” His gaze was soft, holding to hers. “You must be very grateful then, for Lady Yardley.”
“Certainly I am. She is not only my cousin, but my friend.”
“An agreeable situation indeed, then.” Lord Alderton smiled. “And your sister is not in London either? Nor your brother?”
Cassandra blinked, a little surprised at his questions. Had they discussed her siblings during their previous conversations?
“My sister is due to go into her confinement within the week, and my brother does not often frequent London, now that he is wed. He is presently at my father’s estate, making certain that all is well during my father’s absence.”
“Then both your brother and your sister are happily situated?”
“As far as I am aware, yes.”
“So you have Lady Yardley and Lord Sherbourne to watch over you here in society. It is very good of them both to be so agreeable.” Saying nothing, Cassandra resisted the urge to look over her shoulder, to make certain that Lord Sherbourne was still there. Of course he would be. He took responsibilities seriously. “Do you know Lord Sherbourne well?”
Lord Alderton’s voice had dropped and Cassandra frowned gently.
“A little, but he has been friends with Lord and Lady Yardley for some time.”
Lord Alderton cleared his throat, his head lifting, his eyes fixed straight ahead as though he was not quite certain how to say whatever it was which was on his mind.
“Lord Alderton?” Her steps slowing, Cassandra turned to face him, waiting for him to say whatever he intended – and believing now that it was about Lord Sherbourne. “Is there something wrong?”
He hesitated.
“Nothing is wrong,” came the reply, only for a gruff exclamation to follow, as if he were frustrated with himself for not speaking clearly. “It is only to say, I have heard a whisper about Lord Sherbourne which does concern me. Given that he is closely acquainted with you, I would urge caution.”
Surprise unfurled like a thorn pressing deeply into Cassandra’s heart. Her first instinct was to laugh, for if he was to tell her that the gentleman had no intention of marriage, then she could easily say that such a thing was something she already knew.
“Lord Alderton, Lord and Lady Yardley would not be so close with a gentleman who had anything unscrupulous about his character, I can assure you.” She waved her free hand lightly, resuming her walking alongside him. “I am sure that whatever you have heard is nothing short of a dull rumor.”
