“Yes. Of course.” Jonathan took a moment, recovering himself slowly as he found a chair to seat himself in. So long as he did not look at Lady Cassandra directly, then his thoughts appeared to be a little less befuddled. “You are expecting company?”
Lady Yardley nodded, her smile remaining.
“Yes, Lord Sherbourne, we are expecting company.” She spoke slowly, as if to make sure that he heard her this time. “There have been some gentlemen showing a little more interest in Lady Cassandra’s company and, I am sure, particularly after last evening’s soiree, that we will have more than a few gentlemen callers! I must say, I thought that Lady Cassandra did very well indeed, would you not agree?”
Giving a small nod, Jonathan clenched his hands into fists, allowing the pain of his fingernails pressing into his palms to give him clarity of mind. There had come a swift kick of jealousy at hearing that gentlemen callers were to be arriving for Lady Cassandra. Neither had he enjoyed last evening, mostly because Lord Alderton had been present, and had taken Lady Cassandra away at a moment where something profound might have occurred… something that, at the time, he had found himself eagerly desirous of. Now, however, Jonathan considered that he was somewhat relieved it had not.
So why, then, am I frustrated with Lord Alderton?
The gentleman had no defect of character and certainly had never treated Lady Cassandra with anything but respect and consideration. All the same, Jonathan’s dislike of the gentleman continued to grow. He had been displeased at how Lord Alderton had practically demanded that Jonathan walk behind himself and Lady Cassandra as her chaperone. But having chosen not to argue, Jonathan had done as he had been asked, being forced to watch as Lord Alderton had patted Lady Cassandra’s hand and repeatedly dropped his head close to her as they had walked around the room. Even now, his mind told him that he should be pleased that Lord Alderton showed such interest in Lady Cassandra, but his heart continued to rebel against the thought of her being stolen away by Lord Alderton.
“You did hear us, Lord Sherbourne?”
Jonathan’s head lifted sharply, as he was pulled from his thoughts.
“I beg your pardon?”
“About ‘The London Ledger’? It was published only yesterday.” Lady Cassandra’s voice was soft. “I am not certain, but I am hopeful that Lord Alderton will have seen what has been written there. I do not know whether he will respond – and, if he does, in what way he will respond – but I can hope that he shall.” Her smile lit her expression for just a moment, then faded again. “It may be that he has done nothing but seek my attentions for his own gratification, rather than having any genuine interest in me.”
The pain which shone in her eyes had Jonathan flinching. He did not like to see her so.
“I believe it will be the latter.”
Those words were spoken from his unwilling lips but, as he spoke them, as he offered her a little hope, Lady Cassandra lifted her gaze to his and smiled softly.
“I do hope so.” She looked away again, her smile present for only a moment. “Lord Sherbourne, there is also something I should like to tell you.”
The way that her eyes slid towards his, and then shot away again, made Jonathan frown.
“Yes, of course. Whatever is it, I am happy to listen.”
Lady Cassandra bit her lip. She did not tell him immediately, and instead of speaking, began to fiddle with something on her lap. Lady Yardley looked just as confused as Jonathan felt, but she said not a word, clearly having no prior knowledge of what the lady wished to say. Jonathan shifted in his chair, seeing how Lady Cassandra glanced at him again before looking away. His heart began to quicken from its usual steady beat. Whatever was the matter?
“It is about something which I was told last evening.” The words began to flow from her lips, spoken quickly in an obvious urge to have them free from her. “I shall begin by stating that I have absolutely no intention of believing what I was told, but I do trust that the reason such things were said to me, was simply to make certain that I was aware of what was being suggested.”
“I… I do not understand.” The tension in his stomach grew, twisting into a knot that pulled back and forth. “You heard something about me?”
“As I have said, it is not something that I personally believe.” Swiping the air with her hand, Lady Cassandra held his gaze. “I give you my word on that. In fact, I even told him so, although he appeared less convinced than I was. But that is because–”
The door opened before Lady Cassandra could say anything further, and a gentleman strode into the room, followed by the butler. Evidently, Lady Yardley had stated that all callers were to be brought into the drawing-room without delay and thus, Jonathan had no opportunity to speak to Lady Cassandra further for the moment. Frustrated, he slumped back into his chair as one Lord Litwick began to offer the lady, who had risen to greet him, many compliments.
Catching sight of the brandy in the corner of the room, he rose again quickly, just as Lord Litwick sat, intending to pour himself a small measure. As much as he wished to ignore the fellow, Jonathan could not help but listen to Lord Litwick’s many gushing compliments for Lady Cassandra. They flowed from his lips, sounding genuine enough, but Jonathan was quite certain that the gentleman had said such things to many young ladies before. That was not to say that Lady Cassandra would not be affected, however - and it was this thought which had him biting his lip, his frown deepening as he waited for Lord Litwick to draw breath. Would Lady Cassandra believe every word? Would she think him the most handsome and amiable gentleman? Or had she learned by now that not all gentlemen could be trusted? Then again, he considered, taking a sip of his brandy, Lord Litwick might be genuine in his interest and therefore, Jonathan would find himself being asked to look into Lord Litwick’s character. Scowling at the thought, Jonathan dismissed the idea, telling himself that Lady Cassandra would not allow herself to be taken in by the gentleman’s visit. No doubt Lord Litwick had many young ladies whom he intended to visit this afternoon. Lady Cassandra would merely be the first.
Becoming aware of just how deeply he was scowling, Jonathan quickly rearranged his features and went to retake his seat. There was no reason for him to appear so. Many gentlemen had called on Lady Cassandra during her time in London thus far, why should Lord Litwick be any different? He ought to be pleased Lady Cassandra was being pursued so eagerly! She was beautiful, kind, and amiable. It would be very strange if no other gentlemen in London wanted to become more closely acquainted with her.
But, I want to be the only one who can draw close to her…
The thought made his eyes close as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Why should he let himself feel such things when he knew they were foolishness? Lady Cassandra was seeking a love match and thus, he was a gentleman who could not give such a thing, for he thought such things were naught but foolishness… did he not?
Unless, he considered, what he was feeling for Lady Cassandra was, in fact, the beginnings of such a thing. Something he had always thought to be the eager thoughts of young ladies in their first Season, and nothing more – could it be, now, that it was sinking into his soul?
He threw back his brandy in one gulp, just as Lord Litwick refused any more tea and stated that he had to take his leave. Much to Jonathan’s relief, the room was, once more, free of the fellow and only the three of them remained. Rising to his feet, Jonathan came over to where Lady Cassandra was finishing sipping her tea, Lady Yardley sitting opposite, making sure to leave his thoughts in the chair behind him.
“Lord Litwick was very complimentary.” Sitting down in a chair next to Lady Cassandra, Jonathan lifted an eyebrow as she giggled. “You do not think so?”
“If you are concerned that I will be overcome by Lord Litwick’s compliments, then you need to not be.” Lady Cassandra shook her head. “He is a gentleman who is most inclined towards speaking well of people, but does so at such great lengths, it leaves him with very little to say other than that. Besides which, he did not permit me to say very much in return!”
Jonathan found himself chuckling, somewhere between relief and mirth over Lord Litwick’s behavior. How good it was to know that the fellow had not left a lasting impression! He could not allow himself to express that relief, however, for with it might come with some expression of his own feelings – feelings which, as yet, he could not fully comprehend.
