“I am certain that, if he is genuine, he will return to you, Lady Cassandra. You deserve every compliment he offers.” He took a breath. “And many more, in fact.”
The surprise which filled Lady Cassandra’s eyes was reflected in Jonathan’s own heart. He had not intended to speak so openly, but those words lingered in the air between them. He waited for the pang of regret to fill his heart, but none came. It was as if a part of him was glad of how he had spoken, relieved that he had been honest about what he thought of Lady Cassandra. He had surprised her, and himself, but no remorse followed.
“I- I thank you. You are very kind to say such a thing.”
Jonathan shrugged, muttered something, and then threw a glance toward Lady Yardley, a little surprised to see a small smile on her lips. There was no flicker of surprise lingering in her expression, as though she had expected him to speak in such a manner and was now glad that he felt free enough to do so. Mayhap, he considered, she smiled for Lady Cassandra, eager for her courage to be bolstered, and knowing that his words were honestly meant, rather than being spoken with any selfish motivations.
“Now.” Jonathan coughed lightly, trying to recall what it was that he wanted to speak to Lady Cassandra about. “Before Lord Litwick arrived, there was something you wanted to tell both myself and Lady Yardley, was there not?” A frown pulled at Lady Cassandra’s forehead, and she caught one finger between her teeth. Jonathan studied her carefully, for it appeared as though she had forgotten what she wanted to say - only for him then to realize that it was, in fact, quite the opposite. It was not that she had forgotten, but rather that she was concerned about what it was she had to say. Such concern kept her lips sealed but her eyes darting between himself and Lady Yardley. “Do not be worried in any way.” Aware that Lady Yardley was still very much present, Jonathan could not help but reach out to touch Lady Cassandra’s hand lightly, as it rested on the arm of her chair. “Speak honestly.”
“Lord Sherbourne is right.” Lady Yardley’s expression was also one of concern, for her lips were thin and her eyes fixed to Lady Cassandra’s. “There is nothing you can say which will either upset or anger us. We shall only be relieved that you have told us whatever it is that is troubling you at present.”
“Please.”
Her fingers were soft and warm under his and much to Jonathan’s delight, as he spoke, they eventually curled around his own.
“As I have said, I do not believe what I was told.” Again, Lady Cassandra bit her lip. “I do not believe awordof what has been said. In fact, I am upset that such things have been suggested about you.”
Jonathan curled his fingers tighter.
“You heard things about me?”
She nodded, her eyes a little wide.
“I believe that this was told to me out of concern for me.” Her shoulders lifted a little. “Of course, I told Lord Alderton that I did not believe him but, all the same, he did appear to be rather troubled.”
“Lord Alderton told this to you?” Jonathan blinked as Lady Cassandra swallowed, turned her eyes away, and nodded. Something about this was already deeply unsettling. It was not only the fact Lady Cassandra had heard something disturbing about him, but also that Lord Alderton was the one who had spoken of it. “I am afraid you shall need to explain.”
He did not remove his hand, and nor did she loosen her grip. Instead, they simply held onto each other as Lady Cassandra drew in a breath.
“Lord Alderton, my Lady.”
The door opened and Jonathan swiveled his head, quickly releasing Lady Cassandra’s hand, but not before Lord Alderton had stepped inside, his eyes going immediately to where Jonathan and Lady Cassandra’s fingers had been connected. There was no embarrassment in Jonathan’s heart, however, no hint of shame. Instead, he found himself almost glad that Lord Alderton had walked in to find them so. It was a laughable thought and Jonathan knew that he ought to regard it as foolish, but instead, he simply smiled as the gentleman inclined his head.
They all rose, and as Lord Alderton bowed, Lady Yardley spoke.
“Good afternoon, Lord Alderton.” Lady Yardley gestured to an empty chair. “Please, do come and join us.”
She settled back into her chair, and Jonathan also sat, Lady Cassandra resuming her seat beside him.
Instead of doing as was asked, Lord Alderton merely folded his arms over his chest and looked directly at Lady Cassandra. The severity of his gaze surprised Jonathan somewhat. Did he really think that he had any authority here? Did he believe that he could somehow demand how Lady Cassandra behaved? Such expectations were foolishness. They were not even courting, so therefore the gentleman had no right to demand anything from the lady.
“You apparently have not taken heed of my warning. Lady Cassandra.”
The gentleman spoke with such an authoritative tone that Jonathan lifted both eyebrows. He was about to say something, about to set Lord Alderton back a step, only for Lady Cassandra to speak first.
“As I have said to you, Lord Alderton, I do not accept your concern as my own.” She pressed her lips together for a moment as Lord Alderton’s frown grew. “Mayhap you think it foolish, but I do not believe for a moment that Lord Sherbourne is a thief.”
“A thief?” Jonathan repeated, his chest tightening as Lord Alderton nodded, his arms still folded tightly across his chest. “Andyouare the one to say this, Lord Alderton? How dare you impugn my honor?”
“Ido nothing of the sort.” Lord Alderton flung out both hands in Jonathan’s direction. “But what if a young lady’s reputation should be damaged by her association with a gentleman who has such deep and dark rumors associated with him? What else is there for me to do but warn the lady?”
“I have never heard anything so preposterous.” Lady Yardley shook her head, her face a little flushed. “I can understand that your intentions were good, Lord Alderton, but such rumors ought to be ignored. There is no truth in them. I do not even need to hear them to know that.”
Jonathan lifted his chin, attempting to hold back the rising tide of anger. He was trying his best to see the good in Lord Alderton and his attempts to protect Lady Cassandra but, at the same time, his ire was beginning to bubble so furiously, he wanted to direct it at someone – and Lord Alderton seemed the very person to whom he must throw it.
“I have never stolen anything in my life. I would hope that a gentleman such as yourself would put an end to such rumors by simply ignoring them. Or, in fact, stating to whoever it was that told you, that their accusation must be proven to see if it holds even a single speck of truth.”
His words were harsh and tight, spinning from him like darts, but Lord Alderton remained unmoved, his dark expression fixed.
