Cassandra withdrew her hand from his arm, unwilling to stand close to Lord Alderton any longer. She disliked his determination to prove that Lord Sherbourne was a gentleman who pretended to be something he was not, and was all the more displeased that he would expect her to agree with him wholeheartedly – especially when the accusation was nothing more than a rumor as yet.
“I shall go to speak with him.”
Her chin lifted, a challenge sparking in her eyes, and Lord Alderton shook his head.
“I shall not, but I will remain here to wait for your return, Lady Cassandra.”
She held his gaze steadily.
“As you wish, Lord Alderton.”
Lady Yardley said nothing to the gentleman as he strode past to wait a short distance away and, with a wave of her hand, encouraged Cassandra forward. She went at once, speaking Lord Sherbourne’s name and seeing how he started, clearly having been unaware of her presence beforehand.
“Good afternoon, Lady Cassandra.” His jaw jutted forward a little, his brows low and heavy over his eyes. “Is that Lord Alderton I see waiting for you?”
Cassandra nodded.
“It is.”
Lord Sherbourne sighed, but said nothing more, leaving Cassandra in something of a quandary. Should she speak of the diamond bracelet or should she remain silent? To her eyes, Lord Sherbourne was not in his usual state of mind. He was always smiling, amiable, and eager for conversation, but now this dull, crumpled creature was nothing like the gentleman she knew so well.
“I have been waiting for your visit.” Speaking softly, Cassandra tried to smile, but Lord Sherbourne refused to meet her gaze. “At the very least I thought you would have sent a note.”
“A note about…?”
A little astonished, it took her a moment to respond.
“A note about what Lord Alderton has laid at your feet, of course.”
Finally, Lord Sherbourne turned his head a little so that their eyes met.
“I thought you believed me, Cassandra.” His voice was low, his eyes dull. “I thought you believed that I was not a thief.”
“Yes, yes, I do.” Urgent in her determination for him to believe her, Cassandra stepped forward, one hand going out to his, only for Lord Sherbourne immediately to fold his arms over his chest so that she could not reach him. Her heart twisted. “Do you not think it wise to give us an explanation? We are your friends, are we not? Why would you not want to tell us what has happened?”
Lord Sherbourne sighed heavily, his hands dropping to his sides.
“What difference would it make?”
Cassandra reached for his hand for the second time, managing to latch her fingers around his wrist.
“I do not understand.”
Lord Sherbourne’s eyes went to Lord Alderton.
“Do not permit me to interrupt your time with Lord Alderton, Lady Cassandra. I am sure that your time with him will be most enjoyable.”
Cassandra swallowed hard, her throat constricting as tears began to burn in her eyes. She did not know what Lord Sherbourne was doing, other than realizing that he was attempting to push her away, towards Lord Alderton. How could he have changed so suddenly? And what were his reasons for doing so?
“Would you not join us?”
It was a foolish question, she knew, for Lord Sherbourne’s jaw immediately tightened and his eyes flashed.
“I should not like to be anywhere near Lord Alderton at present.” The darkness of his voice struck at Cassandra’s heart. “Forgive me, Lady Cassandra. I must bid you good afternoon for the moment.”
Finding the same courage which had been there when she had spoken truthfully to Lord Alderton, Cassandra did not release his wrist but instead stepped forward.
“Promise me that you will come to speak with me soon.”
