“Lady Cassandra?” Her head rested on his shoulder, his arms finding her waist so they might slip around her. They stood close together and, as Jonathan dropped his head a little, the desire to press his lips to hers was so strong that it took all of his inner strength not to do so. “Is something wrong?”
Immediately her frame began to shake, and Jonathan tugged her a little closer, his concern growing.
“I was with Lord Alderton.” Her head lifted a little from his shoulder, her eyes shimmering gently as she gazed into his. “He took me for a ride in his phaeton and I–”
Immediately, Jonathan’s eyes flared, a tight hand grasping his heart.
“I pray he did nothing to injure you?”
“No, he did not.”
Lady Cassandra’s gaze dropped to his mouth and Jonathan sucked in air. Could it be that she was battling the very same thoughts as he? Grimacing slightly at his selfish thought, Jonathan reminded himself that Lady Cassandra was somewhat upset, and allowing himself to linger on thoughts of kissing her was most inappropriate.
“Then what is the matter? Why do you appear so upset?”
To his utter astonishment, Lady Cassandra leaned back and brushed the back of her fingers lightly across his cheek. A single tear fell from her eyes but her smile was present still.
“I am not upset out of sorrow, but rather from realizing something significant.” Her soft voice was a melody, seizing his worries and instead, replacing them with joy before he even knew why. “Lord Alderton declared that he has some feelings for me, some affection, and that he intends to write to my father.”
His joy crumpled in on itself, his smile faltering.
“Oh.” Was this what she had wanted to speak with him about? Did she think he wished to know of her success? “That is… That is excellent.”
Lady Cassandra shook her head, another tear dropping onto her cheek, whirling up his confusion once again.
“No, that is not what I meant. When Lord Alderton told me of his feelings, I confess that it did not-”
“Cassandra!” The door behind them was flung open and suddenly, Lady Yardley charged through it, coming straight towards her cousin, her hands outstretched. Lady Cassandra herself stepped back as Jonathan’s hands fell to his sides, his frustration abounding that yet again, he had been interrupted. “The butler told me that you came into the house all of a tizzy,” Lady Yardley exclaimed, grasping Lady Cassandra’s hands. “What happened?”
“I was just about to explain the same to Lord Sherbourne.” Lady Cassandra gestured to a chair. “Perhaps we might sit?”
“And if I might join you?” Jonathan managed a brief smile as both ladies looked at him. “There is something important I wish to share with you both, also. Something which requires your aid, Lady Cassandra, and something, I am afraid, which casts doubt upon Lord Alderton.”
He looked steadily at Lady Cassandra, expecting to see her eyes flare with worry but, instead, she just merely nodded and shrugged one shoulder. She did not seem in any way concerned about what he might say of Lord Alderton. Could it be that the feelings she’d thought she possessed were no longer at the fore?
“Then who shall begin?”
Lady Yardley looked from one to the other and Jonathan, even though he knew it was not quite proper to demand that he go first, gestured to Lady Cassandra as they all sat down.
“If I might?” He dropped his hand. “I think that what I might have to say could influence what you say in return.”
Lady Cassandra hesitated but then nodded.
“Certainly.”
Keeping her hands folded in her lap, she waited for him to speak and, after a moment or two, Jonathan began.
“First, I must state that I do have a diamond bracelet in my possession – a bracelet which mysteriously appeared in my coat pocket after I had spent some time at White’s. Its existence there utterly puzzled me, and at the time I discussed it with Lord Knoxbridge, attempting to work out how best to determine who owned it. I had achieved no success in that search when Lord Alderton delivered his accusations. I have just now come from speaking with Lord Knoxbridge again, about this matter. As frustrating as it is, he appears to have spoken a good deal more sense than I had ever thought possible.” This brought with it a wry smile from Lady Cassandra and a chuckle from Lady Yardley, but Jonathan kept his expression serious. “I am not pretending that this is an entirely correct scenario. I may have misjudged the gentleman, and all of this may be nothing more than a foolish suggestion on our part, but Lord Knoxbridge made the suggestion that the diamond bracelet and Lord Alderton’s accusations, delivered specifically to you, were linked.”
At this, Lady Cassandra caught her breath.
“I do not understand what you mean.”
Jonathan spread his hands, a little concerned that the heaviness on Lady Cassandra’s face was an indication that she would not accept his explanation. Had he been mistaken in thinking that she cared very little for Lord Alderton? Perhaps she cared about him now, as much as ever.
“Lord Knoxbridge questioned how Lord Alderton had known of this diamond bracelet, given that he had heard no rumors, and why Lord Alderton would not state the name of the lady to whom the bracelet belonged.” Licking his lips, relief flooded him as Lady Yardley began to nod. “It was suggested that Lord Alderton has deliberately created a situation so that I could be decried as a thief at a time of his choosing – at a time when it was most required. When it was best for him.”
Lady Cassandra did not smile nor nod, however. Instead, a light frown continued to grow across her forehead.
