“What is it that you are suggesting?”
“What if the reason Lord Alderton knew of the diamond bracelet in my possession was that he was the one who put it there? What if there are no rumors?” Jonathan asked, sweat breaking out across his forehead as he fought to explain himself.
“If he had done so, it would mean that he did it purposefully.” Lady Cassandra passed one hand over her forehead, her frown cutting a line between her brows. “You believe that hedeliberatelyset the diamond bracelet into your pocket, so that, should he need to, he could accuse you of thievery?” Her hands flung upwards for a moment. “I cannot see a reason why he would act in such a way.”
“Because he wanted to make certain that you did not become too close to Lady Cassandra.” Lady Yardley spoke quietly, directing her words to Jonathan, who nodded, dropping his gaze away from Lady Cassandra, heat spiraling upwards within him. “Clearly he has seen your reactions, as I have also, and thus, you believe that he is doing what he can to make certain that you do not attempt to take the lady away from his side.”
Jonathan’s heart leaped up into his throat and he dared not look at Lady Cassandra. He had not yet had time to talk to her about his feelings and, with all of the confusion, had not even attempted to consider their true depth – but Lady Yardley had obviously seen them well before he had found them within his heart.
“It seems as though I have been blind.” Still refusing to look at Lady Cassandra, Jonathan fixed his gaze on Lady Yardley. “I found myself disliking Lord Alderton. I have never had any particular reason for why, however, given that his character did not appear to have any defect, and that what we put in the Ledger did not bring any difficulty, but rather clarity for Lady Cassandra.” Pausing, he shook his head, a small sigh escaping from him. “Lord Knoxbridge, however, reminded me that there is often more to a gentleman’s character than he is willing to reveal, suggesting that there is most likely something about Lord Alderton that he does not want us to know. Perhaps he does seek to push me away from Cassandra. If he fears that I might become more dear to her than he is, then by this use of the bracelet, he would have some way of proving to her that I am not the gentleman I seem to be. That I am a thief, a scoundrel. Whatever I might say about him, he will be able to say worse of me, and therefore will push Lady Cassandra as far from me as he can.”
Fully aware of just how hot his face was, he stopped abruptly and dropped his head low, taking in a long breath in the hope of pushing some of the warmth away.
“Cassandra?” Lady Yardley spoke softly. “What do you think of this?”
When Jonathan finally dared to glance at her, the young lady’s cheeks were rather pink, but her eyes were dazzling, fastening to his, refusing to look anywhere but him. She took some moments to reply, but there was, Jonathan noted, no immediate refusal to believe what he had said.
“I am astonished to hear the suggestion, but I do not think I should dismiss it.”
“It does seem rather determined.” Lady Yardley said, rubbing one hand over her eyes, her lips tugging to one side of her face. “If it is true, then Lord Alderton appears singular in his determination to garner Cassandra’s approval – which does not suggest that he truly cares for you, my dear.” Speaking now to Lady Cassandra, Lady Yardley sighed softly. “I do not say so to upset you, but rather because I do not see affection within Lord Alderton’s conduct. A gentleman does not behave in an underhanded manner simply to force a lady into his affections. It seems to me that there is a significant possibility that Lord Alderton has ulterior motives. If he truly cares for you, then he would allow you to make your own choice.”
Much to Jonathan’s relief, Lady Cassandra nodded, but there came no sudden tears in her eyes, no hand flying to her mouth, no quick gasp of breath. All in all, she appeared quite calm.
“I confess I have found much the same.” Sitting forward in her chair, Lady Cassandra clasped her hands together. “This is what I wanted to tell you, Norah. When I came back from my phaeton ride with Lord Alderton, I found myself in such a state of confusion, it was all I could do not to run into the house to get away from him.”
“Goodness.” Lady Yardley’s eyes flared. “Whatever did he say to make you feel so?”
Lady Cassandra sat back, her lip caught between her teeth as she considered her reply.
“He told me that I would not be permitted to continue my acquaintance with Lord Sherbourne once we were courting.” Gentle eyes turned to his and Jonathan was cocooned by both a sense of relief and a thread of anger over Lord Alderton’s demands. “I did not think that a gentleman who claimed to care for me would demand obedience in such a way. I did not like the fact that he was so sure of your guilt that he decreed that I believe it too, once we were courting. I do not think it is fair for a man to make such demands.”
“Most would agree with you,” Lady Yardley murmured, but Lady Cassandra barely gave her a glance.
“And with all of this,” Lady Cassandra continued, her brows lowering, her words coming a little more slowly now, “I find myself somewhat perturbed that he has often asked me about my father and his travels.”
An idle thought began to force its way into Jonathan’s mind.
“And how did he seem when you told him that your father would be on the continent for some time?”
Lady Cassandra considered, her eyes lingering on his.
“If I am to be truthful, I would say that he did not show any frustration over that fact. Now that I think of it, I did catch him smiling.”
The same thought swirling around Jonathan’s mind appeared to have made its way into Lady Yardley’s mind also, for she scowled darkly, her eyes holding a spark of fire.
“Might I ask, Cassandra, if Lord Alderton was present when Lord Darlington asked openly about your dowry?”
Jonathan held his breath, his gaze swiveling back towards Lady Cassandra, with Lady Yardley’s question hanging in the air. Color slowly began to fade from Lady Cassandra’s cheeks. She blinked rapidly, then squeezed her eyes tight shut.
“I do recall that he overheard him, yes. He made an exclamation of disapproval.”
“Then,” Lady Yardley murmured quietly, “there is a chance that Lord Alderton is eager for your dowry. Do you believe his words of affection?”
Lady Cassandra’s eyes opened, but rather than looking at her cousin, she turned to Jonathan.
“When I was in the phaeton, I was torn with guilt. I always believed that I would fall quickly in love with a gentleman who declared himself fond of me. However, it seems that my feelings donotreturn Lord Alderton’s words of affection. If I am to be truthful, they direct themselves in an entirely different direction.”
Jonathan was the one to catch his breath, hoping beyond hope that what she had said meant precisely what he so eagerly desired.
