“Naïve?”
Lady Yardley nodded.
“Yes, just as every young lady new to society has been, and will be for years to come. She is quite certain that she will find herself hopelessly in love with the very best of a gentleman and that he will seek to marry her by the end of the Season.”
“Such things do happen, my dear.”
Lady Yardley laughed softly at Lord Yardley’s remark, reaching across from her chair to grasp her husband’s hand.
“I am not saying that they do not, only that my dear cousin thinks that all will be marvelously well for her in society and that thetonis a welcoming creature rather than one to be most cautious of. I, however, am much more on my guard. Not every gentleman who seeks her out will be looking to marry her. Not every gentleman who seeks her out will believe in the concept of love.”
“Love?” Jonathan snorted, rolling his eyes to himself as both Lord and Lady Yardley turned their attention towards him. Flushing, he shrugged. “I suppose I would count myself as someone who does not believe such a thing to have any importance. I may not even believe in the concept!”
Lady Yardley’s eyes opened wide.
“You mean to say that what Lord Yardley and I share is something you do not believe in?”
Blinking rapidly, Jonathan tried to explain, his chest suddenly tight.
“No, it is not that I do not believe it a meaningful connection which can be found between two people such as yourselves. It is that I personally have no interest in it. I have no intention of marrying someone simply because I find myself in love with them. In truth, I do not know if I am even capable of such a feeling.”
“I can assure you that you are, whether or not you believe yourself to be.”
Lord Yardley muttered his remark rather quietly and Jonathan took in a slow breath, praying that his friend would not start instructing him on the matter of love.”
Lady Yardley smiled and gazed at Jonathan for some moments before taking a breath and continuing.
“All the same, I do want my cousin to be cautious, particularly during this evening’s ball. I want her to understand that not every gentleman will be as she expects.”
“I am sure such gentlemen will make that obvious all by themselves.”
This brought a frown to Lady Yardley’s features, but a chuckle came from Lord Yardley instead. Jonathan grinned, just as the door opened and a young lady stepped into the room, beckoned by Lady Yardley. A gentle smile softened her delicate features as she glanced around the room, her eyes finally lingering on Jonathan.
“I feel as though I have walked into something most mysterious since everyone stopped talking the moment I entered.” One eyebrow arching, she smiled at him. “I do hope that someone will tell me what it is all about!”
Jonathan rose, as was polite, but his lips seemed no longer able to deliver speech. Even his breath seemed to have fixed itself inside his chest as he stared, his mouth ajar, at the beautiful young woman who had just walked in. Her skin was like alabaster, her lips a gentle pink, pulled into a soft smile as blue eyes sparkled back at him. He had nothing to say and everything to say at the very same time. Could this delightful young woman be Lady Yardley’s cousin? And if she was, then why was no one introducing him?
“Allow me to introduce you.” As though he had read his thoughts, Lord Yardley threw out one hand towards the young woman. “Might I present Lady Cassandra, daughter to the Earl of Holford. And this, Lady Cassandra, is my dear friend, the Marquess of Sherbourne. He is an excellent sort. You need have no fears with him.”
Bowing quickly towards the young woman, Jonathan fought to find his breath.
“I certainly would not be so self-aggrandizing as to say that I was ‘an excellent sort’, Lady Cassandra.” he was somehow unable to draw his gaze away from her, and his heart leaped in his chest when she smiled all the more. “But I shall be the most excellent companion to you, should you require it, just as I am with Lord and Lady Yardley.”
There was a breath of silence, and Jonathan cleared his throat, aware that he had just said more to her than he had ever said to any other young lady upon first making their acquaintance. Even Lord Yardley appeared to be a little surprised, for there was a blink, a smile and, after another long pause, the conversation continued. Lady Yardley gestured for her cousin to come and sit beside her, and the young lady obliged. Jonathan finally managed to drag his eyes away to another part of the room, only just becoming aware of how frantically his heart was beating. Everything he had just said to his friend regarding what would occur should he ever meet a young lady who stole his attention in an instant came back to him. Had he meant those words?
Giving himself a slight shake, Jonathan settled back into his chair, lost in thought as conversation flowed around the room. This was nothing more than an instant attraction, the swift kick of desire which would be gone within a few hours. There was nothing of any seriousness in such a swift response, he told himself. He had nothing to concern himself with and thus, he tried to insert himself back into the conversation just as quickly as he could.
Chapter Three
“You have done very well today.”
Cassandra gave her cousin a wry smile.
“You need not say such things if your only intention is to ease my nerves. I know my face must have been very red indeed when I curtsied to the Queen, such was my nervousness!”
Lady Yardley laughed softly as the carriage continued on its way.
“I speak honestly, although yes, your cheeks were a little rosy, but that is to be expected! What is important is that you were presented to the Queen, and all went very well. The afternoon tea was a joy and you have taken everything in your stride. You appeared poised and genteel and amiable throughout the entire afternoon. At the ball, you will be much the same and thus, it will go very well indeed.”
