“It will only be another week,” Cassius said. “No one will ever need to know about this indiscretion. I love you so much, Tabitha, that I cannot bear to be apart from you for another minute. Trust me, and I will make you so happy tonight. And you will make me so happy. Is that not what you want?”
“Of course, it is.” Her breath came in an uneven shudder of air. “More than anything, I want us both to be happy, but—but this …”
She became aware of the hardness pressed against her stomach. Tabitha had heard of such things before. Although her maidenhood was still intact, she knew well what transpired between a husband and wife on their wedding night. It was an amorous congress.
Cassius lowered his head to her breasts, trailing hot kisses against her chest. Tabitha shook her head and twisted beneath him. “We must wait,” she said. “It pains me to say it, but we must. We—”
The door opened, and laughter and music flittered into the room. Tabitha froze, her body going rigid beneath Cassius. “Oh!”
Cassius sat upright, his legs straddling Tabitha’s waist. Her heartbeat quickened, and she hastened to bring some order to her appearance. Tabitha pulled at her dress, but Cassius’s weight kept the fabric pinned in place, making it difficult to push the sleeves onto her shoulders once again.
“What are you doing here?” Cassius asked, his voice ringing with authority.
Something fell to the ground, accompanied by a peal of anxious laughter. A man stumbled drunkenly, silhouetted against the wall. Tabitha wilted against the settee, trying to hide herself. The room was dark, with furniture between them and the door. Maybe their visitor would not see them.
But Cassius had just spoken. What if their unexpected visitor had recognized his voice?
Cold dread traced the path of Tabitha’s spine, her mind whirling with what would happen if she were recognized. Even if she and Cassius were a love match and intended to be wed, they were not married yet. They were not even engaged yet; Cassius had told her he wanted a long romantic courtship and a special proposal. There would be a scandal if the ton learned about what they were doing and had almost done.
“Is that you, Fatherton?”
The drunk man stumbled and fell into the table. He laughed sheepishly and held out his hands for balance.
“Leave!” Cassius snapped.
“Fine! Apologies for interrupting you! Have an enjoyable evening, Fatherton. Lady Victoria.”
Lady Victoria?
Tabitha frowned, her mind racing. She knew Lady Victoria—very distantly. The pair seldom spoke, but they had sometimes attended the same soirees and balls. Their drunken visitor stumbled from the room, shutting the door with far more force than necessary behind him. The sound reverberated through the room.
“Ashmont,” Cassius said, sounding vexed. “He always arrives at the worst moments.”
Tabitha shifted beneath Cassius, managing to free herself from beneath him. “Lady Victoria,” she said tightly. “Why would he assume that I am Lady Victoria?”
“Well, he was obviously just mistaken,” Cassius said.
Tabitha awkwardly managed to slip over the side of the settee. She stumbled to her feet and tried futilely to return some order to her gown. Cassius remained on the settee, staring at her with a startled expression.
“You are lying,” Tabitha said.
She was not normally so forward, but when those words left her mouth, she heard and believed the truth ringing in them. That drunken lord—Ashmont, Cassius had said—would have no reason to suspect that she was Lady Victoria unless Cassius and Lady Victoria had been involved with one another.
“Why did he assume I was Lady Victoria?”
Cassius flashed her a bright smile. “My dearest Tabitha, he was a drunk man! I am surprised he even recognized me.”
Tabitha shook her head. She wanted to believe him. Desperately wanted to believe him. But when she searched her heart, she could not manage it. “No!” she exclaimed. “No, you—you are not being honest with me.”
The more she thought about the situation, the worse she felt. Had she not asked him to stop when he tried to disrobe her and let his hands roam over her body? Tabitha shivered, her mind racing with so many thoughts that she could scarcely identify them.
“I swear I am faithful to you,” Cassius said, “and only you. I love you more than I have ever loved any woman.”
“Except for Lady Victoria,” Tabitha said, “who—who your friend assumed you would be with.”
Had Cassius dishonoured that other young lady? Had they been nearing engagement?
“How long has it been since you last saw her? Did you do this with her?” Tabitha asked, her hand sweeping towards the settee.
