An Agreeable Arrangement (11 page)

“We shall see, sir.” Cassie would make him take
back every word.

That kiss was much, much more than the meeting
of lips. Only moments before, her heart had pounded
fiercely in her chest, then came to a stop as he neared.
In his eyes, she saw the same passion and longing that
was inside of her.

She felt the warmth of his breath upon her cheek.
He was going to kiss her and she very much wanted
him to. Her lips ached in anticipation.

Then he pulled her toward him, causing her to abandon any thought as to what was proper, and kissed
her. She knew with each short, stolen breath that she
loved him.

Certain as she was about her feelings, Cassie knew
he must share them. She had sensed the desire and the
passion in those few fleeting moments. He could try to
deny it but that would have been a lie.

“You will dress in your most attractive gown and I shall escort you to Almack’s tomorrow night myself.
You will begin circulating. If you wish to keep Hedgeway Park you will need to find a husband” His voice
regained its normal authoritative bearing, ordering
her about again. “Furthermore, you will remove that
mourning gown for a more suitable dress, is that understood?”

“I supposed this old frock could not attract any
gentleman.” It hadn’t deterred him one bit. “I will do
as you ask and dress as alluring and enchanting as I
can manage.” If he wanted her to lure a husband, she
would oblige him. “I suppose any man will do?”

Silence momentarily encompassed them as he
considered her words. “I would hope that you might
find him agreeable. I would not wish you to wed a
monster.”

She curtsied, inclining her head only slightly in
submission. “As you wish, Squire.” It was only then a
plan began to form.

Later that evening, Cassie entered the drawing
room and eased into her favorite, comfortable, overstuffed chair with a novel. She opened the book to
the page where she had left off. Her eyes scanned
over the words without comprehension. She stared
blankly at the page while her mind reflected to that
afternoon with the squire in his study and that unforgettable kiss.

Romeo sprang onto the chair and into Cassie’s lap. She patted him welcome with a smile and Lorna
swept into the room.

“Julian told me you were teaching him how to
waltz so he won’t look like a simpleton at Almack’s.”

“He told you?” Cassie found herself shocked that
the squire would admit to his younger sister his shortcoming and his indebtedness to another, especially a
woman.

“I thought it might help if you had music to practice.” She held out an ornately decorated box.

“I don’t really think this is a good time,” Cassie
replied. The squire had spent most of that day in the
library, clearly avoiding her.

“Edward brought this back from Austria last year.”
Lorna sounded a bit sad at the mention of her brother.
She glanced at the precious possession and ran her
hand over the smooth lid. “I’m sure he’ll have something just as exceptional when he finally returns from
this trip.” She brightened, obviously hoping for the
best outcome.

Cassie took the music box. A closer look revealed
an intricate, inlaid pattern of different colored woods
adorning the delicate instrument.

“Edward is coming back. I just know he is, but he
won’t be here in time for the dance tomorrow. So I do
wish Julian could dance with me,” Lorna sighed. “For
both our sakes, we would be spared the humiliation.”

The top felt smooth and Cassie lifted the lid. A
delicate tune to a three-quarters time emerged.

“Thank you, Lorna. I believe it will be of great
help” Cassie had no intention of putting it to use at
the moment.

“I’ll go and tell Julian right away!” Lorna responded with delight in the knowledge that she had
in some small way helped her brother overcome his
social inadequacy. She spun away from the drawing
room to speak to him.

Several minutes later, Lorna returned, dragging the
squire behind her. She was more than excited for him
to proceed with his instruction.

“Shall we adjourn to the ballroom?” Lorna suggested.

“If that is what you wish,” the squire agreed, eager
to please his sister.

“I’ll have the ballroom lit right away!” Lorna dashed
off again.

“Only the corner, mind you!” he called after her in
hopes of curbing his over-enthusiastic sibling.

Cassie sat quietly, waiting for the squire to be the
first to speak.

“After you, my lady” He swept his hand toward
the door.

“Since I have no idea where we are headed”Cassie mimicked his gesture-“after you, sir.”

He gave her a stern look as if he knew she was
being purposely difficult and proceeded down the
hallway.

Entering the ballroom, Julian was satisfied to see that less than half the ballroom had been lit as he had
requested. He dreaded the notion of being alone with
Cassandra. To hold her in his arms might be more
than he could bear.

The grand room was expansive and the lack of lighting concealed the far end in darkness. Chairs lined the
plainly decorated walls on both sides. The colorful
guests were meant to supply the room’s ornamentation, but it had been a very long time since this room
had seen any type of merriment.

Julian held the music box in his hands. In a bittersweet memory, he recalled when Edward had presented the gift to Lorna. She was in awe of its beauty
and foreign origin. He lifted the lid and a lilting tune
rose from the box. The squire hesitantly turned to his
instructor.

“Shall we begin?” Cassandra’s eyes sparkled in
the dim light. She stepped closer to him and held out
her arms. The smile on her face, so lovely. Her open
arms, so hard to resist.

“I would not wish to disappoint Lorna,” he said
aloud for his benefit as well as Cassandra’s. He stepped
closer.

“Of course not. She expects you to lead her in her
first waltz.”

Julian wiped his damp palms against his trousers
before taking Cassandra into his arms and beginning to dance.

The dim light of the room added a dreamlike quality to the atmosphere. He turned her slowly and
moved around the edge of the room. It was no wonder the waltz was considered an immoral dance.
Even someone such as he, who thought himself to be
immune to the influence of a woman, could feel the
effect.

Switching direction, Julian began to feel almost
dizzy. Other men who did not have the control he
had would certainly succumb to the temptation. No
wonder his brother had such a weakness for women.
He could see that if one spent a great deal of time in
a woman’s company, one could easily become victim
to a certain lady’s charms.

Concentration on the dance steps and a conscious
effort not to step on his partner’s toes kept his mind
working. He suspected if he allowed his mind a moment to stray, his desires would carry him off.

The feel of her in his arms, her fragrance drifting
up from her soft hair and creamy skin, became more
and more intoxicating with every revolution.

They continued to dance flawlessly and they kept
in time to the slowing music. As the tune became a
background of unrecognizable notes, he and Cassandra stood in each other’s arms staring at one another.
Truth be known, his willpower was weakening.

Would he be able to dance with her tomorrow
night and not appear an absolute flat? Would he embarrass himself by gazing adoringly at her as if he
were a love-struck lad?

The dreaded evening finally arrived. The squire
waited for Cassandra on the landing, surveying the
guests of Almack’s. Relieved of her pelisse, she approached him. He was unable to tear his gaze from
her golden sarcenet dress. The unadorned low decolletage displayed her shoulders and more cleavage
than she had dared before. And was his mind playing
tricks on him or was the dress translucent?

It was not his place to voice an opinion. His warming feelings for her were irrelevant-nor did he have
the time to delve into exactly what they were. He had
a duty to perform and that was to see to the late earl’s
wishes.

“Does this meet with your approval?” Cassandra
smiled in triumph at her obvious impact on him and batted her dark lashes for further dramatics. “Might
you believe I can catch the notice of any gentlemen
tonight?”

The squire cleared the obstruction from his throat
and managed a reply. “Yes, quite nice.” He leaned
closer and whispered, “You should not waste the
opportunity. There are many eligible men here and
more than one suitable. I must encourage you to
make an effort” He could see turbulence brewing in
her eyes.

“You may be quite assured, sir, I shall”

He escorted her to join the assembly. Clearly Cassandra was not pleased with what she had to do but
she would do it.

She displayed a warm glowing smile toward the
gathering, welcoming whatever and whoever might
come her way. Julian was pleased to have Horace partner her for a first dance.

The squire stood to one side of the crowded room
and watched. Next to him stood an exclusive male
trio, their eyes transfixed on Cassandra moving across
the floor.

“Say Jared, isn’t that Edward Stewart’s intended?”
Daniel Thompson asked, the eldest of the three.

“I believe was is a more appropriate description,”
Colin Henderson remarked.

“What are you saying, Henderson?” Thompson
quipped.

“I believe poor Edward met with an untimely demise. It’s said he was aboard the King’s Quest
when it sank a while back.”

Thompson reached up to his throat to straighten
his already perfectly tied cravat. “Poor sot.”

“Poor girl, you mean,” Jared Gilbert sighed. “Stewart was quite the cad, you know. She deserves better
than his like.” Gilbert smoothed any unsightly creases
on his waistcoat.

“Agreed,” Thompson spouted. “However, I wouldn’t
want to subject myself to a potentially scandalous situation and court her myself.” The other two nodded, all
in complete agreement.

Julian noticed Lord Nathan Ellerby standing on
the other side of the young men, listening to every
word. He did not wait to make his move toward Cassandra before the young men dispersed.

“Well, best be off,” Gilbert announced.

“Quite right, Jared” Thompson eyed his two companions.

“The ladies are waiting.” Henderson looked across
the room, planning his route perhaps?

“‘Tis time to do the pretty.” Gilbert gave the cuffs
of his shirt a final tug.

The three men parted, disappearing into the
crowd.

The squire watched the young trio with interest
and caught Ellerby making his calculated approach.
With position, wealth and a title, Ellerby should prove
to be more than a suitable match for Lady Cassandra if she should snare the confirmed bachelor. Did it
really matter that the squire didn’t personally care
for him?

Julian remembered the first ball Cassandra attended
at the Addisons’. Ellerby had been quite disappointed
to hear Cassandra was betrothed to Edward. Tonight
Ellerby had no obstacles to overcome. Julian neared
the couple to listen.

“… and a waltz?” Cassandra’s voice rang out in
laughter. “Lord Nathan, that would raise a few eyebrows, would it not?”

“Do not let that worry you. I, for one, intend to have
a marvelous time.” His dark eyes gazed up at her with
a devilish twinkle.

“I grant you your wish, sir.” She smiled.

He straightened. “Then I look forward to our first
dance together.” Off to Ellerby’s left, the squire
noticed the onslaught of Gilbert, Henderson, and
Thompson.

“I best be off and let the lads try to impress you.”
With a small respectful nod, he disappeared.

Seconds later in Ellerby’s place stood three young
men, vying for Cassandra’s attention. To their delight, she accommodated them all by promising each
a dance.

As the strings tuned, Julian made his way to Cassandra’s side to remind her of their dance. He had
hoped a prominent display on the dance floor would
encourage interest. He knew now the exhibition would be unnecessary. Lady Cassandra was a social
success and would not have any problem attracting
gentlemen.

Throughout the evening Cassie laughed, smiled
and chatted with the various men who came to pay
their respects and to those lucky enough to dance
with her. Glancing over the shoulders of her potential suitors, or out of the corner of her eye, she made
certain Squire Stewart observed her every move. She
was pleased the gentlemen found her amiable but
she did not enjoy it half as much as she led the squire
to believe.

His normally granite facade showed minute signs
of agitation. He must have convinced himself to
keep his personal sentiments to himself. Cassie was
equally determined to do all she could to see that he
failed.

Julian truly believed persuading Cassie to marry
was for her own good. He, however, did not feel it a
wise choice to stand on the side and watch. The squire
could not stop the knot tightening in his stomach every
time she took to the floor on the arm of another man.
Nor the pounding in his head that threatened to make
him scream when she bestowed one of her delightful
smiles upon another.