One True Love (18 page)

"Why are you out of sorts, William?"

He hesitated, then sighed. "I am sorry, my dear. I do not know why I feel so agitated this morning. I suppose I have not been good company."

"No, you have not, but perhaps, you can make it up to me." Cassie had his attention now. She thought about how she awoke this morning and wanted him near her. Last night's magic lingered, and now, more than ever before, she wanted his kiss. He turned to her, and his expression softened a bit. She pleaded with him with her eyes. Perhaps it was wanton of her, but she could not help herself.

"And how might I make it up to you?" William's voice changed to a husky, intimate tone.

"You can start by kissing me,
husband
."

Cassie must have said the right thing because William's lips crashed upon hers. There was something different in his kiss, something possessive, and punishing. She relished it, and kissed him back with everything she had. She threw her arms around him, opened her mouth and met his tongue in a passion filled battle. He yanked her onto his lap, and before she knew what happened, he had her dress was halfway down her waist.

He burned a trail of kisses down her neck until he found her breasts and drew one into his mouth. She cried out, and squirmed on his lap, desperate for release. His mouth tortured one breast before he turned to the other. William's hand found the hem of her gown and slipped up the inside of her skirt to the slit in her drawers. Wetness pooled there and she opened her legs to give him better access. She panted and gasped as his fingers thrust into her core and he tantalized her with the movement.

Her climax burst through a foggy cloud and split into waves of pleasure. She screamed before she descended from heaven and he pulled her against him. She sat in his lap, half dressed with her breasts pressed against his coat. His arms were wrapped around her with his hands running over the smooth skin of her back when the carriage came to a sudden stop.

"London." William pulled her dress back up and helped her with her buttons. She moved to her seat beside him and straightened her skirts. What an amazing ride she just experienced. Who would have thought one could seek such pleasures on the road?

She looked back up at her husband, the man who changed moods like a woman changed her clothes. William's smile faded, and was replaced by a hard mask of indifference. Where did he go when he shut himself off like that? But most importantly, why did he go there?

Chapter Ten

William sent a note to his family's London home before he went to his club and left Cassie to her own devices. The fully furnished and decorated townhouse was large enough for entertaining, yet still warm and inviting. After she looked around, she wanted to add a few feminine touches to the masculine environment, especially in the drawing room.

Her own room was a feminine creation of rose and silk. The housekeeper, Mrs. Maudley told her that William's sister Elizabeth took charge of decorating this room for him. Cassie wandered the house, talked to the staff, and finally found her way to the drawing room where she sat by herself. She watched the city pass by from behind the window, as she searched for her husband's form, and hoped for his return.

A familiar coach and four made its way up the street and stopped in front of the house. The Camberley crest marked it, and a footman opened the door to four young women –Anne, Elizabeth, Mary, and Jane. She scolded herself for her impulse to run out to greet her new sisters, instead, she stood and waited patiently for the butler to announce their arrival.

Like little mother birds the sisters flocked into the room, and surrounded her with hugs and warm wishes.

"How is married life with our brother, dear? Is he treating you well?" Mary pasted a mischievous grin on her face, as if she expected an answer that would give her a reason to scold him.

"Very well. William is the kindest of souls." Cassie rang for tea as the ladies found their seats.

"I must admit I am rather surprised that you are in London already. I thought William would keep you to himself for at least a fortnight," said Anne as she stirred cream into her tea.

Cassie did not miss the assessing glance her friend and new sister gave her. "William thought I would need time to shop and deal with fittings before the Season got into full swing." She lifted her teacup to her mouth to hide her expression. Something told her this was not the full reason for their abrupt departure from Rosehill Manor.

"Where is that brother of ours? Why is he not here laving attention on his new bride and greeting his dear sisters?" Mary sat down her cup and straightened her back. Suspicion clouded her eyes.

"He said he had some business matters to attend to." Cassie bit into a scone. One could not answer questions if one's mouth was full.

"It is a bit odd, but no matter. We are excited you are with us now. All of us need to acquire a new wardrobe for the Season. That is why we came to Town early on. Tomorrow, Madame Colista will bring her staff to Camberley House for fittings. You must come." Elizabeth patted Cassie's hand.

The conversation turned to the latest
on dits
. Cassie listened to the chatter, but she did not hear it. She could not help but wonder about William. When would he return? Where had he gone? She was acting silly. A man of consequence did not sit around his home holding his wife's hand. She made a sincere effort to enter the discussion at hand.

"I had it on good authority from my friend Miss Blakely, who heard it from her mother's friend, Lady Chancery, who got it from her friend, Lady Dorchester, who is acquainted with the duchess of Rochester, that Prinny threw a terrible temper tantrum just last week. They say he rolled onto the floor in a fit of temper, pulled at his hair, and cried like a babe. Do you think he is as mad as his father?"

"Dear Jane, I do declare you could write the gossip column for the paper with all of the
on dits
you manage to find yourself privy to," Elizabeth chuckled.

"I will leave the writing up to you, dear sister. Did you hear about the recent wild house party at Lord Rutherford's?" Jane waited for her audience to give her their full attention, but at that moment, William entered the room.

"William." Cassie stood, then quickly realized how anxious she appeared. She faltered a moment, then strode toward her husband and lifted her cheek for a kiss.

"Cassie. Sisters. I see you did not waste any time once you received my note. I hope you will embrace my wife and help her plan her wardrobe for the season."

"Do we have carte blanche to spend your money then?" Mary smiled and raised her eyebrows at her twin.

"Within reason, Mary. It is a shame mother is not here. I thought to ask her to sponsor a ball to introduce Cassie to Society. What do you think ladies?"

"Oh, I think mother would be thrilled, William," said Jane.

Cassie could not imagine such a thing. A ball in her honor! The prospect frightened her, but excited her at the same time. If only William's smile reached his eyes. Something was amiss.

The tide of the chatter turned to the ball, as William took his leave. Cassie wanted to follow him and demand he tell her what was wrong, but she did not dare. She feared acting the part of a nagging wife.

"Cassie, you must come to dinner at Camberley House tonight," said Anne.

"Oh, yes, do come, Cassie." The Prescott sisters spoke and nodded their heads in unison.

"I must ask William, of course." Cassie hesitated, unsure how her husband would want her to answer. She could not imagine he would turn down an invitation to dine with his family. They were close, that much was obvious.

"Oh bosh! Mother would have William's head if he even thought to turn us down. We dine at seven." Mary was adamant, and the look her sisters set upon her told her they brooked no argument.

"Of course, I am sure it will be alright. Tonight then."

***

William sat in the carriage and scowled. He did not want socialize with his perceptive family. He could not blame Cassie for accepting the invitation. She had no idea what he was thinking, and she could only assume he would want to go. Besides, his sisters never accepted no as an answer. He knew they would badger Cassie if she hesitated in the slightest before agreeing.

There was nothing to do except carry on. His acting skills would be tested tonight. He still chafed over his unexpected encounter at Whites with Miles Parker.
Damn the man!
He insinuated his way into William's card game this afternoon. He should have folded and left, but too many curious eyes were focused on him, all of the gossiping dandies who loved the next
on dit
as well as any woman.

Cassie's betrothal to Mr. Parker was common knowledge, and her sudden change of grooms stirred a few yakking feathers. He hoped her escape to Gretna Green had not reached the ears in London, but he knew how fast scandals flew across England. William held his own, did not fold, but ended up losing twenty pounds to that blackguard.

He suppressed a growl at the memory. He found it difficult to concentrate on cards when he wanted to reach across the table and smack the smirk off the man's face. Parker used the opportunity to drop hints of his intimacy with Cassie –
the bastard
. She was a virgin when he took her, but that did not mean she did not succumb to passion's play with her betrothed. He did not want to question his wife's morals, but he could not seem to help himself. Had she played loose and fast? Had he married a wanton?

Clenching his fists, he shoved such thoughts from his head. Just because she allowed
him
liberties while engaged to Parker, did not mean his wife was a fast woman. After all, he was on the other side of those passionate moments.

Cassie stayed close to the window and looked out at the London sites as the carriage made its way to Camberley House. William, however, avoided her glances. They spoke barely two words to each other over the evening. The tension crackled through the carriage. Was Cassie thinking about their carriage ride just this morning? He almost smiled. Almost, but not quite. Their shared lust meant nothing. She may have given him her body, but, after all, it was her duty. Her heart? That she could keep to herself. It pained him more than anything that he could not make her share her heart.

Dinner with the Prescotts never failed to amuse him, but tonight was a rare exception. How could he act jolly when he was so damned melancholy? He pretended to be at a boring soiree, and pasted a Society smile on his face. Years of practice should count for something.

"Cassie dear, what do you think of Rosehill Manor?" asked his mother.

"It is quite delightful. I am looking forward to making it a home." Cassie's smile failed to reach her eyes.

Did his wife regret marrying him? Bothered by the sadness in her green eyes, he turned towards his brother Stephen."Are you taking Prince to the Epsom Derby next week?"

"Yes. Would you like to come along? I believe Prince has a very good chance of winning the purse. I bet Cassie has never been to a horse race. It would be quite the treat for her." Stephen raised his wine glass to his lips, as his dark eyes assessed his new sister-in-law.

William was like a bug under a looking glass. Did his brother suspect the marriage was not what it should be?

"I will ask Cassie if she is interested in such a thing." He bit into his beef and chewed until the taste turned to dust in his mouth.

"Cassie, William and I were just discussing going to Epsom Derby next week. My horse, Prince, is a prime candidate for taking the purse. Would you like to come along?" asked Stephen

William glared at Stephen for his impertinence, but the rest of the family chimed in, and made the decision for both of them.

He watched as Cassie's eyes widened. His family caught her in their web. Once she accepted the situation, her smile turned genuine. It appeared they would be going to a horse race. If only he could race out of here and return home. He rubbed his aching temples.

The ladies parted company with the gentlemen and left them to their port.
Thank God
. He took a deep drink and looked up to see his father's and brother's eyes focused on him. "What?"