by Meghan Sloan
“I love you, too.” Cassandra squeezed his hands and gestured towards her father’s big chair behind the desk. “You stay here and rest. I’ll deal with everything out in the masses.”
And hopefully, have no more conversations about marriage. Because Cassandra didn’t want to hear it. Even from her own father.
Chapter 4
“His daughter?” Gabriel was startled by this response. He had been expecting Norman to say Seton had a specific thing he did or gimmick that brought the punters in. Not his daughter. “What’s she got to do with any of this?”
Norman smiled.
“She’s a very bright woman. Knows the business well. Practically grew up running up and down those halls.” He went to the drinks cabinet and poured out two brandies. “Ernest Seton raised her to understand everything that went on in his gambling business. And some of the new things they’ve implemented to get more custom or to make their place look more enticing were Cassandra’s ideas.”
Gabriel was even more startled. He was prepared to believe that women could be clever - several of the women he had met in sexual encounters were incredibly clever - but none of them had been involved with business. Certainly not like this. And to say this woman was responsible for making Seton Hall more successful? That sounded ludicrous.
He accepted the brandy glass from Norman.
“A woman is involved with the gambling business? There must be something wrong with her if she’s helping out.”
Norman chuckled. He settled into his chair again and crossed his legs.
“On the contrary, there’s nothing wrong with her, other than being incredibly stubborn. But therein lies the problem.”
“Her stubbornness?”
“Her presence at Seton Hall. Ernest Seton is over sixty. He was nearly forty when Cassandra was born and his wife, God rest her soul, passed during the influenza epidemic. Along with a matron aunt, it’s just Cassandra in his life who he completely trusts.” Norman made a face. “I’ve met a few of his family members and they’re not desirable people, trust me. Cassandra and her Aunt Alice are a bit of fresh air compared to them. And I know Seton’s concerned about Cassandra when he passes himself.”
“I didn’t realise you were in contact with them.”
“Father and Seton were friends.”
Gabriel was confused.
“They’re business rivals and they’re friends?”
“You know what Father’s like. He wants to be friends with everyone. I’ve met Cassandra as well. She’s…” Norman paused and shook his head with a smile, “she’s a stunning woman. Very intelligent when it comes to the workings of a business. Surprised Father, certainly. He had the utmost respect for her.”
Gabriel was still trying to get over the fact that the success of the rival gambling hall was due to a woman. When Norman had mentioned Seton’s daughter, he had thought she was involved with something nefarious. Like she was in charge of a brothel which supplied girls for her father. Gabriel wouldn’t be surprised. He was more surprised that she was actively part of the place and making it look better than Thomas’ place. How was that even possible?
“Are you saying if I’m to pay you back, I’m going to need to deal with her?” Gabriel snorted. “How can dealing with a woman be so difficult?”
Norman’s smile widened.
“You haven’t met Cassandra, have you? I was trying to say that Cassandra’s life is her father and the business.”
“Doesn’t she have a husband or something who objects to this?”
“She’s not married,” Norman sipped his brandy. “Father has said that Seton wants her to marry well, but he’s not about to force her into it. He won’t force her into anything. Not to say that Cassandra hasn’t had any suitors in the past,” he added quickly, “because there have been plenty. I’ve come across her with suitors before. But she doesn’t take anything from anyone. You insult her or someone she cares about in the smallest of ways, and she’ll go at you with her sharp tongue. That woman doesn’t suffer fools gladly.”
“Claws extended?”
“Pretty much,” Norman shrugged. “I’ve had a good relationship with her. She appreciates my work and respects my choices, so we have no problems. I don’t want to be on the wrong side of her.”
“Are you scared of her?”
“Not scared, I just know what side my bread is buttered on.” Norman paused. “I don’t want to be a schemer, Gabriel, but if you get her distracted, then you might have a chance of paying me back sooner than you think.”
Gabriel stared. Was he actually suggesting that Gabriel pursue Cassandra and take her mind off the gambling house?
“You...how am I supposed to do that?”
“You’ve got a reputation. Why don’t you use that?”
Gabriel grimaced.
“I gave that up when I was thrown out of the family. It doesn’t hold the same appeal now.”
“Women not throwing themselves at you right now?”
“On the contrary, they’re still doing it. But I don’t find anyone attractive,” Gabriel flinched. He could feel his face going red. “Something changed, and I’m not sure what it is, but I’m not too keen on taking another woman to bed anytime soon.”
Norman sniggered.
“Spoiled little rich boy.”
“Now a spoiled little poor boy.”
“Fair point.” Norman swirled the brandy around in his glass. “Well, it’s an option. I’m not saying you have to do it, but you’re going to be up against a tough competitor in Cassandra Seton. She won’t give you an inch. The best thing for you to do is to make yourself look more enticing than Seton Hall, which isn’t going to be easy if Seton has his daughter working on the place. It’s just a thought,” he added quickly, “I’m not telling you that’s what you should do.”
“So, you’re essentially saying have her distracted so much that she’ll want to focus on whatever is distracting her and not her father’s gambling hall. Get her married to someone. Or have her seduced. How hard could it be to get one over on a woman?”
“You really haven’t met Cassandra, have you?” Norman laughed. “I’d like to be a fly on the wall when you try to get past her defences. She’s not one to be trifled with, and she will call you out.”
Gabriel smirked and raised his glass.
“No woman has resisted me before. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Norman’s eyes glinted, bringing his glass to his lips.
“Like I said, you haven’t met Cassandra Seton.”
#
Gabriel’s driver was not impressed that Gabriel wanted to go across town and to Seton Hall. It was long past the time they were supposed to have gone back, and now they were going to get into trouble. Gabriel didn’t want that, so he sent the young man back home. He would figure out how to get home himself later. Right now, he just wanted to get to work.
Norman may not have wanted him to target Cassandra Seton in such a way, but it had given Gabriel an idea. In his experience, women were very distracted when it came to a man. Especially if they found them physically attractive. It had never taken Gabriel much to seduce a woman once he knew they would be receptive to his advances. He was good at detecting when a woman would be susceptible.
Now he had a new challenge. While he didn’t find seducing women as enticing as it had been before, the thought of seducing a woman to get what he wanted did sound tempting. Especially if she was as incredible as Norman made her out to be. How hard could it be to distract a woman from her task?
Gabriel winced. He knew his talk was callous, and it was not a way he should be talking. His mother had scolded him on that several times. But Gabriel wanted to be a business owner. He wanted Montgomery Hall, but he couldn’t do it unless he knew the income would be coming in hot and heavy to pay Norman back. He had to make sure Seton Hall brought in less so he had a better chance of paying everything off.
Even as he made his way across Ipswich, Gabriel questioned himself. Had he r
eally thought this through? Or was he just playing this by ear and setting himself up for disaster? He could only hope not.
Seton Hall certainly looked busy, thriving as much as Montgomery Hall was. Gabriel entered and recognised one of the doormen in the lobby. Lewis Williams had once worked for his father when he was younger as a footman, before he got a job offer in Ipswich when his mother fell ill. Gabriel hadn’t seen him in a while, but it looked like the job change was doing him good. Williams certainly looked happier and healthier.
It seemed the doorman recognised him as well. He came across the foyer with a surprised smile.
“Mr. Tattershall.”
“Williams,” Gabriel shook his hand. “Good to see you. You’re looking well.”
“Very well, thank you.” Williams paused. “I heard about what happened to you. My apologies.”
“What are you apologising for? I’m the one who messed up.”
“I feel like I need to apologise.” Williams took Gabriel’s coat and hat as he shrugged out of them. “We weren’t expecting you. I thought you were forbidden from gambling.”
“I’m not going to gamble. I came here for a drink.”
“All right.” From Williams’ expression, he didn’t really believe him. “Well, the bar is right ahead of you. Adam’s the bartender. He’ll fix you up.”
“Thank you.”
At least if he was at the bar, Gabriel would be able to spy on his surroundings and see what actually happened if Cassandra Seton did come into the establishment. He wanted to see what she did that made her so popular and what it was that had people come here more than Thomas’ place.
His place. It would be his place if Gabriel could follow through. And he intended to. He would write up the contract once he got home.
There were a few women around when Gabriel stepped into the main hall. This surprised him. For a moment, he wondered why the women were there. Then he saw them carrying trays and serving drinks. Not exactly what he expected women to do in this place, but they were being respectable and they were dressed as servants. They were just staff, and they seemed friendly enough with big smiles for the guests.
Maybe it was the sight of women serving them that was an enticement. Gabriel made a mental note.
He headed towards the bar, but he didn’t look where he was going. Gabriel collided with a smaller, warmer body and instinctively grabbed at it when he stumbled. They both stayed upright, and then Gabriel realised who he was holding onto.
It was a woman.
Wincing, Gabriel looked down to apologise, only for his words to die from his lips. It seemed like he was holding onto an angel. Golden blonde hair piled up in curls on her head, skin faintly brown from her time in the sun, and the most stunning blue-grey eyes Gabriel had ever seen. She was just lovely to look at.
Immediately, his body perked up and he felt the arousal build low in his gut. That hadn’t happened in a while, and just the mere sight of this beautiful creature had him immediately responding.
Then Gabriel realised that he was still holding onto her, both of them staring at each other in stunned silence. And she was going to feel how attracted he was towards her if she stayed plastered up against his chest. Gabriel cleared his throat and let go of her suddenly, stepping back to adjust his coat. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be that noticeable that he found her attractive.
As long as she didn’t look down.
“Forgive me. That was…”
“My fault.” The angel smiled at him, and Gabriel’s mind momentarily forgot what he was saying. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
God, even her voice was beautiful. She wasn’t one of the staff. Not with the way she was dressed. Why was she here? One of the gamblers? That seemed very unlikely, seeing as women would not be permitted inside. Gabriel knew it was a rule Thomas had at his place, and was sure there would be a similar rule at Seton Hall.
“Were you looking for anything in particular?” the angel asked.
It took a moment for Gabriel to realize he had to answer. He was still staring. He swallowed, knowing that his face was going bright red.
“Just having a look around.”
“I see.” Her eyes glittered, “A perusal before trying us out, Mr. Tattershall?”
“You know who I am?”
“Your reputation precedes you.” She arched a delicate blonde eyebrow, “I didn’t think you would have any money to gamble away, seeing as you’ve been cut off.”
Gabriel winced. There were times like this where he wished people didn’t know about what happened. Everyone in Suffolk had to know by now.
“Can’t a man come into a gambling hall and not spend any money?”
“With what I know about you, that’s all you do. That, and seducing women for your own pleasure.” That was when her cheeks flushed, just a little. “Mostly unmarried women, but I’m sure married women have come into your sights on occasion.”
“I’ve never seduced a married woman.” That much Gabriel was innocent of. “And I’ve gone off both lately. I just came in for a drink.”
That would work for now, but he was still confused as to who this woman was and why she was here. She wasn’t dressed like a servant, and she carried herself as if she was in charge.
Then it hit him. This was Cassandra Seton. It had to be. Norman had said she was a stunning woman, but Gabriel had taken that with a pinch of salt.
Cassandra wasn’t just stunning. She was beautiful. Gabriel found himself unable to stop staring, and from the way Cassandra’s eyes darkened, she was struggling herself.
Did she find him attractive? Maybe seducing her wouldn’t be as difficult as Gabriel had thought.
The spell was broken when Williams appeared suddenly at Cassandra’s side.
“Miss Cassie, there’s a customer getting physical with Ada.”
That was when Cassandra switched. She immediately turned away and hurried off with Williams. Gabriel watched her go, bewildered at the sudden change. She had been simply a woman perusing him one second, and then all business the next. It was a startling change.
He moved across the hall to the bar, watching as Cassandra and Williams made their way through the tables to one in the middle of the room. People were stopping their games to see what the commotion was and where the whimpering was coming from. One of the maids was in a man’s embrace, almost bent backwards as she tried to push him away. But the man wouldn’t let go of her, loudly declaring that he deserved a kiss after his win. Several of his fellow gamblers tried to pull him away, but he pushed them back with a snarl.
Until Cassandra walked over. It was like Moses parting the sea as she strode through the throng to the table. Williams went around her and yanked the man away, catching the maid as she was abruptly released. He pulled her back as Cassandra stepped between them and the man, who was swaying on his feet. Gabriel wondered how much he had had to drink before now.
“I think that’s enough, Mr. Jackson.” Cassandra’s voice was level, but even across the room Gabriel felt a shiver down his spine. “You’ve upset Ada, and I won’t have you putting your hands on the staff.”
“Aw, come on, Miss Cassie!” Jackson protested. He sounded like a petulant child. “She’s working here, and she’s supposed to keep the customers happy.”
“With food and drinks. Ada is not here to be touchy-feely.”