by Meghan Sloan
Which was why they needed to be clever and quick-witted to keep ahead. Even with that, women were still treated like pawns on a chessboard, mostly regarding marriage and who had the most contacts. Cassandra didn’t want to be seen as someone who could further a man’s standing. She wanted to be seen for herself, not for what she could bring into a marriage.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t something that would happen much. It was all about contacts and climbing the social ladder. Cassandra was happy just where she was, even if her father wasn’t.
She looked out of the window and saw how close they were to Seton Hall. It would be a little further to get to The Barrington Arms, and it was still early. Cassandra was surprised they had only been at the ball for a little under two hours when the ball was expected to last until midnight. But at least they could breathe more easily now they were away. It wasn’t as stifling or as intimidating.
“Fancy coming into Seton’s for a little bit?” she asked. “We could relax in Father’s drawing room before you go home.”
“Sounds like a good idea. Father’s not expecting me back until later.” Emily grimaced, “He says that he wants me to have at least one promise of a visit from a gentleman.”
Cassandra laughed.
“Well, you sort of have a promise. Just not the one he wants.”
“I think even Father would object to anything Geoffrey Irons, Earl of Newmarket, proposed.”
The carriage stopped with a slight jolt and then the door opened. Lewis looked inside, blinking when he saw Cassandra.
“Miss Cassie? I thought you were at another engagement tonight.”
“Change of plans, Lewis.” Cassandra took his hand and allowed him to help her out. “Miss Barrington and I are going inside to try and forget this evening. We won’t be long.”
“Very good, Miss.” Lewis helped Emily out before shutting the door. “I’ll let Ada know and she’ll come up to the drawing room.”
“All right.” Cassandra looped her arm through Emily’s. “Come on, Miss Barrington. Let’s go and have a quiet moment.”
They headed inside, stepping into the main hall. The place was very busy for Saturday evening, with all the tables full. A few people looked up and gave Cassandra a nod of greeting, but pretty much everyone was focused on the game in front of them. The atmosphere was tense, but a comfortable kind of tense. There was a bit of laughter and some muttered curses. Everything seemed as normal as it could be for a busy evening.
But Cassandra was aware of eyes on her - and not from the gambling patrons. She looked over at the bar on the far side of the room, and her heart skipped a few beats. Gabriel Tattershall was here, leaning against the bar with a glass in his hand. And he was watching her, his expression placid but his eyes firmly fixed on her. Cassandra swallowed. Was it getting warmer in here suddenly?
“Cassie?” Emily prodded her in the side. “Are you all right?”
“Gabriel Tattershall is here again.”
“What?” Emily looked around the room, her eyes widening when she saw him. “What are you going to do? Do you want to leave?”
“I’m not going to leave.” Cassandra licked her lips. Now her mouth was dry, and she felt like a hot flush was spreading across her body as Gabriel stared at her. “We won’t be able to sneak past him, and I’m not leaving because he’s here.”
“All right,” Emily giggled. “You might want a drink of water to cool yourself down. You’re looking a little flustered.”
“I’m not flustered.”
“When your face is as red as your dress, I beg to differ.” Emily tugged on her arm. “Come on. It won’t be as bad as being confronted by Geoffrey Irons.”
Cassandra silently argued against that.
Chapter 10
Gabriel was a little annoyed that Cassandra wasn’t around when he first arrived, as she was at another engagement. But he had to remind himself that Cassandra didn’t sit around waiting for people to come to her; she had her own social life to live as well. So, instead of going straight back to the cottage, Gabriel decided to wait and see if she did come in.
And he was very glad that he did wait. Because Cassandra came into the room, along with Emily Barrington. Both looked thoroughly fed up, expressions of relief passing across both their faces as they stepped into the main hall. But Gabriel was more struck by how beautiful Cassandra was.
She had been something to behold the night before, but now she was something else. Her dress was of dark red silk and fitted her frame nicely, showing the slightest hint of curves. Her hair was loose about her shoulders, curling about her face. Gabriel’s hands itched to reach out and run his fingers through her hair to see if it was as soft as it looked.
Slow down and stop thinking about it. You’re not here to seduce her.
Gabriel took a deep breath and let it out slowly, pushing down the churning of lust in his gut. This was not about charming her for himself. He had a plan and he was following through on it. No thinking about how she would look in his arms.
None of that.
Cassandra’s eyes landed on him and she froze. Even across the room Gabriel could see her cheeks flush, the flush spreading across her chest. God, he would love to see how far that flush went.
Stop!
Emily tugged Cassandra into motion and they approached the bar. Gabriel pushed himself to standing and gave them a bow.
“Miss Seton. Miss Barrington.”
“Mr. Tattershall.” Emily gave him a nod. “You’ve been making a lot of journeys into Ipswich lately.”
“I don’t like being idle. I have to be on the move.” Gabriel looked at the two ladies, his gaze staying on Cassandra a little longer. “May I say both of you look very enchanting this evening?”
Cassandra’s face went even redder. Her lips parted and Gabriel couldn’t take his eyes off her mouth. That stirring happened in his belly again, and Gabriel had to swallow hard and count to ten in his head.
Emily laughed.
“You’re not the first one who’s said that this evening, Mr. Tattershall. But you’re the first to say it with genuine conviction.”
“Oh?” Gabriel raised his eyebrows. “It sounds like you’ve been approached with many compliments this evening.”
“Far too many,” Emily rolled her eyes. “None of them were appreciated.”
“Do you not want to be complimented, Miss Barrington? I’m sure attractive women like yourselves receive them all the time.”
“We would prefer not to be seen as…” Emily glanced at Cassandra, who was frowning at her, “well, vessels for men.”
Gabriel stared. He knew that Emily could be outspoken at times, but he had never heard her speak in this way. It threw him a little, and Gabriel had to take a moment to gather himself before responding.
“You couldn’t be any more blunt with that comment, could you?”
“My father says I’m not very ladylike, but I prefer people to know exactly where they stand with me.” Emily shrugged, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to talk to me.”
That had Gabriel laughing.
“I’ll remember that.”
“What do you want, Mr. Tattershall?”
Gabriel felt a shiver down his spine when Cassandra spoke abruptly. He turned to her and saw that she was watching him intently, her eyes darting over his face as if she was trying to figure out his motivations just by looking at him. Gabriel had to stop himself from looking directly into her eyes; he would have been sucked in.
You really need to keep your distance with this woman.
“Would you believe me if I said I wanted to play cards, Miss Seton?”
Cassandra snorted and folded her arms.
“You have no money to play with. And even if you were here, you prefer Montgomery’s. You show your loyalty to that place very clearly. I believe that you’re up to something.”
Very forthright. To the point. Gabriel had to admire that. He looked at Emily, who simply shrugged.
“Yo
u two young ladies are very suspicious.”
“With the people around us, we have to be.” Cassandra lifted her chin, “Why are you here, Mr. Tattershall?”
Gabriel sighed and held up his hands.
“All right, you caught me. I actually came to see you. You’re right that I have an ulterior motive, but it’s not what you think.”
“What do you believe I’m thinking, then?”
“Nothing I care to repeat in mixed company.” Gabriel lowered his hands. “I came to say that I’ve been in conversations with my brother Percy, and your name actually came up.”
“What?” Cassandra blinked, looking stunned. “You were talking about me?”
“Not me. My brother started it. He spoke about how much he’s heard about you, and he’s very curious. Now he wants to meet you.”
Cassandra’s mouth opened and closed. Gabriel didn’t think he would get her looking so startled. Then Cassandra’s eyes narrowed.
“Why would he want to meet me? I don’t believe anyone’s spoken to him about me. Our paths wouldn’t exactly cross, and I doubt we have mutual friends.”
“You’d be surprised at how people know each other, even if the link is tenuous.” Gabriel smiled, and saw how Cassandra’s flush deepened. “And Percy has heard a lot about you. As a result, he’s curious to meet the woman who’s spoken about in such high regard.”
Cassandra barked out a laugh, which had a few people at a nearby table turning to stare at her.
“People have been speaking about me in high regard? Now you’re telling tales.”
“Why would I lie about that?”
They stared at each other. Now it was feeling a lot warmer, and Gabriel felt like his collar was on too tightly. He had felt the tension in the air from the other patrons as they played, a lot of them playing for very high stakes. But now the tension seemed to be wrapped around him and Cassandra, pressing down on him.
Gabriel felt like he had been put on the back foot, yet again. He had met beautiful women before, and he was able to charm them with a few smiles. But not only was Cassandra not responding to his compliments, but she was also rebuffing his charm.
She was unlike any other woman he had met.
“All right, then.” Cassandra didn’t blink as she looked him up and down. “If he’s so keen to meet me, why doesn’t he approach me himself? It’s not like I’m difficult to find. I’m here most days.”
“He’s a little shy when it comes to women,” Gabriel shrugged. “My brother is a gentle soul and I love him dearly, but he doesn’t know how to approach women. Once you give him a nudge, he’s fine, but his nerves get in the way.”
Cassandra’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline.
“Oh, really?”
“Believe it or not, I’m telling the truth. Percy is a kind, generous man. And I think you two would be perfect for each other.” They could certainly balance the other person out. “I offered to approach you myself as I’ve already made your acquaintance. I’m just here as a messenger.”
“Are you?” Cassandra’s eyes now narrowed. “Are you really?”
If this had been anyone else, getting them convinced of his actions would be so easy. Gabriel had managed to do it in the past. None of them were Cassandra Seton. He would certainly have his work cut out convincing her of anything.
“You’re far too apprehensive for your age, Miss Seton. I assure you that it’s the truth.” Gabriel used one of his smiles that had worked on women in the past. “All I need is your blessing to start an acquaintance with my brother.”
Cassandra opened her mouth to speak, but it was Emily who spoke first.
“We’re going to be at your family estate next week. We have invitations for dinner with your parents.”
Cassandra stared at her. Gabriel also looked at her in bewilderment.
“Oh, you do?”
“When did this happen?” Cassie asked.
“Well, it’s just for me, really. Father’s friends with Viscount Tattershall from childhood. And I’ve been given permission to attend as long as I have a chaperone,” Emily shrugged. “You can come with me, if you want, as my chaperone and companion.”
Gabriel had not been expecting that. He knew there was a prior friendship between his father and Emily’s father, and he had momentarily forgotten about that. Maybe this would be easier than he expected.
“Sounds perfect,” he said brightly. “I’ll let my brother know you’re coming, shall I?”
“I don’t trust you.”
That was not the response he had expected. Gabriel shook his head.
“You need to stop doubting everyone, Miss Seton. It’s not very becoming.”
“When you’re involved, I think I have every right to be.” Cassandra nudged Emily to step back, giving him a brisk nod. “If you’ll excuse us, Mr. Tattershall?”
Before Gabriel could respond the two women were walking away, darting quickly out of the room. He was tempted to follow, but Gabriel knew that would be too much. The seeds were sown,and there was a good chance Cassandra would end up at the family home on Emily’s request. Now all he had to do was sit back and watch what happened.
So why did it leave a nasty taste in his mouth?
#
“I feel like I’m walking into a trap,” Cassandra grumbled as she adjusted the sleeve of her dress for the fifth time in fifteen minutes.
Emily tittered, looking at her friend in her mirror.
“You think everything is a trap, Cassie. Just relax. It’s going to be fine.”
Cassandra frowned at Emily’s back. She had arrived at The Barrington Arms to meet Emily before they went by carriage out to Brandeston. Emily wasn’t quite ready, so Cassandra was now sitting on her friend’s bed while Emily got herself made up. She was feeling more and more concerned about the upcoming evening the longer she sat there, trying not to fiddle with the dress Alice had picked out for her earlier.
She was only going as a chaperone, not as one of the invited guests. But Cassandra was still worried over meeting Percy Tattershall. If Gabriel was telling the truth about his brother and he genuinely wanted to be introduced, then she could maybe relax. And yet Cassandra was sure that Percy wouldn’t have heard about her.
From what Emily had told her about the brothers, the younger brother wasn’t someone who would have friends who also knew Cassandra. He had a very small, very select circle of friends, and Cassandra didn’t even know anyone who would socialise with Percy beyond a nodding acquaintance.
“I just wish I knew what was going on.” Cassandra pressed a hand to her belly, but it didn’t ease the churning in her insides. “Gabriel Tattershall is using me for something else; something that benefits him. I just have to figure out what his motivation is.”
Emily lowered her hairbrush.
“What do you think he’s going to try and do?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe he wanted me to be out the way for something? Or maybe he’s just one of those who likes to be cruel to pass the time because it’s amusing.” Cassandra frowned, “I’ve only interacted with the man twice, and that second one doesn’t sound right.”