Scandals of Lustful Ladies: A Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Meghan Sloan

  “Neither does the first one, really.” Emily turned in her chair to look at her friend. “You’re going to get yourself worked up into knots if you’re not careful.”

  Cassandra knew that. But there was something nagging at her mind. She was sure there was something else going on, and it was going to keep bothering her until Cassandra knew the truth. Gabriel Tattershall was up to something. Would he be callous enough to use his brother in his plans? Cassandra didn’t really know. She hoped not.

  You want to think the worst of him. Just so you can stop feeling as you do whenever you think about him.

  “Look, Cassie,” Emily put the hairbrush down and stood, smoothing down her skirts, “I was invited to dinner with Viscount and Viscountess Tattershall, and you’re my companion for the evening. Just think of it as a pleasant evening.”

  “Will it be pleasant?”

  “Absolutely. They’re really nice, respectful people. And they know how to throw a good party. Preferable to what we attended last week,” Emily shrugged. “We’ll have a good meal and there will be good company. Even if nothing happens between you and the heir, you’ll have a nice evening.”

  Her father had said the same thing. He was a little harsher on Gabriel and his actions, but Ernest had had nothing but praise for Viscount Derek Tattershall. Cassandra was willing to trust her father and her friend on their judgement about the man and the rest of his family. It couldn’t be any worse than the ball at Sir Walter’s home on Saturday.

  “I hope that’s the case. I don’t want it to be ruined because of what Gabriel might be up to.”

  “He won’t be there to cause any trouble. From what Father says, since he was disowned the family has refused to let him into the house.” Emily crossed the room and took Cassandra’s hands. “Just take a deep breath, and you’ll be fine.”

  “I wish I had your optimism, Emily.”

  Emily laughed. Then she tugged Cassandra to her feet.

  “Come on; give me a hand to sort my hair out. And then we’ll go.”

  Chapter 11

  As soon as dinner was over, Cassandra asked to be excused and slipped out onto the back terrace. It was dark outside and cooler than it had been when they first arrived, but it was welcoming. Cassandra sat on the terrace wall and let the cool air fill her lungs. Now she didn’t feel like she was stifling inside. It was far too warm.

  Cassandra was pleasantly surprised at how the evening had turned out. She and Emily had managed to get to the Tattershall estate just in time and were welcomed warmly by Lady Charlotte. The other guests were already there, a mix of young and older couples, and they made Cassandra feel immediately at home. Everyone was very inviting.

  And Percy Tattershall was there. He hovered near the window when Emily and Cassandra were led into the drawing room, but he came across to greet them as Lady Charlotte introduced Cassandra. He greeted Emily first, Emily blushing bright red and dropping a wobbly curtsy for him, and then he turned to Cassandra. His hand was warm as he raised her hand to kiss her knuckles with a slight bow. He was certainly a very handsome man. Tall like his brother with dark hair, he was slimmer in build and in the face, with brown-green eyes and a soft mouth that twitched into a slight smile. Cassandra could see him making any young lady sigh if he turned a smile in their direction.

  According to Emily, Percy was shy where Gabriel was outgoing, and kept to himself as his brother spoke openly. Not exactly what Cassandra looked for in a man, but she liked what she had seen so far.

  At Emily’s insistence, the three of them sat together before dinner and talked, Emily gently guiding the conversation. Soon, both Cassandra and Percy were talking without Emily involved. Cassandra barely remembered her friend getting up and leaving them. Once he was out of his shyness, Percy was actually a good conversationalist. He was intelligent and there was a slight twinkle in his eye when he got involved in a specific subject.

  Their talking flowed into dinner, with Cassandra sitting across from Percy. It was like they had forgotten everyone else there, much to Lady Charlotte’s amusement when she commented on it. Cassandra hadn’t had someone who wasn’t Emily to talk to about pretty much anything for a long time. It was quite refreshing.

  Even then, Cassandra felt she couldn’t completely lower her guard. She wanted to relax a little and be more like herself, but she couldn’t. Her gut said that wouldn’t be a good idea, and it made her feel a little uncomfortable. Why couldn’t she be herself for once? Cassandra was sure the Tattershall family wouldn’t mind too much. So she kept her more radical opinions to herself; she didn’t want to get into trouble for openly expressing herself.

  “Miss Seton?”

  Cassandra looked around. And then she shot to her feet. Percy was stepping out onto the terrace, his face half-bathed in shadow with the light behind him.

  “Mr. Tattershall. Have I missed something?”

  “No, you haven’t.” Percy walked towards her, giving her a gentle smile. “Miss Barrington said you went to get some air, so I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  “I’m fine, but…” Cassandra glanced over his shoulder. He was alone. “You’re out here alone? Won’t we get into trouble?”

  Percy chuckled.

  “The guests are in the library there,” he gestured at the nearby windows. There was a movement at one and Cassandra saw it was Emily. “And Miss Barrington said she would watch out for us. Although it is something of a strange role reversal.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Well, you’re here as Miss Barrington’s companion, and she’s the one keeping an eye on you.”

  “Oh.”

  Cassandra had forgotten that she had come as Emily’s chaperone. Knowing that she was coming here to be introduced to the now heir of a Viscountcy had overrun her initial role. Not that anyone seemed to be complaining; especially Percy.

  He had carried on talking to her, seeming to gain more confidence as time went on. Gabriel was right that he was able to talk to a woman once he was warmed up. His shyness was still there but it wasn’t necessarily getting in the way, even though Percy could be a little awkward with some of his subjects. Cassandra didn’t mind. She found it endearing.

  If only she could feel something for him. She liked him, and considered him a sweet man. But there was nothing there. Cassandra tried to be engaging and find something, but it wasn’t working. All she felt was a relative calm, knowing that she was safe. And that wasn’t the emotion that Cassandra had been hoping for. Percy didn’t make her blush or feel like her corset was too tight. He didn’t look at her like he wanted to savour everything in just a simple look.

  Not like Gabriel, the rake of the family. The one Cassandra should not be associating with. And yet the one who made her body feel like she was being turned into a quivering mess.

  Stop thinking about him. You’re here for his brother. He’s safe.

  I’m not sure that I want safe.

  “Are you well, Miss Seton?” Percy peered at her curiously. “You looked a little flushed just now.”

  “Oh.” Cassandra shook herself and managed a smile. “I’m fine. I needed to get a breath of air. It was just getting a little warm inside.”

  Percy chuckled.

  “I understand. Mother insists on having the fire lit in the evening, even when it’s the middle of summer. I’m surprised we don’t get roasted.”

  “I think I nearly did.” That wasn’t really why she was feeling warm, but Cassandra would go along with that. She sat back down. “Your parents certainly know how to host a good evening. They’re really nice people.”

  “They do try.” Percy sat on the wall beside her, keeping himself at a respectable distance. “Mother always says that it’s best to be kind and considerate to those around you. But treat her badly, and you’re going to know about it. She doesn’t take kindly to being treated in such a way.”

  “She doesn’t suffer fools.”

  “Pretty much,” Percy made a face. “Although I thin
k she and my father forget that when my Aunt Sally is involved. My father’s sister is a widow, and a wealthy one, and yet she can wrap Father around her little finger to pay for things she claims she can’t afford and bow to her every need.”

  Cassandra arched an eyebrow.

  “And your father allows her to do that?”

  “He made a promise to his father to look after Aunt Sally as she’s ‘delicate’.” Percy rolled his eyes. “That woman is as strong as a horse and I swear she just draws it out so she can keep looking like she’s in need.”

  This was not what Cassandra was expecting, especially not from Percy.

  “Do you often talk about your family in such a manner?”

  “Just my aunt.” Percy’s eyes widened and his cheeks darkened. “Oh. I’m not supposed to speak ill of my family to others, am I? You’ll have to forgive me, Miss Seton. Once I get going, it’s very difficult to stop.”

  “I know the feeling,” Cassandra patted his hand. “It’s fine. I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Thank you,” Percy grimaced and cleared his throat. “But as I was saying, my parents don’t suffer fools, other than that exception. And they don’t appreciate people who make my parents look like they can’t control their family.”

  He wasn’t talking about his Aunt Sally this time; Cassandra was sure of it. She had a feeling she knew who he was talking about.

  “You mean your brother Gabriel, don’t you?”

  “I do,” Percy gave her a half-smile and shook his head. “My brother...he’s a law unto himself at times. I love him dearly, but he does drive me mad at times. I don’t think he has any rules to follow unless they benefit him. But he’s got a good heart inside him,” he added hurriedly, “and he means well. He just...he just doesn’t know how to use it without looking soft.”

  To Cassandra’s surprise, she understood what Percy meant. A lot of the men in society tried to put on a persona that wasn’t really them so they were not perceived as weak. It ended up consuming them and turning them into someone they weren’t. Cassandra could see how this could have consumed Gabriel and turned him into what he had been.

  What he was now. He might not have any money, but that charm of his was still there. And Gabriel clearly expected it to work now. Cassandra had seen Gabriel’s expression when he realised that his charm wasn’t working on her. Maybe she was the first one to stand up to him.

  You’re supposed to be focusing your attention on Percy, not his older brother. He’s not here. Cassandra cleared her throat and tried to swipe the older brother from her mind. It didn’t quite work.

  “I’m not sure if you were trying to compliment your brother or insult him.”

  “Probably a bit of both,” Percy gave a lopsided shrug. “He was a fool to have done what he did, but he’s still my brother. He looks after me. Still does, in fact. Gabriel will always get me out of trouble and look out for my best interests.”

  “Including facilitating meetings between you and women?”

  Percy looked away. He was blushing again.

  “I’m not good with approaching women. Gabriel is. The trouble is that most of them seem to find him more attractive than me. They prefer a man with confidence.”

  Now Cassandra felt awful. She was glad they were outside and Percy wouldn’t see how much she was blushing. Hopefully. She managed a smile.

  “Then they clearly didn’t bother to meet you and get to know the real you.”

  “They weren’t too interested once they got talking to Gabriel,” Percy muttered. “It’s not his fault; it’s mine for being so shy.”

  “I’m sure it’s not that. You’re talking to me, aren’t you?”

  “That’s because you’re so easy to talk to,” Percy glanced around and gave her a slight smile. “I feel comfortable talking to you, Miss Seton.”

  “I’m glad.”

  And Cassandra felt comfortable talking to Percy as well. She wasn’t about to deny that. He was a really nice man. A little boring, sometimes, but that and his awkwardness were very sweet.

  So why couldn’t she feel anything for him? There was nothing to indicate that she found him more than just a nice young man. Where was it?

  Cassandra glanced towards the window. Emily was still watching them, peering at them intently. More so at Percy than Cassandra. Even though this interaction was completely innocent, Cassandra didn’t feel comfortable being outside. Not when she was beginning to realise that Percy Tattershall wasn’t as interesting as Gabriel had made him out to be.

  She stood up.

  “I’m feeling better now, Mr. Tattershall. Would you mind escorting me back inside? I’m sure your parents will want to see my face at some point after dinner.”

  “Of course.” Percy rose to his feet and held out his arm, “Shall we?”

  Cassandra took his hand, and felt the warmth from his arm. He was firm, certainly. Cassandra could see Percy being someone she could lean on. But there was nothing. No spark. It just wasn’t there.

  Just give it time. Not everything happens on the first meeting.

  But Cassandra felt like she was falsely trying to get her hopes up as Percy led her back inside.

  #

  Gabriel was eager to know how the evening had gone. But he couldn’t go up to the house; his parents would send him away, and the servants weren’t going to cover for him anymore. He would have to wait until Percy was away from the house, which was rare.

  He debated about inviting Percy to his cottage, but he decided against it. Gabriel didn’t want his younger brother to see where he now lived. Even though the cottage was now in a state where it was fine to be seen, Gabriel still felt uncomfortable about having guests. Even his brother.

  Was he ashamed of what he had? A little bit. Percy wouldn’t judge him, but Gabriel’s pride was important to him. He wanted to keep hold of what little he had.

  So, he sent a note. Percy did go into Ipswich on occasion for errands, and Gabriel decided that this afternoon was a good time to go. They could discuss what had happened during the night without anyone from the family listening in. If the servants caught wind, this would most certainly get back to Derek. Gabriel wasn’t about to divulge any of this to his father until he was successful in obtaining ownership of Montgomery’s.

  That afternoon, Gabriel took a stagecoach down to Ipswich and headed to The Barrington Arms. Percy didn’t go into public houses - he was far too boring for that - but he would step inside if Gabriel told him to.

  It was a few minutes before he was due to meet Percy when Gabriel stepped into the public house. It wasn’t that busy, considering the time of day. A lot of the men would still be working in the factories so they wouldn’t be staggering in for another hour yet. Those who could afford to bedrinking at this time of day would be in the gentleman’s clubs dotted around Ipswich. Not as fancy as the ones in London, but they managed.

  Gabriel sat at a table by the window. He had a clear view of the street. That way he could see his brother coming. Or see if Cassandra was going to be visiting her friend. Gabriel shook himself. No, he wouldn’t be doing that. Cassandra would be occupied on her side of town. There would be no need for her to be here at this time of day.

  Nevertheless, Gabriel found himself wanting to see her.

  You really need to focus. She’s not for you; she’s for your brother.

  Gabriel sighed. At this rate, he was going to be the one distracted. That couldn’t happen.