Scandals of Lustful Ladies: A Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Meghan Sloan

  The doorman greeted them cordially, although he was reluctant to let them in through the main rooms. But he led them around the side of the building and in through the back stairs. This was apparently Norman’s favourite way of coming and going without anyone bothering him.

  Cassandra was glad about this; even though there wouldn’t be many people inside at this time ofday, there would be enough to wonder why two young women were visiting the owner. Cassandra didn’t want to try and explain that one away.

  Not that anyone would pay attention to her. If it was good gossip, nobody listened.

  The doorman signalled for them to wait a moment before knocking on Norman’s door and entering when bid. There was the murmur of male voices, and to Cassandra’s ears there seemed to be more than two voices in there. Then the doorman came back out and ushered them in. Emily went in first, Cassandra following close behind.

  And stopping short when she saw Gabriel sitting in one of the chairs by the desk. He rose to his feet when he saw her, his eyes drifting over her face and then down her body. His expression was blank, but then Cassandra saw the flash of something in his eyes. That sent her body into a meltdown. She was only wearing a dress and thin coat due to how warm it was, but now Cassandra felt like she was wearing too much.

  Why did he have to be here? Why couldn’t she go anywhere without him turning up?

  “Cassie?”

  Cassandra started. Norman and Emily were both staring at her, Norman a little more curiously. Her face heating, Cassandra turned away from Gabriel and approached Norman.

  “Forgive me, Mr. Montgomery.” She took his hand,. “You have my sympathy as well about your father.”

  “Thank you.” Norman gave her a soft smile and kissed her hand. “I’ve already sent a notice to your father about the funeral tomorrow. I hope both of you can attend.”

  “We’ve received it, and Father’s planning on going,” Cassandra promised.

  She knew this. Ernest had spoken about it with her and asked her - almost begged her - to come with him. Cassandra would have gone anyway, but she was under the impression that her father needed her that more than anything. He was still upset about Thomas’ death, and it seemed to have made him a little more fragile. It made Cassandra sad that her normally strong father was struggling.

  Norman was still holding onto her hand. There was a tiny growl from somewhere and Norman let go abruptly. Cassandra blinked and glanced over at Gabriel. He was glaring at Norman with a scowl, his eyes narrowed at his friend. What had just happened there?

  “He came to see me last week,” Norman cleared his throat. “I must admit, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a grown man cry like he did. In spite of their differences, he really did care.”

  “Father has a huge heart, certainly.” Cassandra was struggling to breathe. It felt like the walls were closing in. She glanced at Emily, who was looking at her with an arched eyebrow. “If...if there’s anything you need, just let us know. We’ll help out wherever we can.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  Cassandra fixed her pleading looking on Emily. They needed to leave. She couldn’t be in the same room as Gabriel when he was watching her. Her resolve was crumbling by the second. Emily seemed to get the message because she turned to Norman with a sweet smile.

  “We can’t stay too long, Norman. We just came to see how you were holding up.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Norman squeezed Emily’s waist. “It’s nice to see a couple of pretty smiles.”

  It was then Cassandra realised that Norman and Emily were holding onto each other, with Emily’s arms around Norman’s waist. She stared. Emily was a very personable young woman, and she was aware Emily and Norman saw each other like brother and sister, but this was scandalous even in private.

  “You can let him go now, Emily. We may be in private, but we’re not alone.”

  “Oh.” Emily let go and stepped away with a shy shrug in Norman’s direction, “Forgive me, Norman.”

  “Do you see me complaining?” Norman’s eyes twinkled. “It’s nice to have a bit of...company.”

  Cassandra rolled her eyes.

  “You need to brush up a bit on your charm, Norman. It’s a little rusty.” She cast a look over at Gabriel, who was still watching her. “Perhaps Mr. Tattershall could show you how it’s done. He’s had a lot of practice.”

  Gabriel arched an eyebrow, a slight smile twitching at his mouth. Norman looked bewildered. Emily cleared her throat and grabbed Cassandra’s arm.

  “We’d better be going. We agreed this would be brief.” She started to drag Cassandra towards the door. “We’ll see you at the funeral, Norman. And I’ll come by again when Cassie’s unavailable.”

  Cassandra started to protest, only for Emily to push her out of the room. Her friend shut the door abruptly and glowered at her.

  “Did you have to do that?”

  “What?”

  “Make a comment like that. You’re just adding fuel to a fire.”

  “At this point in time, I’m not even sure I care.”

  But Emily did have a right to be concerned. Cassandra could be outspoken, but she had never spoken like that. It was shocking, even by her standards. She would need to take a moment to calm down, and Cassandra wasn’t even sure she could be calm. Not when whatever was sizzling in the air between her and Gabriel was still there and was incredibly strong.

  Cassandra turned away from her friend and hurried towards the stairs. She needed a breath of air, just to get some part of her composure back.

  #

  Gabriel stared after Cassandra as she and Emily Barrington hurried out into the hall, the door shutting hard behind them. Her spirit was still there, but she was jittery. Something was off about her, like someone had given her bad news and she was trying to keep on an even keel. Women were known to be unpredictable at times, and Cassandra fell into that category, but this was out of character - even for her.

  He had wanted to go after her, to see if she was all right, but decided against it. Cassandra would certainly push her away, and Gabriel didn’t want to get in another argument. He enjoyed their verbal jousting, but it was getting a little too much.

  What was wrong with just talking to her? Seeing the woman when she let her guard down? Gabriel wanted that. A lot.

  “Gabriel?”

  “Hmm?”

  Gabriel blinked and turned. Norman was now staring at him with a dark frown. Gabriel hadn’t realised that he had drifted away. The moment Cassandra had walked into the room, all other thoughts had left his head.

  “Norman?”

  “I said, are you sure you should be doing this?” Norman folded his arms. “You’re getting too close.”

  “I’m not. I’m fine.”

  Gabriel bit back a flinch. That sounded hollow, even to him. Norman snorted.

  “I don’t believe that.”

  Gabriel didn’t care what Norman thought anymore. He knew what he wanted, and it was going to happen. His feelings were not meant to be a part of this, and they wouldn’t. Once he had Montgomery’s as his, Gabriel could get on with being a business owner and not have to worry about Cassandra Seton anymore.

  He was such a liar.

  Picking up his cane, which had been leaning against Norman’s desk, Gabriel headed towards the door.

  “I think I’d better go and sort things out at home. I spend too much time in town.”

  “Don’t forget you need to be here later in the week to sign the agreement,” Norman called after him.

  Gabriel simply waved over his shoulder as he let himself out. He would be there, and he would sign that agreement. Then this place would be his and Gabriel would turn it into something more successful. His father had mentioned before, years ago, that Gabriel had a good head for business and could easily manage whatever he put his mind to, and he was going to do just that. Maybe, just maybe, that would make his father proud of him.

  Collecting his hat and cloak from the footman in the
lobby, Gabriel then decided to head through the back of the establishment before he went to find a carriage to take him back to the cottage. The street was getting busier, and Gabriel didn’t want to deal with the crowds right now.

  Especially after hearing that Jessica Gibson had caused a scene the day before. Several whispers were already going around that Gabriel hadn’t stopped his rakish ways and was with another mistress. A woman who sounded very much like Cassandra.

  Lust collected in his gut. God, he would love to have Cassandra as his mistress. Naked in his bed. But it wouldn’t stop at just that. He would want her for more than that. Cassandra deserved better. So much better than just a bed-partner.

  Which was why she was a good choice for his brother - even if Gabriel’s stomach felt like he was carrying a lead weight.

  He couldn’t have her. His feelings had to be because he wasn’t able to have her. She was a respectable young woman, albeit a little below his family’s station, and he was a disowned son of a viscount. Even if he managed to make amends with his father, he wouldn’t go back to his original status. He had nothing to offer her, and his past would always catch up to them. Gabriel didn’t want that for Cassandra.

  He needed to get his head on straight. No going off-kilter because of a woman. That wouldn’t do at all.

  Gabriel stepped out into the back yard. It was a quiet alleyway, and he could easily slip down the back streets to where he could hail a cab. No one would accost him by then, hopefully.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Gabriel turned. Cassandra stepped away from the wall, staring at him with a glare that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. God, she looked stunning when she was all fired up.

  “Miss Seton. I thought you’d gone.”

  “I’ll join Miss Barrington in a moment.” Cassandra’s voice was clipped. “Now answer my question.”

  Gabriel took a moment to collect himself. His heart was racing, and he was aware of how tight his trousers were. No woman had made him react like this, much less put him on the back foot. Gabriel needed to get that control back or he was screwed. He would not let Cassandra win.

  No woman won.

  “I’m visiting a friend. That’s all.”

  “Friend.” Cassandra scoffed. “Norman Montgomery is your friend?”

  “Doesn’t he deserve a friend at this time?”

  “That’s not the point. I’ve heard a rumour that Norman has decided to sell, and he has potential several buyers.” Her eyes narrowed, “One of them is you.”

  Gabriel was sure the rumours would be circulating, but Norman kept his cards close to his chest. He knew that his friend had entertained all the potential buyers, but he had already made up his mind.

  “I thought you didn’t listen to rumours.”

  “I have to when I need to. That doesn’t mean I’m comfortable with it.”

  “Touché.” Gabriel leaned on his cane, hoping that his expression wasn’t giving anything away. God, this woman was far too clever.

  “Why would I try and buy Montgomery’s? I haven’t got any money.”

  Cassandra’s lip curled and she shook her head.

  “You may have been cut off from your family, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have money of your own.”

  “And put all the money I have for the rest of my life into a gambling hall? I may have done some stupid things in the past, Miss Seton, but even I won’t do that. Montgomery and I are simply friends.”

  Including the fact that by the time he was cut off, Gabriel had no money of his own. What he received at the time his father threw him out of the family was it. And he’d had to learn very quickly how to spend wisely and get what he needed, not what he wanted. It had been a very harsh lesson, one that Gabriel hadn’t taken lightly. Getting thrown out of what you had known for so long was not something anyone took lightly, and it certainly wasn’t good for anyone.

  If Gabriel could turn back time, he certainly would. Then again, he might not have come into contact with Cassandra. Who right now clearly didn’t believe what he was saying, if her expression was anything to go by.

  Beautiful, stubborn and hard-headed. It was like a female version of him.

  “Have you ever given an honest answer to anything?” Cassandra demanded.

  “Have you ever been able to see things clearly?” Gabriel countered. He moved towards her, silently applauding her for not moving back. “Sometimes, the world isn’t black and white.”

  “Is it not?” Cassandra challenged. Her jaw tightened. “And I see things clearly. You’re trying to buy the place. What I don’t understand is why you keep coming to Seton Hall. Are you planning on buying Father out as well? Because he won’t sell.”

  “I don’t want Seton Hall.” Maybe in the future, but not yet. Gabriel shifted closer. “I’m just curious.”

  Right now, he was close enough to smell the subtle scent Cassandra had on. And it filled his nostrils to the point it made him lightheaded. It was a beautiful fragrance. Gabriel had not paid attention to fragrances on women before unless complimenting them to make them swoon, but this time he really noticed. And it suited Cassandra. Just the right amount without being overbearing.

  The woman before him seemed to be more overbearing than the perfume.

  “Curious?” Cassandra rolled her eyes. “A former gambler and philanderer is curious about Seton Hall? You have no business with us unless you were trying to find out something about us.”

  Gabriel felt a prickling of awareness down his back. He was right not to have tried to seduce her himself. Cassandra would have cottoned on to what he was up to immediately. He did his best not to look away as Cassandra glared at him. Who could withstand a look like that? He certainly couldn’t.

  It was just more arousing than he anticipated.

  “What would I be trying to find out, Miss Seton?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Cassandra jabbed a finger at him, prodding him in the chest, “But I don’t want you coming near us.”

  If she had kept herself aloof, Gabriel might have been able to keep his composure. But she had touched him, and this close he could see how large her pupils were. The attraction was there, no doubt about it, and Cassandra seemed to be furious about it.

  Gabriel grabbed her wrist, which had Cassandra gasping as she froze. But she didn’t pull her hand away. Gabriel kept her gloved hand pressed against his chest. She had to feel how fast his heart was going right now.

  “I don’t think you’ve got a choice in that, Miss Seton,” he said quietly. “I can do what I want.”

  “Not with me, you can’t.”

  Even as she said it, Gabriel was aware that she didn’t pull away. Her hand actually flexed against his chest, and that almost made Gabriel’s heart stop. He had only touched her twice, and that had been enough to set Gabriel on fire. This time, it was a slow burn that was beginning to build. Cassandra just turned his body into knots and refused to let him go, and she didn’t even know she was doing it.

  But Gabriel had to remember who he was to her. And who she was. She was meant to be courting Percy. They had barely started out and already Gabriel wanted to kiss Cassandra until she was breathless. And then kiss her again. That was not the plan. And yet Gabriel couldn’t stop thinking about it.