by Julia Donner
He reverted to his former mien of disinterested nonchalance. “No one will ever know that I’ve been here, Cass. At present everyone is out on the south lawn. You can’t see it from here, but I had a tent erected and hired musicians. My guests are eating their heads off and are very nearly inebriated, the lot of ‘em, on champagne punch.”
“As host, isn’t it your place to be with them?”
He waved a negligent hand and stopped to study his manicure. “They didn’t notice me leaving. My size doesn’t lend itself to cavorting, and I’m an indifferent cricketer.”
She couldn’t explain it, but his lack of response to her hot reply seemed to cool her defensive anger. “How is Rufus?”
“Farnsby very neatly stitched up that unfortunate gash. You’re welcome to ride Andronicus whenever you choose. Have a care near hedges and high fences. His only provoking vice is trying to rub his rider out of the saddle when he feels it’s time to return to the stable. He thinks he’s being subtle but he’s as obvious as a poke in the eye. He twitches his right ear whenever he’s about to do something particularly vile.”
She laughed, which encouraged him to tell more amusing horse stories, ending up with more of the black’s playful tricks. Cassandra was in heaven, listening and talking about her favorite subject. By the time he finished telling about Andronicus she itched to get on the crafty hunter’s back.
“He sounds a treat, Ravenswold! I cannot bear a dullard for a mount and see nothing wrong with a little deviltry now and then. Makes for fun, you know.”
“That’s why I’ve kept him on, eating his head off and doing nothing but flirting with the mares.”
Cassandra watched him as he became thoughtful and silent. He loved horses as much as she did and shared her appreciation of their distinct personalities.
He startled her from her thoughts when he spoke again. “I’ve recently made another acquisition to my stables. Another stud. I should like to have your opinion, if you would be so kind.”
“I would be honored,” she replied, realizing that they’d been spending the last minutes in a very comfortable way. She wanted to believe he enjoyed talking about horses and hadn’t done so just to please her. With a start of surprise, Cassandra realized that she wouldn’t welcome Tessa’s return. She liked having Ravenswold all to herself. She withdrew, sensing the growing attachment.
“My lord, will not your guests be remarking on your absence by this time?”
“Perhaps. Don’t worry about the servants gossiping. They’ll say nothing about this visit. They would sooner rip the tongues from their heads.”
“I have noticed that they’re very protective and genuinely fond of you.”
He absentmindedly replied, “Yes, they’ve always been.”
“I heard that the Fethertons have been frequent visitors.” An evil genie prompted her to ask, trying not to sound too interested, “Are they here today?”
Rave snapped to attention, pulling his gaze from his fascinated inspection of her bared right foot instep that peeked through the folds of the lap robe.
“Fetherton? Yes. Of course, they’re here. They’re neighbors. Their two girls are out. Leticia is the eldest and quite the most courted girl in the district. Known her since she was in leading strings. She’s a rather pretty girl but talks the most nonsensical drivel.”
“Oh?” Cassandra purred, stretching to find a comfy position. “And what might that drivel be? I’m only curious because there is nothing to occupy my time.”
“Oh, nothing much, actually. Miss Fetherton speaks of the usual female chatter—clothes, gossip. Although, she did ask Harry the most amusing question about you.”
Rising to the bait, as he knew she would, Cassandra asked, “And what was that?”
“Something about your illness. She has the oddest notion, being seventeen and so innocent, that you’re an elderly spinster. I later caught up with her to explain that you are only eight-and-twenty—“
“Twenty-one!”
“I do beg your pardon, one-and-twenty, and scarcely a quiz. Poor child, she also seemed to think that you must be ugly for some obscure reason. She tried to explain, but for the life of me, I couldn’t begin to comprehend how she could think of you as old and unattractive.”
“She does, does she?” Cassandra whispered.
“And something about you being no serious threat. I can’t recall exactly how she phrased it. You know how these sweet, young things are, always getting odd notions into their pretty heads. Imagine that. You, an old maid. Ah, yes, that’s what she said. An old maid. She did feel wretchedly sorry for you.”
Rave coughed to stifle a laugh. Cassandra’s complexion had gone from pale to rosy rage. Her feline eyes squinted with dangerous intent. Having thoroughly enjoyed fanning the flames, he decided to throw on the gunpowder.
He molded his face into a solemn expression. “Dear, kind-hearted Letty. I call Leticia that, you know. She also has some maggot in her head about you being sickly, which could be explained by your absence due to illness and injury. She’s somehow developed the notion that you must be backward as well as old. She asked if Lady Duncan is forced to hide you away everywhere she goes.”
Low and lethal, she asked, “Hide me?”
“I expect someone has mentioned how you’re never seen when in town. Her assumption that Lady Duncan must hide you away out of embarrassment would be the next logical mental step. Her compassion is quite refreshing and commendable, don’t you think? So many girls today have no sensibility for the less fortunate.”
When Cassandra’s only response was a sizzling glare, Rave smiled and shook his head. “I expect that I should’ve reassured the poor dear that you’re nothing of the sort, and eased her worried heart, but somehow, I never had the chance. I was distracted, you see, by a perfect tear, shimmering like a diamond on her lower lash. Her eyes are so very lovely! Charming child. I know she’ll be vastly relieved to see that you aren’t at all ugly and decrepit when she finally meets you. And you looked quite presentable at Lindy’s soirée. Miss Cassandra, are you attending me?”
“Sickly,” Cassandra whispered. “Old and backward?”
The invalid whipped back the robe from her purportedly injured member, momentarily delighting Rave with the exposure of her long limbs.
She jumped to her feet with a snarl. “I’ll sort out that viperous little ninny. Call me a spinster, will she?”
Cassandra began to pace while she ranted. Rave’s head moved from side to side, following her fulminating stride on an ankle that appeared not in the least strained by such hard usage. He realized that he needed to replace his delight with concern.
He stood to enhance his shocked protest. “Your ankle, Miss Cassandra!”
“Bother the ankle! I am fully restored. If you’ll wait until I’ve dressed, you can escort me to her. I’ll show that busybodying, vicious-mouthed chit just how decrepit I am!”
Cassandra sailed off toward the bedchamber but halted at the doorway. She slowly pivoted, her amber eyes glittering and her lush mouth a thin line of determination. “No, I’ve changed my mind. Thank you for your concern, Rave, but I don’t think that I shall be fully recovered until the ball. You understand, of course. I’ll need more rest before all that dancing.”
“Certainly,” he replied, uncaring that he was being completely ignored. Her mind was on revenge; that he understood.
“Yes,” she whispered, a feverish gleam in her eyes. “What it wants is an entrance. That will stop her odious, wagging tongue and make her look the fool. Make fun of me, will she? And when I’m not there to defend myself. We’ll just see about that!”
The bedchamber door slammed shut, rattling the hinges. Rave smirked, not in the least offended that Cass had long since forgotten his presence. He sauntered to the door, opening it just as Tessa came through with a small tray. He winked at her, confirming the success of their conspiracy. She bobbed a curtsy as he went by. Tessart was a saucy baggage, but when she came under his employ she
would get a generous wage increase.
Rave tucked his fingers into shallow vest pockets. He whistled a merry tune through his teeth as he strolled down the stairs to join his frolicking guests. He felt no guilt over the fact he’d thrown a young maiden into the waiting maw of an enraged tiger. He’d always considered Letty a mean little snip and the rest of the Fethertons encroaching and ill-bred, but one couldn’t exclude them from the guest list. Border neighbors served a purpose.
He wondered what his tigress had planned. He suspected his Cass would be subtle and thorough. When they were married, his snarling cat would have no problem keeping tedious neighbors at a distance.
Rave laughed, nodding to a smiling Nettlechope, as he went outside to the lawn party. Perhaps a ball wouldn’t be so boring after all.
Chapter 21
Cassandra prepared for the dinner and ball in a state of nervous excitement that she’d never felt before. Unable to calm her racing pulse, she found blessed distraction by way of an unexpected delivery.
While Tessa arranged her hair, a note arrived by the simple method of sliding the envelope under the sitting room door. Tessa answered the knock, found the hallway empty and the note on the floor under her shoe.
Cassandra recognized the handwriting and sent Tessa on an errand. She broke the seal the moment she heard the outer door close and scanned the note from Asterly. He wanted to meet and talk where they wouldn’t be overheard, possibly somewhere in the park. When he thought it could be safely done without causing suspicion, he would approach her this evening to settle the arrangements.
Cassandra crumpled the note in her fist. She considered the contents for a few moments then went to toss the note into the fireplace, watching until it writhed into ashes. She got back to her seat before Tessa returned, following in Lady Duncan’s wake.
“I have something to say to you, midget.”
“If you wouldn’t mind, Aunt Jane, Tessa will continue with my hair.”
“Certainly not. A very creditable job she does for a country girl.”
This was as close to a compliment that Tessa had ever heard Lady Duncan send her way. Momentarily bewildered, Tessa bobbed a curtsy and went back dressing Cassandra’s heavy hair into a simple braided knot. Paste diamond clips waited on the vanity table for strategic placement.
Cassandra noticed that her aunt appeared to be in one of her rare moods of condescension, a frame of mind that bordered on the daring edge of openly expressed affection. She’d always found this seldom seen aspect of her aunt’s stoic personality fascinating and watched in the mirror as her aunt marched to a chair. The magenta folds of her voluminous taffeta gown swished in the silence. She set her reticule, quizzing glass and fan on a side table and grandly sat. Her new dresser, Finch, exerted a controlling influence over her aunt’s startling notion of style. The turban on her aunt’s frizzled head was smaller than usual and held in place by a square-shaped garnet brooch. The effect was sedate for Aunt Jane, almost normal.
“As I said, I must have words with you, midget. We are, neither of us, stupid. Tonight means a very great deal to both of us. Tessart, are you quite finished with that horrendous thatch of hair?”
“Yes, your ladyship!”
“I approve the use of the diamond clips, but they shall have to be removed. They are quite obviously paste. Go to my rooms. Tell Finch to show you my collection. Take what you will to replace the paste. Finch will give you a box to bring to me.”
Lady Duncan waited for the door to close behind Tessa before she continued. “To begin, I have ever been dismayed by the sad events of your life, Cassandra. Your parents treated you abominably! They conveniently forgot about you in Devonshire, while they stole your inheritance and comported themselves with shameless abandonment and shocking waste.”
“Aunt, I must disagree. I loved my childhood. It was quite the best time of my life.”
“I am not astonished to hear you say it. Your reprehensible parents were absent, which must have made for a pleasant interlude. The only time they had for you was when you came of age. Then, they made sure to present you in the best possible light in order to sell you to the highest bidder. Although, I see nothing wrong with marrying to one’s best advantage. That is only common sense, but Beason was a toad and a scoundrel. Worse than all else, a Cit!”
Lady Duncan drilled Cassandra with a glare of reproach. “Your mother, my most lamentable sister, was hopelessly lacking in any particles of brain. She would insist upon eloping with her cousin twice removed, when Father had an ideal match arranged.”
“I never knew that about Mama and Papa.”
“Your father was another reckless individual. Edward did have some sense of respectability, but he had neither the courage or resolve to stick to his course and refused to keep your mother in line.”
Heart-heavy, Cassandra idly twirled a rouge pot. After all that had happened, she still felt obliged to defend him. “He had a good heart.”
“High ideals are useless if not practiced with regularity. But that is all in the past. It is now time for you to take your rightful place in the world.”
Taffeta crackled when Lady Duncan thoughtfully smoothed the folds of material on her lap. “Cassandra, I may seem completely lacking in sensibility, but I assure you I do not entirely subsist of grit and stone. I know you think me hard and unforgiving, but I am not. I have always known the measure of your heart.”
“I believe you do, Aunt Jane.”
“Then hear me out and consider my words. Tonight, Ravenswold will make an offer. Listen to him with patience and consideration, I pray. He is an altogether unexceptionable parti. He is high-minded and amiable. More than that, he loves you to distraction, and you know it! You’ve played upon it shamelessly, and I don’t wonder that he hasn’t thrown you out for your behavior!”
“Yes, Aunt Jane, you are right.”
“I am usually right. And another word of advice: I would not cross him. There is something rather cunning about his eyes, and—Ah, here is Tessart. You took your time about it, girl. No-no-no, hand her the box, imbecile! It is for my niece!”
Tessa placed the oblong ebony box on the vanity table. Cassandra opened the lid. She stared down at the jewels sparkling on dark-blue velvet, bereft of breath and speech.
“Yes, midget, Great-grandmama’s diamonds. You may remember them?”
“The Seyton lavaliere! Aunt Jane, where did you find it?”
“Bought it off your rackety father before he could pawn the stones and on the condition that he use it to pay for your education and dowry. Florinda squandered the rest on herself and your come-out clothes. Those skimpy emeralds are a shabby legacy. These will do very nicely with the gold gown.”
“Aunt Jane, I’m unmarried and too young to wear this many jewels. The diamonds would go well with what you are wearing this evening.”
“Nonsense. I am far and away too old for flashy gear. Can’t tolerate the sight of an antiquated hag tricked out in jewels made for younger shoulders and hands. The gown, Tessart, you stupid girl! Why do you stand there forever gaping like a fish out of water? We are ready for the gown!”
“Yes, your ladyship!”
Tessa rushed into the dressing room. She came out carrying the gold gown draped over her arms. She helped Cassandra into the gleaming satin and laced up the back under the train.
Cassandra turned to the mirror and gasped. “Tessa, what have you done? My bosom is all but exposed!”
“Be quiet, Cassy,” Lady Duncan snapped. “Tessart made the alterations upon my instructions. Ample décolletage is all the rage.”
“Not for unmarried females!”
“Stop acting the prude. In Town they are wearing clothes so sheer that there is nothing left to the imagination. Sit down for the necklace, Cassandra. Oh, pick it up, Tessart! It will not bite you!”
The necklace Tessa reverently lifted from the box consisted of two strands of square-cut gems captured in finely wrought gold settings with a large teardrop pendant.
Cassandra inhaled when the cold, heavy weight settled on her bare shoulders and breasts. She stood and confronted the sparkling image in the long mirror.
Lady Duncan crowed a rusty cackle. “Lud, this will pop their eyes out!”
Cassandra turned away from the glittering, golden vision in the glass and looked down on her chortling aunt. “Why, Aunt Jane, you had this planned all along. Every bit of it, right down to the gown and necklace.”
“I shall not lie and tell you otherwise. Ravenswold is a most acceptable connection, and you’d better net him before that detestable Fetherton chit has the time to sink her claws any deeper. She’s been making very good use of your absence.”
For once, Lady Duncan didn’t hide her gratified amusement. Cassandra turned back to the mirror, noting that her eyes had darkened with intent. She added a militant spark to her gaze and bearing. Satisfied, she twisted, angling her head to inspect and touch her hair.
“Aunt Jane, allow your heart to rest. The girl is an insect to be squashed, a petty challenge from which I shall not delope.”
“I never imagined that you would. You are a true Seyton, child. You have suffered greatly for no reasonable cause, and it is past time to show the world what the Seytons are made of. And now, I shall go down. Delay coming to my side to give them time to speculate. I shall prepare them and not let them go into dinner without you. And make use of Lady Groton-Wilde. She was a friend of your mother’s.”
After her aunt left, Cassandra paused and searched Tessa’s worried expression reflected in the glass. She turned to face her. “What is it, Tessa?”
“Oh, please say you’ll marry him, Cassy.”
She returned her attention back to the mirror. “I’d like to, but there are impediments.”
Tessa’s meaningful gaze met Cassandra’s in the mirror. “He won’t care about what happened.”
“Tessa, he’s not what you think. He will care. The man expects a virgin.”
The ugly memory crawled over her. She pushed away the image of Billy Hempstead. A touch on her arm brought her back to the present.