She need not say more. Cassandra had quickly learned in the marriage mart, although populated by the best of society, the behavior at times was anything but polite. “I confess I am rather fatigued from all the amusements. How do you do this every day?”
Marissa shrugged. “You adapt, plus you have plenty of time to rest after the Season comes to a close.”
Cassandra nodded absentmindedly. “Perhaps.”
“So tell me. Are you going to say yes to James when he finally comes up to scratch, verbally that is?”
“What do you mean?” Cassandra frowned in confusion.
“James has all but made the formal announcement that he plans to offer for you.”
“How so?”
“Silly, he pays attention only to you when you attend the same amusements, which is telling in and of itself. James never attends balls if he can help it. He's been to a record number of them this Season. All the hostesses are beside themselves with rapture at having him attend their parties.”
Cassandra laughed. “Surely you jest?”
“Not at all.” She sipped her tea. “It has been noticed and remarked on that he has only danced with you.”
“And?”
“And when a man does this, it normally means he is spoken for.” Marissa smiled. “He is quite smitten with you.”
Cassandra blushed. “As am I.”
“So let's hope he offers for you soon so we can begin planning the wedding of the Season.”
“Yes, let's hope.” Cassandra ignored the small twinge of disquiet and nerves every time she thought of marrying her duke.
* * * *
Nails bit into Sara's palms as she eavesdropped on her cousin. The duke should have been dancing attendance on her, not the snotty cousin she hated. Hated for more reasons than the fact she pulled James's attention from herself.
Well, all of the good will society felt for Cassandra would come to an end tonight if she had anything to say about it. Society did not forgive the smallest indiscretion and although the duke was smitten with the novelty of Cassandra, she felt confident that any scandalous behavior on her part would cause His Grace to part ways. Then Sara could finally take her rightful and expected place by his side.
Thankfully she had the perfect pawn. No one would connect her to Viscount Bainbridge, and since he was already head over heels with Cassandra it was almost too easy to plant the few suggestions needed to convince him to help her with her goal of becoming duchess.
Sara smiled as she carefully made her way up the stairs. It was time to get ready for her big night. Now, what should she wear for the amusements about to take place?
* * * *
The queue of carriages wound its way blocks from the Clairmont's doorstep. This meant the evening would be a crush. Cassandra, not for the first time, wished she could have stayed in. She couldn't explain why a sense of foreboding hung over her. It was as if her guardian fairies were tired of easing her way.
Eventually their coach arrived at the imposing townhouse. She glanced out the window to see James standing there waiting for her, alongside Marissa and her husband.
James was so handsome in his evening black, and her heart pounded faster with a combination of attraction and excitement. She was totally in love with the man, which became more and more apparent as she spent time with him. She hated when they had to be apart, and she longed for the private moments they tried to steal when together.
These moments, the stolen kisses and gentle caresses, left her blood burning within her veins. She wanted to experience the full range of the passion and arousal James and only James could bring to life. But, they would have to wait before James would take things further. He'd made it very plain he would do nothing to compromise her.
The night before, he had waltzed her out into their host's garden and kissed and touched her until she thought she would melt. She wanted to crawl up his body and wrap herself around him. A most unladylike thought, and then she compounded it by speaking those words aloud. James laughed and said he wanted the same. Soon.
A footman helped her to alight, and James was there to take her arm. He guided her through the throng of people and the receiving line. At the earliest opportunity, he led her out to the garden as was his custom so they could talk quietly.
“You look beautiful, my love.” He placed a lingering kiss on the back of her hand.
The heat of his kiss shot straight to her heart. And the words. This was the first time he had ever called her love. “Do you mean that?”
“What, that you are beautiful?”
“No, that I'm your love?”
James smiled at her with such tenderness her eyes began to well with tears. “Yes, Cassandra.” He pulled her closer, enough that her breasts brushed his chest. “I have loved you since the night I heard you wishing on stars.” He brushed a tendril of hair off her cheek. “I want to marry you and make babies with you. I want you to teach me to believe in fairies and magic. Will you please put me out of my misery and become my wife?”
Wife. He asked her to be his wife, not duchess. Tears filled her eyes and tracked down her face as she nodded. “Yes, oh James, yes. I want that, nothing more.”
James laughed and picked her up, swinging her around in a circle as he held her close to his chest. “I love you, Cassandra. Forever.”
“I love you.”
James set her back on her feet and kissed her. It was a hungry embrace, and she thrilled that she could affect this controlled man so. The moment their lips touched, he seemed to lose himself to her.
He held her head reverently with both hands, so he could kiss her deep, and slowly. Their tongues rubbed together, each tasting the other, savoring the feel of the velvet touch of lips and the mingling of their breath.
James pulled back first. “One of these days, we are going to shock society with our public displays of affection.”
Cassandra smiled. “Yes, imagine a duke wanting to kiss his wife. The horrors of it all.” She laughed at his teasing frown.
“Why you little minx.” James kissed her forehead. “When would you like to set the date?”
Suddenly an icy chill gripped her. What was she thinking? A duke's wedding would be all pomp and ceremony. A large opportunity to make a total cake of herself, or worse, make James ashamed of her.
“Now, stop that!” James gently nudged her lower lip away from her teeth. “Do you realize you nibble on your lower lip when you are vexed or worried? No, well, no matter, you do. Now our wedding will be as grand as you want it and,"—he leaned closer and whispered against her mouth—"I will not be embarrassed by anything you could do. I love you and you, my lady, are perfect just as you are.”
The words were exactly what she needed to hear, and the sincerity of them shined in his eyes. “I would like to make the announcement and post the banns. I cannot wait to make you my wife and finally have a reason not to stop kissing you.”
“I want that, too.” Cassandra realized as the words left her mouth that she meant them. She was ready to commit herself to James.
“Very good.” He placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Shall we return to the festivities?”
“If we must,” Cassandra grumbled. “May I ask a boon of you?”
“Anything.”
“Well, once we are married, must we accept every invitation we receive?”
James chuckled. “Ah, a lady after my own heart.” He squeezed her fingers. “No, we can be regular hermits if you wish.”
“Oh, I would like that. Staying in and not having to dress, perhaps cuddling while I read aloud Miss Austen's latest.”
“I want nothing more.”
Within moments of stepping into the ballroom, Sara detached herself from a small group of women. She looked as if she were weeping. “Cassandra. There you are.”
Cassandra looked at James and shrugged. This was the first time Sara ever approached her at one of these outings. Perhaps she was finally coming around.
“Whatever
is wrong?” Cassandra asked as Sara moved closer.
“Could you excuse us, Your Grace? I do not mean to be rude, but I would like a word with my cousin,” Sara asked in a trembling voice.
“Of course.” James placed a kiss on Cassandra's gloved hand. “I will see you in a little bit. I plan on taking care of that announcement we were talking about earlier.”
“What is wrong, Sara?”
Sara looked around. “I would prefer to talk about this in private.”
“Of course.” Cassandra followed Sara out of the ballroom and they entered a small parlor. “Whatever is wrong?”
“I am sorry I had to interrupt you and His Grace. I cannot believe how happy you both look.”
“Oh, Sara. He loves me. He asked me to marry him tonight.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Cassandra smiled and changed the subject. She felt bad for sharing her good news when her cousin was clearly so upset. “What has you so sad?”
Sara looked confused. “What? Oh it is really nothing. I overheard Earl of Marchand has offered for Emma Sinclair. You know how I had hopes he would come to scratch.”
Cassandra remembered no such thing, but decided to go along. “I am so sorry, Sara. But look, the Season is not even half over. I am sure you will find the perfect match.”
Sara wiped her eyes and smiled. “Of course. What was I thinking? Come, let us return you to your duke.”
Cassandra nodded her agreement and once again followed her cousin back to the party. It only took a moment to find Marissa and before Sara went to find her friends she said, “Thank you for listening, cousin.”
Marissa watched as Sara left. “What was that all about?”
Cassandra shrugged. “She had a bit of a disappointment and needed a friend.”
“No offense, Cassandra, but why would she talk to you? She has made it perfectly clear she dislikes you.”
“I do not know.” Cassandra frowned in thought before she turned her attention to the news she wanted to share with her friend. “James asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”
Marissa squealed with excitement. “Oh, Cassie, I am thrilled.”
The two set about discussing the various things they would need to worry about when it came to planning the big day.
When the first waltz began, Cassandra looked around to see if James was on his way to collect her as was his custom. She couldn't see him and began to worry.
Sara melted out of the crowd and smiled before she whispered, “His Grace would like for you to meet him where we had our little talk.”
Something didn't feel right. Why would James send Sara to get her? “Are you sure?”
“Cassandra. Really! I know we have not been the closest of cousins, but you are hurting my feelings.”
“I am sorry, Sara.” Cassandra offered a smile. “That was unfair. Thank you for giving me the message.”
Cassandra excused herself and made her way back to the dark room. She cracked the door open and slipped through the narrow opening.
The muted sounds of the ball drifted on the air and a chill wrapped itself around her. “James?”
There was no answer, and she moved farther into the room. “James, are you here?”
Silence greeted her. She spun on her heel and slammed into a hard chest.
“Where do you think you are going?” A gruff voice asked as a hand covered her mouth. “Do not scream, do you understand?”
Cassandra nodded. Who was this person, and why was he here and James not? The thought barely managed to dance through her mind when the door slammed open behind her.
“Take your hands off my fiancée,” James roared.
James leapt over the sofa and pulled Cassandra out of the arms of her captor. She wrapped her arms around James's waist and buried her head in his chest.
“Sara told me you were here waiting for me.” She shook when she heard other voices in the room. She had become compromised and now James would set her aside.
“Shh, Cassandra.” James tenderly cupped her head. “You are not at fault.”
“Cassandra, what on earth are you doing here?” Sara asked with mock concern. “Are you unhurt?”
Everyone started to talk at once. Cassandra realized in that moment that her cousin had meant for her to be found in a compromising situation. Her own family would go to such lengths to see her ruined?
She pulled away from James's embrace and faced her cousin. “Why, Sara? How could you do this to me?”
“Why?” she spat. “Because you took what was to be mine. You ruined everything. You do not belong in our world.”
Cassandra swallowed hard and looked her cousin in her eyes. “I am sorry you feel that way, Sara. I had hoped we could be friends, but you have gone out of your way to prove your heart is false. I pity you.” Without looking back, Cassandra walked away from her cousin and the heartache of not fitting in.
Marissa waited for her at the door. “Come, you can stay with us tonight.”
Cassandra left with her head held high. She heard the whispers, but thank God they weren't about her situation, but rather for the scheming of her cousin.
They left the ball and Cassandra sighed. For the first time since she came to England, she felt free. She had just skirted the worst situation possible and came away unruffled.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. And then smiled when she heard the beloved voice behind her.
From behind her, James asked, “Are you unhurt?”
She turned and faced him. “Yes. I am so sorry—”
“Shh.” James placed a stilling finger on her lips. “You have no cause to be sorry. You are not in trouble.”
“By all appearances I was, I will admit.”
“I know your heart, Cassandra. You would never play me false.”
“No, never.” Cassandra smiled. “Thank you for believing in me and not in what you saw.”
“I have to say how much I love you.”
“I love you, too. So very much.”
“You know the night I met you, I had made my own wish.”
“You did?” Cassandra smiled. “You do not look like the sort who often sends wishes heavenward.”
“I am not. That is what makes this wish most shocking and surprising.”
“Well,” she asked with a smile in her voice, “do not leave me waiting. What did you wish for?”
“You.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her with more passion than ever before. “I wished for you. And everyone knows that wishes made in the month of April always come true.”
Cassandra smiled against his lips. “Yes, yes they do.
[Back to Table of Contents]
* * *
Praise for
Highland Press Books!
“Ah, the memories that Operation: L.O.V.E. brings to mind. As an Air Force nurse who married an Air Force fighter pilot, I relived the days of glory through each and every story. While covering all the military branches, each story holds a special spark of its own that readers will love!
~ Lori Avocato, Best Selling Author
* * * *
In Fate of Camelot, Cynthia Breeding develops the Arthur-Lancelot-Gwenhwyfar relationship. In many Arthurian tales, Guinevere is a rather flat character. Cynthia Breeding gives her a depth of character as the reader sees both her love for Lancelot and her devotion to the realm as its queen. The reader feels the pull she experiences between both men. In addition, the reader feels more of the deep friendship between Arthur and Lancelot seen in Malory's Arthurian tales. In this area, Cynthia Breeding is more faithful to the medieval Arthurian tradition than a glamorized Hollywood version. She does not gloss over the difficulties of Gwenhwyfar's role as queen and as woman, but rather develops them to give the reader a vision of a woman who lives her role as queen and lover with all that she is.
~ Merri, Merrimon Books
* * * *
Rape of the Soul—Ms. Thompson's characters are unforgettable. Deep, promising an
d suspenseful this story was. I did have a little trouble getting into the book at first, but as I pushed on, I found that I couldn't put it down. Around every corner was something that you didn't know was going to happen. If you love a sense of history in a book, then I suggest reading this book!
~ Ruth Schaller, Paranormal Romance Reviews
* * * *
Southern Fried Trouble—Katherine Deauxville is at the top of her form with mayhem, sizzle and murder.
~ Nan Ryan, NY Times bestselling author
* * * *
Madrigal: A Novel of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera takes place four years after the events of the original novel. Although I have not read Leroux's novel, I can see how Madrigal captures the feel of the story very well. The classic novel aside, this book is a wonderful historical tale of life, love, and choices. However, the most impressive aspect that stands out to me is the writing. Ms. Linforth's prose is phenomenally beautiful and hauntingly breathtaking.
~ Bonnie-Lass, Coffee Time Romance
* * * *
Cave of Terror—Highly entertaining and fun, Cave of Terror was impossible to put down. Though at times dark and evil, Ms. Bell never failed to inject some light-hearted humor into the story. Delightfully funny with a true sense of teenagers, Cheyenne's character will appeal to many girls of that age. She is believable and her emotional struggles are on par with most teens. I found this to be an easy read; the author gave just enough background to understand the workings of her vampires without boring the reader. I truly enjoyed the male characters, Ryan and Constantine. Ryan was adorable and a teenager's dream. Constantine was deliciously dark. I look forward to reading more by this talented author. Ms. Bell has done an admirable job of telling a story suitable for young adults.
~ Dawnie, Fallen Angel Reviews
* * * *
The Sense of Honor—Ashley Kath-Bilsky has written an historical romance of the highest caliber. This reviewer was fesseled to the pages, fell in love with the hero and was cheering for the heroine all the way through. The plot is exciting and moves along at a good pace. The characters are multi-dimensional and the secondary characters bring life to the story. Sexual tension rages through this story and Ms. Kath-Bilsky gives her readers a breath-taking romance. The love scenes are sensual and very romantic. This reviewer was very pleased with how the author handled all the secrets. Sometimes it can be very frustrating for the reader when secrets keep tearing the main characters apart, but in this case, those secrets seem to bring them more together and both characters reacted very maturely when the secrets finally came to light. This reviewer is hoping that this very talented author will have another book out very soon.
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