“When one retreats into the rear gardens,” Edward explained, “one could fool one’s self by believing they were deep in the country”
“That’s amazing.” The landscape reminded Cassie quite a lot of Hedgeway Park.
“Julian won’t even consider having a townhouse when we are so close”
A faint sound of barking caught Cassie’s attention. A female figure in white crossed the vast green stretch of grass. A long, flowing pink veil streamed from a narrow-brimmed straw hat which matched the pink bandeau of her dress. She could only be Lorna, the only sister of the Stewart brothers.
Lorna’s delicate laughter laced the air as she romped with Romeo. As soon as Romeo noticed his owner, he ran toward Cassie. Once receiving her greeting, he turned and dashed back down the lawn to his new playmate.
It took only Edward’s approach to bring a wider smile to his sister’s lips. “Good afternoon, Lorna”
“And to you, Edward” Lorna looked at Cassie with a hint of recognition. “Isn’t he adorable?” Lorna gushed, petting the brown and white terrier.
“Yes,” Edward acknowledged, his tone indifferent. “Quite the canine.” A polite smile graced his lips. “Lady Cassandra, may I introduce my sister Miss Lorna Stewart”
“Now, I remember you! Lady Cassandra!”
“You weren’t more than four or five when my father and I moved away,” Cassie said. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young lady.”
“I’ve just had my come out three weeks ago,” Lorna noted with pride. “I remember looking up to you so when I was little.”
“There is no need now. Both you lovely ladies will be the envy of London”
She and Lorna turned toward one another. Giggles erupted although Cassie tried her best to prevent the silliness from escaping.
Lorna turned to the terrier. “And who might this be?”
“That is Romeo” Cassie clapped her hands and he came running to her side.
“He is most delightful!” Lorna bent to pat him.
The butler appeared behind Edward. “I’m sorry to disturb you, sir.”
“What is it, Maxwell?”
“The squire wishes for me to remind you of your upcoming commitment” The butler’s face never hinted of an expression.
“Dash it all! That meeting with Farthington!” Edward slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. He turned toward the ladies and gave a rueful sigh. “It completely escaped me! Maxwell, have my horse brought ‘round front”-and he threw over his shoulder-“tell my brother I’ll be on my way presently”
“Very well, sir,” Maxwell acknowledged with the slightest inclination of his head. In a thrice he was gone.
“I am most frightfully sorry.” Edward took Cassie’s hand. “Although I might blame my lapse of memory on you” He smiled, exuding tremendous charm. “Your enchanting presence caused the entire matter to leave my mind completely. Julian becomes quite intolerable when it comes to business-won’t accept any excuses. I fear I must take leave of you both”
Edward bent over Cassie’s hand and stroked the smooth skin on the back of her hand with his thumb. It was too intimate a gesture, too soon.
“I promise to do my utmost to make amends at the ball tomorrow night for my premature departure toay.
“It will be such fun with you along,” Lorna gushed with exuberance.
“Where are we going?” This was the first Cassie had heard of any festivities.
“Lord and Lady Addison’s,” Lorna said with a great deal of excitement. “Oh, but you must come with us.”
“I don’t think I have anything appropriate to wear.”
“You must have something … I’ve got dozens of new gowns … you might …” Lorna trailed off and whatever thought might have crossed her mind at that moment was lost.
Edward glanced at the drab dress that hung loosely on Cassie with a quizzical eye that said that he was not quite sure what lay beneath. She could feel his attention linger on her for a longer period than she felt he needed.
“On second thought, I don’t think any of mine will do,” Lorna decided after a lengthy, measuring gaze.
Cassie’s wardrobe consisted only of an assortment of half-mourning dresses and a few dark-colored gowns.
“Well then, we must take you shopping,” Lorna announced. “You must have several dancing gownsand day dresses, morning gowns, and riding habits … and so much more. Also you’ll need all sorts of matching bonnets, slippers, and gloves.” She ran out of breath. “Of course, they all could not possibly be ready in time for tomorrow, but I’m sure we could manage to find you a gown or two. Oh, how I do adore shopping.”
“Much to our older brother’s dismay.” Edward’s gaze swung to his sister, looking at her from the corner of his eye. He chuckled. Turning to Cassie, he raised her hand for a final farewell before retreating toward the main house.
Edward traipsed over the gray pea-pebbled path with light steps as if airborne. Romeo followed at his heels with an occasional nip at his trouser leg. Edward frowned and glanced downward.
He shook his leg from the jaws of Cassie’s playful pet and mumbled an audible, “Mongrel” Halfway there, Edward spun in midair for a last look. He nodded at the ladies, sporting a captivating smile.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy” Lorna smiled. Edward disappeared into the back of the house. “I believe it is all due to you!”
“I’m sure I cannot take all the credit.” Cassie watched Romeo scamper from the house toward her. He slid to a halt and faced the mansion.
“Missy!” a shrill voice called out. “Miss-ssey!” it called even louder. The terrier’s ears swiveled forward, standing alert, waiting for someone to approach from the house.
Lorna did not answer but turned toward Cassie. “You’ll excuse Mrs. Upton’s manners, won’t you?” By the tone of Lorna’s voice Cassie surmised the two ladies shared a somewhat adversarial relationship. “She’s a bit unconventional for one in her position, but she has been with me for as long as I can remember.”
Mrs. Upton came through the door and approached the garden. She glanced downward, her lips moved as she cursed under her breath. Holding the hem of her skirt up to avoid touching the ground, she made her way to Lorna and Cassie.
“Lady Cassandra” Lorna turned to the older woman. “This is Mrs. Upton, my companion.”
“Not hardly-your governess more like,” Mrs. Upton corrected without missing a beat.
“Fustian, I’m too old for a governess,” the young miss snapped back. Romeo leaped up to remind Lorna of his omission from her proper introductions. “I’m sorry. This is Romeo, Lady Cassandra’s pet”
Mrs. Upton turned a cold eye toward the dog, ignoring him, and welcomed Cassie with a polite curtsy. “Very pleased to meet you, my lady. You are Mr. Edward’s intended, are you not?”
“I suppose … yes, I am” Cassie found Mrs. Upton’s address shocking to say the least. However, she could see how the friendly bantering between the pair of them kept Lorna amused.
“Mr. Edward is such a wonderful young man.” Mrs. Upton winked. “You are very fortunate. I believe he is a great favorite of the ladies,” she whispered from the corner of her mouth.
“I think there have been at least a dozen broken hearts since your betrothal announcement” Lorna sighed.
“That’s enough, young lady. We can gossip over our tea inside.” Mrs. Upton urged her toward the house. “Mrs. Green will have tea set up in the front parlor. We’d best not keep her waiting” Mrs. Upton trailed behind with her skirts in hand and called out to quicken the pace. “Come along, now, the both of you. If we dally any longer, it will get cold!”
Once inside the house, Cassie followed Lorna into the front parlor and sat next to her on the striped sofa. Romeo trotted in and sat next to the table. Lorna took a biscuit, broke a piece off, and offered it to him.
“Where are your manners, child?” The governess swiped at Lorna’s generous hand.
“Cass
ie doesn’t mind,” she replied in a brazen tone.
Mrs. Upton poured the tea, wrinkled her nose at her charge, and said nothing.
Cassie suspected this young Stewart woman would continue to push the limits of etiquette. One would hope not so far as to make herself a social outcast. That would not do at all, not with the squire as guardian. No doubt he corrected her every improper move.
“We need to see Madam Bosque when we have finished,” Lorna announced once she sat. “I’m sure the modiste will manage to find you a gown or two.”
“Two?” Mrs. Upton grumbled and cast her charge a stern look. “Three, more like, perhaps four.”
“Oh, very well, four. Madam Bosque always makes my gowns and I do believe she might be persuaded to provide you with something beautiful to wear for tomorrow evening.”
“If she knows which side her bread is buttered on, she will.” Mrs. Upton set her cup and saucer aside and stood. “I’ll send a footman ‘round to fetch her. I’m sure you’ll have your choice of gowns”
“Surely she would prefer if I visited the shop” Cassie did not wish to disturb anyone, not even a dressmaker.
“But you’ve only arrived. Are you not fatigued?” Lorna narrowed her eyes in concentration over her Sevres cup.
Cassie didn’t have to think about that answer. She was exhausted.
“If she knows what’s good for her she’ll come running tout de suite,” Mrs. Upton said before leaving the room.
Madam Bosque and her assistant Madeleine arrived at Stewart Hall before the three ladies had fin ished with tea. They were led into a side parlor and it became a makeshift salon for their use. There, Madam Bosque and Lorna made suggestions about color and style choices for Cassie, conforming to the latest fashions. The modiste brought with her several pre-made dresses that she could easily alter and could be made ready to wear by tomorrow evening.
While Madam Bosque marked the gowns for alterations, Lorna went on to tell Cassie of the wonderful balls and assemblies she had missed since the beginning of the season.
Lorna wanted to introduce her best friend Belinda Hastings. They were of the same age and got along so famously, it was not to be believed. They conversed on all the important subjects such as dresses, parties, and men, dancing slippers, balls, and oh, yes, men.
“We shall have the most extraordinary time tonight,” Lorna told Cassie. “Belinda and I have already decided who we shall marry. I will wed the Honorable Jeffery Rutherford and Belinda-”
“It doesn’t do for you to set your cap on some young gentleman,” Mrs. Upton scolded her charge. “I think you might do best to ask the squire his permission first.”
Lorna ignored her governess and continued. “Belinda adores my brother, Edward. Although he is all that is kind to her, I have informed her many times that he is quite out of her reach and she must choose another. We have agreed that she might make an amiable match with Jeffery’s very good friend Thomas Wentworth.”
Lorna paid particular attention that she had not omitted any descriptions of the especially handsome men who had made her acquaintance. She spoke in particular detail about the ones that captured her capricious fancy, much to the horror of Mrs. Upton.
“Ze blue, is she not tres belle, Mademoiselle Lorna?” Madam Bosque stepped back, admiring her work.
Cassie gazed at her reflection in the full-length glass that had been brought to the small parlor for their use. She hardly recognized herself in a gown that fit, and it was a shade of blue that brought out the color of her eyes. It had been so long since she’d worn anything besides gray.
“Someday, I hope to marry someone as dashing as my brother, Edward,” Lorna told Cassie. “Even if I found him now, Julian would never permit me to marry nor would he tolerate a serious involvement. It’s only my first season, you know.”
“I would hope not!” Mrs. Upton reeled at the girl’s implication.
Madam Bosque and her assistant ushered Cassie away and helped her disrobe, careful not to allow the straight pins to stick her.
Cassie returned in a cream-colored gown, the second gown they all agreed she would have altered for tomorrow’s ball. She took her place in front of the mirror to be fitted. Lorna proceeded with her discourse.
“We haven’t a title but our wealth and land seem to have blinded society. I think he’s terrified I might form a tendre for a fortune hunter. Julian’s already told me that I am to have my heart’s desire. As long as he’s suitable.” Lorna drew herself back and continued with reserve. “He said making an immediate match wouldn’t be a prudent thing to do”
I’m sure he did. Cassie could just imagine it would be the exact words the squire, acting in his position as dutiful guardian, would utter.
At dinner later that evening, Cassie would almost have enjoyed the quiet except that Squire Stewart was seated at the head of the massive table. He and Lorna displayed healthy appetites, making their portions of ham and vegetables disappear.
Cassie found the succulent repast could not tempt her. The new surroundings were pleasant but the company was not-he was there. She managed to keep herself busy by cutting her boiled carrots into small pieces and arranging them from one side of her plate to the other, not tasting a morsel.
The squire might have noticed Cassie’s lack of interest in her dinner the few times he’d glanced in her direction but he never bothered to inquire. She thought it quite possible that he never noticed that she was not eating nor ever wondered why.
Was the food’s temperature, aroma, or perhaps the appearance not to her liking? Could he possibly conceive of any other reason her dinner had remained untouched?
It had not, however, dissuaded him from finishing his. Laying his utensils to rest, he dropped his napkin next to his plate. “If you ladies will excuse me”
“Of course, Julian, do not let us keep you,” Lorna said with a gracious nod. “I know that your work is calling for your attention.”
“Thank you” He rose from the table, gave a slight bow, and left.
The squire’s behavior bordered upon rude. However, his absence was welcome. Cassie could feel herself relax once he had vacated the room.
“Julian can be a bit intimidating.” Lorna smiled across the table at Cassie.
“I don’t find him intimidating at all.” Cassie took a bite of carrot. “I just don’t care for him.” From what Cassie could observe, he hadn’t treated Lorna with any more warmth than he had her. “I cannot imagine how you manage to be so cheerful when someone such as he is your example of decorum. I’ve never met a more uncaring, unfeeling, human being in my life.”
“You make him sound positively odious.” Loma straightened, clearly upset by Cassie’s forthright opinion.
“Pray, excuse me, I did not mean to offend you” Cassie was sorry her words had hurt Lorna but she spoke the truth. “I do, however, beg that you prove me wrong.”
“He does mean well,” Lorna said in his defense then stared into her plate. “It is not his nature. He didn’t … you just don’t understand him.”
Returning to her plate, Cassie cut into her meat as if it was his flesh. After causing sufficient injury to her entree, she set her utensils on the edge of the plate with a sense of satisfaction. Lifting her napkin, she dabbed each side of her mouth and remained seated until Lorna finished. She did not have to wait long.
After dinner, Cassie declined a game of cards, wishing only to be alone in the quiet and solitude of her room. Her first day at Stewart Hall had been long, very full, and emotionally draining.
Changing into her chemise, she drew on her robe and pulled it tight at the waist. She retrieved her book of Byron’s poetry and moved to the settee near the crackling hearth, warming herself. Cassie read for ten minutes and found it impossible to keep her eyes open. Soon the book lowered and found its final resting place on her chest, just under her chin.
Cassie woke a bit disoriented the next morning. It took a few minutes of staring at the unfamiliar heavy, deep-red curtains of
her four-poster bed to remember where she was and what she was doing there.
Despite what she had thought, despite what she had hoped, it had not been a dream.
“Finally, you have awoken! It eez such a beautiful morning!” Layette entered with a breakfast tray and set it on the table near the bed. “I am told that you have several gowns arriving for ze ball ce soir.”
Cassie could manage only a nod. Layette handed her a cup of chocolate.
“Mademoiselle Lorna et Romeo are in the jardin. I believe she loves ze little dog as much as you!”
And it was clear to Cassie that if Romeo did not feel the same for Lorna, he would not be spending so much time with her. Cassie smiled, remembering how the two of them were running across the back lawn yesterday. “They do enjoy one another’s company, don’t they?”
“You must dress and join them. The air, she eez good for the lungs” The maid pulled the untouched cup of chocolate from Cassie’s hands.
“I really am not looking forward to facing the people below.” Cassie slid her legs over the side of the bed. She hadn’t meant everyone, just him.
“Everything, everyone eez new-we are strangers here. But you must not let them frighten you. Votre pere-”
Yes, Cassie’s father wanted this for her. But did he really? Losing her home, marrying a man she hardly knew, making near-strangers a part of her family cannot be what he truly wanted. She felt so miserable and unhappy while away from Hedgeway Park and the only way, it seemed, that she could return as its rightful owner was if she married Edward Stewart.
“-you must show zem you are not frightened of zem. Especially za squire.” Layette paused and her gaze met Cassie’s. It was clear they shared the same opinion of him. They needn’t say another word, they both understood quite well.
That horrid man.
Layette was right, Cassie decided. She needed to show she wasn’t afraid. Cassie intended to keep Hedgeway Park and she would do whatever was necessary-even if she had to put up with the squire. Marrying Edward would be the easy part.
An Agreeable Arrangement Page 3