Devlin could only gape at them both. Apparently Monty thought Cassandra might want this while Caleb had secretly been picturing a love match between him and Cassandra for God knew how long. Frustrated, mostly with himself, he raked his fingers through his hair. Soft, lyrical music drifted onto the terrace. Partially bathed in moonlight, it served as the perfect setting for a big romance, yet it had now become the scene of his greatest blunder.
“Don’t forget,” Caleb said, “giving Cass your name will also help Penelope.”
There was truth to be found in those words. And yet…the optimism they stirred was fleeting. “I don’t want to be tied to England, and that’s precisely what a wife and daughter will do.”
“Something you might have wanted to consider ten minutes ago before you announced your engagement,” Monty said.
Caleb nodded. “Although you do have some options that don’t require being tied down. For one thing, you could take Cass and Penelope with you. Or,” he added when Devlin opened his mouth to protest, “you could leave them here while you head off to sea.”
The second option might work, he supposed, even though he’d always sworn he would never abandon a wife and child for extended periods of time. Monty did it though, so maybe it wouldn’t be nearly as hard as he imagined. Especially since he and Cassandra would not be marrying for love.
Devil take it, she didn’t even know her fate yet.
Devlin swallowed convulsively. “I have to go to Aldridge House and—”
“What the hell are you playing at, Crawford?”
Devlin turned in response to the curt tone and found himself face to face with a very angry looking viscount. Not just any viscount though. This particular one was named Aldridge, and he was Cassandra’s older brother. He was also one of Caleb’s best friends, so Devlin generally addressed him by his given name, which was Robert.
“I, um…” Devlin wisely stopped himself before uttering something truly idiotic like, I misspoke. Instead he squared his shoulders and met the other man’s hard gaze head on. “Your sister is a remarkable woman. I hold her in the highest regard and look forward to the prospect of marrying her.”
Robert didn’t move. His expression remained like stone, hardening even further when he spoke. “Is that why you chose not to ask my father for her hand? Because of how eager you are to make her your wife?”
His accusation struck Devlin firmly in the gut, but what was done was done and the only thing to do now was make the most of it. And frankly, the notion of asking Vernon for permission to marry his daughter would not have entered Devlin’s mind even if he’d decided to do things properly. “Considering the lack of understanding your parents showed Cassandra when they learned she was pregnant, I hardly think either of them deserves a say.”
“What about me then?”
“Well…um…” Devlin scratched the back of his head.
Robert narrowed his gaze. “She doesn’t know about any of this yet. Does she?”
Devlin’s shoulders slumped and he sighed heavily. “No.”
“He was trying to defend her honor,” Monty said.
“Lady DeVries was being disgustingly cruel,” Caleb added.
“I won’t bother asking how that could possibly lead to you announcing your engagement to Cass,” Robert said to Devlin, “but you ought to know that I am not about to make her marry you if she doesn’t want to.”
Devlin stared at Robert. “But there will be talk if we don’t go through with it now. Her reputation will be ruined.”
“No more than it already is, I’ll wager.” Robert straightened his back. “You forget that when she refused to do as our parents suggested, which was to marry quickly so she could pass her child off as somebody else’s, I supported her decision. I bought a house for her in Cornwall where she could live the peaceful life she desired. And as I understand it, she has been very happy there these past thirteen years.”
“I will have to convince her then,” Devlin said. An odd pain squeezed at his heart. Having recovered somewhat from his spur of the moment decision to do what he’d never intended to do, he rather liked the idea of marrying Cassandra. Curiously, the chance of getting out of it didn’t excite him as much as it ought to. On the contrary, he was starting to hope she’d be amicable to the idea, which could only mean that the madness he’d suffered while facing down Lady DeVries still lingered.
“Do that and you’ll have my blessing,” Robert said. “I’ve always liked your family, so being related through marriage would not be the worst. As long as this is what Cass wants. Her happiness is paramount, Devlin. Understand?”
Devlin nodded and gave his agreement. He then shook hands with Robert and promised to call on Cassandra the very next day. He’d have to bring a cartload of flowers to make up for what he had done. And even then he feared it would not be enough.
“What on earth are you on about?” Cassandra asked when she woke the next morning to find both her brother and sister-in-law sitting at the foot of her bed. The first words out of Robert’s mouth the moment she’d opened her eyes had included marriage, Devlin Crawford, and a Baroness De Somethingorother. Yawning, she pushed herself into a sitting position, blew a stray lock of hair out of her eyes, and leaned back against the headboard. “I didn’t think Devlin wanted to marry.”
“There’s still a chance he doesn’t,” Vivien said with a strange look of sympathy in her eyes. Robert shushed her, which was also incredibly strange.
“Then why would he get engaged to a baroness?” Cassandra asked. Her brain was slowly waking up, and she was starting to feel more herself.
Vivien and Robert shared a concerned look. Robert took a deep breath. “You misunderstand, Cass. Devlin isn’t marrying the baroness.”
“Oh. I see.” She frowned, then shook her head. “Actually I don’t. I thought you just told me—”
“He says he’s marrying you!”
Cassandra stilled. And then she laughed, because really, nothing could possibly be more ridiculous than Devlin announcing he’d marry her of all people. At a ball, no less, without her there and without having gained her approval. Only, when her laughter died down and she looked at Vivien and Robert, neither was smiling.
A tremor of unease slithered down Cassandra’s spine. “You are joking, are you not?”
“Sadly not,” Robert said. “But if it is any consolation—”
“I cannot believe he would do such a thing!” Whatever humor she’d found in her brother’s earlier words was gone. In its place was extreme irritation along with the awful feeling of having been used in some foolish show of masculine power. What else would compel a man to act so high handedly, without any thought to her wishes?
“Robert says he was trying to defend your honor,” Vivien said.
“Ha!” Cassandra had climbed out of bed and was now selecting the clothes she would wear. “As if I am supposed to be grateful. Well, I am not. And you may feel free to tell him so the next time you see him.”
“I expect you shall see him soon yourself, Cass,” Robert said gently. “He did say he would call on you today in order to explain things.”
“Then he will be disappointed since I have no intention of being here when he shows up.” She stood, clutching a day dress and a shawl while Robert and Vivien stared at her expectantly. “I wasn’t planning to go back to Clearview until tomorrow, but given what has happened, I shall have to depart right away.”
“I suspected this might be your decision,” Robert said. “And you should know that we support it wholeheartedly.”
Cassandra’s eyes began to prick most uncomfortably. She sniffed. “No other brother would be so understanding.”
“Of course not,” Robert said with an easy smile and a shrug. “I am without doubt the very best of brothers.”
“And husbands,” Vivien told him loyally. She stood and gave Cassandra a hug. “I’ll ask Cook to pack a lunch for you and Penelope to share on the road.”
“And I shall have the carriag
e readied,” Robert said. He followed his wife out of the room, leaving Cassandra to wake her daughter and pack with haste. The sooner they left the house, the less chance there was of having to face Devlin Crawford.
It was just after nine o’clock when Devlin awoke. Ten, by the time he made it downstairs for breakfast. Caleb and Mary were still at the table, though their children, who were always allowed to join their parents for meals when only family was present, must have scampered off. Four empty plates with bits of leftover toast marked the spots where they’d been sitting.
“Good morning,” Devlin said as he strode to the sideboard. The eggs and bacon smelled delicious.
Caleb and Mary returned his greeting. A rustling sound followed as Caleb set the newspaper he’d been reading aside and said, “I should congratulate you on making the headlines.”
Devlin crossed to the table, pulled out a chair and sat. A frown strained his brow. “I didn’t think my return to England was interesting enough to warrant so much attention.” Because that was the only thing the newspaper could possibly have written about. Surely there wouldn’t have been enough time for it to contain any news about—
“No, you dolt, it’s about your engagement.”
Devlin promptly choked on a piece of bacon. Coughing, he reached for his cup, which he’d not yet filled.
“Oh dear,” Mary murmured. “Here, allow me.” She poured some coffee and added enough milk to cool it down.
Managing a nod of appreciation between two more coughs, Devlin drank. “What,” he croaked, “does it say?”
“Lord Devlin Crawford has announced his engagement to Lady Cassandra Moor,” Caleb declared with a flourish.
Well, that wasn’t too bad, Devlin supposed, although he would have preferred if the news had not gotten out for another day. It would have been nice if he’d had a chance to talk to Cassandra first. “I have to get over to Aldridge House right away.” Hell, he’d probably have a fuming fiancée by the time he got there.
“I’d say.” The newspaper crackled between Caleb’s hands. “Because there is more to the article than the headline alone.”
“Like what?” Devlin asked. He took a careful bite of his food to avoid it going down the wrong way again.
“It’s not terrible,” Mary said when Caleb didn’t answer. She sipped her tea and then pursed her lips. “But I’m not sure Cass will be pleased.”
“Of course she won’t,” Devlin muttered. “It must be quite shocking for her to wake up to the fact that she’s to be married.”
“Provided she wants to,” Caleb reminded him. “Robert did say he’ll let her decide what to do.”
“Of course, but…” Devil take it, he was letting himself get distracted. He shook his head. “What else does the paper say?”
Caleb met his gaze for a second, albeit long enough for Devlin’s nerves to contract with unease, then read, “Last night’s ball at Camberly House has without a doubt been the most eventful one of the Season. Lord Devlin Crawford, having recently arrived home from one of his seafaring journeys, barely made his entrance before engaging the Marquess and Marchioness of Vernon’s spinster daughter, Lady Cassandra Moor, in a dance. As a close friend of the Crawford family, this would not have been entirely shocking, if the dance in question had not been a waltz and if Lord Devlin had danced with other young ladies first. But,” Caleb proceeded, not allowing Devlin to interject, “the greatest shock of the evening came after Lady Cassandra had taken her leave and Lord Devlin announced his intention to marry her. One has to wonder if Lady DeVries did not press the gentleman to reveal what has surely been a well-kept secret and how Lady Cassandra will respond to finding herself at the center of gossip and scandal once more.”
“How,” Devlin managed to spit out the moment his brother was finished, “is that not terrible?”
“Well, at least it is honest,” Mary said. But her eyes were filled with the sort of concern that caused Devlin’s insides to shrivel.
“I have to go,” he said right before wolfing down the rest of his food and finishing off his coffee. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood. “As it is, Mother is going to kill me.” She’d looked ready to do so last night, but he’d managed to make his escape before she had the opportunity to let him have it.
“Perhaps.” Tilting his head, Caleb studied Devlin for a moment before asking, “Do you want me to come with you?”
Devlin considered his offer, then shook his head. “No. Thank you. I’ll handle this on my own. But I would be grateful if there’s a ring among the family heirlooms that you’ll let me have.”
“Oh, indeed!” Mary practically leapt to her feet. “I’ll have the jewelry boxes brought down right away.” She dashed from the room.
Caleb grinned, then turned to Devlin. “Don’t look so glum. Having a wife and children is a blessing. You’ll realize that soon enough.”
Devlin wasn’t so sure. There was, after all, a difference between marrying for love, as Caleb and Griffin had both done, and marrying out of necessity.
There was also a very big difference between a willing bride and an unwilling one, he learned when he was admitted to the Aldridge House parlor a little over an hour later.
“What do you mean she’s gone?” Clutching the impressive bouquet of roses he’d purchased on his way over, and with what he considered a stunning ring nestled securely in his pocket, Devlin stared at Robert. “Gone where?”
“Back to Clearview.” Robert gestured toward a chair, inviting Devlin to sit, but Devlin’s feet refused to move. “She left almost three hours ago.”
When he’d just been starting to rise. Devlin scrubbed his jaw with his hand. “I thought she was going to be in Town for at least two more days.”
“That was before she learned of last night’s events.”
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Nothing was as it should be anymore, so perhaps…perhaps Cassandra turning him down was for the best. She would in all likelihood go on much as before since she rarely mingled with Society anyway. Clearview kept her busy. She didn’t lack company or a purpose and she already had a child of her own, never mind all the ones she’d taken into her care. So what could he really offer?
He had no intention of staying in England, which meant they would mostly be living apart. Of course, while he was home, he’d take great pleasure in warming her bed, provided she’d let him. Devlin frowned. As much as making love to Cassandra appealed to him, there had to be a better reason for them to marry. The threat of scandal obviously wasn’t enough, so then…
Something his brother had said last night came back to him with a pang. It wasn’t just about Cassandra. It was also about her daughter and the future she would have as an illegitimate child. He was a captain, accustomed to being responsible for others. The fate of those who depended upon him mattered. And while Cassandra might not need his help, he knew Penelope did.
Certain he was making the right decision, he handed Robert the bouquet of flowers intended for Cassandra. “I’m going after her then.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, damn it, I’m sure.” He and Cassandra had one thing in common and that was their dogged determination to see things through to the end. But it was also the sort of determination that could easily blind a person if one wasn’t careful. Angered and possibly even a little hurt, Cassandra was acting purely on instinct by running away. But in so doing, she’d neglected to think of her child, which meant Devlin would have to do so for her.
Chapter 4
It took three days for Cassandra to reach Clearview. Initially, she’d feared Devlin might show up at one of the inns she’d stayed at along the way, but in the end, the journey had been uneventful. Penelope and Rosemary, whom she’d managed to pick up on her way out of Town, had played several games to keep themselves occupied. In between, Cassandra had read to the girls from The Swiss Family Robinson.
“You’re back sooner than I expected,” Katherine said upon Cassandra’s arrival.
> “Only by a couple of days.” Cassandra introduced Rosemary and was just about to suggest showing her around when Penelope grabbed the girl’s hand and pulled her inside the house.
“We’ll have tea and biscuits in the parlor in fifteen minutes,” Katherine called after them.
Cassandra smiled. “I think she’ll settle in nicely, don’t you?”
“Oh, indeed.”
They let the coachman help with the luggage and asked if he’d like to stay for some refreshments.
“Thank you, but I’d rather get to the village inn and rest before heading back to London in the morning.”
Once he was gone, Cassandra followed Katherine into the kitchen. Laughter drifted toward her from other parts of the house and filled her heart with joy. As much as she loved seeing her brother and her friends, it was good to be home.
“What made you return so soon?” Katherine asked once she’d hung a kettle over the fire.
“Actually, if you can believe it—” Cassandra grabbed some cups and saucers and placed them on a tray “—Devlin Crawford announced his intention to marry me.”
The tin can Katherine had been collecting from a shelf clattered to the floor. “I beg your pardon?” When Cassandra said nothing, Katherine scooped up the fallen tin and set it on the counter. She looked bewildered. “Since you’re here ahead of schedule, I can only assume you turned him down.”
“No. I did not.”
“What?”
Cassandra sighed. “To do so he would have had to ask me to be his wife. Which he did not.”
Katherine’s mouth dropped open. She blinked, took a moment to collect herself, and then said, “I don’t believe I can wait for this story until after the children have had their tea.” She perched herself on the edge of a stool. “Can you give me a quick summary?”
Cassandra did – or rather, she related what the details were to the best of her knowledge. Her friend said nothing until Cassandra finished with, “So there you have it.”
“Well, in that case we should probably start preparing the cottage.” Katherine added tea leaves to the tea pot and went to fetch the kettle.
Her Seafaring Scoundrel Page 4