A False Proposal (22 page)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Adam stood at the perimeter of the ballroom, talking in a desultory manner with a couple of his new acquaintances. Both were MPs. He had spent his afternoon at Peele’s perusing as many newspapers as he could digest at one sitting and drinking an excessive amount of coffee. Later, he’d dined at Offley’s Tavern on Henrietta Street, where he’d run into Jarvis and Howell, the two men now standing beside him. Only one of them, Howell, had an invitation to the ball, but they sneaked Jarvis past the footmen with no problem.

“I believe I shall ask that blond-haired chit over there to dance,” Jarvis said.

Adam sipped his wine. “I don’t think that’s a good idea unless you’ve been introduced. She looks quite young. Aren’t wealthy widows more your line?”

Jarvis laughed. “I’ll find somebody to properly introduce me,” he said, wandering off.

Howell looked at Adam and shrugged. “He’s hopeless. But he’s not a complete fool. He won’t do anything untoward.”

“Glad to hear it,” Adam said. He watched the couples who were dancing the current set and remembered the last time he’d danced with Cass, at their betrothal ball. She’d been wearing that enchanting green dress that had pushed up her breasts so provocatively. He wondered if she’d received his letter yet, and if she had, what she must be thinking. He must have been suffering from temporary insanity to write such things to her. Not to write them, but to actually send the letter. Stirring up feelings he had tried, apparently unsuccessfully, to banish.

Adam looked up, astonished, when he heard the footman announce the newest arrivals. “Viscount Linford and Miss Cassandra Linford.”

…

Cass waited at the top of the steps, clinging to her brother’s arm.

When she’d reached Linford House, only a few hours ago, she had sent a message round to Adam telling him of her arrival. Jack had taken tea with her and insisted she attend the Cowper ball with him and Jenny that evening.

“But I’ve only just gotten here,” she protested. “Isn’t there some event I could attend tomorrow? And I would rather hear from Adam first.”

Jack looked sympathetic. “I know, my dear. But to my knowledge, there are no balls tomorrow. The season is nearly at an end, you know. And it is vital that you be seen in public.” He stuffed a biscuit into his mouth and washed it down with a long gulp of tea.

“With Adam!” Cass said, frustrated. “What good will it do to be seen if we’re not in each other’s company?”

“I have a feeling he’ll be there. From what I understand, he spends most days at the coffee houses seeking patronage. He probably arrived home with only enough time to change and didn’t receive your message.”

Cass had reluctantly agreed. Her first reaction to any public appearance, since the disaster at Drury Lane, was first to avoid it, and if that wasn’t possible, to remain in the shadows. Now Jack wanted her to attend a ball, the chief purpose of which was to be seen by the entire
ton
. As fate would have it, however, she wasn’t sorry.

Because as they stood there, waiting to be announced, every nerve ending told her Adam was in the room. She felt it, knew it instinctively. She’d made the right decision. Or had she? A sea of faces was upturned, staring at them. Was she daft? In her state of wild anticipation over seeing Adam, she had forgotten all about the innuendo, the nasty rumors circulating about Bentley’s death.

It seemed to Cass, despite the music, that the room had gone silent. Excited voices, laughter, the typical sounds of a ball had ceased. Her legs felt suddenly stiff, and she hoped she would make it down the stairs without stumbling.

“We have friends here, Cass. All of them ready to stand by you,” Jack whispered. “Be brave and smile, for God’s sake.” A cloying scent, probably caused by the huge bouquets of summer flowers placed about the room, made her stomach roil.

We have enemies, too
. Cass could see some of them, heads together, whispering, casting sly glances in her direction. One woman, for the amusement of her friends, held out her hand and pretended to shoot a pistol. But Cass stretched her lips into a semblance of a smile anyway. When they reached the ballroom floor, after what seemed like hours, Atherton was there waiting. Eyes welcoming, he bowed over Cass’s hand. “Miss Linford. Town has been a dull place without you.”

“My lord,” she said with a genuine smile. “How good to see you again.” Now she heard whispers, rising to a hum, and when Atherton stepped aside, a path had opened up behind him. To make room for Adam, who was slowly walking toward her, eyes smoldering and looking devilishly handsome. As though he wanted to show them all that she was his and he was coming to claim her. And they could all be damned. His gaze never left her face.

…

A thousand thoughts vied for Adam’s attention, but he was preoccupied with only one at the moment. He was so damned happy to see Cassie. He forgot about the fact that she hadn’t bothered to tell him she was coming. That he hadn’t had time to quash the rumors. That he never should have written that damned letter before he’d figured things out. She looked stunning, in a deep blue silk gown that draped enticingly around her body and showed off its tantalizing curves.

She was staring back at him, her head cocked, and for a moment he couldn’t tell if she was glad to see him. And then she smiled. A glowing, heated smile she was trying to temper, to hold back a bit, but could not. He drew closer, and she let go of her brother’s arm and stood alone, waiting for him. Adam walked right up to her and placed a palm to one side of her lovely face. Then he kissed her on the mouth. Not just a skimming of the lips, but an open-mouthed, deep kiss. He hadn’t meant to be so brazen, but what was a man to do when met with the woman of his dreams, from whom he’d been separated far too long?

There were cheers from the men, clapping, and nervous laughter. And then the ballroom got back to normal.

She sounded breathless. “Adam.”

He smiled. “Cassie. Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and tugged.

Jack was scowling at them both, but if he dared stop them, Adam would probably punch him. He ushered Cass out of the room and down a corridor lighted with branches of candles. All the doors were closed. He knocked on one, cracked it open, and heard a little scream. “Not this one,” he said.

They finally found an unoccupied room, which was lit by a single candle as well as a fire in the grate. Adam locked the door and then pulled Cass into his arms, kissing her long and deep and savagely. God, how he’d been longing for this. Her hands slid up his chest and she pushed. Enough so that he knew she wanted him to stop. Grudgingly, he ended the kiss. But he still held her close.

“Hello, Adam,” she said.

“Damn, you’re beautiful. My pardon. I can’t help myself.” He rested his forehead on hers for a beat, then drew back and said, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. When I got to Town, I sent a note—I guess you didn’t see it.”

“I’ve been gone all day. Dashed home to change for the ball, then right back out.”

“Well,” Cass said. “Here I am.”

“Yes.”
Thank the gods, my own Aphrodite is here
. “I’ve missed you Cass.”

She wrenched out of his grasp. “What has changed, Adam? When we were last together, you said you’d used me and you were afraid of becoming like your father. Now…your letter. And this.” She waved her arm about. “All this…passion.”

He looked intently at her for a moment. How could he explain it when he did not fully understand it himself? “Hugh,” he said at last.

“Hugh, your brother? What are you talking about?”

Adam laughed. “I was, let’s say, in a bad way. Hugh came to check on me. He said something I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. Actually, more than one thing.”

Cass started to speak, but he interrupted her. “I need to pay a visit to my father.” Yes, that was it. It had just come clear.

“You recently saw him. Twice, I believe. It did not go well.”

Adam scrubbed a hand over his face. “I have some questions for him. It’s time he answered them.”

Cass nodded. “When will you go?”

“In a few days. I’m not about to leave until we’ve had some time together.” When he tried to wrap his arms around her again, she protested.

“We must get back. It is probably about time for supper. A good opportunity to talk to other guests and show everyone what a devoted couple we are.”

“Don’t laugh,” Adam said. “I am devoted to you.”

…

Supper was torture. Cass sat between two of Adam’s new friends, Sebastian Jarvis and Wesley Howell. Jarvis had rogue written all over him. Tall, well formed, and quite handsome. He had the look of a man who took no pains with his toilette—dark stubble and mussed hair—but Cass was reasonably sure it was a look he cultivated.

Mr. Howell was more serious and Cass found him easy to talk to. He was an MP for Newcastle, near where the Felling mine disaster had occurred. He told her a little bit about his concerns regarding mine safety and child labor.

“As far as I’m concerned, sending children down a mine is a criminal act,” Cass said. “Will they be able to recover the bodies?”

“The pits are closed now, so the fires will go out. At some point, when it’s deemed safe enough, they’ll attempt it. Probably not for another month or so.”

Adam was conversing with her brother on one side and Jenny on the other. She felt his eyes on her throughout, and a couple of times his slow, simmering smile caused her to squirm. It made her hot, damp between her legs, and left her feeling light headed. For pity’s sake, she couldn’t concentrate on what was being said when he looked at her like that. And all she could do was fasten her eyes on him and try not to break into that daft smile that reflected the joy she was feeling.

Later, when they parted, Adam whispered in her ear. “Dream of me tonight. I promise I’ll be dreaming of you.”

Cass shivered.

…

Cass spent the next morning helping Agnes with the unpacking. After that, she ventured up to the nursery to visit Pippa and meet her new governess. She braced herself for the worst, as she fully expected to dislike the woman who was taking on the role Cass had performed for the last few years.

“Cassie!” Philippa shouted when she glimpsed her sister.

“Pip, pip!” Cass knelt down and Pippa ran into her arms.

“Hooray! I missed you so much, Cassie.”

“I know, dearest, I missed you, too.” Then she leaned in and whispered something in her sister’s ear. Suddenly shy, Pippa looked back and forth from Cass to her tutor.

“Cassie, may I present my new governess?”

Cass suppressed a grin and nodded.

“I should like to introduce Miss Annis Stanton to you.” The little girl turned toward the governess then and said, “Miss Stanton, this is my sister, Miss Cassandra Linford.”

Cass, who’d still been kneeling, rose and stepped forward, offering her hand. She was so taken aback by the very lovely face before her, she barely managed to stammer out a greeting.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Linford,” the woman said.

“Likewise, Miss Stanton.” Cass turned and spoke to Philippa. “I should like to have a private word with your governess, Pip.”

Pippa skipped out of the room, but could not resist turning back and making a face at Cass.

“Please, let’s do sit down,” Cass said, gesturing toward the table and chairs. When they were settled, Cass said, “Tell me about yourself, Miss Stanton.”

“I’m from Devon, originally. My mother died when I was quite young, and my father raised me and educated me. He employed masters for music, drawing, and dancing. When he died, I came to London to live with relatives, but…that did not work out. I placed an ad in the papers.”

Cass wondered how often she’d had to recite this autobiography. It sounded memorized and made the details of Annis Stanton’s life seem insignificant. She had an arresting face, set off by deep green eyes that carried a hint of mystery. There was something about her that Cass identified with.

“And how are you and Philippa getting on?”

“She’s delightful!” Miss Stanton said. “I love her spirit and her youthful enthusiasm. She’s inquisitive about so many things.”

“I am relieved to hear you say it. Pippa is not cut out for a traditional education—at least not a steady diet of it. She needs to be up and moving about and exploring. Visiting museums and parks, taking walks, anything that results in her learning something without even being aware.” After a discreet pause, Cass said, “I am sorry my cousin tried to impede your efforts.”

The other woman blushed. “I feel responsible for her hasty departure. It was rather awkward.”

Cass sighed. “Please, do not. Louisa was never quite at home in our household. I am afraid she did not approve of our method of doing…anything.” Cass laughed. Miss Stanton covered her mouth with her hand to hide her own smile.

“Are you settling in to life at Linford House?”

“It is certainly the best post I have ever had. The staff is kind and welcoming, and I’m beginning to feel at home here. I attended church this morning with the housekeeper.”

Cass smiled. “Good. If you wouldn’t mind, I would enjoy accompanying you and Pippa on some of your excursions. I have been her tutor for the last few years.”

“So your brother told me. I wouldn’t mind at all, and I’m certain Pippa would be thrilled.”

Before taking her leave, Cass’s eyes roved around the schoolroom. It held so many memories, not only from her own childhood, but from her years of tutoring her sister. She had expected to feel a pang of regret or sadness, but oddly enough, she did not. It felt like part of her old life. Like a skin she was shedding in order to begin anew.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Monday evening Cass was reading, her book propped up on a cushion so she could brush out her hair at the same time. After Agnes had helped her undress, she’d dismissed her for the night. She’d neither seen nor heard from Adam since the ball and was having trouble concentrating. Why hadn’t he called on her?

Her chamber door opened and Adam came through. Cass was so shocked she dropped the hairbrush and stammered. “How did you get in here?”

“
Shh
.” He kissed her softly, then bent down and retrieved the brush. “Allow me the pleasure.”

Obligingly, she turned in her seat so that he could attend to her hair. “You haven’t answered my question.” She kept her voice low.

“When Jack and I fancied ourselves a couple of young Corinthians, we often sneaked into the house through a window near the kitchen. It was never kept locked. It still isn’t. Must have a word with Willis about that.”

Every stroke of the brush felt divine, making her scalp tingle with sensations only Adam could arouse in her. After a moment, Cass leaned back against his chest. He snaked one arm across her breasts and encircled her waist with the other, her hair forgotten for the moment. She turned her face around to kiss him.

“Not yet. I want to tell you about my day first.”

She laughed. “Go ahead. Just…don’t move.”

Adam chuckled. “I had to give testimony before a Parliamentary committee on Walcheren.”

Cass gave him a questioning look. “I thought that inquiry had been held a few years ago. How was it?”

Adam smiled. “You’re right, of course. This was a separate inquiry to receive testimony from those of us who were not available at the time. Tying up loose ends, I suppose. Setting the seal on the lessons-learned column. I’ve been dreading it, to say the truth. But I thought about that evening at the house party. You forcing me—”

“I did not force you!”

“Urging me, then. You said if you were going to help me get elected, you needed to know about my experience in the war.”

“That much I admit to.”

“My testimony was exactly the same as what I told you that night, and I was so glad you’d pressured me—my pardon,
encouraged
me—to be forthcoming. It helped me to summarize it concisely before the committee.” He moved away from her, taking his warmth with him, and she immediately felt chilled. “Of course they asked me much more detailed questions and dredged up horrors I would have preferred to forget.”

“I’m sorry, Adam.” Cass realized he was not comfortable talking about Walcheren, perhaps never would be.

He ran his hand up her arm. “If it helps prevent such a disaster happening again, it will be worth it. The rest of the day I spent in my usual futile attempts at finding a constituency. I lingered in the coffee room at the House of Commons—God, I’m sick of that place—and had dinner at Offley’s. To no avail.”

Cass rose, feeling dread in the pit of her stomach.
Nothing from Sir William, then.

Adam was talking again. “But as it turned out, I had no need to look further. A letter from Broxton came in today’s post.”

She could not tell from his expression whether the news was good or bad. But from what he’d said, it must be good, mustn’t it?

He cocked his head at her. “Why didn’t you tell me what you’d done, Cassie?”

She waited, but he didn’t say more. “So, was it good news, then?” When he nodded, her profound sense of relief made her giddy. “I—he made no promises. I didn’t want to raise your hopes only to have you disappointed again.”

Adam was gazing at her in the strangest way. “How did you do it? He didn’t give me any details, only said that what you’d told him cast me in a more favorable light.”

“I’d been studying the newspapers and discovered that his nephew was killed at Badajoz. That gave me an opening. When I visited, I offered my condolences and then asked him his opinion of the war. I told him about what you’d experienced at Walcheren. I hope that was all right—I only gave him the basic facts. But Badajoz and Walcheren have certain similarities.”

“Indeed they do. You’re a remarkable woman, Cassandra Linford. I stand in awe of your political acumen.” He paused, looked at her suspiciously, then said, “That’s why you wanted to stay down in the country, isn’t it? To try to mend things with him.”

When she nodded, he said, “Come here, my heart.” Cass walked straight into his embrace.

Adam drew back and said, “Is your brother at home?”

She blushed. “No. He and Jenny are—”

“I don’t give a damn where they are. I only want to know if it’s safe for me to show you how deeply I appreciate what you did.” He crushed her against him and rocked her in his arms. “May I?”

Cass was suddenly aware of his body, his broad shoulders and powerful thighs, which she could feel pressing against her. She felt something else, too. His arousal. Happiness surged inside her, knowing she could do that to him. “I’ve been waiting all day, Adam. I’m yours.” Her body desired him with everything she had, and she would deny him nothing.

…

Adam kissed her slowly, seductively. Cass kissed him back, opening her mouth to his gentle coaxing, and for a moment they made love just with their lips and tongues. When that was no longer enough, he gently pushed her away and rained tender kisses across her face and down her neck, until he came to the delicate hollow at her throat. He laved it, then blew lightly on it.

When Cass murmured, “
Mmm,”
he smiled
.

Adam slipped her dressing gown off her shoulders, but before he could get her naked, she stopped him, pulling at his coat until he tugged it off. She helped him unknot his cravat, and then he pulled his shirt over his head.

When they’d made love the first time, the room had been in darkness. Now, soft, fading daylight streamed through the windows and outlined Adam’s chest and abdomen. He stood still and let her drink it in. Her eyes followed the line of dark gold hair that disappeared into his britches. While she was still watching, he sat down on the bed and pulled his boots off. Finally, enjoying her blatant study of him, he removed his pants. His cock sprang out, and he stood and reached for her, his eyes blazing. “I meant every word of that letter, Cassie.”

…

Adam lifted her night rail over her head, so that she stood before him perfectly naked. She closed her eyes, wanting to block out everything except Adam’s touch. His hands moved slowly, languorously, over her breasts, then up to her neck and shoulders and down her arms. Her skin felt heated from his caresses. He knelt, pulling her closer, and began kissing her belly, moving his lips down and down. Cass moved her legs apart, allowing him access to her most intimate part. When she felt his tongue, she released a long sigh of pure pleasure.

When he stood, she nearly screamed
no
, but the sight of him, of his naked shoulders and chest, aroused her. She wanted to feel the curve of his every muscle. If she were an artist, she’d make him pose for her. She’d like to sculpt him, so he would be hers to gaze upon whenever she desired.

Adam backed her up to the bed, their bodies still touching, and laid her down with tenderness. Stretching out beside her, he traced a path from her neck, down her side to the indentation at her waist, up over the curve of her hip, over her flank, as far as he could reach. Now his voice caressed her. “I love touching you, Cassie. Your skin is all satin and silk.” He buried his face between her breasts.

Cass sank her fingers into his hair while he took the tip of one breast into his mouth and caressed it with his tongue, teased it with his teeth. She was all nerve endings now, nothing but a mass of sensitivity. Warmth gathered in her belly and desire made her moist and a little mad with wanting him. She moved restlessly.

“Is this what you want, my darling?” He slid his hand up her thigh, grazing her flesh ever so lightly as he moved closer to her center. For a long time, she was lost in the silken touch of his fingers. Adam brought her to the top of an abyss and left her suspended. Once, twice. Finally, when she thought she could bear it no longer, her body refused another ebbing. Her hips rose from the bed and a piercing sweetness possessed her. Owned her. She gasped and clung to him, crying his name over and over again.

When she opened her eyes, she caught him looking at her unguardedly, with so much naked emotion in his eyes it shocked her to her core. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

Adam moved her hand to his penis. “Will you touch me, darling?” And he showed her exactly how to stroke him. To her wanton delight, he said, “Oh yes, you wicked girl. More.” Cass rose up and straddled him so she could take in the wonder of his swollen flesh, watch as it trembled with her touch. Amazed at her own daring, she bent down and ran her tongue over the head glistening with a drop of his seed. When Adam nearly shot off the bed, she kissed him there until he begged her to stop. “Where did you learn that?” he asked in a choked voice, but Cass didn’t think he really wanted an answer. In any case, she didn’t have one. She was acting on pure instinct.

He pulled her down and kissed her mouth, then lifted her at the waist and set her over him so that her opening was aligned with his swollen flesh. “We—we’re going to…like this?” Cass asked.

Adam laughed. “We are indeed.” His fingers slid into her folds and found her sensitive spot, stroking her until she moaned and cried out for him. Then he pulled her down onto his shaft in one swift motion. She felt a momentary pain and gasped.

“Are you all right? Should I stop?” Adam asked.

“Don’t you dare.”

…

Adam chuckled low in his throat. His hands at her waist, he urged her up and down, until she began to move on her own. He could tell the exact moment when her pleasure began to mount. Her mouth formed a silent
O
. He was aware he must look like the village lad who’d just stolen the pie. Adam was thrilled to be bringing Cass such sensual delight, holding his own at bay when it was killing him. Reaching for her breasts, he massaged the tips gently, while she drove toward her climax. Just before it happened, she stilled. And then he felt the contractions inside her, felt the waves of bliss wash over her.

Adam held her for a moment, then laid her on her back and knelt between her bent knees. Cass grasped him and guided him toward her opening. “Wrap your legs around my hips, love.” Propping himself on his arms, he lowered his body toward hers, and letting himself go at last, thrust in and out until he convulsed with a loud cry. He collapsed onto her, kissing her, holding her, before withdrawing and moving to her side. Strange, he hadn’t even considered spilling his seed anywhere but into her body.

He was breathing hard; they both were. Before he could change his mind, he said, voice trembling, “You. You, Cassie, are everything to me.” Her eyes were liquid, and he thought she might weep. With tears of joy, he hoped. Quickly, he kissed her forehead and rolled off her. Feeling elated, he padded over to the basin. In a minute he returned to her with a wet washing flannel. When she reached for it, he said, “Let me.”

Afterward Adam climbed into bed with her and pulled her against his chest. In seconds, he felt her body relax, felt her sinking into sleep. He wished they could stay like this all night, but that couldn’t happen. Yet. After a while, he eased away from her, retrieved his clothing, and dressed. When he was done, he sat on the edge of the bed, waking her. She smiled sleepily up at him, looking endearingly mussed and thoroughly sated.

“I must leave, darling, before Jack gets home. I’m going down to Surrey tomorrow to see my father.”

“How long?” Cass asked.

“I should be back in a few days. I’ll come to see you as soon as I can.”

She lifted up enough to throw her arms around his neck, and holding him fiercely to her, kissed him deeply. “Goodbye, Adam.”

Sensing a finality in her words, he felt a momentary panic. “What is it Cass? Is something wrong?” She shook her head and burrowed back under the covers, and he thought perhaps she’d not been quite awake.

…

When he’d gone, Cass got out of bed and put on her night rail and dressing gown. She was restless. After a while she padded softly downstairs and poured herself a glass of sherry. She sat in the darkness of the drawing room and sipped it.

Every time she thought about Adam, she felt as if a swarm of butterflies had been let loose inside her. She couldn’t put a name to the feeling.

Yes you can, you fool. It’s called love. You’re in love with Adam.

How could she have been so blind to her own feelings? She’d loved him almost since that first day he’d come home with Jack. How could she ever have thought, if given a choice, she could bear to live her life without him? But now it seemed that was exactly what she must do.

After Adam came to terms with his long held beliefs about his father, assuming he could, Cass was nearly positive he was going to propose. But she couldn’t marry him. She’d been responsible for Bentley’s death; he’d told her so just before he died. Adam had referred to “the family curse” in his letter, but what if
she
was the one who was cursed?

She could never live with herself if she somehow caused Adam’s death, or hurt him irreparably. So she would say a loving but firm “no.” She’d lived without him since she was eighteen, and she could do it again. And it would be far better for him to wed a woman who had a spotless reputation, one whose past was not tainted with her fiancé’s suicide.