In the Garden of Seduction (27 page)

“You know, Cassandra, I’m one for
interpreting not so much what’s been said but what hasn’t been
said.” His eyes took on a hooded look. “Why do you suppose you
didn’t inform him in the first place?”

Excellent question. Cassandra was afraid she
knew the answer.

“Foolish of me, wasn’t it?” was all she
could think to say. “Did you have a purpose in calling today, my
lord, aside from disturbing my peace?”

Simon blinked. “Ah...yes, I did. I want you
to meet Lydia.”

“To what purpose, my lord?”

Her clipped question angered him. “Damn that
‘my lord’ nonsense. I’ve told you I don’t like it.” He clamped his
lips then began again. “My sister has agreed to sponsor you for the
season.”

“I’ve already told you—”

“I know what you’ve told me, but I would
deem it a special favor if you would meet with her. I’m going to
look foolish otherwise.”

Why should she care about that? Yet she
did.

He must have sensed the crack in her
resolve, for he gave her a crooked grin, remaining silent.

“When?” she asked dully.

“Tomorrow, say, four o’clock?”

“All right, I’ll meet with her, but I make
you no promises.”

“Of course not, my dear. I would be
disappointed if you came meekly. One of the things I admire most
about you is your fire—matches that remarkable hair. I never am
sure what to expect.” His voice turned husky. “In fact, I expect
the unexpected.” He cast a quick glance at the partially opened
door then leaned forward and dusted her lips with his own.

His breath was warm against her mouth as he
spoke again. “Your father is wrong, you know—it is never safe when
I’m alone with you.” He pulled back and strode from the room.
“Tomorrow,” he threw over his shoulder.

*****

“I look terrible. I don’t like this gown at
all, Sophy.” Cassandra tossed the gown on her bed and returned to
the wardrobe. “Lord Sutherfield’s sister is the wife of an earl.
I’d hate to appear like…”

“The daughter of a
cit
?” Sophy put in
gently.

“I didn’t mean that.” Cassandra felt
uncomfortable under her friend’s discerning eye. “What I meant to
say was I didn’t want to present an unsophisticated appearance.”
She pulled another dress from the clothes pole, gave it a critical
glance and tossed that one aside as well. “You understand, don’t
you?”

“I’ve never known you to worry about things
like that, Cassie. And you weren’t unsophisticated on the day of
your birth, so you can put that idea away.”

“I suppose. And you’re right. Normally, I
don’t give it a thought. I simply feel uncomfortable with the
situation.”

“I don’t see why. It’s a very nice thing
Lady Eastwick is doing for you.”

“That’s just it.” Cassandra spun around to
look at Sophy. “Why is Lady Eastwick doing this? It’s no small
favor, I guarantee.”

“Perhaps she’s doing it more for her brother
than for you.”

“That makes sense and I agree, but why then
does he want her to do it in the first place?”

“I believe Lord Sutherfield may be serious
about you, Cassie. It’s the only explanation. He certainly seemed
serious that day in Hyde park.”

“I hardly think that’s possible.” Instantly
dismayed by a rush of hope, she continued, “When he met us in the
park he did what he always does—flirt outrageously,”

“He informed your father that he wanted to
call on you. That’s serious, if you ask me.”

A knock at the door relieved Cassandra of
the need to answer.

“Lord Sutherfield is here.”

Her father’s voice from the hallway sent her
into a flurry of activity. “I’ll be there shortly, Papa,” she
called.

With Sophy’s help she found a lavender frock
that pleased her well enough. “Do you want to come down with me?”
she asked as her maid completed final touches to her hair.

“I’ll sneak out after you are gone. But I
expect to hear all the details,” Sophy said as Cassandra left the
room.

Cassandra arrived in the hall outside the
drawing room and paused long enough to straighten her shoulders.
Her stomach was knotted with apprehension. Why? It wasn’t as if she
didn’t know the marquess, hadn’t spent time with him. But he seemed
different. His approach had changed, leaving her feeling uncertain
and defensive.

Simon was watching for her. As she moved
through the doorway his gaze lit with appreciation. He walked
across the room to her side.

“I always wonder if you could possibly be as
beautiful as I remember, and I’m never disappointed.”

“Always the ready compliment, my lord,” she
said neutrally. “Shall we go?”

“Yes indeed, Lydia awaits.” If he was aware
of her indifferent attitude, he chose to ignore it. His manner was
gracious as he escorted her outside.

“Does Lady Eastwick mind?” she asked the
marquess after he helped her into his phaeton.

“Mind?” He climbed in beside her and took
the reins.

“It’s not right to ask her to help me in
such a personal way. She doesn’t even know me.”

“Hence our meeting this afternoon.” He
flicked the reins and the phaeton moved away from the curb and onto
the avenue. “Before the day is through Lydia and you will be
friends.” He glanced over at her, a smile in his eyes. “You won’t
be able to help yourself, you know. Everybody likes Lydia.”

That prediction proved to be true. Lydia St.
John, Countess of Eastwick, aside from being an exceptional beauty,
was a lovely person. Cassandra found herself unable to resist the
lady’s charms.

“If you don’t mind my saying, Lady Eastwick,
you remind me of your brother,” Cassandra observed as she took a
seat opposite her hostess.

“Which brother is that?” Lady Eastwick
laughed. “Simon, of course. Though, I never admit to being like
him. Please, call me Lydia. No need for us to be formal with each
another.”

“How many brothers do you two have?
Cassandra sent a look of inquiry over to Simon where he lounged
against the fireplace. I think you told me once—I’ve
forgotten.”

“I have two brothers.” He grinned. “I
believe Lydia has three.”

“Do you see?” Lydia pouted, “forever the
tease. You have no idea what it was like being the elder sister to
three incorrigible brothers, for I tell you, Robin and Edward are
no better. They took their lessons from Simon who is the oldest of
the boys, and he’s a wonderful teacher. I told him he missed his
calling. If it hadn’t been for our baby sister Jillian to ease the
shock of a household of males, I don’t know what I would have
done.”

The camaraderie between the siblings struck
a cord in Cassandra. “I always wanted a brother or sister. It seems
as if you had a lively family full of fun.” She didn’t realize how
wistful she sounded until Simon and Lydia shared a look. “Of
course, my childhood was wonderful,” she hurried to explain. The
last thing she wanted was anyone to pity her.

“I’m certain,” Lydia reassured her kindly.
Then to her brother, “You know, Simon, I would like to get to know
Cassandra, and I’ve found the presence of a man interferes with the
free flow of conversation. Would you mind leaving us for a
while?”

Simon straightened from the mantle, a
surprised expression crossing his features. “I thought since you
didn’t know each other…”

“Yes, dear, I understand what you thought.
We really don’t need you, though. Cassandra and I are perfectly
able to get acquainted without your assistance. It’s impossible to
gossip about you if you are in the room.” She turned to her guest.
“Don’t you agree?”

Cassandra felt the mirth rise in her throat.
Nodding at her hostess, she allowed her gaze to touch the marquess.
Oh, she shouldn’t have looked at him, for his disgruntled
appearance made her want to laugh out loud.

Both ladies watched in amused silence as
Simon sauntered reluctantly from the room.

“Dear me,” Lydia said once he disappeared
through the doorway. “You will have to watch that tendency in
him.”

“Pardon me?”

“Simon is controlling, you know. Although,
he’s not so different from most men. They all want to rule the
lives of their women. Lord Eastwick is much the same but I don’t
let him win those battles. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my
independence.” Lydia’s eyes twinkled merrily. “Although, sometimes
I allow him to think he’s winning.”

“Lord Sutherfield and I don’t really have
that kind of relationship,” Cassandra rushed to say.

Lydia studied her for several seconds as
though trying to take Cassandra’s measure. When she spoke her words
were slow and deliberate.

“You’re not comfortable with all of this,
are you?”

“Not really. Lord Sutherfield and I…that is
to say…I’m supposed to marry my cousin Roger Morley,” she finally
blurted.

“Do tell,” Lydia murmured, settling back in
her chair. “My brother knows this?”

“Yes. Yes, he does.”

“Has Simon offered for you?”

Cassandra felt her cheeks flare. She wanted
to end this line of questioning, but deep in the interview she saw
little hope of evading the issues being raised.

“Lord Sutherfield told my father he would
like to call on me, nothing more.”

Lydia continued to watch her through
appraising eyes. “Strange he would do that under the circumstances.
Simon is a man unto himself, but rarely does he buck propriety. Do
you suppose he’s not convinced that you are committed to Mr.
Morley?”

Cassandra was forced to clarify her own
position. “It’s my fault. I’ve let my attitude show. I’m the one
who doesn’t accept a union with Roger. My cousin and I are not
compatible, you see. I realize that’s not important by society’s
standards and my grandfather would say I sounded common for
mentioning it. But that’s how I feel.”

“Common or not there are many who feel as
you do. My relationship with my husband is based upon affection,
and I would have it no other way.” Lydia chewed on her lip briefly
before continuing. “I know you think I’m intruding where I have no
right, but I’m trying to understand. After all, if I’m to sponsor
you it will be hard to avoid everything personal. And Simon’s
involvement does concern me.”

“I tried to tell your brother this is too
much to ask. I’m a stranger. You don’t know me.”

“I’ve thought about that, not just from my
perspective but from yours. However, there will be a lot of
excitement surrounding you and I’ll be in the middle of it. That
appeals to me. There is nothing society loves more than a new
arrival in its midst.”

“I don’t want to draw attention to myself.
Can’t I slip into society without too much notice?”

Lydia gave an unladylike snort. “A beauty
such as yourself? I hardly think so. Simon will have to beat away
the gentlemen with a stick.” She smiled. “Actually, I rather like
the imagery. Might restrain that conceit of his.”

Cassandra smiled in return but decided to
forego any further explanations. Clearly, Lydia had determined that
Roger did not pose a threat to her brother’s ambition. But she
could have told the lady what the marquess really desired. And it
had little to do with a proposal that culminated in a wedding
ceremony.

Much to Cassandra’s relief the two ladies
chatted over tea after that, relegating the conversation to trivial
matters until Simon poked his head inside the door.

“May I come in, or am I still persona non
grata?” he asked. “I think it’s time I took our guest away.”

That ended the small party, and Cassandra
took her leave of her hostess.

The marquess drove her home in the twilight.
The warmth of the day had dissipated and a soft breeze had taken
its place. Unaccountably, she felt at ease as Simon tooled the
carriage through the thinning traffic. They sat shoulder to
shoulder, but the charged atmosphere that usually bothered her when
she was with him was curiously absent. How nice to simply enjoy his
company. She glanced up at him.

“You were right,” she broke the silence.

“Oh?”

“Lydia is a marvelous person, very amicable.
I liked her immediately.”

“I’m glad. She liked you, too. I could
tell.” He took his gaze from the road for a moment, looking over at
her. “Are you ready to let her sponsor you then?”

Cassandra waved her hand impatiently. “I
don’t know. It is a situation prime for gossip. My grandfather
ought to be doing the honors. He will want to do it, will feel it’s
his duty. I have no excuse not to go through him. I’m afraid he’ll
be angry with me if I don’t.”

“You left Lord Whittingham in the country,
and I had the impression you wanted to be away from him for awhile.
Are you certain you wish to bring him to the city just now? Your
life will not be your own. Do you think he will bring Morley and,
God forbid, Penelope?”

Gracious, she hadn’t thought of that!
“You’re correct, I’m afraid. If I involve my grandfather, he’ll use
the opportunity to announce my engagement to Roger. Perhaps it
would be best if we forget this idea at least for now. I have the
rest of my life to meet society.”

She sensed his impatience before he
spoke.

“Is that what you really want?

“I’m as sociable as the next person, Simon,
but I don’t like to be on display. All this fuss is making me
uncomfortable.”

“How about a compromise then?”

“I’m listening,” she said cautiously.

“Lydia can take you about, introduce you to
people but without any pomp. You can be someone with whom she’s
made friends. Your history can be revealed as you see fit. Even
your grandfather can’t object to that.”

“No special parties in my honor?”

“If you’d rather not,” he agreed.

“Provided that you mean what you say, I’ll
try. But I can end it anytime?”

“Anytime.”

I must be the greatest fool alive, Cassandra
thought a short while later as Lord Sutherfield escorted her to the
front door of the James’ residence. She offered him a prim goodbye,
and for once he graciously accepted her dismissal without
objecting. Shutting the door, she leaned against it then closed her
eyes and sighed.