by Meghan Sloan
“I’ll agree with that.” Gabriel murmured.
Percy’s description of Cassandra differed greatly from what Gabriel knew of her, but he also knew that not everyone would see the true person in polite society. A facade had to be maintained if someone wanted to be accepted. Cassandra had shown her true side to Gabriel, albeit briefly, and it seemed to have lit a fire underneath Gabriel. It captivated him.
Captivated? It wasn’t supposed to be him getting captivated. But it was a little concerning that Gabriel saw the real Cassandra Seton whereas Percy saw the polite mask that she put on. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
“I would’ve thought she’d be a bit more colourful. A little more vibrant, and not in a good way.” Percy looked a little...dazed. He smiled. “She’s so angelic, so sweet. And she doesn’t mind it when I stumble over my words or make a mistake.”
“So you’re impressed with her.”
“Very much so. Mother and Father like her as well,” Percy’s smile widened. Gabriel was surprised that he wasn’t puffing out his chest in pride. “They’d be happy to extend an invitation again for her in the future. I just hope that I made a good impression on her.”
Gabriel was sure he had done. From the sound of it, Cassandra had accepted his flaws. Maybe this would work better than he expected. His brother certainly looked very excited about having a woman interested in him. That didn’t happen very often; women weren’t keen on a shy, awkward young man, no matter how good-looking he was.
“See if you can get her out and about with you,” Gabriel suggested. “Go for walks in the countryside or a picnic. You know the best places we used to explore when we were children. Perfect to get to know each other.”
“That’s a good idea. I might just do that.”
Gabriel should have been pleased. His plan was working. Soon, Cassandra would be completely focused on Percy. The two of them would fall in love and Percy would become Cassandra’s priority. So why did he have a sick feeling in his stomach over this?
Pushing that aside, Gabriel rose to his feet. He needed to escape before he started second-guessing himself.
“I’d better get going. And you need to head home if you don’t want Father to get upset.”
“It’s only because we’ve got Uncle Victor and his family coming to stay. He doesn’t want me to be late for dinner tonight.” Percy paused, “Claire and Christian will want to see you.”
Gabriel wanted to see them as well. Twins Claire and Christian were about to enter society at eighteen and Gabriel loved them. They adored him, and Gabriel always went out of his way to see them. But it would be easier said than done now he was banned from the house. Gabriel managed a smile even as his chest tightened.
“They’ll figure out how to sneak away. Just let them know I’ll see them tomorrow afternoon, if they wish, by our spot at the river.”
“All right.” Percy rose and embraced his brother again. “Thank you again for this, Gabe. I appreciate it.”
Gabriel wasn’t sure if he could say the same.
Chapter 12
Cassandra had got everything sorted at the business and at home. Ernest had retreated into his study to work, so Cassandra concentrated on sorting out everything else. It was all done and prepared for the evening at Seton Hall, so there was nothing much for Cassandra to do until later on. Which was good, as she had arranged to have dinner with Emily’s family, and Cassandra didn’t want to be late.
There wasn’t a carriage around when Cassandra stepped outside, so she decided to walk. There was plenty of time before dinner started, and she liked walking. Even with the smog in the air, it was refreshing. Cassandra couldn’t think of a better place than Ipswich. She had been to London before, but it always came up short. Instead, Cassandra stayed close to her hometown, the place that would always have a soft spot in her heart.
Some of her friends were always talking about London and how beautiful it was, and they couldn’t understand why Cassandra didn’t like London as much as they did. Cassandra simply shrugged and said she wasn’t going to change her mind because they wanted her to. London was nice, but it wasn’t the centre of everything. And she wasn’t going to follow the season like everyone around her did so religiously. It wasn’t the end of the world if she didn’t.
That had made her lose a few friends in the past. If she couldn’t get excited about the latest fashion or the most recent gossip, Cassandra was pushed out. No problem for her; she wasn’t going to waste time with superficial friends.
At least Emily had always been there. It would be devastating if she was to turn her back on Cassandra as well. Although Cassandra had worried a little the night before. Emily had drifted away and wouldn’t talk about the evening. She had been remarkably quiet, and Cassandra had put it down to tiredness. It had been very late. Now she was beginning to wonder if there was something else going on.
Hopefully, Emily would be back to normal and they could talk about it. Cassandra didn’t want to have Emily cross at her without any explanation.
Cassandra arrived at the public house. She was about to cross the road when she saw Percy Tattershall leaving. That had Cassandra stepping back behind a group of women hovering outside a dress shop and watching as Percy put his hat on and walked down the street. What was he doing here? Percy had said only the night before that he disliked going into public houses. Had he been lying to her?
She waited until he was around the corner before crossing the street. Someone had some explaining to do later on.
The door opened just as Cassandra reached it and she stopped abruptly before she ran right into the man coming out. She gasped and stepped back. It was Gabriel. Now Percy’s presence made more sense.
Gabriel stopped when he saw her. They simply stared at each other, Gabriel’s eyes darkening as they drifted over her face. Cassandra felt a shiver down her back at the look. Why did he have to look at her so intensely? It made her feel like he was physically touching her, warmth travelling across her skin.
That was not good.
“Miss Seton,” Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”
“I came to see Emily.” Cassandra squared her shoulders. Why did this man want to make her a quivering mess? “I’m having dinner with her family.”
“And you’re here without a chaperone?” Gabriel looked over her shoulder. “Unless my mind is playing tricks on me. Should you be walking around without one?”
Cassandra lifted her chin.
“You keep forgetting that I’m not a woman of high social standing. I have a little more leeway. What are you doing here, anyway?”
“Can’t a man have a drink once in a while?”
“Not when they’re you, Mr. Tattershall.”
Gabriel raised his eyebrows. He chuckled.
“You need to stop being so skeptical about me, Miss Seton.”
“With you, I have to be,” Cassandra shot back. “You’re always up to something.”
Gabriel smiled, his eyes glinting. And Cassandra found herself momentarily speechless. Why did he have to be so attractive? Her pulse should not be skittering just because he’d smiled at her. No man had made her feel like this before. She didn’t want to feel like this. It knocked her off-balance, and Cassandra hated not being able to stay on an even keel. Gabriel just whipped the rug out from under her.
She counted to ten in her head. And again. If he would just get out of the way, then Cassandra could go inside and get away from him. She could think more clearly when he wasn’t there, looming in the doorway in front of her.
“How was your meal last night with my family?” Gabriel asked. He leaned against the wall, giving her a lazy smile. “Did my little brother pass muster?”
Cassandra bristled.
“If you mean did we get along, we did. He’s a very nice young man.”
“Just nice?”
Cassandra frowned.
“Are you trying to get me to list everything about your brother like I’
m head over heels? He’s a nice young man and we got along well enough. That’s all you're getting from me, Mr. Tattershall.”
Gabriel was silent for a moment as he regarded her. Cassandra resisted the urge to squirm.
“Well,” he drawled, “I know he’s a loyal man who would never do anything to harm anyone. He’s a good person, Miss Seton.”
“I know that,” Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “But why are you so insistent about it? Why does it feel like you’re trying to push us together?”
“Because I know what Percy wants.”
That was not a good answer. Cassandra still felt like she was on Gabriel’s chessboard and he was pushing her around. She didn’t like it. She stepped onto the porch and tried to step around Gabriel, but he wouldn’t move.
“Excuse me, Mr. Tattershall? I would like to go inside.”
“Cassie.”
Gabriel took her wrist. And Cassandra froze. The heat from his hand travelled up her arm so fast she almost swayed. Her heart began to race, and her stomach tightened into a knot. Whoa. She had never felt a reaction like that just from a first touch.
She should have moved, pushed him away. But Cassandra couldn’t.
“Look, Cassie,” Gabriel moved in closer, “I’ve spoken to my brother, and I know when he finds someone he likes. He really likes you, and he’s just nervous about getting it wrong. He can be rather clumsy. I don’t want him to be disheartened if you walk away because he did something wrong.”
He was far too close. And they were in public. People could see them, and then there would be talk. Cassandra normally didn’t care, and she could stand up for herself. But with Gabriel Tattershall, it was something else. She could already feel herself panicking and she shoved it to one side, fixing Gabriel with a steely glare.
“If he does something wrong, I’ll let him know. And would you let go of me, please?”
Gabriel blinked. Then he looked down and saw he was still holding onto her. He let go and stepped back, holding up his hands.
“Forgive me, Miss Seton. I shouldn’t have grabbed you.”
“No. You shouldn’t have.”
They stared at each other. Cassandra knew she should go inside and find Emily. It was safer that way. But she couldn’t. For some reason, she was rooted to the spot watching Gabriel. The man had an ability to draw people to him, and Cassandra had been caught up in it as well.
She had to get away. This was too much. Cassandra swallowed hard and fumbled for the door handle.
“I...I’d better get inside. It’s going to start raining shortly. Good...good day.”
Then she was staggering into the public house. She didn’t care what she looked like, or that Gabriel was watching her. Cassandra only cared about getting away. Emily hurried over as Cassandra reached the counter.
“Cassie! What is it?”
“I…” Cassandra was glad the public house wasn’t as full as normal. She didn’t want to be seen in a fluster. She took Emily’s hand. “Can we go somewhere we can’t be overheard? I need to talk to you.”
“Of course.” Frowning, Emily tugged Cassandra behind her as she headed towards the back of the bar. “We can go to my room. Mother and Father can manage without me for a few minutes.”
They headed into the living quarters and up the stairs. Emily’s parents would be downstairs looking after the business. The upstairs quarters were barely used on the days the Barrington Arms was open except on Sundays, so there was no worry about being overheard. Unlike Cassandra’s home, which seemed to have someone listening at keyholes if they knew there was someone sneaking around. You couldn’t really keep a secret there.
And Cassandra was holding onto a secret. One that she had pushed aside during the day while she was busy, but now it was coming back in a way that made her uncomfortable. She didn’t know what to do, and it was gnawing at her.
Hopefully, Emily would figure out what to do.
They entered Emily’s bedroom. Emily shut the door and drew Cassandra to the bed.
“Sit down.” She settled beside her friend as Cassandra sagged onto the bed. “What’s wrong, Cassie? You look like you haven’t slept well.”
“I...I barely slept last night,” Cassandra stared at the floor. “I just couldn’t.”
She had been exhausted and the evening had been pleasant enough. But all Cassandra had been able to think about was the brother who hadn’t been present. The one who could make her weak-kneed just by looking at her. The one who could heat her up with just one touch.
The brother who she shouldn’t be having anything to do with.
“You’re beginning to worry me now.” Emily squeezed Cassandra’s arm, “What’s wrong?”
Saying it in her head was one thing. But saying it out loud sounded completely different. Cassandra knew she was going to sound silly, but she didn’t know who else to talk to. She hadn’t planned to come here and talk to Emily about this, but seeing Gabriel just now had turned that on its head.
She stood and began to pace.
“I’m so conflicted, Emily. I...I’ve never felt like this, and I never thought it would happen. Now it has, and I…” Cassandra stopped and turned to her friend. “It has to be the wrong person.”
“You’re not making any sense, Cassie.”
“I’m talking about Gabriel Tattershall. I…” Cassandra closed her eyes. “I think I’m more than a little affected by him. And it...it’s intense. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
“What are…?” Emily felt silent. Cassandra opened her eyes to see Emily staring at her. “You have feelings for Gabriel Tattershall?”
“I think I do.”
Emily blinked. Cassandra might have got a better reaction if she had hit her friend over the head.
“I didn’t think you even liked him. I knew you found him attractive, but I didn’t think it would go any further.”
“I thought the intensity of how I felt towards him was dislike. But it’s not. I’m beginning to realise that now.” Cassandra rubbed her hands over her face. Was she shaking? “And I...I don’t feel happy about it.”
“I’m not surprised,” Emily shook her head. “I didn’t believe you and he would even get along if left in the same room alone for more than a few minutes. I would have expected one of you to end up with your insides ripped out.”
“It’s more than that, Emily.” Cassandra went to the little chair Emily had by the window and sagged onto it. “He’s trying to push me onto his brother. I know it’s his doing, and I’m certain that Percy had no idea who I was before last night. It had Gabriel’s handiwork all over it.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’m still trying to figure it out.” Cassandra bit her lip. “But I do know that when I’m around Percy...he’s a nice young man, and he’s very sweet, but there’s nothing. I can’t bring myself to find him attractive in here,” she pressed a fist to her chest. “But with his brother…”
“You feel it,” Emily murmured. “A lot.”
Cassandra nodded. She felt like she wanted to cry, but it wouldn’t happen.
“It hurts, Em. It shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t be finding a man like him so attractive. Certainly not after three interactions.”
