by Julia Donner
A pedestrian strolling by heard the epithet and stopped to stare, his eyebrows upraised. Cassandra didn’t care who heard her. Tessa became every inch a lady’s maid and glared at the upstart with the effrontery to ogle her mistress. Unfortunately, her mien held all the threat of a kitten hissing at a bear. The man responded with a sniff and continued on his way.
No doubt eager to voice more of her strong disapproval, Tessa trotted to catch up, determined to continue the subject Cassandra sought to avoid.
“Miss Cassy, I won’t allow it! Of all the stupid, bumble-brained things I’ve witnessed you doing in the past, this one is the topper. It makes me sick, it does. I won’t let you throw your good self away on some old goat drooling over a tender, young bride. It’s disgusting!”
“You’ve been reading too many novels.”
“I know what I know,” Tessa muttered, a militant sparkle in her eyes.
“You don’t know Arthur Fallone,” Cassandra airily replied.
“My bet is, neither do you!”
“He’s kind, handsome, young, and rich. Papa says we’ll rub along very congenially. I shall have bags of money and a lovely husband. What more could I ask?”
“For one thing, a pair of responsible parents! Miss Cassy, you know absolutely nothing about men.”
“And you do, Miss Tessart, with two, measly years of seniority to hold over my head?”
“I’m telling you,” she said between puffs and wheezes, “men are all smooth and greasy on the outside, but what’s under the surface is something else. Liars, the lot of’em!”
“Many females suffer the very same moral inadequacies. The unfortunate truth is that I shall have to marry someone, someday. I might as well take my medicine now in one unpleasant dose."
Tessa crowed an annoying laugh and sported a smug grin. “I never for a minute thought you were as eager as you sound. All air and noise, you are. Nothin’ but big words and too much pride!”
“Tessa, if you say one more word, I’m going to punch you on the nose.”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Oh, la, now I am frightened!”
Cassandra narrowed her eyes and conjured devious thoughts. “What’s the name of that spotty footman next door?”
“You know very well it’s Treakham, and what has you askin’ about that pimple-faced weasel?”
“What if someone should tell him that you’ve formed a lasting attachment but are too afraid to speak of it?”
Tessa gasped, snapped her mouth shut and pierced her mistress with a slit-eyed glare. “You win. Unfairly, but you win.”
Tessa kept her lips pinched together the rest of the way to the park. When they reached the arched entrance, Tessa asked to stop for a cup of lemonade from a vendor’s cart. The day had become quite warm and she complained that her throat was parched from chasing after Cassandra’s energetic stride.
Teeth gritted, Cassandra waited while Tessa sipped lemonade. She glanced around the park but saw nothing. She was still very angry with herself for consenting to the marriage. She couldn’t blame Tessa, who only meant to show support with her nagging concern. Tessa spoke the truth—the last thing she needed to hear at this point.
Cassandra knew all of the pitfalls of marrying someone in haste, and what made it worse, her father also knew the dangers. With no other avenue of escape, she must sink to selling herself to the highest bidder and hope for the best.
Fallone sounded like a reasonable solution. His only reason for marrying her might be to be free of his guardian’s control, since an inheritance was sometimes released when the heir married. She couldn’t fault the man for seeking control of his fortune and future. She would do the same if she were in his position.
She blinked back the tears burning behind her eyes, set her jaw at a jaunty angle, bit her inner lip and refused to give in to useless despair. Tonight, for the first time in a long time, she would pray. Tomorrow was another day and one she must get through, if she didn’t throttle her friend and maid first.
“Are you finished, Tessa?”
“In a moment. Stop tapping your foot.”
“Hurry. I need to walk off this energy.”
“No, what you need to do is make everybody watching us think you’re a lady.”
Cassandra whispered something horrid. Tessa retaliated and the argument continued, offering Cassandra a welcome opportunity to vent anxieties with a somewhat satisfying verbal skirmish. And she didn’t give a fig if they were in the middle of the park.
Chapter 5
“Lindy,” Rave murmured, “do you know that magnificent creature?”
Ravenswold waited while his pretty companion sipped lemonade from a chilled silver cup. His childhood friend, Lindy, Lady Wethermore, presided from the forward seat of her landau with its top folded down. She had presented herself on his doorstep without invitation and insisted he accompany her on a late morning drive. Since he’d known her forever and required reliable information about politics and society in general, he indulged her.
He’d spent the last ten minutes bored but patient, his disinterested attention moving over the fashionable couples and groups strolling Hyde Park’s boundaries. Mostly, he studied the horses drawing the various equipages. When a glossy black phaeton wheeled by, he noticed a bright splash of color beyond the carriage. Then, the phaeton was gone, revealing a pair of females standing by the lemonade vendor.
His gaze swept by the plump little maid. The other one, the source of the vivid color, caught and held his interest. Cass, outfitted in a bright green merino dress topped with an even brighter blue pelisse, stood with obvious impatience and startling beauty against the backdrop of the park’s verdant splendor. There was a determined tilt to her proud head and a preoccupied gleam in her eyes.
Lindy passed her cup to the groom standing by the carriage door. She reached for her quizzing glass on the plush seat and raised the lens to one eye.
“Ah, yes. The incomparable Miss Seyton. I perceive that she is somewhat vexed, but then her temperament is as famous as her beauty. I vow, the gel’s energy leaves me positively enervated. She can be so contrary and the only beautiful female I’ve ever met who despises her looks. Flies up in the boughs if one mentions it.”
“I must have an introduction, Lindy.”
“I shall be happy to arrange it.”
“Now, Lindy.”
A catlike smile transformed Lindy’s mouth from its usual pout of ennui. “My dear Rave, does my hearing bear me false witness? For all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never requested me to perform this office. Lud, with a glance the great one has fallen! How tediously common.”
Lindy leaned back against the plush squabs, her movements languid and sensual. Familiar with all of her games, he knew what she wanted, but it wasn’t enough to lure away his preference from Cass. When Lindy failed to distract him, she tapped the quizzing glass against her pursed lips and contemplated his unwavering stare.
“This smacks of romance, sir. Romance from the always so practical Earl Ravenswold? What your mother wouldn’t have given to be present at this momentous occasion! Poor, dear Felicia wanted nothing more out of life than to see her fledglings wed and producing a flock of grandchildren.”
“Then you didn’t know her well, Lindy. And Augusta gave her two ridiculously boisterous granddaughters to spoil and coddle. Mama understood my reticence in the matter of choosing a bride. One can never be too hasty. Except when it is necessary, and I believe that it is very necessary right now. I’d be obliged to you if you’d make her known to me immediately.”
Lindy attempted to hide her concern with a light laugh. “You should see your expression. Positively predatory, which is so very unlike you. I shall satisfy your wish, if for no other reason than that of curiosity.”
Lindy raised her hand to hail the object of his regard only to discover that Miss Seyton was preparing to leave. She’d grabbed her maid’s hand and hurried the smaller woman at an unseemly pace that looked out of place in the idyllic tranqu
ility of the park.
Ravenswold’s reaction was immediate. He moved to leave the carriage but was stopped by the grasp of a pink-gloved hand on his wrist. “Do nothing to put her off, Rave! I know her when she is in one of her tempers.” She called to her driver, “Bateman, follow the young lady in green. Intercept her!”
Bateman lifted the reins and neatly maneuvered the carriage from the far side of the park drive out onto the main road. Rave took a moment to be impressed with Bateman’s skill and economics as the four horses settled into collected movement after standing so long.
The carriage proceeded at a brisk trot around the circular drive to the nearest exit to intercept Miss Seyton and her maid before they reached the arched gate out of the park. A plodding carriage with three dignified matrons hampered their progress.
Noting Rave’s impatient scowl, Lindy called, “Bateman, where lies the difficulty? Why do we not go forward?”
Bateman pointed his long whip. “The conveyance ahead, my lady.”
Lindy clucked with disgust. “Overtake them! I don’t wish to lose sight of the young lady.”
“Very good, my lady,” Bateman responded and flicked the tip of the leader’s ear with the whip.
Rave added, “There’s gold in it when you find her, Bateman.”
“Ravenswold, you may not corrupt my servants!”
Now caught up in the chase, her small hand gripped Rave’s coat sleeve as she craned to search for the young lady in the blue pelisse and green walking dress.
Bateman attempted a daring maneuver around the slow carriage. He almost succeeded when a curricle suddenly appeared, bearing down on them at a reckless and inappropriate gallop. Bateman pulled up the team and directed them from the middle of the road to safety behind the slow moving carriage, narrowly escaping a collision with the flying black curricle driven by Sir Harry Collyns.
Bateman apologetically called over his shoulder, “I’m so very sorry, my lady, but it was not possible.”
“I’ve eyes in my head, Bateman! Has the young lady gone to earth?”
“She and the maid have taken a path through the trees in the direction of the street. Would you like to drive around the perimeter of the park, my lady?”
“Do that, Bateman.” She settled back against the squabs. “La, Ravenswold, now look what you have wrought. My coachman is eager for your gold.”
“What of it? I have plenty.”
Rave felt Lindy’s keen perusal. He glanced at the naughty ideas sparkling within her knowing gaze and then continued to scan the streets and pathways.
“You mustn’t scowl, Rave. You are much too formidable when you put on that dreadful, angry face.”
“I’m not angry, Lindy. Merely displeased.”
“Then I shouldn’t like to view your anger if this is an indication of your displeasure. If Bateman cannot apprehend her, I shall arrange it so that you will meet her.”
Bateman circled the park twice, but they didn’t find their quarry. Lindy, much to Rave’s dissatisfaction, expressed the desire for a second cup of lemonade, explaining outright that she wanted to be seen with him. He seldom went out into society, extended few invitations to Ravencourt, and although he belonged to many clubs, he rarely enjoyed the company of his peers. The only reason he came to London was to fulfill his obligation as a member of the House of Lords. When it was circulated that she’d been seen driving with him—an event that would surely rank as this evening’s choicest on-dit—it would be quite a feather in her cap. He’d known Lindy too long to deny her something that meant so little to him.
The carriage halted at the exact spot vacated earlier. The groom was instructed to take the silver cup and purchase another lemonade. Content, Lindy sat and demurely sipped. She nodded to passing carriages and pedestrians, all of whom behaved with painstaking care to mask their avid interest. Even though Rave acted oblivious to everything and everyone, he missed little. At the moment, his attention remained centered on the place where Cass had been.
“Rave, am I mistaken, or have you developed a vulgar obsession for this girl?”
“Perhaps.”
“Ridiculous! You’ve seen her only once and not exchanged one word with her. You wouldn’t be the first to have been so stricken. Miss Seyton has left in her wake a trail of languishing suitors.”
“You’ll excuse me if I do not consider my interest in her ridiculous.”
“Oh, dear! Was that meant to be a set-down? Then let us be practical, which is vastly more suited to your nature and disposition. Attend to me, Rave! What if the girl had been affianced? You haven’t bothered to inquire.”
“She is not?”
“Heavens, no. Not that she hasn’t been deluged with offers. Turned up her elegant nose to every one of them, and some were persons I wouldn’t dare to flout!”
“I admire her already. I value perspicacity and resolution in females. Never could stomach a wilting miss.”
Lindy allowed a wicked huskiness to shade her tone when she asked, “I must repeat, dear Rave, what would you have done if she’d been taken?”
“I shall answer that with a question: What do you think my father would have done?”
“That was fifty years ago! One doesn’t do such things now. The indiscriminate slaughter of one’s adversaries by dueling is no longer considered civil.”
He smirked and looked away to nod to an acquaintance driving a pair in tandem. He lifted a hand in salute to a gentleman astride a sturdy bare mare.
Lindy frowned. “Was that Asterly? I didn’t know he’d returned.”
“Neither did I. Harry thought he was still abroad.”
She handed her silver cup to the servant standing by the door. “Do gentlemen do such things now?”
“What things, Lindy?”
“Kill each other. Females aren’t allowed to know that gentlemen still find it necessary to duel on occasion. And there is the small matter of breaking the law.”
He larded his reply with the scorn it deserved. “What does the law have to do with it?”
“You still refuse to satisfy my curiosity. Do you know that, just now, you look a great deal like your father. I recall your mother once mentioning something about him weeding out her suitors, one by one. There was that famous scandal about the lover he dispatched. Of course, your mother’s name wasn’t involved.”
“Father took exception to the gentleman’s shoe buckles, I believe.”
“Shoe buckles? What will you do now? This is the nineteenth century. Fashion no longer favors the use of shoe buckles.”
He looked at her, his answer low and unpleasant. “But they must wear something, Lindy.”
Scandalized, she gurgled a delighted laugh. “How diverting! You’ll have every man in London eschewing fashion and their clothes. A fascinating accomplishment!”
“Would you like seeing that?”
She smirked. “I’m persuaded they’d suffer a chill and then what use would they be?”
She cast him a meaningful smile and reached over to pat his gloved hand. “Dearest friend, I shouldn’t think anything quite so drastic or violent as a duel will be required. Miss Seyton has yet to make her choice. The field is still open, and I have no doubts that you are quite capable of making a clean sweep of any opposition in the same flamboyant and disagreeable manner as your father.”
“Could we change this tedious subject?”
“Certainly! I’m having a rout Wednesday next. You will come.”
“I will not attend.”
“I know you’re still in mourning and detest assemblies, but it will be a quiet gathering. I’m planning it as we speak, you see.”
“I am not moved to accept your kind invitation.”
“Rave, you blockhead! I’m inviting Miss Seyton for the express purpose of giving you an introduction!”
He felt a smile tug up one corner of his mouth. “I am indeed fortunate that Mama had you for her goddaughter, and it’s high time that you reimbursed me for all the aggravation I su
ffered with you as my only childhood companion.”
“Cretin! You could at least show your appreciation with something more substantial.”
He looked into her unwavering gaze for some time then asked, “Who is your current lover?”
“He bores me. No one has ever surpassed Sir Harry.” Her stare conveyed an explicit challenge.
“Where has your husband been keeping himself as of late?”
“You know very well that he practically lives at Boodles with his cronies.”
“Then he’ll not mind my inviting you to luncheon.”
She glanced away in an attempt to hide the telltale flash of eagerness in her eyes. “I dare say he wouldn’t notice.”
“Stupid man, your husband. Last week, I passed a charming inn while exercising a new pair of bays. It’s about an hour’s drive from London. My cattle could do with a brisk run. Are you free to join me, since Sir Hubert obviously prefers the comforts of his club?”
At her worried glance at the servants’ backs, Rave mildly said, every word a chilling threat, “If there is any gossip, I will know the source.”
Lindy covertly rubbed her slipper up and down his booted ankle. “I take it back, Rave, you do know exactly how to repay a charitable deed. An hour’s drive? Then we shall be back in town by nightfall.”
“The rout isn’t until next week. I shouldn’t think that we’d have to return before then, do you?”
“You perfect devil!” she sputtered with a breathy laugh.
“If I remember correctly, a bit of the devil is what you prefer.”
“You used to be so wonderfully rakish, Rave.”
“It’s not something one forgets.”
Excitement, danger and desire smoldered in her gaze. “I can scarcely wait to discover the extent of your memory, but I must be back before supper.”
“Considering my obligation, I am your obedient servant, Lindy.”
“Bateman, I have tired of the park.”
“My house, Portman Square,” Rave said.
Lindy leaned back against plush purple squabs and contentedly looked up at the canopy of trees passing overhead. “Dear Rave, it’s so very comforting to be appreciated by one’s friends, don’t you agree?”
