Maybe she had pushed him too far. How could she have known he would react in such an unpredictable manner? Fighting with Roger was more than she thought possible.
Poor Roger. She hoped he was not badly hurt. She had not thought to inquire about him before leaving the premises.
The squire’s behavior had outraged her. Perhaps she, too, had acted rash. Dousing him with a drink was not the act of a civilized lady. If he had continued with his tirade, she didn’t know to what extreme she would have retaliated.
The sound of thundering footsteps interrupted her thoughts. They grew in intensity. Seated at her dressing table, Cassie could feel the floor vibrate as someone climbed the stairs.
Layette ran to the door and shrieked out in alarm when it flew open with such force that the handle hit the wall.
“Get out of the way” It was the unmistakable voice of Julian Stewart. “I don’t care how she is dressed!”
“Pardon, s’il vows plait.” Layette backed from the squire toward Cassie. “I must object! Zis eez no way to receive a gentleman!”
“It’s quite all right. As it happens, Squire Stewart is not a gentleman,” Cassie remarked, not at all surprised at his presence.
“If you please, my lady.” He took a moment to draw in a breath. “I shall wait to speak to you in the library … at your convenience.”
Julian ran down the stairs and steamed into the library. He stripped off his jacket, still reeking of spirits, and tossed it aside. It was uncomfortably warm in here. He swung open the window and tore the cravat from his neck. He unbuttoned the top buttons at the collar of his shirt and pulled away the material from his sweat-and-spirit-soaked skin, allowing the evening air to cool him.
Maxwell appeared. “Is there anything you require, sir?”
“Have tea brought in for Lady Cassandra when she arrives.”
“I shall see to it at once,” he said and disappeared.
Impatient for Cassandra’s arrival, he could not sit and wait for her. He paced from the window to the desk and back again. He tread the well-worn path for nearly an hour and consulted his watch on an average of every three minutes.
Where the devil was she?
Cassandra stood in the doorway, a picture of calm, dressed in a simple long-sleeved blue gown with a round neckline. Her hair was bound at the neck, hung loose on her back. Short hairs formed soft curls, framing her face.
He knew better than to snap at her, demanding to know what had taken her so long. That temper of his had not done much for him this evening. He would try to restrain that beast.
“Did you wish to speak with me?” was her polite inquiry, without so much as a reference to the scene they played only an hour ago.
The squire smiled and sketched a shallow bow, bidding her welcome.
Cassandra entered the room seemingly unafraid with her hands clasped in front of her and her chin held high. A maid bustled in and left a tea tray on the table. Cassandra waited for the maid to leave before seating herself on the sofa. She remained quiet, waiting for the squire to speak.
“In all my years,” he began, “I find your actions very disturbing.”
“Sir, it seems that you have been out of sorts all evening.” She took up her cup of tea. “Perhaps if you had some tea”
“Out of sorts? I am not out of sorts!” His hands had clenched into tight fists. “And I don’t want any tea!”
“Perhaps you need a touch of sherry to calm your nerves?” She looked up at him sweetly.
A small knock sounded in the moment of silence.
Julian yelled at the door, “What is it?”
The door creaked, swinging open only a few inches. Maxwell did not enter, only leaned toward the room. “Sir? I thought perhaps there might be a problem?”
“No!” Julian had not meant to respond so abrupt. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He took a breath and held it, endeavoring to gather his scattered thoughts. “Everything is fine, Maxwell, please leave us”
“Yes, sir.” The butler inclined his head and retreated.
“Out of sorts,” Cassandra whispered as if confirming she had been correct all along.
Perhaps she had been. “Maxwell is not used to hearing me … has never heard me, speak to anyone in that manner.”
“You were not speaking. You were shouting, sir.”
“I was not-” He broke off his sentence when he detected the volume of his voice creeping upward. Julian began again, this time with practiced calm. “I apologize for my outburst”
“Kind apology accepted” Cassandra took another sip of tea and glanced at him over the rim of the cup. Setting the cup and saucer on the mahogany table, she moved to warm herself at the fire.
“If I may be so bold, what has brought on this bout of temper?”
Julian noticed the illuminating glow from the hearth caress her face. The flickering fire sparkled in her eyes. She looked more beautiful now than ever.
He stood next to her, taking in the graceful lines of her face, the curve of her cheek, the pout of her lips. He fought the temptation to wrap his arms around her and kiss her but only for the moment.
“I must apologize for my behavior earlier this evening. I think I have finally come to terms with myself. A man of my years should know better.”
“Exactly how should one of your advanced years behave?” She stared at him with those dazzling blue eyes.
He could feel it starting. Her eyes were mesmerizing him. Just a little longer he told himself. He had to wait until the time was right.
“You know, you were quite right when you said I should know exactly what I want in life.” His glance flew from her eyes to her lips and back again. “It has taken me all this time to realize exactly what I desire.”
“And what is it you desire?” Her words so soft, they lingered in the air between them.
“You,” he whispered. He let loose his control and gave his heart permission to act. His lips took hers. The wanting, the longing he had felt, momentarily extinguished with the touch of her lips.
Julian wrapped his arm around her, pulling her near. Cassandra’s hands swept over his shirt and encircled his neck. He kissed her smooth, lightly scented cheek and trailed kisses down her neck. She sighed his name.
Cassie felt herself melting in his arms. Trapped in his embrace, she smelled a trace brandy in the air, blending with his scent. This was what she wanted, this was what she craved, this was what she had been fighting for.
“You’re not pulling away” Her breathing was labored. “Do you no longer consider this wrong?”
He released her, easing back. He trapped her hands within his. “I have tried to act indifferent as I watched you with other men. I found myself growing quite …”
“Jealous?” She smiled.
“I would hate to think that but I suppose you’re right. It disturbed me to see your attentions being spent on other men” His hand moved to her face and he cradled her jaw. “I just never would admit to myself how much I cared for you. I’ve never had these kinds of feeling for anyone”
“You mean in love?”
“Yes.” The light in his eyes glowed brighter than the fire. “Completely, madly, passionately, desperately, in love. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize. I wish to marry you, if you’ll have me?”
“With all my heart” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“You shall be married by the end of next week” The squire delivered a tender kiss in the palm of her hand. “Just as your father wished.”
A jubilant smile danced across Cassie’s face. Moistness gathered in her eyes, making them sparkle even more. The tears escaped, trickling down her face.
“Why are you crying?” He frowned. “I thought this would please you?”
“They are tears of joy”
“Tears for happiness?” he mumbled and shook his head. Julian pulled her tighter to him, in a warm, comforting embrace. “I don’t know if I shall ever understand women.”
On a cloud of ecstasy, Cassie floated off to bed. Everything felt right, the way things were meant to be. As she donned her night rail, she realized there might be, most probably would be, some talk going around town.
She, who had been engaged to Edward, now marries his brother-the two of them living under the same roof for all these months now should rush into marriage. It didn’t matter in the least. She would be spending the rest of her life with the man she loved.
Cassie sank into the soft bed and pulled the coverlet up to her smiling face. She lowered her eyelids but found the exhausting and exhilarating events of that evening did nothing to help her sleep. She lay in the dark, dreaming of what it would be like to spend a lifetime in Julian’s arms and in his bed.
Julian rocked his head back and a smile of satisfaction graced the squire’s lips. For the first time in his life, he was truly happy. Happy for himself, happy for Cassandra and happy for their fathers, who were not here to witness their union. From now on, life would be quite different.
A chorus of voices from out in the hallway disturbed his tranquility. Echoing though the library doors from the foyer, the mumbles became ringing cries and ecstatic shouts. Julian strode with increasing interest to the door and pulled it wide open.
“What’s all this, then?”
The crowd of servants gathered in the foyer, most in their bedclothes. They parted, revealing a man.
Julian felt the blood drain from his face.
His brother Edward had returned home.
Julian remained rooted in shock. The house servants stood around the newly returned master. Edward tried to get a word in, but couldn’t manage among the enthusiastic greetings.
“Edward!” The squire’s strong voice reverberated within the foyer.
It took a few minutes for the staff to calm. A path opened from Julian to his brother. Edward politely bowed at the staff, thanking them for his warm welcome. He left their protective circle and headed toward the squire.
With a smile, Edward strode past his brother and down the hallway into the library. Julian followed and closed the doors behind him.
“What the devil is going on?” the younger Stewart asked, throwing a puzzled look over his shoulder.
“You’re alive,” Julian whispered. He still found it hard to believe.
“Of course I am. Why shouldn’t I be?” The brothers stood in silence for a few moments. “I’m afraid I still don’t understand what all the to-do is about.”
He lifted a decanter and poured himself a spot of brandy before dropping into a chair. Edward finished the maneuver by propping his feet on the low table in front of him.
“We all thought you were dead.”
“Dead?”
“I’ve hired men, they’re out looking for any trace of you.”
“What? Don’t be absurd! I haven’t felt more alive in my life!” He lifted the snifter to toast his joie de vivre and took a generous swallow. “I don’t understand. Why on earth would you think I was dead?”
“The ship you booked passage on from the continent, King’s Quest, sank.” Julian informed his obviously oblivious brother. The squire still could not believe he was here. “Why didn’t you contact us? Let us know you were safe?”
“It never occurred to me. Just took a brief detour, that’s all. I do it all the time. What does it matter anyway?”
“Matter?” There were times when Julian really had difficulty understanding his brother. “There are many of us who are concerned about your welfare.”
“Dead?” Edward smiled and took it all in stride. Actually, it seemed to have amused him.
Julian took on an air and announced, “With your … absence I had to advise Lady Cassandra to make another match and marry”
“What?” Edward dropped his feet to the floor and sprang upright in his chair.
“It is her father’s wish she marry before her birthday.” He clasped his hands behind his back and stepped toward Edward.
“She hasn’t made a match yet has she?”
“Well, not officially.” Julian expected their recent plans were now at an end.
“The reason I postponed my departure home was to take a side trip to purchase an engagement present for her.” Edward reached into his inside coat pocket and produced a dark green velvet box. Pulling open the lid he unveiled an emerald ring. “Do you think she’ll like it?”
The squire gasped at the gaudy gem. “Don’t you think it’s a trifle … imposing?”
“Lady Cassandra deserves the best” Edward closed the velvet box and placed it in the safety of his coat pocket, next to his heart.
“That, my brother, is one subject we can both agree on”
Cassie awoke to a glorious morning. The streaming rays of the sun bathed her room with natural light. She stretched her arms overhead, allowed them to drop back on the feather pillows and gave a satisfying yawn.
Was last night really as wonderful as she remembered or was it all a dream? As she recalled, she and Julian had finally admitted they loved one another. Today, they would begin to plan their future.
This was more than she could ever imagine. Her life was perfect. Cassie had never, ever felt happier than at this very moment.
“Bonjour, my lady!” Adorned with a cheerful smile, Layette entered the bedchamber with a tea tray. She brought her mistress a cup of chocolate.
“It is a lovely morning, Layette” For once Cassie found herself in full agreement with her maid.
“The news, she eez wonderful, West-ce pas?”
Cassie began to come out of her enchanted daydream. “News? What news?” Surely no one yet knew about her and Julian.
However, she wasn’t entirely sure that the squire would wait to make any declaration of that kind. He had been known to be rather hasty when it came to making wedding announcements.
Cassie pulled back the covers and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Stepping into her satin slippers, she took the morning chocolate from Layette.
“The entire house-she has been speaking of nothing else! C’est miracle!”
Cassie sipped from the cup. Her marrying Julian was wonderful-a dream come true-but a miracle? “What are you talking about?”
“You shall never have to put up with de comportement de cet homme detestable!” Layette referred to the squire’s reprehensible behavior of last night, barging into her ladyship’s boudoir. “Monsieur Edward est de retour!”
The cup handle slipped from Cassie’s fingertips. It crashed onto the saucer, knocking it from her hand, and landed on the hardwood floor.
“Mon Dieu!” Layette raced to retrieve the porcelain shards scattered around Cassie’s feet.
“What’s that you say?” A blank look replaced the joyful expression that had once graced Cassie’s face. Her French wasn’t what it should be and she thought, hoped actually, that she had misinterpreted her maid’s answer.
“Monsieur Edward, he eez alive! He has come home!” She knelt and carefully placed the porcelain pieces in a cloth napkin. “He returned late last night after you had gone to bed. Did you not know?”
Cassie felt her heart sink into a deep, dark dreadful place. Could it really be true?
“Layette, I need to dress at once!”
“You wish to look tres belle, n’est-ce pas?” Layette smiled.
“It doesn’t matter … quickly!” She dashed to her dressing table to start her hasty toilette.
Layette made a final wipe of the floor, moved to the closets in the next room and rummaged through the day dresses to find her favorite.
“Which will we choose?” Layette lightly fingered each dress as she contemplated the choice.
“Plus vite, Layette!”
Layette brought in a cerulean morning dress. She took a brush and began to style Cassie’s hair. “I think we should pull eet up, just zo?” Layette gazed at her mistress’ reflection in the large mirror and cocked her head to one side, pondering the overall effect.
“Never mind!
Just bind it!” Cassie gathered her hair at the base of her neck. Layette tied the mass with a matching light blue ribbon.
“I, too, would be anxious to see Monsieur Edward! I shall keep you no longer!”
Placing one brave foot ahead of another, Cassie neared the stairs, composing herself for whatever the truth was and whatever consequence it would have on her future. She descended with poise.
Continuing down the hallway, she stopped when she saw Lorna collapse in the doorway of the library. Edward Stewart moved at an alarming rate, gathered his sister in his arms and carried her delicate body into the room.
Cassie found herself at the doorway, staring intensely at the apparition before her. It was the only explanation-he must have been a ghost.
Edward could not have returned from the dead, but there he stood-flesh and blood at his sister’s side.
“Here, use this.” A familiar signet ring-adorned hand intruded into the picture, handing Edward a vinaigrette. Cassie’s gaze followed the hand to Julian’s face.
The squire’s gaze met hers. It was not the look of joy it had been last night.
Lorna stirred; she moaned softly. Her eyes opened, stared at Edward.
“It is you! I thought I was going mad!” Lorna sat up and wrapped her arms around her brother’s neck, welcoming him with an enormous hug. “Cassie! Look! Edward has returned. He’s alive just as Julian said!”
Edward freed himself from his sister’s affectionate embrace and stood, facing Cassie. “I do beg your pardon.” He rushed to her side. “I did not mean to … I had not realized that my return would cause such a stir.”
Edward took both of Cassie’s hands and planted a kiss on each. Then drawing her near, he repeated the performance on each of her pale cheeks.
“I never intended to cause distress to anyone with my small delay home. Most of all you, my dear.”
Cassie thought she should say something. As his betrothed, she should have been overjoyed by his homecoming. At least relieved that he was still alive.
An Agreeable Arrangement Page 10
