At Cassian’s look and the officers’ raised brow, Pru was contrite. “I apologize for the interruption, but it stemmed from me being overeager. I have seen you, Sir, at various meetings with my father. As much as I wanted to ask you about your travels, I never asked Father to make an introduction.”
“Not to be blunt, but why an interest in my travels, my lady?” David asked as they walked back to the hall.
“I’ve always wanted to see parts of the world, but reading them in stories feels so… lackluster,” Prudence admitted. “I’d wanted to—oh!”
She tripped over her feet, and a swift reaction from the army man stopped her from crashing completely into the ground. Pru looked as if she had seen the other side of death as her face clung to his arm.
“Are you all right?” Cecilia rushed to ask.
The Lieutenant asked the same, and Pru ducked her head. “I’m fine, but my heart is hammering through my chest. I just wish I were not so clumsy.”
Cecilia shared a look with Cassian, who then cleared his throat. “We need to get to the hall before we miss the proceedings.”
As David ushered Pru into the hall, Cassian leaned into Cecilia’s ear, “If you are going to try your hand at matchmaking, you might have chosen the worst candidate.”
Pausing, Cecilia asked, “Why?”
“I’ll show you,” Cassian offered as they stepped into the room. “Look around the room closely and then look at David.”
While looking over the seated ladies, she noticed how many ladies slid appreciative glances to the soldier. She couldn’t blame them as he did cut a dashing figure. A few ladies’ mouthswere pursed tight as if they’d sucked on a lemon, while glaring daggers at Pru.
It did not take her long to put two and two together. “They’ve all set their cap on him.”
“Almost everyone,” Cassian whispered. “So if you are set on this matchmaking, watch as the claws come out. These ladies will sell their left arm to marry the soldier, even more now that he is soon to be a marquess.”
Cecilia looked to Pru and began to calculate if it was worth it to throw the tender girl into the sights of the hyenas.
“Your Grace!” the mayor called to Cassian, before addressing them both. “Your Graces, I don’t seem to find the contribution you made to the auction.”
“Auction?” Cassian echoed, glancing quizzically from Cecilia to the mayor. “I did not know there was an auction.”
“There is a donation and an auction tonight,” the mayor explained. “The donation is labelled as a gift to the children’s home, while the auction is made for wealthy patrons to donate something valuable. When sold, that money is put in the county’s coffers.”
Cecilia artfully took the basket from Cassian’s hands that he had still been carrying, then handed it over to the mayor with a bright smile.
Cassian fell confused. “Did you know of this?” he asked her.
Oh, she most certainlydid.
Instead, she arranged her expression into one of mild surprise. “Oh… did I forget to mention it? No, I surely must have,” she said softly. “You did have quite a lot on yourhandsat the time.”
The flutter of satisfaction inside her was wicked but warm; after the spanking he had given her earlier, and the obliviousness in the face of obvious flirtation by Lady Charity, she could not pretend she hadn’t relished this small revenge.
He studied her for a heartbeat—far too perceptive for her own comfort—yet when understanding dawned, it was not anger that appeared in his eyes. Amusement tugged at the corner of his mouth instead, a subtle, knowing curve that made heat bloom beneath her stays.
“To my mortification, I did not bring anything,” Cassian said apologetically at last before lifting his hands. “I can donate some money if that will help?”
Holding back a faux sigh, Cecilia reached out and held Cassian’s arm. She would criticize him about his oversight when they returned home. “Maybe the donation I have given can be made by both of us?” she said instead.
“As much as I would love to do that, Your Grace,” the mayor began reluctantly, “the contributions should be individual—” hepaused, while stroking his chin, “but since you have graciously attended our little festival, I am sure I can put Her Grace’s contribution as joint.”
Rubbing his forehead, Cassian then said, “No, no. I know what to do. Do you happen to have a pencil and pen around somewhere?”
Mystified about what Cassian wanted with a pen and paper, Cecilia was at least satisfied that her contribution was received properly.
The mayor and Cassian returned, and before she could ask him what he’d offered, the mayor called the guests to get seated. Dutifully, she took her seat near Cassian and turned a mindful eye to the men carrying a large China vase onto the podium.
The piece of blue and white porcelain was a statement piece and would surely bring in a pretty penny. It was followed by a carved jewelry chest and a set of porcelain dolls. One by one, more precious objects were bartered off—and Cecilia’s attention began to fade.
