He had a good mind to tell her what he knew of her brother from days past. Septon might be proper now, but he’d been a devil with the ladies just a year ago. ‘I will chide him for being such a prig, and we shall have that dance.’ He squeezed her hand and they parted again.
As she turned back to him, she raised her eyebrows in surprise but said nothing.
The dance continued in silence and ended with them bowing and curtsying to each other amid polite applause for the orchestra. He could feel the opportunity to speak slipping away as he walked her back to her place at the side of the dance floor. With each step, the tension grew in him, and annoyance as well, that he could feel no answering emotion from her. Where wasthe devotion that had drawn her to him, last year? Finally, he blurted, ‘You needn’t keep up the charade.’
‘I beg your pardon?’ She tipped her head, looking not at him but through him, her mind already on her next partner.
‘Last year,’ he said, waving a hand in front of her face to regain her attention. ‘In my bedroom.’
She took a step back, mortified.‘I beg your pardon?’
‘After the duel,’ he whispered, waiting for her to break.
She did not, continuing to stare at him. At last, she frowned and said, ‘I was under the impression that you had forgiven my brother for what had happened.’
‘I have,’ he said.
‘Then please refrain from—’ she gave a little wave of her hand ‘—whatever it is that you are attempting here.’ And then, the next gentleman arrived to claim his dance and she walked away without another look.
Chapter Five
The sun was already peeking over the horizon as they rode back to the Septon townhouse, where Cassie would be staying for the Season. Her parents had left for their rooms there at just past midnight, declaring the hours of London parties to be quite beyond them.
It did feel rather decadent to dance all night and sleep through the morning. But apparently, it was the way things were done in theton, and she would have to get used to it. Still, it might have been easier to be going home to her own house. She had much to think about and wished she could do it in privacy.
‘Did you enjoy the ball?’ Portia must have noticed her distraction and was eager for reassurance.
Cassie forced herself to smile. ‘Very much so. Thank you so much for all you have done for me.’ It was a mostly truthful response. It had been lovely until Sebastian had arrived. After that, she’d spent the rest of the evening fearing he might announce to all who would listen that they already knew each other far too well.
If he did, she would deny it. No one would believe him, she was sure. But the thought made her heart race.
Or was that simply from being in the same room with him again? It had been a year, and she still remembered his kiss as if it had happened tonight. The dance they’d shared had been wonderful, even if it had not been a waltz. It had been an excuseto hold his hand, even briefly, and she had enjoyed it more than she should have. But then, he had pressed her to admit that she knew him. She had denied it, of course. There was no way she could explain what had happened to Julian without creating some kind of scandal.
She feared Sebastian must see at first glance that she was lying. But when they had parted, she’d seen doubt in his eyes, as if he was not sure his memory was true. Perhaps, in another meeting or two, he would be convinced that he was mistaken.
She should not be disappointed at the thought, but she was.
‘I had not expected to see Westbridge, tonight.’ This was from Portia, again, directed to Julian. But Cassie had to stifle her reaction, for it felt as if her sister-in-law could read her mind.
‘He caught me at the club, today, asking why he had not been invited,’ Julian said from the other side of the carriage. ‘I could not very well tell him the truth.’
‘Perhaps that was exactly what he needed to hear,’ Portia said a little primly. ‘A come-out ball for an innocent young lady is the last place he belongs.’
In the dark, Cassie smiled. In truth, Portia was younger than she was. But the fact that she was married gave her authority that Cassie had yet to earn.
‘He did not upset you, I trust,’ Portia said, turning to her.
‘We danced,’ Cassie confirmed. ‘There was nothing exceptional about it.’
‘That is good to know.’ Portia gave her an approving nod.
‘You were the only one he danced with,’ Julian said, his tone pensive.
‘I had not noticed,’ Cassie replied, trying to ignore the rush of excitement she felt to know he had not come there to see anyone else.
‘How does he usually behave at events like this?’ Portia said, giving her husband a stern look.
‘He does not normally attend such things,’ Julian said, still thoughtful. ‘But it is quite possible that he came to this one simply because he was not invited. He is a contrary reprobate, after all.’ His brow furrowed. ‘But if he bothered to insert himself in a place where he was not welcome, it makes sense that he would dance with the guest of honour. He would want to call attention to his presence.’
