‘But very indiscreet for waltzing with Miss Fisk, when she has not been given permission.’
‘She did say so,’ he admitted. ‘But I gave her little choice in the matter.’
Lady Jersey turned to her and gave her a look that made her knees go weak. Then, she said, ‘Do not let it happen again.’
‘Of course not, Your Ladyship,’ she replied with an obedient curtsy.
‘And you.’ She turned to Westbridge.
He gave her an astonishingly innocent look.
‘If you were not so well-heeled, and with a title so old…’ She gave a small shudder. ‘And so very single? You would not get away with half the things you do.’
‘I am aware of the fact,’ he said, giving her a smile that could melt the stoniest of hearts.
‘The least you could do, if you mean to hang about here, making trouble, is choose some unfortunate girl and make her your wife.’
If possible, his smile grew even brighter. ‘I will take that under advisement.’ Then, he turned to Cassie, took her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘Miss Fisk, thank you for the dance. It was delightful. And now,au revoir.’ Then, he turned and hurried to the door before her brother could catch him.
Chapter Six
The next morning, Sebastian settled in his favourite chair at White’s, drinking his coffee, and plotting his next move. His visit to Almack’s had been a blend of triumph and frustration. Cassie was still refusing to admit that she was the woman who had cared for him so tenderly a year ago. But after dancing with her, he was even more sure that it had been her.
For a vicar’s daughter, she was a surprisingly good liar. Perhaps that was why they suited each other. Like called to like. As an experienced prevaricator, he could appreciate the iron control she had over face and body. She had not frowned or flinched. She did not blink too fast or too slowly. If he hadn’t been holding her in his arms, he might never have noticed the slight pause in her breathing before she delivered a falsehood. It was the barest hesitation and would have been lost in the noise of the room if his hand had not been resting on her ribs.
He had known she was both talented and lovely. But he had never expected her to be devious. It excited him almost as much as the kiss had done. And then, there was the air of assurance she had when sparring with him on the dance floor. She might think her cool responses would put him off, but he found them more attractive than the lures of a determined flirt. There was something about the way she pretended not to care that made him want her all the more.
At least, he hoped she was pretending. He was not sure what he would do if he discovered that she truly did not love him. Likely something as foolish and self-destructive as he had done before he’d met her.
But he had no intention of giving up hope until he had managed to sort truth from fiction in regards to the events of a year ago. He’d assumed the enigma of Cassie the nurse would be solved once he’d found her. Cassandra Fisk was a puzzle in her own right, and one he would delight in unraveling.
In the year he’d searched for her, he’d sometimes worried that he might be disappointed by the woman he found. What would he do if she was not as he remembered? But their meetings recently had laid those fears to rest. She had a sharp wit and was not afraid to use it. On the surface, she seemed cool and sensible, but he was sure there was a rebel underneath. He was her opposite: the world might think him reckless but he longed for stability. Each of them would find what they needed in the other: challenge, stimulation and ultimately, completion of the most satisfying sort.
He was lost in a fantasy of their shared future when her brother took the chair beside him and signalled the waiter for a drink. Then he turned to glare in his direction. ‘Good morning, Westbridge.’ He sounded like a man spoiling for a fight.
He had come to the wrong place. Sebastian was full of love for his fellow man, especially one who might soon be an in-law. ‘Hullo, Julian,’ he replied with an oblivious smile.
‘Did you enjoy your visit to Almack’s?’ the other man said, his frown deepening.
Sebastian took a sip of his coffee. ‘More so than usual. The place is not a favourite. But last night, the company was more interesting than usual.’
‘You danced with my sister.’ The innocent statement sounded like an accusation.
‘That is what one normally does at Almack’s. It is an assembly room. They hold balls. You dance at them.’
‘The girls there are not to waltz until given permission,’ Septon said, still grim.
‘Because of a silly rule created by the she-dragons that run the place,’ Sebastian replied. ‘The patronesses have too much power and wield it unfairly. You have said so, often enough. And your sister is well past the legal age to decide for herself what dances she can do.’
‘She said something similar when I questioned her about it last night,’ Julian said, his anger changing to frustration.
‘Well, good on her,’ Sebastian replied, unable to hide his approval. ‘We danced at your ball, as well, and you didn’t feel a need to track me down and question me about it.’
His friend responded with a silence that hinted it was exactly what he had wished to do and had resisted the urge. Probably because it would make him look as foolish as he did now.
‘I danced with her because it was the thing to do,’ Sebastian finished, keeping his tone bland. He made a nebulous gesture with his free hand. ‘Assembly rooms. Balls. As I said before. She was the guest of honour, for pity’s sake. One is expected to pay one’s respects.’
‘As long as that was all it was,’ Julian answered, still suspicious.
