‘What?’ Sebastian said, trying to focus on his friend.
‘The matter of Cassandra,’ Julian said. ‘Getting her launched and hitched.’
‘You think that is your job, do you?’ Sebastian said.
‘As head of her family? It rather is.’ Julian frowned for a moment. ‘My father did not do right by her. I needed to make up for those years of neglect. Getting her married to the right sort of man is the least I can do.’
‘And Balard is that man?’
‘He’s the best so far.’ Julian took another sip. ‘Rutland was a disappointment, as you well know. And Blake?’ He sighed. ‘Not ideal. He has taken himself out of the running, which is just as well. But Balard?’ He stared towards the door that the man had left through. ‘He has promise.’
‘I suppose he does,’ Sebastian said. This was the moment he should offer his well wishes for the happy couple. But words had power and the last thing he wanted to do was to hex his own chances by supporting his adversary.
He said nothing more about it and tossed off the last of his drink. Then, he stood up and smiled down at Julian. ‘I must be off. I have an appointment this afternoon and must not be late.’
‘Will we see you tonight at the Fallon ball?’
‘I have not thought that far ahead,’ Sebastian said.
‘You never do,’ Julian said, shaking his head as if he knew.
He did not know.
He would have been exceptionally surprised to find that Sebastian went no farther than the reading room where he scribbled out two letters, sealed them up and handed them to a footman with instructions for delivery and a generous stipend to be sure his orders were followed.
Then, he left the club to set the rest of his plan in motion.
Cassie had just finished writing a letter to her mother when the note arrived. The outside was blank with no indication that it was meant for her and the seal on the back was blank, as well. But the maid who handed it to her said the footman who’d brought it had made her swear that it would come to Cassandra Fisk and no one else.
‘Thank you,’ Cassie said, waiting until the girl left before popping the wax and unfolding it.
Meet me at one on Hyde Park Corner. Come alone.
There was no signature.
She should not be surprised. Nothing she’d received from him so far had been signed. She had no doubt he was the sender of this. And now he had summoned her.
She closed her eyes and smiled. It was not a love letter. Why did it make her feel as if he had whispered those few words in her ear? Her skin tingled. Her heart beat faster. And deep inside her, something strange and indescribable was happening, as if someone had opened a door that she had not known existed.
What he was suggesting was simply not done. She should throw the letter in the fire and berate him at the ball tonight for even suggesting it.
Instead, she went up to her room and rang for Bessie, so she could change into a walking dress. Then, she said. ‘I am going out. You are staying here. If anyone should ask for me, you will tell them that I am napping and do not wish to be disturbed until it is time to dress for the ball.’
The girl looked surprised for a moment, then nodded. ‘Very good, miss.’
Then, after pinning the stick pin to her dress, she hurrieddown the stairs and out the door.
As she walked to Hyde Park, she could not help imagining what Sebastian meant by his message. He had not suggested she pack anything. He was not planning an elopement. It was foolish of her to be thinking of such a thing. But perhaps he meant to offer again, as he had last week on the street.
It had to be something of a personal nature, else why would he have told her to come without a maid? Of course, there were many things that a wicked man might attempt when no chaperone was present. She had only to think about Andrew Rutland to know that.
Her steps slowed. Sebastian Morehead was not like Rutland. He was far worse. He had never denied that he was a rake. The fact that he had not tried anything inappropriate lately was not a reason to trust him or assume that he meant anything honourable by luring her out of the house unchaperoned.
Even if his intentions were good and he meant to marry her, how would she hold his interest? He was used to the likes of Harriette Wilson and the Duchess of Ashton. There was nothing so very special about her. He would be bored with her before the honeymoon was over.
She stopped.
She should go home immediately.
