They were talking heatedly, both red in the face. Thaddeus frowned, wondering if he should intervene, but just then LordFairchild said something and the other man glanced around, seeming to realize they were being watched. He frowned and then stalked away from Fairchild.
Cassian, already mounted, rode up next to Thaddeus as he watched Fairchild hurry away, looking relieved.
“Did you see that? What do you think it was about?” Thaddeus asked, nodding his head toward the two men moving away from each other. Cassian craned his head toward them and then shrugged.
“Fairchild probably owes him money. I’ve told you before, Harrow – he will never change his ways. If you were smart –”
Cassian broke off abruptly as Isolde appeared next to them.
“I’ve come to wish you luck for the hunt,” she said shyly, and Thaddeus felt a surge of affection. She was so sweet, and the shy blush that dusted her cheeks was adorable. He felt his heartbeat quicken slightly.
He leaned down and took her hand, bringing it to his lips gently.
“My thanks, Miss Fairchild,” he said, looking into her eyes so she would hopefully see that he meant it, that he was grateful to see her face this morning and have her good wishes.
She smiled at him, and he straightened and smiled back, feeling a burst of pride that of all the men here, he was the only one she would wish good luck. The way this simple act brightened his day surprised him, and he could not help thinking once again that perhaps their plan was a mistake.
He drew her a little closer, turning his horse so that it blocked them from everyone else’s view, and bent toward her again.
“Perhaps we might find a moment alone later to talk,” he murmured. “There is something important I wish to speak with you about.”
She blinked in surprise, her eyes widening and the flush on her cheeks deepening. She nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, please, My Lord. I should like that.”
“Good,” he said, and for that moment, staring down into her clear blue eyes, he felt as though everything might go right after all.
***
He and Cassian rode out together, as was their custom since they’d been old enough to join the hunt. Cassian was silent forthe first half hour or so, and then he cast a sidelong glance at Thaddeus.
“What?” Thaddeus asked, a cloud of annoyance settling around him, even though he didn’t yet know what Cassian was going to say.
“I’m just a little concerned, as your friend,” Cassian said.
“Concerned about what?” Thaddeus snapped, though he had an irritating feeling he already knew.
“This whole situation. At first, I thought it was something of a joke, but now I see the way you look at the Fairchild woman.”
“She’s my fiancée,” Thaddeus cut in, “so I’ll thank you to refer to her respectfully.”
“Fine,” Cassian said, rolling his eyes, but Thaddeus could tell his remark had needled Cassian. “I see the way you look atMiss Fairchild. You’ve always been more emotional and sensitive than people realize. I worry that you’re getting too attached to her and it will end badly.”
Thaddeus looked away, tired of having this conversation, but unable to stop himself from asking, “And why should it end badly?”
“You saw what happened with her father back there. Do you really want to be associated with such a man? He’s a disgrace, and the whole town knows it. You’d know it, too, if you hadn’t been gone for so long.”
Thaddeus didn’t respond because the only response he had wasI see how her father is, and that’s why I have to save her.And that certainly wouldn’t dissuade Cassian from believing he was too attached.
“That’s just the beginning, though, Harrow … You were far away from her at dinner last night. You likely didn’t see how she behaved.”
Thaddeus snapped his head around to look at Cassian again and narrowed his eyes.
“And how did she behave?”
“You’ll be angry with me, as you were with Vivienne when she brought it up the other night, but it has to be said. She’s very free with her attention and her affections. It goes beyond simple conversation. She is flaunting it, under your very roof.”
Anger flared in Thaddeus’s gut, and he wasn’t sure if it was directed at Cassian or Isolde. But he told himself that Isolde wasdoing only what they’d planned. And Cassian, knowing nothing of the plan, was speaking out of concern as his friend.
