“Well, I can tell you with absolute certainty that my betrothed is innocent, for that is the same man who has accused me of assault. I do not know how or where he got his injuries, but it was not me, nor was it Lady Adelaide.”
“Is he really so badly injured? I know people are saying that you have caused him grief, but this time, he is not flaunting his injuries.”
“I saw him yesterday. He had a bruise under his eye and a cut on his lip, as though someone had punched him. You and I both know that I would only do that when necessary. All I needed to do was grab him by the collar, and he was sufficiently frightened off.”
“Well, of course, you are twice his size. I doubt you would have even had to lay a hand on him at all.”
“I am inclined to agree with you. I dare say that was what persuaded him to go to the constable. I believe he was so frightened that he had to ensure I could not go further.”
“But I do not understand what he wants from Lady Adelaide. He has made the most damaging accusations against her, so why would he want to be seen with her? It would only discredit him.”
“Who knows how insane men think? I dare not imagine what happens in his mind, for I would be terrified of what I found. All I know for certain is that he had her cornered, and I wanted him to stop, and now I am getting married. I am being punished for somethinghedid.”
“If it matters to you at all, I would not say that Lady Adelaide is a punishment. She is a beautiful young lady, and aside from her less-than-stellar reputation, she is known to be rather talented,too. She can play several instruments and is fluent in a few languages. She likes to paint, too.”
Cassian raised an eyebrow, finishing his drink and presenting his glass for his friend to refill. “You seem to know a lot about her.”
“As an unmarried man, it is important that I know things about all the eligible ladies here. She was someone I considered, for she would have made an excellent wife, but then she was swept away by Hargrave, and before I knew it, she was engaged, and then she vanished. It was a shame. But if she has not changed much, you will be a very happy man, indeed.”
Cassian smiled and thanked his friend, but he did not feel fortunate. Instead, he felt immense guilt that he was stealing a good lady away from those who truly cared for her.
Lady Adelaide would have made a perfect duchess. Indeed, she would have made any man most content, but he did not intend for her to be anything more than a wife on paper.
“You will think so little of me when I tell you the truth,” he confessed.
“That is not possible, and you know it. We attended school together, and if I could respect you after your antics there, then I can respect you now.”
“Even if I tell you that I shall effectively see her as another servant?”
As expected, his friend’s mouth fell open.
It was no surprise to Cassian; he and Rowan had always had immense respect for women. Even in their adolescence, they had not treated ladies with such contempt as he was suggesting.
“If that is a joke, I am missing the humor in it,” Rowan scoffed.
“It is not a joke. It is not exactly what I mean either. I shall not have her scrubbing the floors or washing my clothes, but I do not plan on claiming her.”
“Then you should explain what you expect of her, for I wish to remain your friend. You know how I feel about how ladies should be treated.”
“I will not be cruel to her,” Cassian asserted. “But I cannot be the loving and doting husband that every lady dreams of. You know as well as I do that that is not the sort of man I could ever be, and I accepted that long ago.”
“And is she content with that?”
“She is.”
Rowan shot him an incredulous look.
But it was the truth. Cassian had made it plain to Lady Adelaide that he would only be her husband on paper, and she had agreed.
Then again, it was not as though he had given her much of a choice. It was less him asking her to be his wife and more him telling her that she would be, and arguing the point so much that she felt she could not refuse.
That was not her fault, nor was it his. It was simply what had to be done.
“I do not like how you are passing judgment on me,” Cassian sighed. “I helped the lady, and now I am marrying her despite her reputation. If you think you are a better man than I, then go and propose to her.”
“There is no need to sulk.” Rowan chuckled. “I am not claiming to be any better than you, and you need not worry that I want her for myself. Even if I did, it would be far too late. The scandal sheets are discussing nothing other than your engagement, and it is impossible to avoid the news. The entire ton is talking about it.”
“That is even worse. Can a man not ask for a quiet wedding?”
