“Yes, well, you did not. You do not know Mr. Hargrave the way that I do. He—he is not the sort of man to back away simply because there has been a challenge.”
“Adelaide, I know that you have a history with him, but?—”
“And that is why you should listen to me,” she snapped. “But no. You believe that you know best, so how I feel does not matter. Is that it?”
“This is the strangest display of gratitude I have ever seen.”
She understood why he felt that way. Given his position in society, she knew that he was never questioned and could do as he pleased without anyone taking issue with it. But Hargrave was different. If he had an issue, he would not rest until it was dealt with.
“I would be grateful, had I required your assistance. I was handling matters perfectly well on my own.”
“Were you?” he asked, softening. “Because from what I could see, you were terrified.”
“I was, but that does not mean I was incapable of speaking to him. I am capable of doing things when I am afraid.”
And that was the truth.
Hargrave had appeared out of nowhere, catching her off guard. He greeted her as though nothing had happened, and Adelaide knew it was an attempt to disarm her. She did not doubt that he had ulterior motives, but she knew how to navigate them. She had done so for months.
“I am not suggesting that you are incapable,” Cassian replied.
“But that is what you are thinking.”
“Did I say that?”
“You did not need to. I can feel it.”
It was true; the way he carried himself alone was enough to tell her everything he thought of her. To him, she was a lady in need of defending, for she could not do it herself. It frustrated her greatly, and she had to admit that it was, in part, true.
He took a step toward her, towering over her in a way that made her heart race. He intimidated her, even though she knew he would never hurt her. But she knew that by taking a step back, she was proving his point.
“Let me warn you of something,” he said in a low voice, his lips grazing her ear. “I do not like being told what my words and actions mean. You will not tell me how to think, and you will not assume my intentions. Am I clear?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes,” she replied.
“Good. I did not intend to do you any harm. You are mine to defend, Adelaide, and I will not apologize for it.”
He walked away, but she called out his name. He turned around and gave her a softer look than before.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Are you not going to ask me about my conversation with him?”
“Was it improper?”
“Not from my side, no.”
“And from his side?”
“Well, that is why I wanted to tell you. I do not know if it is right, for I do not want you to be angrier with him than you already are, but you ought to hear it from me and not anyone else.”
Cassian took her hand and led her to the parlor without saying anything more. They sat on a settee, and he waited for her to continue.
Adelaide did not know how to begin, for though the conversation had been brief, it had been terrifying.
“He—he asked about our marriage first.”
“That is not so awful. What did you say?”
