It was not what he had been thinking, but seeing how she brightened at once, he knew that it was the right thing to do.
He simply had to think of something first.
CHAPTER 24
Adelaide woke up the following morning feeling optimistic.
It had come out of nowhere, but she decided that Cassian’s sudden change of heart had come from him seeing his friend. She liked Rowan, and she knew that he had strong morals, even though he had spent years avoiding marriage.
She dressed for an outing at Cassian’s request, selecting a pale yellow gown. As her maid readied her, she wondered what they would be doing.
“Do you think it will be romantic?” she asked.
“Did he suggest that?”
“No, but in his note, he told me to dress for the weather. Fortunately, it is warm today.”
“Well, would you like it to be romantic?” Lilly asked as she applied rouge to her cheeks.
“I… I would. I know that it is asking for too much, but I cannot help but feel as though something has changed.”
As she descended the staircase, Adelaide saw Cassian waiting with a picnic basket at his feet. It was unassuming, wicker with a neatly folded cloth tucked beneath the handle, and it caught her eye in an instant.
He glanced up as she reached the bottom step, his face brightening with what she could not help but think was approval.
“Good,” he said. “You are ready.”
The word settled strangely between them. Ready for what, he did not say, but it warmed her all the same.
She smiled, suddenly conscious of her gloves, of the way her hands clenched and unclenched as though they might betray her thoughts.
She did not know how to feel about the fact that he was making her nervous, but she told herself that it was not him. It was simply that they were going on a picnic together.
Cassian picked up the basket and walked toward the door, with her trailing behind.
“Cook was very efficient,” he explained. “I thought it best that we leave now, for we should make use of the weather while it lasts.”
They stepped out together, and Adelaide matched her pace to his without thinking. She told herself that the simple act of walking side by side was insignificant, yet she was keenly aware of the distance between them, of how easily he might close the gap if he so chose.
Cassian seemed to notice that he was walking too quickly and slowed down, so she did not need to hurry. The consideration felt intimate, almost, though she suspected he would have shown it to anyone.
Outside, he spoke of practical matters, such as how long they might be gone, whether the path would be muddy, and the advantage of eating before the afternoon turned into evening.
It was mundane, but Adelaide listened intently. With each subject he broached, it was clear he was thinking of her comfort. He had planned the day, which was something she had not expected when they had discussed spending time together.
As they walked, he suddenly paused and looked at her, as if remembering something important. For one foolish moment, Adelaide thought he would reach for her hand. But he did not. Instead, he simply cleared his throat.
“I perhaps should have made sure that this was something you wished to do.”
“You need not worry about that.”
“But you do want to go, yes?”
“Will it make you feel better if I say I do?”
“Yes.”
“Then yes, I do.”
