Lady Isabella.
And standing beside her was one of the men, peering intently at her, flushed cheeks, and parted lips, not caring one bit that she was staring at him in utter shock with her mouth agape.
His blood boiled.
Somehow, everyone looked like a deer caught in a bright torch, all frozen, as though they’d anticipated his arrival. It was then that he noticed Michael, and he narrowed his eyes.
That traitor.
“You are finished here.” Cassian strode into the room, the doors slamming back against the walls behind him. “Out! All of you. Get out of my house at once!”
The men scrambled, stumbling over themselves as they fled for the exit, their shirts half-tugged back on, and their bravadodissolving instantly. The fear in their eyes was almost palpable as they hastily glanced at Cassian on their way to the exit.
The Laurels followed, flustered, whispering, gathering their supplies as they hurriedly left under Cassian’s burning glare.
All except one.
Lady Isabella remained rooted where she stood, her spine straight, chin lifted, eyes sparking with the same fire that infuriated and piqued his interest beyond reason.
This woman is going to be the death of me.
Cassian tore his gaze from her before he did something regrettable, turning instead to the person he assumed to be the culprit, the mastermind behind this disaster.
“Grandmother,” he seethed, “what in God’s name possessed you?” His jaw clenched almost painfully as he glared at her.
Lady Kendrick lifted her chin with far more bravery than any of those who had just scampered through the door. “No need to shout, Cassian. My hearing is perfectly adequate.”
“Perfectly adequate? You brought a troupe of half-naked performers into my home!” He roared, thrusting one arm in the air as he gestured to the whole room.
A few forgotten garments lay discarded across the floor, evidence of the haste that the men had used in their fright.
“I did.” His grandmother folded her hands neatly. “They were performing.” She shrugged, making a face that demonstrated her lack of interest I his anger.
“They wereindecent.” He lowered his arm, gritting his teeth as he took another step toward her.
“It was part of the spectacle,” She answered, utterly unfazed by his advancement.
“That,” he snapped, “was unacceptable!”
His grandmother rolled her eyes in a manner that suggested she had raised him and was now regretting it. “Cassian, do calm yourself. The ladies needed something different, a little thrill, a change of pace.” Her tone was still even.
“They needed no such thing. They are impressionable young woman.” He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his anger.
His grandmother raised an eyebrow. “Well, I disagree. And since it is I who began this club and I who oversee its meetings?—”
“I oversee this house,” Cassian snapped, his voice low as he cut her off.
Lady Kendrick did not flinch, but her chin lifted in challenge. “And I,” she replied, “am your grandmother. I may not command your household, Cassian, but do not presume I have lost my influence. I refuse to be spoken to in such a manner, and quite frankly, I think you owe me an apology.”
His jaw locked. “Influence,” he repeated. “Not authority. And certainly not a license to turn my ballroom into a cabaret! I shall not apologize when you were the one who betrayed my trust. Matters of this nature should be brought to my attention before they are arranged!”
“Oh, do stop growling,” she huffed, waving a dismissive hand. “I have endured that tone since you were in leading strings. It has never frightened me.”
“It was not meant to frighten,” he said, stepping closer, the shadow of him seeming to swallow the light between them. “It was meant tobe heard.”
Her nostrils flared. “Then hear this in return,” she snapped. “If you insist on strangling every spark of enjoyment these ladies might have, you’ll kill the club before it draws its first proper breath. I am shocked by you, Cassian. For someone who does not wish to take a wife, you certainly care a great deal about the impressionability of young ladies.”
“That,” he replied coldly, “might be a mercy.”
