He tried, genuinely, to return to his work, but every time he lifted his pen to sign his name, the note’s words echoed in his mind.
That she had taken the time to send him something so thoughtful, that she had thanked him, that she had noticed—God help him—his gentleness.
It unsettled him far more than he cared to admit.
Chapter Fifteen
“Cassian.”
Later that evening, his grandmother sat beside him at the dining table with barely concealed excitement.
Cassian knew that expression too well. It meant trouble.
“Cassian,” she began far too sweetly, “I have been considering something wonderful.” She interlaced her fingers above her plate.
“Dare I ask what it is?” He set down his knife, instantly wary as he set his jaw and looked at her. The parcel in his desk drawer still bothered him, and he greatly regretted his decision to come down to dinner.
“I wish to host a ball on behalf of the Laurel club.” She announced excitedly. “I think it is a splendid way to usher us into society once and for all.”
Cassian’s expression darkened at once. “Absolutely not.”
“My dear boy—” She began, but he cut her short.
“No,” he repeated firmly. “I have allowed you a fencing competition, which nearly caused the ruin of my floors. I have allowed the club to meet repeatedly in my ballroom, not to mention that little show of shirtless males undulating their hips you organized here. But a ball? No. Absolutely not, under any circumstances.”
“It will be perfectly respectable,” she insisted, ignoring his protests. “You may attend or not as you wish. It is not on behalf of the duchy but on behalf of the Laurels.”
“If it is truly on behalf of the Laurels, then there would be no reason why one of your Laurels couldn’t host it. It mustn’t be here, must it? There are plenty of fine young ladies in your little club with respectable families and large homes.”
“Cassian, I want this to come as a surprise for the Laurels,” She added more firmly and unlaced her fingers, placing her hands flat on the table on either side of her plate.
Cassian looked away, considering. “Then it should be a small event with only members of the club present. What need is there to invite the entire ton?” He asked cautiously.
“You’re insufferable,” his grandmother sighed while rolling her eyes.
“Isn’t it just like you to resort to pouting when the odds aren’t in your favor?” His mood brightened a little when he realized that his grandmother was considering his stance rather than outrightly defying him.
It was a breath of fresh air compared to his past behavior. Almost enough to make him reconsider his decision.
“I simply do not understand why hosting a ball is met with this much hostility. It is simply a ball, and you’d see faces you’ve seen before.” Her expression stiffened, wiping away his previous thoughts.
“That is hardly a strong argument, Marguerite. Would you like some time to build your argument?” He reached for his knife and fork again, shoveling a piece of roast beef into his mouth.
His grandmother rolled her eyes, rising from the table, leaving behind her barely touched food. “No, I would like some time away from you,” she retorted.
“At least finish your dinner first.” He sat back, attempting to reason with her.
His grandmother pursed her lips, folding her arms as she stared at him from beside her chair.
“I would rather not, seeing as I’ve lost my appetite.”
Cassian let out a long breath. He knew where this was going. His grandmother was declaring a meal protest. She wouldn’t eat until he agreed to her terms. He leaned back into his chair, ran his finger through his hair, then looked up at her.
“You know that I can see through this manipulation, don’t you?” Cassian glowered, almost losing his appetite.
“I’d call it persuasion, darling,” she corrected with a wink, knowing she may have won.
Cassian let out a long, heavy exhale. He knew her well enough to understand that refusing now meant only postponing the inevitable. She would return tomorrow morning, then again after luncheon, and by supper, she would wear down his resolve entirely. But he wasn’t going to let her off the hook so easily.
