She laughed, sharp and humorless. There was a saying that men were protectors, and that ladies were to be protected, but she did not think that many men had ever heard it.
“Forgive me for not smiling prettily while my character was dissected for sport. Should it ever happen to you, I shall watch for your reaction and ensure that I act as you do.”
He stepped closer, and though she was not intimidated she had to admit that there was a presence about him that she could not deny.
“This party exists to set the foundation for how society perceives us,” he sighed. “They will try to provoke us, to see if we break. We won’t. No matter what they say or do, we maintain our composure. We are the ones in control here, not them.”
“So I am to be silent while they trample me?”
“You are to let me handle it,” he said. “You are to play your part properly, and convince people that you are not unhinged.”
“Properly,” she repeated. “No matter how I am treated, I must allow them to do so because you will protect me. Even if you do not protect me, I am to accept it. Is that what you mean?”
“We must be careful. I am only thinking of your future with all of this.”
“If you are so concerned about my future,” she said suddenly, “then break the engagement.”
“I gladly would have.”
Her breath caught. She would never have expected any other response, but to hear him say it so coldly, so openly, was a shock to her, especially after he had spoken of propriety as he had.
“I do not wish to marry,” he continued, “and even if I did, I would not choose you for the role. I would have taken a wife that knew what the role demanded of her, who would be able to take three mere slights without losing her composure.”
The words struck deeper than she expected. It was true that Cassandra had a temper, one that she did not keep too well hidden, but she had not had any other choice. She had been under attack, and she had done what she could.
Which, she reasoned, was tame given the circumstances.
“My priority is my sister,” he went on. “Her debut has already been damaged by all of this. If this plan succeeds, she will find a husband soon, which is my duty to her as her brother.”
“And if it does not?”
“Then everything is lost. So tell me, Lady Cassandra. Are you willing to ruin a young, innocent girl’s future?”
“The same way you wish to ruin mine?”
For a moment, neither of them moved. She watched as his eyes studied her, as if he was searching for answers, though she would not give him any. Then he spoke, his voice low and controlled.
“You will not barge into my room again.”
Cassandra held his gaze, heart pounding.
“Do not mistake my restraint for indifference,” he added. “And do not forget what is at stake. I am doing what is sensible, and it is time for you to do the same.”
He turned without another word and left. As the door closed behind him, Cassandra realized that she had not lost the argument, but she had not won it either. Whatever herengagement was, it was not what she deserved, but she knew that she only had herself to blame for it, and so she would have to play the part.
Unless, of course, she could find a way out of it.
Chapter Ten
George woke earlier than usual.
The events of the previous evening had not settled as they should have. He dressed with habitual precision, yet his thoughts returned, unbidden, to Lady Cassandra’s voice in his chamber, sharp with anger and something dangerously close to hurt. He told himself that the matter had been resolved. Boundaries had been set, order restored, which meant that all was well.
And yet…
He left his rooms with the intention of finding her that morning. He did not regret what he had said, but he did wish that he had been kinder about it. It was true that she had been insulted, and he did not outright defend her as he promised, and he had not adequately explained why and that was his own fault. He wished to apologize for that, if nothing else.
The east wing was quiet when he arrived. A maid curtseyed and informed him that Lady Cassandra had already taken breakfast.
