Confound it all, she’d been completely content with her life knowing that Soren York was on the other side of the world. Why had he returned to England?
More important, why was he hounding her? Why was he placing himself inherpath?
Oh, she knew he wanted her money, but she would never marry him.Not ever.
For one thing, he was too honest. Brutally so. She knew he was right, Camberly was not interested in her. Willa would make a better duchess. She wasn’t as rich in her own right as Cassandra but she had money enough. Yes, there was the height difference—and Cassandra still believed as a couple, it would make them look silly—however, her friend was beautiful.
Even Willa’s father had been given a position of honor at the table, whereas her father and stepmother were located at the foot of the table. She also realized that the only thing that had saved her from ignobly being seated with them was Soren, the duke’s good friend. Indeed, he was probably the reason the Holwells had even been invited to this party.
And that annoyed her most of all.
Everyone in that room believed she should marry the penniless Lord Dewsberry and consider herself fortunate. Even grateful.
How little they knew him. Or her.
She wasn’t some dull bookworm. She’d make a brilliant duchess. With Camberly by her side, she’d host a literary salon that would rule London. She’d thought it all out. It was her favorite dream. Everyone of importance would desire an invitation, but she would be very choosy. Only those with ideas of merit or who had great talent would be invited. Lord Rawlins and Lady Haddingdon were definitely off the guest list.
At her salon, the conversation would sparkle with wit and great ideas would be discussed. Minds would be changed. And she’d feel she had something meaningful in her life.
Oh, she’d attempted to hold a salon on her own merit. Her father had humored her and allowed her to host two. They had not been well attended. Her friends Willa and Leonie had been the only guests to show to both of them. Cassandra had tried to convince some scholars to come but they had politely declined. In the end, the program had been several readings by poets more interested in the food that was served than in presenting their work.
The salon was her big dream... however, Cassandra had smaller,secretdreams as well. She called them secret because she rarely voiced them. They were too simple for a woman of her intelligence, but truth be known, she did want her own home and a husband she admired.
Soren did not pass that muster.
She would also like children. When she visited her stepsisters, she enjoyed her nieces and nephew. Their growing minds intrigued her. She found them fascinating.
And she would be involved in her children’s lives. Amanda and Laura depended upon nurses and governesses. Cassandra fancied teaching her children herself. She’d talk to them about geography and literature and mathematics and help them understand why such things were important to know—her daughters as well as her sons.
She herself had been most fortunate that the local vicar in Cornwall, Mr. Morwath, had encouraged her to read. He’d loaned her books and had even pushed her father to hire good tutors. Otherwise, her father and Helen would have been happy to keep her ignorant of science and other topics they considered “unsuitable.”
But no one told a duchess what she could and couldn’t do... except it appeared Cassandra had lost Camberly’s interest—
No, she’d never had it. His interest had been a ruse to match her with Soren. And now, who knew if she would realize any of her dreams? Especially the secret ones?
Cassandra went to the washbasin. She poured lukewarm water into a bowl, wet a cloth, and pressed it to her neck and heated cheeks. It felt good. She shouldn’t have let Soren goad her.
Nor could she hide forever in the necessary room. She was going to have to return to the dining room and resume her seat, but first she would enjoy a moment’s more respite from—
The door opened... and Soren York walked in, destroying her privacy.
Chapter 4
Storming the ladies’ necessary room was not the best idea Soren had ever had; however, it served the purpose. He had her where they could have a moment of straightforward conversation.
Cass obviously did not agree with him. “Leave this room immediately,” she ordered. She actually quivered with outrage.
It was a bit overdramatic.
His response was to walk around the room, listening at the screens set up in one corner for privacy. “Good, we are alone.”
“No,youare alone.” She began walking toward the door. “Iam leaving.”
“Not yet.” He hooked his hand in her arm, circling her away from the door.
She yanked her arm away. “You would stop me? Don’t think I won’t scream.”
Soren raised a conciliatory hand. “Cass, you are not a screamer. We need to talk and here is as good a place as any—”
