Cass wasn’t about to tell him that Aunt Virginia was actually dazzled by Captain Malet’s rank, his silver tongue, and his dashing uniform. No amount of cautioning her would get her to listen to Cass’s opinion of him.
It would be one thing if the captain truly did love Kitty, but Cass didn’t believe he did, and she was equally uncertain about Kitty, who’d been secretive about her interest in the man. One moment Kitty was flirting with him, and the next she was disappearing to go Lord knows where.
Until Kitty said unreservedly that she was in love with the captain, Cass had to keep the two apart as much as possible. Cass refused to see her beloved cousin suffer the same heartache Cass had once endured over a gentleman in Bath.
She crossed her fingers behind her back. “My aunt will also bow to my opinion in the matter, as will my cousin. They trust me to look after them.”
The captain leaned close. “Ah, but neither will trust you when I mention your spinsterish jealousy over Miss Nickman’s success in attracting a potential husband.”
A laugh erupted from her. Spinsterish jealousy? Was “spinsterish” even a word?
She ought to reveal her age. Or inform him of her own sizable inheritance. But she meant to make sure that any suitor showing an interest inherwanted her only for herself. That was why she was keeping quiet about her dowry for the present and why she’d demanded that her aunt and cousins do the same.
After all, she had plenty of time to marry, and for now she didn’t care one jot if everyone in society assumed she was the poor relation. Her late parents had married for love, and so would she. She meant to get Kitty settled in a love match before concentrating on her own happiness. There were to be no fortune hunters for herorKitty.
“Well, sir,” she said, “it seems we’re at an impasse. So I shall search for my cousin, and you may do whatever you please.”
“I’ll go with you,” he said.
“Into the ladies’ retiring room? I think not.”
She marched off, annoyed when the man followed her at a discreet distance. WhywasKitty taking so long? She’d never been the sort to primp and preen. And when Cass entered the enormous parlor fitted out with comfortable furniture, a mirror, a washstand, and a screen behind which sat a chamber pot, she could find no trace of her.
Cass hadn’t seen her in the ballroom either. The captain’s comment about the terrace leapt to mind. Lately, Kitty did have a tendency to wander off.
So Cass headed out herself, relieved to find that the captain had disappeared. But once through the French doors, Cass realized that the terrace encircled the house, and sets of stone steps led down to the garden itself. Kitty could be anywhere.
Cass rubbed her arms. She should have brought her shawl. Her aunt had predicted it would snow before the night was out, and Cass began to believe it. The air felt frozen, and it smelled like . . .
Burning tobacco. The scent of a cheroot hit her from somewhere close by. She whirled to see a man leaning against a pillar, watching her from the shadows.
There are men at this affair who roam the dark, hoping to force a kiss on an unsuspecting maiden.
How ridiculous.She wouldnotlet Captain Malet’s remarks strike fear in her. “You might announce yourself, sir, before frightening a lady half to death.”
The stranger chuckled. “Do forgive me, madam. That wasn’t my intent.” He pushed away from the pillar and came into the light from the ballroom. “But I admit to being curious about the lucky fellow you were hoping to meet out here.”
He lifted an eyebrow rakishly, rattling her generally impenetrable armor. She couldn’t imagine why. Just because he was handsome—with brownish hair, a charmingly crooked smile, and a muscular build—was no reason to let him beneath her defenses. After all, he smoked cheroots, which only proved he wasn’t her sort.
Then he dropped his cheroot and stubbed it out with his booted foot, bringing her attention to his attire. He was decidedlynotdressed for a ball. He wore a many-caped greatcoat over what appeared to be trousers rather than breeches. If she had to guess, she’d say he was dressed for travel. He still had his hat on, for goodness’ sake.
Alarm bells rang in her head, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m looking for a lady, actually. She’s blond and fair, shorter than I, and is wearing a coquelicot gown with primrose accents. Have you seen her?”
“A coque-what? You might as well tell me the gown is made of cheese. But other than you, no one has come through that door since I arrived.”
That explained his travel clothes, although it didnotexplain why he was lurking about out here instead of entering through the front door to be announced. She should probably go back inside. “I see. Then you’re of no help to me.”
When she placed her hand on the door handle, he put his against the door to keep it shut. “Perhaps you could be of help tome. I’m looking for Miss Katherine Nickman.”
“Kitty? That’s whoI’mlooking for! Do you know her?”
A veil descended over his features. “Not by sight. Might you be willing to introduce us?”
Good Lord. The fortune hunters were coming out of the stonework now. “And who will introduce you to me?” she asked tartly. “That should come first, don’t you think?”
His gaze skimmed her form with decided interest. “Since we’re already acquainted by virtue of sharing this stretch of terrace, I was hoping we could dispense with formalities.”
The droll remark made her smile in spite of herself. “You’re very cavalier about introductions, sir.”
