Chapter One
Leicestershire, England
To err ishuman, to forgive divine, Alexander Pope once said. But for Cassandra, the man who haderredagainst her had started a whirlwind of tragic mistakes, pulling her deeper and deeper into misery. Although she wanted to forgive, now was not the time, and she couldn’t see it in her future.
Righting the wrong was the only way for her to finally leave the horrid past behind her so that she could get on with her life.
Cassandra Talbot, Marchioness of Kentwood, bounced on the seat of the coach as the driver took her to Hanover Hall in Leicestershire. Today was Lord William Worthington’s wedding, a function that Cassandra had not been invited to attend. It made little difference. She wasn’t going to the manor to see Lord William anyway. It was his older brother, the Earl of Hanover, that she planned to ruin.
Shaking her head, she shifted on the seat and peered out the window. Perhapsruinwasn’t the appropriate word. After all, she would never be able to ruin Collin Worthington’s life, since he was a titled lord with a powerful family standing behind him. However, she could make Collin a laughingstock in front of his friends, and especially all the maidens attending the wedding in hopes of becoming the lord’s wife.
Cassandra figured she was doing those women a service by making certain their hearts did not get broken, and their lives wrecked.
She lightly tapped her fingers on the window of the coach, wishing everything could be over by now. Being anxious like this was wearing on her nerves.
For a little over a year, she had been planning today’s event with great anticipation. It would happen the wayshewanted because it was time that something right happened in her life. She would march into that wedding party, make herself known, and everyone would hear what she had to say about the so-called nobleman. Then, after seeing Collin’s shocked and very humiliated expression, she would leave quickly and never look back.
And she wouldnotfeel guilty. After all, why should she? She had never believed in revenge—until she met him. Now, that was all she thought about.
Collin Worthington was the first and only man she had ever met who went out of his way to charm her. He hadn’t judged or found her wanting because of her family’s impoverished circumstances. It was impossible for her not to be affected by his actions. Indeed, he had made it very easy for her to surrender her heart to him.
He had also inherited her deceased husband’s title.
She clenched her teeth as her stomach rolled. That particular event she could have done without, because now Collin was the one who owned her lands and her home. If he wanted, he could toss her out without a shilling to her name. Sadly, she didn’t care about money, since all she wanted was to be free of her thoughts and anger.
This was yet another ideal reason to make him upset with her. Just because he held the title of Marquess of Kentwood now, that didn’t mean she had to tiptoe around him. Indeed, shewould speak her mind. She didn’t care if he took her residence, although he had so many estates already that she wondered if he would want hers. Nevertheless, she would find other lodging, even if she had to move in with one of her brothers.
The rocking motion of her traveling coach slowed, and she concentrated on the landscape from the window as Hanover Hall grew nearer. Her stomach twisted and she willed the uncomfortable feelings to stop. Doubts snuck into her mind, but she pushed them aside.I am doing the right thing!
Grumbling, Cassandra shook her head. She must believe this was the only way to right a wrong. Never in her life had she been so determined to make another person miserable. She had always been kind and forgiving, but he had turned her into a vicious woman. But then, never before had she been put in a scandalous situation and had to sit and watch someone control her life. Before, she couldn’t do anything. But now, she was in control.
The coach came to a full stop, and she took in a deep breath, repeating in her mind that she could do this. She had worn one of her favorite gowns that she had specifically made as Lloyd Talbot’s wife, only because it was expensive. She wanted to flaunt it in front of him, just to see his expression when she told him the cost, but sadly, that day had never happened. He had died two days later when he and his drinking friends were in a boat that capsized—killing only her husband.
She ran her palm over the blue and silver satin material. This particular style of gown was all the rage in Paris, so the seamstress had told her. Madame Fowler had mentioned that women were wearing gowns with fuller sleeves and lower waistlines. Cassandra actually liked the full sleeves, and the lower waistline really made her look slimmer.
Quickly removing her cloak, she scooted to the edge of the seat, waiting for the footman to open the door. He reached ahand inside, she took it, and he helped her down. She squared her shoulders and walked away from the vehicle with her head held high like a true marchioness, even though she had never truly felt like one.
She scanned the crowded yard but didn’t recognize anyone yet. That was a good thing. She didn’t want anyone to stop her before she accomplished her task. But it didn’t matter. Even if someone tried to stop her, she would push them aside and continue on her way. She wouldn’t leave until Collin was humiliated.
Then she saw him, and for a moment, her heartbeat stalled. Collin Worthington stood with his back toward her, but she would recognize the tall, broad-shouldered man with the wheat-blond hair anywhere. Standing in his little circle was an older man and three young ladies. The women stared up at the tall, broad-shouldered marquess with dreams in their eyes. Cassandra would make certain she squashed their hopes. The newly appointed Marquess of Kentwood was not the marrying kind. The rogue was far from being a true gentleman.
Memories she had wanted to keep hidden tried to resurface. She mustn’t remember how he made her heart skip with excitement when he first smiled at her, or how he left her weak in the knees just from his passionate kisses. Instead, she must remind herself just how much she hated him for allowing his friend to take his place at the cottage when she thought she was secretly meeting Collin.
She walked through the wedding crowd to where Collin would easily notice her. People glanced her way as she headed toward the marquess, but her focus was only on him. Finally, his head turned toward her. For a second, his gaze swept briefly over her, but when he finally studied her face, his eyes widened. She wasn’t prepared for the excitement that flashed across his expression, but she wouldn’t let that sway her determination.
He wasn’t excited to see her. He probably wanted to give her his sympathies for the passing of the rotten man she married. Then again, she expected him to schedule a time to talk to her about the estate and how he was now in charge.
Collin mumbled something to those around him even though his gaze never left her. Then he headed her way. She should have stopped and let him come to her, but she still worried someone would try to converse with her. The only reason she had come was for him, so her steps didn’t slow.
When they reached each other, they stopped. His gaze roamed over her face as if he were trying to memorize her. She remembered him doing that a few times before when they had been together. Her heartbeat quickened and she clenched her jaw, praying she could do everything she had planned.
“Cass,” he whispered, the nickname he had given her, almost in reverence. “What…are you doing here?”
The ice she had purposely built around her heart began to melt. Quickly, before it completed its task, she remembered how he had ruined her life. She wouldnotallow him to weaken her ever again.
She swallowed hard before clearing her throat. “I couldn’t go another day without seeing you. So much has been on my mind since we last talked, and I needed to tell you about my feelings before any more time passes.”
Confusion creased his forehead, and he looked behind her briefly. “You have been thinking of me?”
