She caught her breath again.Rogues?She had suspected as such when she first met them, and Collin had admitted that the Worthington men were all scandalous. So why wouldn’t he be included in that mix? Yet the man she’d visited with briefly that unforgettable night was too kind and gentle. His only improper gesture was to give her a lavender rose. He had also rested his hand on hers, but it wasn’t for very long. Could he be considered arogue? Now, Lord Kentwood…she knew he was the type of man to create scandal.
“I thank you for your warning. I’ll certainly be more cautious. However, I don’t think they will look at me or my sister again, and certainly not amongst this crowd. I believe Olivia and I are safe from their roguish clutches.”
“Cassandra, dear.” Her mother’s voice was loud behind her only seconds before the woman grasped Cassandra’s arm. “What are you doing?”
She met her parent’s worried gaze. “Mother? Do you not remember Stuart?”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “Oh, heavens. It is you.” She patted his hands. “It is so good to see you again.”
He bowed. “And it is good to see you and your daughter.”
“Come, dear.” Mother handed Cassandra her mask. “We are ready to go inside now.”
Cassandra gave her a nod before looking back at Stuart. “I wish you much success with your new employer, and I hope we see each other again.”
“As do I.” Stuart bowed again before hurrying back toward his coach.
Cassandra adjusted the gold mask trimmed with black lace over her eyes as she followed her family up the rock stairs and into the manor. She expected everyone to be wearing masks this evening, but she was certain she would recognize Lord Hanover. Yet if she did notice him, would she take Stuart’s advice and keep her distance? He was a rogue, after all.
She scanned the crowded ballroom, searching for a tall man with brownish-blond, wavy hair and wide shoulders. Immediately, she saw him dancing with a woman wearing a mask with peacock feathers. A sigh escaped Cassandra’s throat before she could stop it. He was devilishly handsome in his black coat and trousers, with a red-gold waistcoat and white cravat. Indeed, this was Collin Worthington. No other man could make her heartbeat skip with anxiousness. Even his mouth looked familiar.
“Cassandra, dear,” her mother whispered, grasping her elbow. “You must doallyou can to attract the attention of one of these wealthy men. I fear your father has left us in dire straits, and it is up to you to charm one of them.”
Panic filled Cassandra as she stared into the shadowed slits of her mother’s mask. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that tonight you need to target your future husband…and do what is necessary to make him offer marriage.”
Do what is necessary…Cassandra’s mouth turned cotton dry. Her mother couldn’t possibly mean what she thought. Something like that would certainly cause a scandal. Perhaps she was overthinking. Maybe her mother just wanted her to get to know a man in hopes of his falling madly in love with her andoffering marriage. But what chance did Cassandra have wearing rags and competing with ladies of quality?
She glanced toward her father, who was talking with Charles. The frown on her brother’s face made her wonder if their father was giving Jacob the same kind of talk that Mother had given Cassandra.
Inwardly, she groaned. Indeed, it was up to her and Jacob to make the best out of a rotten situation.Thanks for ruining our lives, Father!
She took a deep breath and nodded. There was no other choice. If she wanted to get married, a scandal would be the only way. So much for her dreams of falling in love. But what if she could accomplish both? After all, she had caught the interest of one handsome lord two days ago.
Finding Collin again in this crowd wasn’t difficult, since he was more muscular than most of the men at the party. What if she could get him to fall in love with her? But what if his purpose of giving her the rose while in her mother’s flower garden was just to be friends? They did have something in common—their love for music. Perhaps she could use this to win him over.
And if that didn’t work, she would have to create a scandal one way or another.
Cassandra watched Collin until his dancing ended with another woman. The fancy lady wore a silver gown with a pearl-beaded mask. Cassandra was certain the woman’s mask alone would feed the Featherstone family for a month.
Not wanting to look too obvious, she slowly made her way toward Lord Hanover. After he had taken the woman to her family, he turned and walked toward a circle of men, stopped, and began chatting with them.
She had to stop somewhere to watch him. But, of course, she would be by herself. Then again, she was used to being at a party and not mingling, unless it was with her own family. Societyshunned her family, thanks to her father’s unwise gambling choices.
She kept her gaze on the couples dancing, and periodically glanced over her shoulder toward Collin. He appeared to be bored. She understood that feeling well.
A few people that she recognized passed her, and she nodded a greeting. Thankfully, they politely returned it. She prayed that those who judged her father harshly would realize that she and her siblings had nothing to do with their parent’s decisions.
Several moments passed before she peeked over her shoulder again toward the circle of men. This time, she didn’t see Collin. Grumbling under her breath, she glanced around the area, frantically searching for him. One way or another, she needed to get his attention. Although she was prepared to charm him the best way she knew how, she prayed he would live up to hisroguishreputation and seduce her first.
Suddenly, someone behind her slid fingers along her bare elbow, and warm breath touched her neck.
“Meet me outside on the terrace in five minutes.”
She gasped and froze.That voice!She knew without a doubt that the deep, very masculine voice was Collin’s. He stepped past her, purposely brushing his arm against hers. He didn’t look her way as he walked toward the terrace doors.
Her pulse had quickened so much that it shook through her body. Had he known it was her? Or was he expecting someone else? Then again, what other woman would show up to the masked ball wearing an outdated gown? Either way, she must meet him outside. Hopefully, he hadn’t noticed her watching him. Then again, perhaps it was best if he had seen her watching him. At least he would know she was taken with him.
