Exhaling slowly, Collin tried to ease his temper. There was no reasoning with his foxed friend. By now, Collin knew how to spot a woman who was looking for a titled man with a hefty bank account. Cassandra was nothing like those other women. From what he could tell about the adorable Miss Featherstone, she was more interested in learning about passion.
Collin grinned. And he was definitely interested in becoming her teacher.
Chapter Ten
Cassandra’s mind wasstill in a dither as she walked toward the manor. Her heart sped like an out-of-control horse, and her limbs hadn’t gained strength from that very steamy kiss with Collin. Could she return to the ball feeling like this?
Inhaling slowly, she placed her hand to her bosom. How that man could take her completely out of her environment and make her feel as if she was floating on air, she didn’t know. But she wanted to do it again…and again…and again.
The lights from the manor brightened the terrace, and she stopped underneath the canopy branches of the tree to compose herself, grateful that although her mind was still unclear, at least her feet had brought her back to the party.
The terrace was littered with more couples, still wearing masks. She hoped they wouldn’t suspect anything when she emerged from the shadows by herself.
She licked her lips and then touched a finger to the still-swollen part of her face. Funny, how her mouth could feel this way, even though it had been several minutes since she was in Collin’s arms, kissing him so passionately. But would anyone else notice her lips that had been kissed so urgently? At least they wouldn’t know who she was with her mask…
She groaned, realizing she had forgotten her mask.
Cassandra spun around and headed back toward the trees where she and Collin had hidden. She must have dropped hermask there, and without it, her secret would be exposed. Anyone who looked directly at her would know she had just left the best experience of her lonely, miserable life.
As she stepped into the alcove of trees, she held her breath, wondering if Collin would still be here, but when the area was empty, her heart sank. Of course he wouldn’t still be here. His cousin wanted to leave, so why would Collin stay?
It took her longer than she had thought to find her mask. The alcove held more shadows than before. Once she placed it over her eyes again, she headed back toward the party she had never wanted to attend in the first place. If only she could convince her family to leave now, that would make her night less complicated. Knowing her father, they would stay until his eldest son or daughter had found someone to wed—or cause a scandal with.
Grumbling, she walked past the couples on the terrace and went inside the crowded ballroom. The air was stuffy, and she wanted to be outside instead. It didn’t take long before she spotted her parents. They were talking with a middle-aged man she had never met. Then again, he wore a mask, so maybe she had met him before, but he didn’t look familiar.
Her first instinct was to turn and go somewhere else, but then she needed to at least try to convince her parents to leave. She would complain of a headache. After all, just thinking about staying a few more hours was indeed making her head pound.
When her father noticed her, his eyes widened, and he motioned with his hand for her to come closer. Hesitantly, she complied, only because she didn’t like her father’s excited expression. She knew this was something she wouldn’t like.
“Yes, Father?” she asked timidly.
“My dear, I would like to introduce you to the Earl of Wheatly. He is your Aunt Frances’s closest neighbor.” Father looked at the other man. “And this is my precious daughter, Cassandra Featherstone.”
She curtsied. “It is very nice to meet you, my lord.”
“You are prettier than your aunt described.” He bowed and stumbled, but quickly righted himself.
Silently, she groaned. The man was completely foxed. She had no doubt her father had struck up a conversation with the man and kept the liquor coming. How else would he be able to get a man interested in her?
“Is your wife with you this evening?” Cassandra inquired, although she knew his answer.
The glassy-eyed man shook his head. “My wife died two years ago.”
“Oh, my apologies, then.”
Father touched her shoulder. “But the earl is searching for a wife.”
I’m sure he is.She tried to smile even if she wanted to scowl. “Then I hope you find one.”
Her father chuckled, and the other man joined him, which made his large belly jiggle. How she loathed this conversation, but not as much as the men involved.
“My dear,” her father said, “that is why Lord Wheatly has come to make your acquaintance.”
“How nice,” she mumbled.
“By chance, Miss Feather…stoop,” the earl stammered. “Would you like to go for a stroll out on the terrace with me?”
Did her father really expect her to marry a man who couldn’t even pronounce her name? And the way his gaze wandered over her attire and how he couldn’t stand up straight—she was certain he wouldn’t be able to make it to the terrace without falling over. And to take astroll? Indeed, the man would be on the ground unconscious before the night was over.
