“Why else did you want to leave the ball by yourself?”
“Because my father—” She stopped herself from blurting out what her parents wanted her to do. She couldn’t tell Collin that. He would certainly want to leave her company immediately.
“What was your father doing?”
Sighing, she looked at his face again. This time, he was watching her.
“My father doesn’t realize why my aunt invites us to these parties. It is not for us to meet people. She does it to make her friendsthinkshe is helping her poor relations, but the truth is, Aunt Frances hasn’t lifted a finger to help us. My father doesn’t see that his sister’s friends laugh at us for coming to these gatherings. It is quite embarrassing, and I’m tired of it. Sadly, I have to attend, along with my family, regardless how I feel.”
“I’m sorry they drag you to places like that. You know, I would rather stay inside and read a good book than attend some of the gatherings I’m invited to. But as with your father, my father expects it of me as his eldest.”
She nodded. “We are so alike, and I’m grateful I have someone to share my feelings with.”
“As am I.” He smiled. “Do you know that Kentwood doesn’t even know about my father purchasing an estate for me and my brother?”
Surprise washed over her. “He doesn’t?”
Collin shook his head. “Kentwood would never understand. He was given anything he ever wanted because his parents didn’t want to have to discipline him, since he was the only child.”
“That is very unfortunate.”
“It really is.”
They rode up to her cottage, and he stopped the horse. He jumped down first, then lifted his arms up to assist her. She leaned forward and rested her hands on his strong shoulders as he gripped her waist. Slowly, he lifted her from the animal, keeping his gaze locked with hers the whole time.
Her heartbeat quickened, and he set her in front of him and didn’t let go. It didn’t matter if the rain was falling faster now—she was satisfied with staring at his handsome face.
“I suppose you should go inside,” he said. “I would hate you to catch your death from this weather.”
“Actually, I think we both need to get out of the rain.” She swallowed hard. “I should be a good hostess and invite you inside for some tea, but since we will be the only two in the house, that is not proper.”
He stroked his knuckles over her cheek. “I believe we stopped being proper when we went for a stroll at the party earlier. But I won’t push you to do anything you don’t want to do.”
Heat crawled up her neck. She didn’t dare tell him that he wouldn’t be pushing her. “Then I shall make us some tea to warm our bellies.”
“That sounds good.”
“However…” She paused. “You must promise, as a gentleman, to be on your best behavior.”
“Actually,” he said, lowering his voice. “I’m rather hungry. Can you make me something to eat?”
She grinned. “As long as I have the food, I can make you anything.”
He stepped back and motioned toward the cottage. “Then lead the way, my sweet lady.”
She took his hand and hurried inside. The lamp was low on the inside table, so she turned it up. Without asking, Collin moved to the hearth and threw on some logs, then started a fire.
When he stood and looked at her, she could see his dreamy eyes better. They appeared the same after they’d kissed at the party. If she were to name his expression, she would say it wasdesire. Her mouth turned dry, but she felt the same emotion drumming through her.
They were both wet, which only meant one thing. To avoid catching their death from the cold, they needed to change out of their clothes into something warmer.
Her heart whacked crazily against her ribs.Oh dear…Their improper situation had just grown worse.
Chapter Eleven
Collin tightened thequilt around his shoulders as he sat at the table and watched Cassandra prepare scrambled eggs. Something like this had never happened before, and he was amazed that a woman like Cassandra would capture his interest so quickly. All of the well-schooled ladies he had been with would never lower themselves to first have him strip down into his underthings and wrap a heavy quilt around his body as his clothes dried near the fire, and second to prepare his meal with their own hands. She would certainly make some man a fine wife.
Of course, if he ever married, he would expect his servants to prepare the meals, not his wife. However, it was nice to know Cassandra had a talent that most women of nobility did not possess. She was certainly one in a million.
