So tonight, before she got ready to meet Collin, she would tell Olivia where she was going, because knowing her sister, she would run directly to Pa and let him know. Minutes after hearing the news, Cassandra’s father would search for his daughter and catch her with Collin…and insist the earl do the right thing and marry her. If good fortune was on her side, Collin wouldn’t think she had any part of this plan. And she prayed to God that he would want to marry her anyway.
It had worried her last night when he admitted to not wanting to get caught while at the ball, but when he told her he would do everything to protect her reputation, she knew he would be the perfect husband. She wanted to show him that true love really did exist, since he hadn’t learned it from his parents’ example. Collin had a heart of gold, and he would come to love her after they were married.
Slowly, her mind came out of her dream and she heard someone calling her name. She spun around and searched the yard. The man walking toward her took long strides, wearing an earnest expression aimed directly on her.
Inwardly, she groaned. She really didn’t want to talk to Stuart right now. Having him catch her with Collin was quite embarrassing, especially since the servant was the one who had warned her about Lords Hanover and Kentwood. What excuse could she give her old friend so he wouldn’t think poorly of her?
“Miss Featherstone,” Stuart said in a clipped tone. “I was instructed to deliver this to you.”
When he handed over a letter stamped with a seal, her heart leapt.It’s from Collin!Trying to steady her trembling hand, she broke the seal, opened the parchment, and scanned the words.
Meet me at one o’clock at the abandoned cottage on Oak Lane Road. Your ardent admirer, Collin.
Her face heated quickly, and she licked her dry lips. While her heartbeat skipped faster than before, she quickly folded the paper. She loved how Collin had signed it. She was his devoted admirer, too.
When she met Stuart’s gaze, she tried squashing the guilt rising inside her. He probably knew something, but she prayed he didn’t know that Collin wanted to meet her in secret. Did Stuart know what was inside the letter? Yet it was sealed, so perhaps he didn’t have a clue.
“Thank you, Stuart.”
“I beg you, Cassandra, don’t do this.” He touched her forearm. “Being seen with Lord Hanover or his friend Lord Kentwood will ruin your reputation.”
Sadness lurked in his eyes, and her gut twisted. “Stuart, do you know what is in this note?”
He shook his head. “I can only assume what has been written, and I assure you, it is not good. Being acquainted with men like that will eventually bring you heartache.” He inhaled deeply. “I have known many maidens who have been ruined by lords such as these two, and I don’t want to see your life ruined as well.”
She wanted to inform him that this was not his business, but he had been like an older brother to her, and she didn’t want to lose his friendship. Would he believe her if she told him that Collin wasn’t that type of man? She knew him well enough to know he respected her and wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. But if she mentioned that, Stuart would wonder how she knew, and she couldn’t possibly tell him.
“Stuart.” She took hold of his hand. “I know what I’m doing, so please don’t fret. And everything will turn out as it should.”
His frown deepened and he nodded. “But when it doesn’t, do not hesitate to find me, because I will be the only one with a caring shoulder for you to cry on.”
She wished her dear friend would not try to dissuade her, and she didn’t know how to convince him otherwise. “Everything will be fine.” She squeezed his hand. “And I promise to be careful.”
He turned and walked away. Her heart wrenched. But she knew there was nothing to worry about. Her plans were going in the direction she had hoped, and she must believe that everything else would smoothly fall into place.
Sighing heavily, she turned back toward the chickens…and then gasped when she saw Olivia standing nearby. Her sister’s freckled nose was crinkled as much as her forehead. Olivia’s arms were folded across her chest and her eyebrow was arched.
“May I ask whatthatwas all about?” she asked.
“No, you may not.” Cassandra dipped her hand into the sack of feed and sprinkled it on the ground for the chickens.
“Why was Stuart here?”
Cassandra had already planned on saying something to her sister, but she couldn’t let her know now. It was too soon. “He was making a delivery.”
Olivia’s gaze jumped between Cassandra and the direction Stuart had gone. Cassandra knew the wheels were turning inside her sister’s mind as she tried piecing the mystery together. She prayed Olivia wouldn’t figure it out. There were still three more hours before she met with Collin.
“He gave you a letter,” Olivia stated. “And he was hired by Lord Kentwood and Lord Hanover to drive them to the ball last night.”
Cassandra clenched her teeth. Her sister was too smart sometimes. But right now was not the time to discuss this.
Suddenly, Olivia’s cheeks brightened with color and her eyes widened. “Oh, Cassandra…one of the lords sent you that letter. Is it Lord Hanover? I could tell he was sweet on you when they were at our house the other day.”
Cassandra turned away from her sister as her smile stretched. She didn’t want Olivia to see her reaction, so she gave the chickens another handful of feed from the sack. “I’m not saying a word.”
“ItwasLord Hanover!” Olivia yanked on Cassandra’s sleeve and moved to stand in front of her. “And he wants to meet you somewhere, doesn’t he?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Liv.” Cassandra shook her head, but her smile grew.
