“Ha!” Cassandra had climbed out of bed and was now selecting the clothes she would wear. “As if I am supposed to be grateful. Well, I am not. And you may feel free to tell him so the next time you see him.”
“I expect you shall see him soon yourself, Cass,” Robert said gently. “He did say he would call on you today in order to explain things.”
“Then he will be disappointed since I have no intention of being here when he shows up.” She stood, clutching a day dress and a shawl while Robert and Vivien stared at her expectantly. “I wasn’t planning to go back to Clearview until tomorrow, but given what has happened, I shall have to depart right away.”
“I suspected this might be your decision,” Robert said. “And you should know that we support it wholeheartedly.”
Cassandra’s eyes began to prick most uncomfortably. She sniffed. “No other brother would be so understanding.”
“Of course not,” Robert said with an easy smile and a shrug. “I am without doubt the very best of brothers.”
“And husbands,” Vivien told him loyally. She stood and gave Cassandra a hug. “I’ll ask Cook to pack a lunch for you and Penelope to share on the road.”
“And I shall have the carriage readied,” Robert said. He followed his wife out of the room, leaving Cassandra to wake her daughter and pack with haste. The sooner they left the house, the less chance there was of having to face Devlin Crawford.
It was justafter nine o’clock when Devlin awoke. Ten, by the time he made it downstairs for breakfast. Caleb and Mary were still at the table, though their children, who were always allowed to join their parents for meals when only family was present, must have scampered off. Four empty plates with bits of leftover toast marked the spots where they’d been sitting.
“Good morning,” Devlin said as he strode to the sideboard. The eggs and bacon smelled delicious.
Caleb and Mary returned his greeting. A rustling sound followed as Caleb set the newspaper he’d been reading aside and said, “I should congratulate you on making the headlines.”
Devlin crossed to the table, pulled out a chair and sat. A frown strained his brow. “I didn’t think my return to England was interesting enough to warrant so much attention.” Because that was the only thing the newspaper could possibly have written about. Surely there wouldn’t have been enough time for it to contain any news about—
“No, you dolt, it’s about your engagement.”
Devlin promptly choked on a piece of bacon. Coughing, he reached for his cup, which he’d not yet filled.
“Oh dear,” Mary murmured. “Here, allow me.” She poured some coffee and added enough milk to cool it down.
Managing a nod of appreciation between two more coughs, Devlin drank. “What,” he croaked, “does it say?”
“Lord Devlin Crawford has announced his engagement to Lady Cassandra Moor,” Caleb declared with a flourish.
Well, that wasn’t too bad, Devlin supposed, although he would have preferred if the news had not gotten out for another day. It would have been nice if he’d had a chance to talk to Cassandra first. “I have to get over to Aldridge House right away.” Hell, he’d probably have a fuming fiancée by the time he got there.
“I’d say.” The newspaper crackled between Caleb’s hands. “Because there is more to the article than the headline alone.”
“Like what?” Devlin asked. He took a careful bite of his food to avoid it going down the wrong way again.
“It’s not terrible,” Mary said when Caleb didn’t answer. She sipped her tea and then pursed her lips. “But I’m not sure Cass will be pleased.”
“Of course she won’t,” Devlin muttered. “It must be quite shocking for her to wake up to the fact that she’s to be married.”
“Provided she wants to,” Caleb reminded him. “Robert did say he’ll let her decide what to do.”
“Of course, but…” Devil take it, he was letting himself get distracted. He shook his head. “What else does the paper say?”
Caleb met his gaze for a second, albeit long enough for Devlin’s nerves to contract with unease, then read, “Last night’s ball at Camberly House has without a doubt been the most eventful one of the Season. Lord Devlin Crawford, having recently arrived home from one of his seafaring journeys, barely made his entrance before engaging the Marquess and Marchioness of Vernon’s spinster daughter, Lady Cassandra Moor, in a dance. As a close friend of the Crawford family, this would not have been entirely shocking, if the dance in question had not been a waltzandif Lord Devlin had danced with other young ladies first. But,” Caleb proceeded, not allowing Devlin to interject, “the greatest shock of the evening came after Lady Cassandra had taken her leave and Lord Devlin announced his intention to marry her. One has to wonder if Lady DeVries did not press the gentleman to reveal what has surely been a well-kept secret and how Lady Cassandra will respond to finding herself at the center of gossip and scandal once more.”
“How,” Devlin managed to spit out the moment his brother was finished, “is that not terrible?”
“Well, at least it is honest,” Mary said. But her eyes were filled with the sort of concern that caused Devlin’s insides to shrivel.
“I have to go,” he said right before wolfing down the rest of his food and finishing off his coffee. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood. “As it is, Mother is going to kill me.” She’d looked ready to do so last night, but he’d managed to make his escape before she had the opportunity to let him have it.
“Perhaps.” Tilting his head, Caleb studied Devlin for a moment before asking, “Do you want me to come with you?”
Devlin considered his offer, then shook his head. “No. Thank you. I’ll handle this on my own. But I would be grateful if there’s a ring among the family heirlooms that you’ll let me have.”
