When she gave her attention back to him, there was something queer about his expression that she couldn’t quite identify. So she nodded resolutely. “It is nonnegotiable as far as I am concerned.”
He frowned. “Am I to understand that you and I will never—”
“Correct,” she blurted, hoping to stave off the awkwardness.
“I see.” He stared at her until her skin felt as though it might catch fire. “Since I did get us into this mess and my sole aim is to make amends, I shall accept your terms.”
Cassandra’s stomach launched itself into the air, did a somersault, and dove down into her feet. “You will?” she squeaked.
“Oh, indeed.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a sparkling object - a dazzling sapphire ring. “Will you consent to be my wife?”
Trapped by circumstance, Cassandra raised her hand with great reluctance and allowed Devlin to slip the ring on her finger.
Choosing to focus solely on Penelope’s future, she ignored her own apprehensions. Instead she looked up into Devlin’s face, and gave him her answer. “Yes.”
His devilish smile should have warned her of what was to come, and yet he still managed to catch her by surprise when he pulled her against him and pressed his mouth to hers.
Stunned by the unexpected intimacy of the contact, the rough hint of stubble scraping her skin as he angled his head, and the press of his hand at her waist, Cassandra needed a moment to figure out what was up and what was down.
Her immediate focus was on the feel of his lips, both soft and firm, and on the solidity of his body now pressed against hers. Next, there was his masculine scent, more intoxicating now than it had been before, the warmth he emitted, and the guttural sound escaping his throat as he tightened his hold.
Devlin was a man - tall, broad shouldered and ready to conquer - while Timothy... Cassandra gasped and pulled away from Devlin’s grasp. Her breath was coming fast and her cheeks felt flushed while her heart... Oh dear God, what had she done? She shook her head and took a step back while Devlin remained where he was, watching her with smoldering eyes.
“You promised,” she muttered.
“Only that I wouldn’t bed you.”
She stared at him in horror. The tips of her fingers touched her lips. “We can’t do this either.” Hating herself for what had just happened, she stepped back further on trembling legs. She’d not only let Devlin kiss her, she’d actually liked it, and had almost forgotten the man she loved in the process. Timothy, with his honest blue eyes and boyish smile. He’d been nothing like this dark-eyed man she’d agreed to marry. And if she wasn’t careful...
Her heart thumped and her lungs squeezed the air she tried to inhale. “Friendship,” she gasped, “that is all I can offer – all you and I can ever have.”
He didn’t respond, but the way he looked at her, with the confidence of a man who was used to wearing down the most resilient opponents, made her very aware of the challenges she would face in the months to come.
Intent on hiding her concerns, she raised her chin, squared her shoulders, and walked away slowly.
She wantedto run from him as fast as her legs could carry her. Of this, Devlin had no doubt as he watched Cassandra make her retreat. He rather admired her for it, and he admired himself as well for not giving chase. Because that kiss they’d shared, while too brief for his liking, had lit a fire inside him he’d like to stoke and let burn to completion. Hell, he’d always known they had a spark of some sort between them, but he hadn’t imagined it might turn into a blazing inferno.
Now, there was no doubt in his mind. The moment his lips had met hers, desire poured through his body like molten lava, pushing his need past the bounds of reason. She’d felt right, smelled right, and tasted divine. But...she was determined to keep him at arm’s length.
Devlin shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed. Separate beds and no kissing. What a way to start a marriage. He shook his head and grinned. Somehow, he’d find a way to seduce Cassandra - a challenge he meant to focus on with diligence once they left England.
Until then, he’d let her believe he’d surrendered.
“That’s fantastic,”Penelope exclaimed when Cassandra told her she’d decided to accept Devlin’s proposal.
“Are you sure?” Cassandra asked. After leaving Devlin she’d returned to the house and gone straight upstairs to her daughter’s room. Penelope had been putting on her walking boots in preparation for the kite flying expedition when Cassandra arrived.
The first thing she’d done was apologize for her reaction earlier. A warm embrace had followed, after which Cassandra had told Penelope everything.
Cassandra gave her a direct look. “If you have any objections, I can tell Devlin I’ve changed my mind.”
“Why would I object? We get to sail the world, Mama, to go on a real adventure.” If Penelope looked any more excited she’d probably start glowing. “I think you marrying Dev is a smashing idea.”
Dev?
Cassandra blinked and then uttered the only word she could think of. “Why?” When Penelope gave her a queer look, Cassandra said, “Besides the part about getting to go on an adventure.”
To Cassandra’s surprise Penelope didn’t hesitate. “Because he’s fun, charming, handsome, kind...” Penelope counted each characteristic off on her fingers. “Romantic, knowledgeable, atten—”
