An Agreeable Arrangement by Shirley Marks

Author:Shirley Marks [Marks, Shirley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-08-29T04:58:00+00:00

The squire could see Cassandra was eagerly awaiting Ellerby’s arrival that next evening at the Assembly Rooms. She might find herself facing a disappointment. Julian did not expect his presence at all.

If the scoundrel had the bad judgment to attend, it would be to his advantage not to impose himself on Lady Cassandra. Julian would make certain of it.

Lord Nathan did arrive-finally. Cassie watched him enter. However, his less than warm greeting from across the room consisted of the smallest incline of his head while sporting a positively evil, distant smile.

But was that expression meant for her? Cassie wondered. She did not believe so but she had her suspicions. She turned to catch the squire’s reaction. His face was unreadable, simply impenetrable.

Lord Nathan did not even show an ounce of courtesy by asking her for a dance. Cassie thought it a bit odd that he should ignore her now since he’d called nearly every day for a week. This was very strange indeed.

As it turned out, Sir Horace and Squire Stewart were the only men who asked Cassie for a dance. During the course of the evening, whenever Cassie glanced at Lord Nathan, she found him not looking in her direction but glaring at the squire.

She inclined her head toward Sir Horace when the quadrille came to an end. He escorted her off the floor and graciously thanked her for the dance.

The squire made his approach toward the couple. Sir Horace politely excused himself. Cassie felt the squire’s blaring presence. His mostly hazel eyes had sharpened to a vivid green. He had tracked her every movement on the dance floor and stood watch over her.

“Did you enjoy your dance?” the squire asked.

“Very much.” She stared at him with uncertainty.

“Our waltz is next,” he reminded her. An uncomfortable silence hung heavy in the air. She waited for a confession from him. But she found none forthcoming.

Something had happened between the squire and Lord Nathan. The series of events this evening left her with little doubt.

When the squire caught Cassie gazing in Lord Nathan’s direction, he said, “I don’t think it wise to approach Ellerby, Lady Cassandra”

“And exactly why is that, may I ask?”

“I believe the association with that fellow is at an end. You will find his interest in you has cooled.”

“Has it?” she replied thoughtfully. “Will you explain why?”

“None that I care to discuss in public.” A selfassured smile crossed his face.

“I suppose there is nothing to be done” Cassie gave the pretense that she had taken the squire at his word. “Would you”-she looked at him with the most sincere expression she could manage-“could you … if you would be so kind as to fetch me some refreshment? I find that I am ever so parched” Then she gave him a small smile.

He glanced around as if he could discover her deception. No, she was merely thirsty and she wanted to be rid of him, if only for a minute or two.

“Your servant” He acquiesced, and with a shallow bow of his head he left.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.