A False Proposal by Pam Mingle

Author:Pam Mingle [Mingle, Pam]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: False Engagement, House of Commons, Parliamentary election, historical romance, Regency, Crimean War, fake engagement, Entangled Select Historical, On the shelf
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2016-06-19T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Adam watched Cass as she stormed off. If she didn’t want his company, he couldn’t force himself on her. Clearly, he’d hurt her yesterday, nor was she of a mind to forgive him. Hands on hips, he lowered his head and stomped the ground, like a damned horse. Horse’s ass was more like it. He never should have asked her. He could see now it was an insult. Telling her he wanted her to pretend to be his fiancée in one breath; in the next, proclaiming loudly that he could never marry. As though saying, “Don’t get your hopes up.” He cringed just thinking about how it must have sounded to her.

If he was truthful with himself about his motives, he’d admit that part of the reason he wanted her to assent to the plan—a big part of the reason—was so that they could act the part of a betrothed couple. They would be granted more time alone. He could spirit her away to somewhere private and kiss her senseless. Hell, more than kiss her. They’d already progressed to the “more” part, and she’d seemed as passionate about it as he was.

Jesus. His nearly uncontrollable desire for Cass made him feel as debauched as his father. Or Hugh. Cass deserved marriage and a family, and he was not suited for either. He had to move on. Figure out how to square things with Broxton and get that seat in Commons.

…

Cass resisted the urge to look back at Adam, instead concentrating on her destination. The close, muggy air seemed to enfold her, and she guessed the clouds were deviously scheming to pelt her with rain. Nevertheless, she determined to keep on, turning onto a stony path bordered by sweet-scented lavender beds on either side. It led directly to the lake. Crunch, crunch. She could feel the stones digging into her feet through her slippers. The lake was only an acre or so, and when she spied a small Grecian temple in the distance, a folly, she decided to keep walking round the perimeter. She moved to the grassy verge, to get away from the stones. There was no lightning, and the few rumbles of thunder that sounded from far off did not seem to pose an immediate threat.

She passed a small boat tied up to a dock and smiled, remembering the rowing competitions of those long ago summers with Adam and Jack. Two of them would race, and the winner would row against the third. She’d even won once or twice, although she suspected it wasn’t due to her rowing prowess. If only life could be as simple as it was then. They had all changed since those days of innocence—battered by war, death, and loss. When she’d decided to accept the invitation to the house party, Cass had hoped she’d been given another chance at happiness.

But after yesterday, she felt the thin thread of hope unraveling, disappearing. She could see that her desire, her need, to trust Adam was misplaced.

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