A Matter of Honor by Anne Herries

Author:Anne Herries
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2000-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Cassie did not exactly put the odd incident of her purse from her mind, but that evening something happened which pushed it to one side. She had known they were to attend a musical party, and that the opera singer La Valentina was to perform, but had made up her mind not to let it upset her. She would have Vincent at her side, and she did not imagine the singer would attempt to speak to her.

However, at the last moment, Vincent apologised and said that he was forced to cry off. ‘I have an appointment at my club I must keep,’ he told them. ‘Forgive me, but it is a matter of business and I cannot accompany you this evening. I am sure Harry will be pleased to escort you in my stead.’

‘That is not the point,’ his mama said, frowning her displeasure. ‘Cassie will be disappointed not to have you there.’

‘I am sure she will excuse me this once.’ He smiled at her, asking for her indulgence.

Cassie could do nothing but smile and say she perfectly understood. If it was in her mind that he had deliberately avoided another meeting with La Valentina in her presence, she did not allow her doubts to show either by a word or a look.

‘Yes, of course,’ she replied and smiled at him. ‘You must do just as you think best, sir.’

‘Such an understanding wife you will make,’ Vincent said, an odd quizzing expression in his eyes that made her heart race wildly. ‘I wonder if you will always be so willing to please me, Cassie?’

Since she did not know how to answer, she remained silent. In her turn, she wondered what he might have said if she had expressed her true feelings and complained of his neglect as Lady Longbourne had, as she might well have done.

‘Vincent has never been overfond of musical evenings,’ his mother confided as they were driven to their host’s house. ‘I dare say he is going to a boxing match or some equally barbaric sporting occasion. It is all of a piece, and his father was just the same.’

Cassie nodded, but said nothing. She was not exactly dreading the evening, but she did not particularly wish to meet the beautiful woman who had been Vincent’s mistress for several months. She had been prey to a few unkind whispers over the past weeks, and certain spiteful ladies had not hesitated to let her know that the opera singer had lasted longer in her position than any other light o’ love of Carlton’s before her—which surely meant that Vincent must have cared for her.

The evening was begun with a quartet of men singing in harmony; they were followed by a tenor, and finally La Valentina took the centre stage. Her singing was so beautiful that even Cassie was moved to the verge of tears. She could not deny that the woman was both beautiful and talented.

After her performance, there was a general movement towards the supper room.

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