An Agreeable Arrangement (12 page)

Julian half-heartedly led Lorna around the dance
floor in her first waltz. Instead of attending to his partner, he turned and twisted his head to keep a watch on
Cassandra.

“Do pay attention, Julian,” Lorna scolded him.

“I am sorry” He reluctantly allowed Cassandra to
slip from sight and faced his sister. He continued to
steal glimpses across the dance floor at Ellerby and
Cassandra.

When the dance ended, Ellerby displayed his most
gracious manners and escorted Cassandra back to the
squire. It was all done very proper, but this cur’s false
propriety did not fool Julian.

“I would like to ask permission to call on you tomorrow afternoon,” Ellerby asked. “Perhaps I might
take you for a drive through the park?”

“Well .. ” Cassandra eyed the squire’s expression
and she must have guessed his general growing displeasure. Her attention returned to Ellerby. “I think
I’d enjoy that, thank you”

“Good, I think it best if we keep our outings discreet.” He made it sound as if he were making a grand
chivalrous gesture. “I would not want to cause any
unnecessary talk. I recognize the delicate situation at
present.”

“I appreciate your discretion. I’m not so sure anyone else would be as courageous as you to tempt a
possible scandal by calling on me so soon after my …
Mr. Stewart’s … absence”

“Scandal? If you only knew what that
man.. Julian grumbled under his breath.

After Lord Nathan left, Cassie decided he was the
perfect antagonist for the squire. As to Lord Nathan, his lordship would certainly not allow his heart to
become involved with her, of that she felt quite certain. She smiled in satisfaction. Yes, Lord Nathan
would do very nicely.

Lady Cassandra and Lorna talked and laughed all
the way home, much to the displeasure of the squire
who had to relive the women’s triumphs-the gossip, the dancing, and the gentlemen.

Upon reaching Stewart Hall, Julian retired to the
solitude of the library. The familiar leather-bound
books that filled the walls welcomed him. He ran his
hand over the front edge of the heavy desk.

It had been his father’s, still as solid as the day it
had been made. It afforded a comfort along with the
countless number of objects that had lined the shelves
ever since he could remember, but this night they did
nothing to ease his pain.

He unwound the cravat from his neck and flung it
aside then pounded his clenched fist on the desk. The
evening had been a success-an intolerable, unbearable, blinding success.

It wasn’t a horrible dream as Julian had first thought
when he awakened in the leather winged-back chair in
the library. The crick in his neck and the cramp in his
lower back proved what was happening around him
were all too real.

Lord Nathan Ellerby had entered just shortly after Maxwell announced the visitor’s punctual arrival for
Lady Cassandra’s afternoon drive.

The squire rose as quickly as he could manage,
considering the pain running up his neck and shooting down his back.

By gad, he was tired.

Moving with some semblance of balance and grace,
he made his way to the hallway just in time to see Cassandra and Ellerby leave. Maxwell opened the front
door.

“And may I ask, who is to be your chaperone?” the
squire called from the hallway just outside his library
to the rapidly retreating forms.

“Not to worry, Squire, Romeo will be a splendid
chaperone.” Cassandra smiled indignantly. Romeo ran
outside and jumped into the back seat of Ellerby’s
curricle.

Julian was not pleased with this unpleasant outcome.

“Good day to you, Maxwell.” Ellerby tipped his hat
in obvious good humor and ushered Cassandra out the
door.

“Good day to you,” the butler intoned. He stood
motionless, holding the door open.

Left alone, feeling outraged, Julian stopped in the
corridor and shouted, “Shut the door!”

During the remainder of the week, Julian continued to brood over Lady Cassandra’s poor choice of beau. And Ellerby! He had made such a pest of himself. Calling every day. He cleverly made sure a gift
of some sort preceded each of his carefully planned
visits. Flowers, candies, assorted trinkets, and, just
this morning, a new bonnet!

The man went so far as to bring treats for her dog!

Imagine, trying to win Cassandra’s affection by
offering trifles to her pet.

Surely Romeo could see through the man? But
then again, Romeo was only a canine.

What bothered Julian most of all was it might just
be working. Ellerby had the charm; he had wiles.
What Ellerby may not have known is that Cassandra
had a time limit and she would have to find someone
to marry. Could Ellerby, a confirmed bachelor, come
up to scratch?

This day was particularly warm, warmer than most
they had experienced this summer. Lord Nathan’s
dark blue curricle once again waited outside Stewart
Hall.

Cassie brought her parasol to fend off the strong
rays of the sun. She fingered the ruffles thoughtfully,
remembering Edward and the day she and Lorna had
each received their gifts. It seemed so long ago … a
lifetime ago.

“Would you mind a different route for a change?”
A confident Lord Nathan had already altered the
course of the curricle.

“What did you have in mind?” Cassie felt perfectly at ease in Lord Nathan’s company. He had always behaved as a perfect gentleman should. A change of
destination did not alarm her in the least.

“It seems frightfully warm this afternoon. I thought
we might stop for an ice.” The transport passed the entrance to the park and continued down the street. “Is
that agreeable to you?” He raised an inquiring eyebrow and waited patiently for a reaction.

Not altogether sure what “an ice” consisted of,
Cassie’s response was one of indifference more than
of enthusiastic approval.

Arriving at Berkeley Square, there were obviously
others who shared the same opinion about the day’s
weather.

Lord Nathan and Cassie found themselves at, literally, a standstill. Dozens upon dozens of carriages
clogged the street. Only one solitary lane was purposely left open to allow the stream of traffic to pass
through. They and all these other carriages sat parked
in the street in front of Gunther’s, apparently for the
same reason.

Cassie noticed waiters darting around and about the
stationary vehicles and gasped at every near miss. The
waiters were as graceful as a dance in motion, death
defying in their precise performance. Their fleet movements and turns and their bobbing heads held the patrons who waited enthralled in a dazzling street show.

With the surrounding commotion, Cassie wasn’t
aware Lord Nathan had ordered their refreshment. Several minutes later two white current ices arrived
before them, deftly delivered on a tray.

“By your expression, I take it you’ve never sampled these exquisite treats” Lord Nathan’s statement
hung in the air.

Cassie looked at the melting morsel and merely
shook her head. With his spoon in hand, he asked
Cassie to sample the fare with a wave.

“Delightful!” she exclaimed.

Several hours later, Lord Nathan Ellerby returned
Lady Cassandra safely to Stewart Hall. He bid her a
gracious good-bye and left a reference to a more than
chance meeting at the Assembly Room for the following night. Maxwell stood sentry in the foyer while
Lord Nathan watched Lady Cassandra ascend the
staircase.

Lord Nathan took two sidesteps and leaned toward the butler. “Tell me, I don’t suppose the squire
is about?”

“I believe he is in the library. Do you wish me to
disturb him on your behalf?”

“Exactly what I had in mind,” Lord Nathan replied
with a chuckle.

“If you will be so good as to remain here while I
speak to the squire.”

“Don’t mind at all”

Maxwell inclined his head before proceeding down
the hallway to inquire whether the squire was free to speak to Lord Nathan. Squire Stewart, although interested, did not seem pleased to make time for visitors.
However, several minutes later, Maxwell emerged
into the hallway and asked Lord Nathan to enter.

From down the hall, Miss Lorna stepped out of the
small parlor and Romeo followed. The terrier made a
detour and trotted down the corridor. He must have
heard the pair of footsteps leading to the library. She
soon followed but stopped short when she spotted
Maxwell standing at the door while Lord Nathan
continued into the library.

She leaned up against the wall, pulling her skirt
back in an attempt to remain undetected. However,
Miss Lorna’s eyes lit up. A broad smile crossed her
lips. She must have guessed why Lord Nathan would
want to speak to her brother, as had Maxwell.

Lord Nathan was here to offer for Lady Cassandra.
Miss Lorna called Romeo and ran for the stairs, no
doubt to find Lady Cassandra and tell her the news.
Romeo sprinted up the stairs behind the young girl,
heading for his mistress’ room.

“This is preposterous!” Julian bellowed. “You’ve
only been courting Lady Cassandra for a week! How
could you make such an impulsive decision?”

There wasn’t much formality in Ellerby’s visit.
However, it did seem he wanted to proceed through
the proper channels in asking permission for Cassandra’s hand.

“We can’t be taking our time at our age, can we,
Stewart?” Ellerby strolled to the side table and perused
the liquor bottles. “The young bucks will beat us out,
don’t you know?” He helped himself to the brandy.
“Do you mind?” He didn’t wait for an answer before
filling a glass.

He eased into a chair and leaned back, placing his
booted feet atop the desk and crossing them at the ankles. A most disgusting habit of Edward’s. Julian liked
it even less when Ellerby did it.

“You know, Cassandra is quite a fetching thing.
Thought so the first time I laid eyes on her. I instantly
regretted that she was attached to your brother.”
Ellerby regarded the liquid in the glass, swirling the
contents. “Circumstances being what they are, I
don’t intend to waste any more time than need be”

Ellerby looked so sure and smug, as if he knew all
the facts, which, of course, he didn’t. Julian couldn’t
imagine Cassandra confiding in this scoundrel.

“Your brother is gone, leaving Lady Cassandra
quite free, not without a hint of scandal, I might add”
Ellerby punctuated his remark with a jab of his index
finger. “There must have been a reason for the hasty
engagement. All of which brings me here. I know exactly what I want in a wife and I am more than willing
to fill Edward’s shoes”

“Does Lady Cassandra fall into that category?”

“Surprisingly enough, she does. That’s why I’m
here to ask for her hand. Not that it’s really necessary.”

Julian felt his blood begin to boil. He would never
allow Cassandra to marry this blackguard. Ellerby
was a lying scoundrel-so arrogant and ruthless, so
bloody sure of himself.

“I believe that will be enough!” the squire spat. He
snatched the glass from Ellerby’s hand and pushed
his feet off the desk. “Get out!”

“I beg your pardon?” Ellerby protested this discourteous treatment with a tinge of surprise in his voice.

Julian became incensed. He had told himself all
along he would not interfere with Lady Cassandra’s
choice of men. But he just could not stand by and
watch-Ellerby would not have her.

“I would never consent to Lady Cassandra marrying a rogue such as you!”

“I’m no worse than your brother,” he returned,
leveling an equally hurtful insult.

“Get out of my house!” Julian threw the glass at
the grate in anger. The glass shattered. The alcohol
caused the flame to flare. “I don’t want to catch you
looking in Lady Cassandra’s direction!”

“You sound like the jealous beau, Stewart!” Ellerby
snickered and moved toward the door.

The squire roared again, “Get out!”

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.