An Agreeable Arrangement (17 page)

“If we wish to appear in the park during the fashionable hour we must leave at once,” Miss Lorna announced.

Mrs. Upton rolled her eyes toward the heavens.

“We shan’t be late!” Mr. Rutherford promised, eager to please the young miss.

“No need to hurry, there is ample time.” Mrs. Upton waved her hand to slow him but he gestured for
Miss Lorna to lead the way.

“Do you mind terribly if Romeo comes along with us?” Miss Lorna’s sweet voice lilted with a magical
quality.

“Romeo?” he repeated uncertainly. The terrier circled, balanced on his hind legs and barked twice. Realizing Romeo was the dog, young Jeffrey leaned
down and patted the top of his furry head. “He’s a
fine fellow, isn’t he? All right, come along then”

Romeo dashed ahead of Miss Lorna and leaped
into the waiting carriage. Mrs. Upton shared the back
seat with Romeo while Miss Lorna sat next to her
gentleman in the front. Mr. Rutherford took the ribbons and asked the two bays to move off toward their
destination. Without a doubt it was to be Hyde Park.

Maxwell pushed the massive front door shut and
stood contemplating for a moment. With Mr. Edward
absent, Miss Lorna, Mrs. Upton and Romeo all gone,
an idea inspired the butler.

“My deepest apology, squire,” Maxwell spoke in
his most dismal tone. “It seems there has been serious damage in the east wing. I cannot say whether it
will be habitable in time for the upcoming wedding.”

The wedding. Julian could not stand to hear one
more word about the wedding. “Surely Maxwell, you
can handle the details of the repair?” He really did
not want to be bothered.

Maxwell stood rooted. “I’m afraid, this matter will
require your personal attention.”

Julian raked his hands through his tousled hair.
“This is not like you at all, Maxwell. You usually
have matters well in hand” He set his quill aside and
rose to leave.

“I am sorry to disappoint you, sir. I will endeavor
to make certain I am more diligent in applying myself in the future.”

With candelabrum in hand, Maxwell led the way
through the musty east wing. The squire knew he could
hardly be trusted in his condition to carry the lit candles. One false move and the house could easily catch
fire.

Julian managed the stairs well enough and grumbled at the inconvenience of this journey the entire
way through the long forgotten corridors of the
stately manor. He lagged behind the butler, dragging
his feet along the worn carpet. A cloud of dust billowed up, leaving a wake.

The squire followed Maxwell through room after
room, losing count after the first six. Julian nearly
collided with him when Maxwell stopped and
abruptly stepped aside.

Ahead, a single taper burned bright. In a small
darkened sitting room, which at one time was grand
and was now run down, stood Cassie.

The gentle illumination from the candle caressed
her face. She pulled her shawl tight around her and
stared at him, unblinking.

“Cassie . . ” he whispered. Julian stepped forward
and reached out to her, then hesitated. “What …
how do you come to be here?”

“Maxwell told me Romeo had wandered in this direction. I came to look for him.”

It occurred to Julian that the butler who, it
seemed, had orchestrated this clandestine meeting
was now nowhere to be seen. He and Cassie were
quite alone.

The squire chuckled. “Maxwell, dear Maxwell.”
He shook his head and grinned. It had been the first
that had crossed his face in days.

The dark circles under Cassie’s eyes told him she
was not dealing with Edward’s return any better
than he. Julian wanted to comfort her but didn’t
know what to say. He wanted to touch her but was
afraid she was another dream and would vanish. He
wanted to hold her but knew if he did he would
never let her go.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.” She looked bewildered, confused.

“He’s doing what he’s always done-looking after
me” Julian took Cassie’s candlestick and set it on a
small covered table off to one side.

“Are you saying Maxwell planned this?”

“He knows how miserable I’ve been these past few
days. I have been. Very miserable.” He finally admitted it not only to himself but to the woman he loved.

The longing to touch her reminded him he was still, painfully, alive. Julian could not help himself. “I
am sorry” He stepped near and cupped her face with
his palm.

She leaned into his hand sending a stream of warm
tears to run onto his palm. He felt her tremble beneath
his touch. His fingers ran down the length of her arm,
encompassing her clenched fist, quieting her shaking
hand.

His thumb brushed her soft lower lip. He traced
the gentle curves of her mouth. A mouth with lips he
knew well. Julian swallowed hard.

“Please … don’t .. ” She tried to resist.

Although it felt right, there would be no inappropriate actions, no crossing the lines of decorum. He
told himself he would act properly.

Julian leaned forward.

Cassie closed her eyes. She parted her lips with
anticipation. She waited for the warmth of his lips to
comfort her. The kiss she longed for never came.

He rested his forehead on hers and ran his cheek
along hers. Cassie felt the whiskers on his face
scratch her. It must have been days since he’d shaved.
His arms held her close in a warm, comforting embrace. She laid her head on his chest and listened to
the sound of his heart.

Cassie felt him raise her hand and watched him
gaze upon the obtrusive ring adorning her left hand.

“I see you’re wearing his gift.”

“It’s a bit much but he meant well” The large gem glittered with ease in the dim candlelight. Tears filled
her eyes again. “Whatever are we to do?”

“There is nothing we can do,” Julian admitted. “You
must marry Edward. We both know that” He drew
back and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I want
you to know how very much I love you” He gazed into
her moist eyes. “I shall always love you”

“Even after I’m married to your brother?”

“I’m afraid so,” he whispered. “For the honor of our
families, it is our duty.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Squeezing her eyes closed,
a new flood of tears streamed down her face. Julian
brushed the moisture away with the tips of his fingers.

“We must be brave. For your sake, for mine, and
for Edward’s.”

A discreet cough came from the corner of the room.
“I hate to disturb you, sir.” Maxwell stood in the doorway, appearing out of nowhere. “I came to inform you
that your brother has returned.”

“He’s back?” Cassie panicked at the slightest chance
of Edward catching her alone with his brother. “I must
go at once” She tore herself away from the man she
loved, swept up her taper, and pushed past the butler,
fleeing the room.

Silence took her place. Julian wasn’t sure what he
should do next.

“Your brother is currently occupied at the stables
and wished to see you when he is finished. I’ve explained to him you were inspecting the east wing.”

“I’ll be right down. Maxwell?” Julian called before the butler could leave.

“Sir?”

“Thank you” But the two small words did not convey anywhere near the gratitude he felt.

“I’m sure I don’t know what for,” was the humble
servant’s reply.

“Now, keep your eyes closed. No peeking.” Edward walked backwards, leading Cassie with both
hands, making sure she didn’t lift an eyelid and ruin
his surprise.

Cassie could feel the outdoor breeze against her
face. The gravel crunched under her feet as she moved
forward. The smell of horses filled the air.

“All right. We’re going to stop here” Edward
stopped and walked behind her. “Let me take your
hands and put them”-he took Cassie by her wrists”here”

Cassie’s palms rested against something smooth,
soft, and warm. Under her fingers, she felt a finely
groomed fur coat. At the exquisite feeling, she gasped
and opened her eyes.

A beautiful bay stood before her. The mare’s soft
nose quivered as she nickered a welcome. A delicately arched neck displayed a healthy bushy black
mane. She had large, expressive brown eyes that
were said to mirror a horse’s intelligence.

“She’s yours,” Edward said. “I hope we’ll have
many morning rides ahead of us.”

Gently sloped shoulders, strong legs and a wellmuscled body showed that the overall physical tone
of the mare was excellent. Most important, her disposition was sweet. The mare stood quiet all during the
inspection.

“She’s lovely,” Cassie said. A smile tugged at her
lips. How could she not be favorably impressed? Edward never ceased to amaze her with his thoughtfulness. Unfortunately his generosity could not buy her
heart. “Thank you.”

“A lovely horse for a lovely lady,” Edward eyed his
conquest-Cassie. “Are you ready to give her a try?
You’re not dressed for it but we can take her for a short
outing, just around the yard.”

The mare was saddled at once. Cassie stepped up
onto the mounting block and climbed into the saddle.

Placing the toe of his boot in the iron, Edward
swung onto his horse. He led the way from the stables and down the road.

“You’re looking quite pale, my dear,” Edward said,
riding alongside. “It’s just as well you’ve a new mount.
You should try to get out into the sun more”

Cassie forced a smile and agreed. Her morning
rides with Julian had come to an abrupt end. She
wasn’t good company, not for anyone. Cassie had kept to herself since Edward’s reappearance, becoming a recluse in her room.

“She has a nice trot. I won’t have to work at sitting
her,” Cassie remarked as they changed gaits. “What’s
her name?”

“What would you like to call her?”

“What about Lady?”

Attentive and charming as ever, Edward had lavished compliments and gifts upon her since his return. It appeared that his feelings during his long
absence had not changed one iota. While Cassie’s
most certainly had.

“I nearly forgot, that came for you a while back”
Julian ran the sweet-scented envelope under his nose
then dropped it on the table where Edward sat. “I
suppose it’s from one of your many admirers. You’d
better take care of it. See that you end it right away”

“I see you’ve managed to get a few hours sleep.
Your mood’s much improved.” Edward didn’t bother
to partake in the delicate fragrance and broke the
seal. He nearly sprayed coffee across the table in response.

“What is it?” the squire asked, concerned.

“Nothing really” Edward blotted the beads of sweat
that appeared on his upper lip with his napkin. “Well,
I’m surprised that you’re right, that’s all. It’s from an
amour-an ex-amour. I guess Cass has taught you a
thing or two about women during my absence.”

Indeed, she had. Cassandra had done far more than
that.

“I’ve got to handle this straight away and set this
young lady to right.” Edward waved the missive and
headed toward the door. “No use dangling after me.
I’m happily taken”

Lassie’s tear-streaked face stood testament to the
long hours she wept. It was time to get on with her
life. Forget the unhappiness, forget the pain, forget
the squire. Tonight Edward’s aunt Lady Cowper had
planned a party in honor of his return.

There would be no begging off. Cassie had to attend. She would have to face Edward and all the
guests with a smile. She would have to face Julian
and what?

She needed to control herself. Cassie wanted to
portray the happiness she knew Edward felt. He deserved that much. She wasn’t sure how, but she was
determined to match his exuberance.

Layette helped Cassie dress in an emerald-green
taffeta gown. As the maid arranged her hair, Cassie regarded her pale reflection in the glass. Edward had
been right, she had lost all her natural coloring. She
was as pale as the simple string of pearls she wore.
She dipped into the rouge pot and applied the smallest amount to her cheeks and a bit of paint to her lips,
simulating their natural shade.

That evening, Cassie and Edward drove to the
Cowper residence alone. She was eternally grateful
that Julian had chosen to drive separately. She wasn’t
sure she could spend time with him in the close proximity of a coach-even if Edward was present. She
told herself this was the first perfect evening of her
perfect future.

When Cassie arrived, she did not search the premises for the squire. She would concentrate on Edward
which meant keeping company with Edward, dancing with Edward, and laughing with Edward.

However, she felt the squire’s presence the moment he arrived. He stood at the entrance to the glittering, grand ballroom and she could not help herself
from looking up at him.

Julian never looked more striking. The dark
blue cutaway stretched over his broad shoulders and
his tan pantaloons accentuated his long legs. This
must be the latest manifestation of his current valet,
Postlewait.