An Agreeable Arrangement (8 page)

“Have you seen Romeo about?”

“No, my lady.”

“Is he with Miss Lorna?”

“It would appear doubtful. From what I understand, Miss Lorna has gone driving with the Honorable Jeffrey Rutherford”

“Oh, I see” Which meant Mrs. Upton would be absent as well. “If you see Romeo you will let me know,
won’t you?”

“At once, my lady.” Maxwell resumed his duties,
leaving Cassie to locate the whereabouts of her terrier.

Cassie really didn’t know where else to look. There
was a remote chance that he could have gotten lost.
However, Romeo preferred the company of people too
much to run away. So that was one option she immediately ruled out. A squirrel could have distracted him and led him on a wild chase beyond the boundaries of
the estate.

She clasped her hands behind her back and started
for the back door. A low spine-tingling growl permeated the air. Chills ran up Cassie’s arms and caused
her to stop dead in her tracks.

It was Romeo’s growl.

She followed the sound down the corridor, stopping
just short at the library doors. As Cassie peered around
the doorway, she saw clenched in Romeo’s jaws some
fabric or perhaps an article of clothing. Squire Stewart, the opponent, held the other end in a game of tug.

Romeo noticed his mistress’ presence and released
the linen clenched with desperation in his teeth. The
suddenly free end threw the competitive squire off
guard, sending him backward with his arms flying.
Off balance, limbs flailing, he finally landed flat on
his backside.

Cassie could not stop her laughter from escaping.

Still sitting on the floor, the squire pushed himself
up with his arms. She could sense his reluctance to
peer over his shoulder, afraid that someone might have
seen his undignified antics.

“I am sorry”-Cassie stopped herself from chuckling as she spoke but her voice still wavered-“I
didn’t mean to disturb you.”

The squire rose to his feet, brushed at his clothing
and tugged at his cuffs, straightening his shirtsleeves.
“My fault really,” he replied. He flashed a warm smile at Romeo, who in turn showed his affection by wagging his tail. “If one plays rough, someone is bound to
be hurt. Besides, it was all in good fun. Wasn’t it,
boy?” He bent and gave Romeo a good-natured pat on
the head.

Clearly Romeo enjoyed his company. That spoke
volumes for the squire’s character. Perhaps Cassie had
been too harsh at judging him and too quick to dismiss
his offer to accompany her for a morning ride. The
thought of spending any amount of time with him had
been unbearable but now … now Cassie looked upon
him the slightest bit more favorably.

Romeo dropped the knotted rag at the squire’s feet
and backed from it, as if daring him to take it.

Her pet seemed very fond of the man.

The squire snatched the toy and cried, “Aha! I’ve
finally got it, you rascal.” He then lobbed it across
the room.

Romeo scrambled across the floor toward his prize.
Cassie grew concerned that his claws might damage
the expensive carpet with his rough play.

The squire seemed wholly unconcerned with the
carpet, only delighting in Romeo’s fun. Cassie thought
she truly might reconsider the man’s merits.

Romeo recaptured the toy and shook it while
trapped between his teeth. He ran to Cassie and
dropped it at her feet. It was her turn to toss for him.

“We should be doing this outside,” Cassie said to
the dog as much as to the man.

“Nonsense, in here is as good a place as any,” said
the squire. “We’ve plenty of open space.”

Had he meant in front of the well-stocked bookshelves or the area in front of the hearth, around the
two winged-back leather chairs?

Cassie used her forefinger and thumb to pick up
the sodden, knotted rag and held it gingerly. “Very
well, pet” Cassie meant the endearment for Romeo,
not the squire, and tossed the toy across the room.

“Well done” The squire praised her.

“Sir,” she directed at Squire Stewart.

“My lady?”

“I would like to accept your offer for a morning
ride.” Cassie managed a genuine, effortless smile. “If
you have not changed your mind”

The squire regarded her then said, “It would be my
pleasure. Shall we say at nine tomorrow morning?”

“I shall be waiting at the stables.” She accepted
with a slight incline of her head then had a sudden
surge of remorse. “I thank you, sir. You are most
gracious.” But that was not precisely Cassie’s true
feelings.

Dinner that evening was a quiet affair. As always,
Lorna dominated the conversation during the meal
with her talk of men and parties.

Neither Lady Cassandra nor Julian spoke of the
arrangement they’d made for the next morning. The
few times their gazes met across the table, it surprised him to see a fleeting, temperate glance from her instead of the usual contempt-filled glare.

The knowledge that only the two of them knew of
their plans felt delicious. Maxwell, who would never
breathe a word to another, might have known. It was,
after all, the butler who’d suggested the squire take
this arduous step out of his sphere of comfort.

After everyone had finished eating, Julian excused
himself and retreated to the library. The ladies bid
him, “Good evening,” and retired into their parlor.

All seemed calm and equitable. Life around Stewart Hall looked very well, indeed.

Dressed in her new bottle-green riding habit, Cassie
arrived at the stables and found the squire waiting for
her. He greeted her with more enthusiasm than before.
Had she not known better, she might believe that he
may actually be looking forward to their impending
outing.

Their horses stood ready: A small chestnut with a
sidesaddle and a light bay for the squire. Cassie
approached the chestnut and stroked his neck. She
stepped onto the mounting block and settled into
the saddle.

Cassie moved her horse forward, away from the
barn. The squire placed his foot into the iron and
pushed off the ground to mount. He slipped and the
boot in the iron dropped to the ground.

The bay shied, moving away from him. Cassie could not watch after the second attempt. She presumed there might have been a third. Subsequently,
squire, horse, and groom disappeared around the corner where Cassie had used the mounting block. The
squire might have used it as well for he emerged atop
his horse, ready to leave the grounds.

“It has been quite a while since I’ve ridden,” he
admitted to her, as more of a humble apology than
excuse. “Although my brain may remember what to
do, my limbs may not be up to the task.”

“Then we shall not overtax you,” Cassie offered.
“May I suggest we keep today’s excursion to a minimum?”

“A splendid idea. I thank you for your kind understanding and consideration.” With an incline of his
head he accepted her proposal. He led the way out of
the stable area and onto the road. “Would it be permissible to have Romeo come along? I dare say he’d
enjoy himself immensely.”

“I don’t think so. Father and I would leave Romeo
behind when taking afternoon rides in the country,
fearing he might be lost or trampled upon by the
horses’ hooves”

“Perhaps we could find a way to provide him with
a saddle of his own or a perch of some sort.”

How kind of the squire to consider her pet. Cassie
had never thought him capable of any type of benevolent feelings. She’d been wrong.

“I think I am ready to post, but I should warn you it may not last for long” He urged his mount into a
trot and Cassie kept her horse next to his.

They rode into town and once around the park at a
leisurely canter before returning to Stewart Hall.

They met in the breakfast room after their outing.
Julian’s legs felt more like jelly and he wasn’t sure
if descending the stairs would be his undoing. He
might have landed in a heap on the ground floor. That
would have been more embarrassing than the three
attempts at mounting his horse that morning.

To his relief, Lady Cassandra had been the first to
visit the sideboard and she was already seated by the
time he arrived. Thank goodness. He did not know
how he would have managed to rise when she entered the room. As it was, how he would manage to
stand and leave in a half hour’s time, he had no idea.

“I would like to thank you for this morning,” she
said to him. “It was nice to be out in the fresh air and
I had forgotten how much I missed riding.”

“Even with me as an escort? I am woefully underskilled as an equestrian.” He noticed she had added a
plate of eggs to her usual solitary slice of toast.

“You are sure to improve, especially if we make
it a daily habit.” She glanced over the rim of her cup
at him.

“It is my sincerest hope I can regain my strength
by tomorrow so we might venture out again.” Without feeling self-conscious, Julian felt encouraged at
her words. “I would be quite ashamed to be held to Edward’s standards. He is accomplished at every endeavor he attempts”

Cassie could hear the pain and vulnerability in his
voice. She couldn’t imagine what caused him to continue.

“I’ve never been good on my feet. It’s not a well
known fact,” he went on to say, “but I don’t know
how to dance” He didn’t seem to express any shame.
“Right now I suppose I do harbor some regrets.” His
soft, kind hazel eyes met Cassie’s. “I know Lorna
wanted her first waltz to be with Edward. I’m afraid I
will not be able to accommodate her.”

Was he truly admitting his weakness to her? “I
could instruct you,” she offered and then wondered
why she’d said those words. She could read the uncertainty in his eyes. “For Lorna’s sake. I believe there is
more than enough time for you to learn, to perfect the
steps, if you are willing.”

The squire remained quiet.

Cassie did not know what to think. Was he angry?
Embarrassed at his situation? Of his confession? Or
perhaps that she knew of it at all?

Taking advantage of the silence, she left her seat
and moved to his side, holding her hand out to him.
He stood, although hesitantly, almost as if his legs
would not propel him forward.

“Here, let me show you the basic step.” She took
him by the arm and drew him to a corner that permitted movement.

Lifting her skirt to allow her feet to be seen, she
stood across from him. Slowly, she talked him through
the steps.

“On the first beat, you step out here.” He followed.
“On the second, you bring your other foot near. And
on the third beat, shift your weight back on the first
foot.” The squire continued to follow her lead. “It
isn’t difficult in the least.”

“One, two, three … one, two, three … one, two,
three …” he said just above a whisper and mirrored
her feet.

“It’s best not to count aloud.” Cassie smiled.
“There … I think you’ve got it.”

She gazed up into his face. He was smiling too. He
was smiling at her. Cassie felt quite self-conscious at
his extended gaze and quickly averted her eyes.

“Of course, this is not the correct position to
dance.” She was quick to clarify.

“Yes, I am well aware of that aspect,” he added
softly and cleared his throat. “I have seen the waltz
performed many times.”

The squire took Cassie’s right hand in his left. She
brushed against the smooth metal of his signet ring.
He moved closer and slipped his other hand around
her waist. All hint of expression fell from his face. A
long bout of silence followed. She swallowed hard.

Squire Stewart held her in his arms, dance position. With a brave upward tilt of her chin, she slowly turned her head, displaying a cool, seemingly detached profile.

In reality, Cassie felt the panic rise through her. Her
pulse raced and she could feel her heart pound hard.
She wondered if he could hear it too. Her first reaction
was to flee but she managed to keep her head.

“There doesn’t seem to be enough room in here to
turn.” Moving away from him, she nervously smiled.
“Perhaps this is enough for today. Shall we continue
tomorrow?”

He met his instructor’s eyes and nodded. “If it is
not too much of an inconvenience.”

“Until tomorrow then” Cassie inclined her head and
took her leave. She moved down the hall and slipped
into a side parlor, closing the solid door behind her.
Leaning her head onto the cool surface, she inhaled
slowly to calm her wildly beating heart.

What was happening to her? What was this feeling
bubbling up inside her? While the squire held her
close, she thought she felt as if she would faint. She
wanted to be as far away from him as possible.

Cassie vividly recalled the warmth of his hand and
his firm grip on her waist. It was horrifying and comforting all at the same time and she wondered why
she had not felt this way when Edward took her in
his arms.

Julian looked forward to every morning when he
could spend time alone with Lady Cassandra. After
their ride, he sat across the breakfast table for coffee.
Some evenings, he escorted her to various parties in
Edward’s absence. When working at home, he often
walked by the side parlor, where the women sat after
supper, to see her in animated conversation with
Lorna or enjoying a book by the fireside.