Page 3 of Forbidden Earl

Silence clung instead.

Finally, Remington spoke, and she waited on pins and needles for his rebuttal. Rather than look at her, he turned toward Gigi. “Cassidy and I have a few things to discuss. Can you excuse us for five minutes while we settle our engagement?”

“Seeing you and Cassidy together will make me happy.” Gigi’s cheeks flushed from her cough, but her gaze showed her approval.

A knot grew in her stomach. This was a nightmare— marrying Remington when she knew he didn’t care.

She’d put her desire for Remy away, dreaming that some day she’d meet a man who appreciated her, who wanted her, and she’d marryhim. If she married Remy, she’d be stuck here, forever, both of them miserable.

Remy guided her out by holding her elbow. She hurried into the hall where Donna stared at them with concern. Well, theyhadbeen shouting. Remington walked her into the small reading nook across from the day room and closed the door.

The darkness in the room fit the bleakness of her mood, but he flipped the lights on fast and crossed his arms. “Cassidy, I can’t make promises to my grandmother that I won’t keep. She’s all I ever had and if she wants me to marry you, I need to know you aren’t lying to her.”

“Actually, I thought you were lying to her.” Cassidy pushed her glasses back to keep her disguise, and tucked a thick mass of hair behind her ear. “I love Gigi too; you know she’s been closer than a grandmother to me.”

He fell into a wide chair meant for reading and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Standing over him felt awkward. Unsure of what to do, she sat beside him. Her heart pounded with the knowledge that she would marry him.

This was real and happening, but she wasn’t sure why she had this zip of awareness in her belly. She kept her lips sealed so as not to ruin the shared moment.

Slowly, he straightened and stared at her like a man standing on a cliff who was thinking about jumping to his death. “If I speak to the queen about a wedding this week, you’ll be prepared?”

Cassidy was no fool and knew that the Bright family financial situation was about to change. She could hear the happy squeals and her mother wasn’t even here. She lowered her head and spoke softly, “I’ll need twenty-four hour notice to figure out clothes, and I have to tell my parents.” Would they even care about the circumstances? “I have tons of personal leave and I’d like to take time to be here, for Gigi, until the end.”

“Move in today.” Remington stood, his jaw tight, very much lord of the manor. “I’ll have a room prepared for you. Are you sure?”

Cassidy let her hand fall to her side. She whispered, “Yes. Go tell Gigi and I’ll be right in.”

“Don’t run on me again, Cassidy,” Remington said coolly.

Run? Was he talking about when they’d gone camping? She’d only been thirteen, and him, fourteen, with the other cousins. He’d sprinkled honey on her tent, thinking he was funny, and a black bear came in the night, to eat her tent, and her. Remington must’ve been waiting for her to scream because he’d been right there. He’d reached for her, but she’d thrown him in the lake and ran for her life, in the opposite direction. “No more practical jokes.”

Neither one of them said anything else—though they had much to discuss, there were other priorities, such as rescinding Remington’s proposal for Chelsea and switching it for Cassidy. She rose and they walked out of the small room. Donna called, “Lady Cassidy, Lord Sky, are you all right?”

Remington’s body straightened and it was clear he’d not talk to Blackwell’s bride. “It’s nothing for you to concern yourself with.”

Cassidy winced. He didn’t have to be rude. Donna gave her a nod like they were friends. “Seriously, it’s okay if you walk away from one another as you both love your grandmother. For now, can you try to get along or at least ignore each other?”

Remington glanced at her and placed his hand on her lower back. Again, she felt a jolt of awareness, but ignored the sentiment. No one usually touched or hugged her so anyone would get the same reaction. Or so she told herself. “It’s not that easy,” Remy said. “My grandmother believes that Lady Cassidy should be my wife and she made it her dying wish.”

Donna covered her lips and stepped away.

Perhaps this was the last chance she’d get to say anything, so she took the second and brushed her hand against Remy’s. “Look, I love Gigi and want her at peace, but Remy, we both know you and I are a bad idea.”

His shoulders were so tight he could double for a sentinel. “I know my grandmother wantsusand I must marry. Cassidy, I’m speaking to your father about this.”

She gently shoved him toward the sunroom and Gigi.

Cassidy walked with Donna to the blue room, eyeing the tea service and lace cookies.

Donna turned toward the foyer. “Blackwell is taking a long time with Chelsea.”

Chelsea was alone with the duke she’d just been jilted by? Her heart raced, and she shook her head. “They’re alone? That’s a bad idea. My sister isn’t that mature.”

Her sister’s actions couldn’t fall on her shoulders too. Right now, Cassidy had to find her parents, tell them the change in plans and pack a bag. Her mother might help her but then again she might be so excited she’d be no help at all. Cassidy walked toward the main front door with Donna.

A hundred years ago one of the Burkes had built the phone room to the right, where Chelsea and Blackwell now were. Donna said, “Yes, Blackwell wanted to break the contract. So he wanted to tell her first before meeting with her father today. I’m going in.”

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