Page 38 of The Lady's Last Mistake
But she had been, once; by Renfry. And then, at Grant’s clinic, she’d let down her guard long enough for him to grope her hip, to nearly kiss her.
At the Tennenbright ball, she’d been on edge, and Grant had sensed it keenly enough to ask why she was angry. The obvious answer had been his scheme. But he’d known it wasn’t that, and now, she admitted he was correct. She’d nearly let him take liberties. Had wanted him to. Even knowing what sort of rake he was, how their courtship was all a farce…she’d still done exactly as Jane had accused: fallen for his charms, if only momentarily.
Cassie had been furious withherself, not Grant. No, he was only being the depraved scoundrel that he proudly was.
A scowl was still fixed on Cassie’s lips when one of Mrs. Lindquist’s assistants came to their seating area, followed by who else, but the subject of their current conversation. She suppressed a groan as Grant doffed his hat. But that roguish smirk couldn’t be so easily discarded. He directed it toward Cassie, Marianna, and Jane with equal intensity.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said with a regal bow. Then, his attention fully on Cassie, “Lady Cassandra.”
She bit her tongue. There could be no mistaking his intention. He wanted an introduction to her friends. Not to mention, to be seen inside a dressmaker’s shop with Cassie would surely inspire more gossip about their attachment.
“Lord Thornton,” she said, gritting her teeth. “May I introduce Mrs. Marianna Dutton and Mrs. Jane Riverton.”
He bowed again, this time even more regally, if possible.
“I did not know you patronized Lindquist’s, my lord,” Jane said coldly.
As it was a dressmaker’s shop, there was no earthly reason any unmarried man should be present.
“I cannot say any of the fabrics on hand would suit me, Mrs. Riverton. I merely wanted the pleasure of saying hello to Lady Cassandra and making your acquaintance.”
His smooth charm would not work on Jane, but Marianna seemed to be melting beneath it, evidenced by the flush along her neck. Cassie refrained from rolling her eyes.
“What brings you to Bond Street, Lord Thornton?” she asked sharply. Jane’s suggestion that he’d been visiting a club where his mistress frequented had swiftly rooted in her mind. That he might have just come from her… Cassie suddenly could not sit another moment. Just as Grant began to speak, she stood abruptly from her chair. Once standing, she had no excuse for it. Grant, Jane, and Marianna all stared at her quizzically.
“Are you unwell, my lady?” Mrs. Lindquist inquired as she returned with two assistants, each young woman holding bolts of fabric in the purples, greens, and blues Jane had requested. “You look piqued.”
“Yes, I’m afraid I’m not feeling well,” she said. The lie swiftly became truth when she met the gaze of one of the modiste’s assistants.
Cold dread cascaded into her belly as recognition shone in Miss Emily Stafford’s eyes.Oh no.
“Miss Banks?” Emily said softly. Then, realizing she’d spoken aloud, she took a small curtsey. Cassie’s body went numb, her tongue heavy as lead.
“Miss Banks?” Jane echoed. “Why do you address her ladyship in this manner?”
“My apologies, my lady,” Mrs. Lindquist said, shooting her assistant a look of reproach. “Miss Stafford is new here.”
Embarrassment flooded Emily’s expression, and guilt stabbed under Cassie’s ribs. This wasn’t her fault at all. She’d had no ideathiswas where Emily had gone from her old position at the drapers in Marylebone.
“Her ladyship?” Emily murmured as confusion joined her embarrassment.
“You have mistaken Lady Cassandra Sinclair for thisMiss Banks,” the modiste said, flustered and vexed by the gaffe.
Emily’s shock drew her pale brows together. She didn’t look to believe it, and for all the world, appeared ready to dispute it.
“Whoever this Miss Banks is,” Grant took a stride forward to put himself between Cassie and the assistant, “she must greatly resemble Lady Cassandra, and for that Miss Banks should count herself as fortunate.”
It was guileless and overly complimentary, but when her panicked stare lifted to him, she saw a shrewdness in his eyes.
“Mrs. Lindquist, if Lady Cassandra requires anything today, I insist you place it on my account.”
Total silence followed Grant’s statement. Heat suffused Cassie’s body as what he’d just said and done wove its way through her already stuttering mind.
“That is…that is unnecessary, my lord, I shall have it placed on the duke’s account,” she replied, her hoarse voice betraying her astonishment.
Taking her limp hand and bending over it, Grant put his lips to her knuckles. “I insist.”
Marianna and Jane stared, openmouthed at the display, Jane with abject disapproval and Marianna with thrill. He could not pay for her clothing! It was indecent. It was what husbands did for their wives, or betrothed men did for their intended brides. Worse still, it was what men did for their mistresses.
