Page 58 of The Lady's Last Mistake
“Awful luck,” he said. “I’m afraid you’ve some in your hair, too.”
Cassie felt silly having her face cleaned by him. Not to mention, his ministrations were blocking her view of the stands where Mr. Youngdale had been. She pulled back from Mr. Forsythe. “Really, it is fine. I’ll be?—”
Her voice cut off as a scorching presence seared her. Like the pressure of a hot wind, she did not have to see Grant to know he was there. Cassie rose to her feet and, steeling her spine, faced his wrath full on. He towered in front of their row, his eyes like two emeralds on fire.
“May I have a word, Lady Cassandra?” It was less of a request and more of a terse command. He held out his hand.
Cassie eyed it, dreading his certain scolding while at thesame time, eager to put her hand in his. It made no sense. She blamed the chaotic surroundings and the shock of blood spatter that had lashed her across the face.
After thanking Mr. Forsythe, whom Grant had pointedly refused to acknowledge, Cassie slipped her fingers into Grant’s waiting palm. He locked her hand in his and began to walk, saying nothing as he hauled her toward the exit.
She dug in her heels. “Stop! Mr. Youngdale is here.”
“I know.”
“We have to follow him.” She again struggled against his route toward the warehouse exit. She tried to look over her shoulder, but the crowds were milling, and Grant was still dragging her forward.
“Hugh and Sir have gone after him. I would be with them, too, if not for your foolish antics.”
Cassie ripped her hand from his. “You do not need to concern yourself with me. We are both here for the same reason. Let us find him.”
“I don’t need to concern myself? Have you lost your senses?” Grant held himself rigid, and close, looming over her. “Not only is this place utterly inappropriate for a woman of your standing, but Youngdalesawyou. He recognized you. Did you not think of that before coming here with Tobias—and withForsythe?” He spit the name.
“I did not arrive with either of them. I met them by chance.” Though she knew that wasn’t the larger problem. If Mr. Youngdale learned who she was and could place her at Hope House…he could expose her.
“I didn’t think of Mr. Youngdale seeing me,” she admitted softly. And how it pained her, too.
“No, all you heard was someone telling you that you couldn’t do something, and like a child, you did it anyway.”
The chiding burned, and Cassie glared, her contrition consumed by a rush of indignation. “Very well, your opinion is noted. Now, I have no need for your protection, Lord Thornton, so you are free to join Hugh and Sir.”
She started toward the exit but did not make it two strides before Grant overtook her. He slid in front of her, so close her feet practically tripped over his.
“They are gone, and I am taking you back to Grosvenor Square.”
“No, thank you,” she bit off, teeth gnashing. “I have my own carriage.”
He hooked her arm as she tried to pass him again.
“Unhand me,” she commanded. Grant cocked his head, the intensity of his stare enough to thicken the breath in her throat.
“Woman, this is the second time today that I’ve wanted to bend you over my knee and paddle your hide.”
The growled words burrowed under her skin—and ignited. The rest of the club vanished as Grant’s eyes dropped to her lips. His vexation with her brimmed to overflowing, and an increasingly reckless part of her delighted in it. That heedless little demon inside her relished that she could push him to the brink of losing control. It wanted to keep pushing until he snapped. What might that look like? What would he do? The attention he was giving her mouth gave her a suspicion.
“Ah, Lord Thornton, I see you’ve apprehended my harridan of a sister,” Tobias said as he joined them. Purposefully, Cassie was sure of it. Grant wasn’t exactly masking hisanger, and as petulant as Tobias could be, he wouldn’t stand back while someone manhandled his sister.
Grant released Cassie’s elbow and stepped away. “Lord Tobias, can I ask you to walk your sister to her carriage. She was leaving.”
The utter gall! “Do not order me about. I’m not yours to command.”
“The match is over anyhow, Cassie,” Tobias said, without giving Grant a chance to reply. He hooked her arm and tipped the brim of his hat to Grant, bidding him a good evening.
Her brother pulled her along, and when they’d taken several strides, he leaned closer. “What have you done, dear sister?”
She balked at him. “Me?”
“Thornton looked like he wanted to rip off your head.”
