Page 42 of An Unwitting Alliance
“Since Cassie is too tired, I shall tell it.” Tom did not wait for her to object, and she wouldn’t had she been given a chance. He launched into an amusing made-up tale of him rescuing the kittens, and Cassandra let herself close her eyes and relax.
A short while later, someone squeezed her shoulder. She opened her eyes only to realize her head was on Tom’s chest and his arm was around her. She did not move or so much as breathe. She was faintly aware of the girls playing with the kittens again and the fact that she had managed to fall asleep. But what surprised her the most was how very reluctant she was to move. Tom smelled heavenly. She had noticed his resiny scent several times: in his room, on his jacket when he had embraced her yesterday, and now. And he was warm too. So warm. And his chest was solid underneath her.
“Cassie.” He squeezed her arm again.
She dragged her head up slowly so her eyes could meet his. “Yes?”
“As much as I am enjoying this position, I have lost all feeling in my arm.”
She pulled back only to see a wet spot on his waistcoat nearly the size of her fist. Mortified, she attempted to wipe it dry. Her breathing came rapidly as her panic mounted.
“’Tis the badge of a gentleman. I must thank you for bestowing it upon me so graciously.”
As simple as that, his words calmed her. She would not admit it to a soul, but that smile was definitely her weakness. It set her at ease in one instant and her heart to pounding in another. “I am sorry about your arm... and this.” She touched the wet spot, trying to wipe it away again but quickly pulled her hand off his chest, self-conscious about her behavior. She glanced at the girls, eager to leave the enclosed space and find some fresh air. “We should probably get these girls back to Nancy. Jane does not do well without a nap.”
“Neither does her older sister, it seems.” Mr. Harwood stood.
As they walked back into the house, Cassandra held on to Jane’s hand and Tom held on to Bethany’s. The fresh air was doing wonders for her warm cheeks as well as chasing away the scent of horses and replacing it with the much pleasanter smell of grass and blossoms. Her thoughts happily retraced her time in the stables until she suddenly halted in her steps. Sunday was on the morrow. Something had to be done before the entire town saw her and Tom together at church services.
“Thoughtful Tom?” she said, hoping the endearment would work to her favor.
“Yes, Capricious Cassie?”
She glowered. “I was trying to be nice.”
“And I was merely noting how unexpected it was. Go ahead. Tell me whatever is on your mind.”
“Tomorrow is church.”
“And?”
She started walking again, her distracted gaze climbing a nearby tree. “And everyone will learn that you are staying at my house.”
“I am sure many already know I am here. Servants talk, you know.”
“Yes, but it feels different.”
“In what way?”
She shrugged, not certain she dared say it out loud.
“People might believe I am courting you?” Tom asked. There was no sign of teasing now. He seemed genuinely concerned for what was bothering her. When she said nothing, he nodded. “What do you propose?”
“You cannot go to services tomorrow.”
“Me?” Tom put his free hand to his chest. “Miss services? I dare not risk my soul.”
What had she been thinking? Tom was only thoughtful if it meant convincing her she was a spinster. Any sweetness outside of that realm did not include her.
But then he said, “I’ll stay behind if it pleases you.”
Cassandra’s steps slowed. “Truly?” With Mama down in bed, she had enough to worry about.
Tom’s smile made her catch her breath. “I am not here to make your life miserable, Cassie.”
It certainly did not seem so when he looked at her that way. “Thank you. When we figure out how to get out of this mess, the fewer rumors about us the better.” It made sense in her head, but it sounded terribly wrong when it came out.
“A wise thought.”
