Page 57 of An Unwitting Alliance
“I’ve never heard that rule before,” Robin whispered loudly to Michelangelo.
Tom released his ball and folded his arms, calculating how appropriately one had to act in his communication with a woman to still be a gentleman. Every man ought to study this out in his mind, but he was glad the boys did not hear his thoughts.
Deep down, he still valued Cassie’s choice above all. If she did not choose him for herself, he could not have her. That was the gentlemanly line he must walk. Though, the thought of not marrying her was starting to scare him more than the betrothal had originally done. At least then he had his head on straight. Now his heart was involved, and the vulnerable organ was in a frenzy after all his efforts to suppress it for so long.
By the time dinner had passed, Tom was ready to be with Cassie, so he was understandably frustrated when Nutmeg entered the room first and sat beside him on the drawing room sofa before her sister could.
“Mr. Harwood, do you have any friends who would like me?”
Tom did not have to think long. “Yes, my friend Angel would adore you.”
“Truly? Is he handsome?”
Tom restrained a laugh. “Angel is a woman and a friend to all.”
“You know what I meant.” Megs glared at him, which only made him laugh. “It isn’t funny. To punish you, I shall tell Cassandra about yourconnectionto Angel.”
Of course he wanted Cassie to meet all his friends. He imagined she would get along well with Angel and Vixen and probably Nymph too. But the way Megs said it made him second-guess the introductions. “I should not have teased you. I’m sorry—”
“Who is Angel?” Cassie asked from the door of the room, cutting off his apology.
Immediately his thoughts went back to yesterday and the alleyway, and his eyes went to her lips. He not only did not respond but could not recollect the question.
Cassie sat down on the other side of Megs, while the boys sat down on the piano bench, attempting to see who could make the most rambunctious noise.
“Angel is Mr. Harwood’sdearestfriend,” Megs said for him.
Tom gave a nervous chuckle, and not because of any mention of Lisette either. “Oh yes. Angel is a dear friend. We grew up together.”
“I see.” Cassie did not seem jealous at all. It would have been all right if she had been a little... or a lot.
“Is she pretty?” Megs asked.
Had Megs not eaten enough? It seemed to him that she needed to put something in her mouth to keep her untrammeled thoughts from leaking out. He might want Cassie jealous, but he did not want her angry with him.
Cassie looked at him expectantly.
He hesitated. “Angel is very pretty.”
“Prettier than Cassandra?” Megs asked.
“Megan, that is enough,” Cassandra chided. “Did you spend the entirety of yesterday in your bed thinking of uncomfortable conversation?”
Megs giggled. “No, but I think your overreaction tells me you are just a little jealous of Angel. And it sounds like you should be. Mr. Harwood speaksveryhighly of her.”
“I think you should use your persuasive energy to convince the boys to stop that dreadful pounding before the stress of it all puts Mama into labor,” Cassie said.
“Oh, I did not think of how the music would affect Mama.” Megs jumped to her feet.
Tom took that opportunity to slide over to the cushion next to Cassie. He could not postpone assuring himself that she did not hate him after yesterday. “Angel is just a friend.”
“I gathered that.”
“Did you?”
“Would you be here now if she were not?”
“Sound reasoning. But weren’t you just a little jealous?” He examined her thoroughly. He knew he was thinking and speaking like Megs, but where was the color in Cassie’s cheeks and the lowering of her brow?
