Page 70 of An Unwitting Alliance
He closed his eyes, his hand going to his mouth. “Of course, of course. This is about Patricia, not the pearls. You did this because of her cruel behavior. Here I thought you were tempted by the jewelry itself.”
“I am not so vindictive. This idea is as ridiculous as the first!” She shoved the pearls against his chest with as much force as she could muster, but he was far too sturdy and did not so much as rock back on his feet. “What sort of person do you imagine I am?”
He caught the pearls in his hand. “So you did not take them?”
Cassandra turned in disbelief to her sister.
“Don’t look at me. You thought I had stolen them too, remember?”
She could see the hurt in Megan’s eyes, and she suddenly felt sheepish. “I suppose we do look rather guilty, the pair of us.” Still, Tom’s words stung. She folded her arms and faced him. “If you must know, I found the pearls in my reticule. I won’t trouble you further with our problems. Megan and I will solve this on our own.” She grabbed Megan’s arm and pulled her to the door.
“Cassie, please.” Tom followed on her heels. “I thought you were confessing to me. What was I supposed to think?”
She shrugged. “The best of me?” They exited the stables into the overcast day, perfectly reflecting her gloomy mood. She had no idea what they were going to do about the pearls, but why had she run to Tom for help? His poor opinion of her stung worse than a burn, making her heart throb.
He caught her elbow, effectively pulling her to a stop, and jumped in front of her. “Let’s discuss this before you run off.”
“Do I have to be here for the discussion?” Megan asked. “Because this lovers’ spat is making me terribly uncomfortable.”
Cassandra glared at her sister. With comments like that, her sister could not leave soon enough.
Tom handed Megan the pearls. “Put these somewhere safe until we can discover a resolution.”
Megan took the pearls and practically ran.
“We?” Cassandra sputtered, shaking her head. She couldn’t be around him right now. Her feelings were entirely too vulnerable where he was concerned. “Megan and Iwill think of a solution while you go study redemption with Mr. Romantic.”
“Did someone say my name?”
Cassandra had not heard anyone’s approach, and she turned with a start. The new man before her was a complete stranger. Beneath his beaver hat spilled tight dark curls atop an Adonis face and a narrow but athletic frame. He held the reins of a mare that followed dutifully behind him.
“Miles!” Tom’s eyes lit up his face. He stepped forward and embraced his friend, slapping him on the back. “I did not think you could get away. How is your father?”
Miles’s own smile was not as vast as Tom’s, nor was he as enthusiastic in his greeting, but there was little doubt that he was equally pleased in the reunion. “He is well enough. I can spare only a few days, but I could not let you sort this mess on your own.” His eyes flicked to Cassandra’s.
“Mess? Is that what Mr. Harwood says I am?” After Tom’s accusation, this stranger’s word choice was like salt in her growing wound.
Tom’s smile dropped a degree. “Cassie, might I introduce my good friend Mr. Romantic himself?”
Miles, or Mr. Romantic, or whoever he was, bowed deeply—sincerely, even. For all Tom’s nonsensical ways, his friend did seem like a brooding poet of the romantics.
“You can call me Mr. Jackson, Miss Vail, unless you prefer Tom’s incessant nicknames. In that case, I must relent to your will.”
His voice was too genuine and his eyes too kind for her to hate him as her mood inclined her to do. Why was she acting so ridiculously sensitive anyway? She sighed, releasing some of her ire and pent-up concern. “Mr. Jackson will suffice.”
Tom took Miles’s mare. “Let me find a man to see to your horse. You must be hungry after your ride.”
He glanced at her, and she took the silent cue in stride. “Mr. Jackson, may I see you inside for some tea and refreshment?”
“I would appreciate some tea, thank you.”
Tom led the horse between her and Mr. Jackson. As he passed her, he reached out and stole her hand. Her breath caught at the unexpected contact. With the barest squeeze of her palm, he released it, not slowing his steps in the slightest as he moved to the stables. When her eyes met Mr. Jackson’s, she knew her cheeks were heightened in color.
“This way, Mr. Jackson.” She motioned to the house and fell into step with him.
Even if Tom had made her heart race and her fingers tingle, her feelings were not quite settled. She wanted him to think better of her, as she now thought of him. She would never steal from anyone. Why didn’t Tom know that? And he had invited his friend here to help get him out of their engagement. The very thought hurt worse than she could put to words. But he had been right about one thing. They were a mess.
Chapter 23
