Page 25 of Intolerable
“We hardly know each other, Papa. I haven’t even decided if I want to marry him.”
“Then you’d best get to know him. Perhaps you should have gone for a promenade.”
Cassandra turned her head back to see if the viscount was still there, but he’d moved to a new location and was now speaking with another young lady.Blast.
Ah well, did she really want to match herself with someone who enjoyed fighting?
“I would ask that you not meddle so heavily in this,” she said sternly. “You promised me that I could choose my own husband.” And yet he’d already prevented that by saying she couldn’t wed Wexford. What if he was who she chose?
“So far, you haven’t made much progress. One afternoon outing to the park, and I’ve already effected more movement in your husband hunt than you have all Season.”
“That’s a gross exaggeration.”
“You’re scowling. And you toldmenot to scowl.” His tone was light and…cheerful. He was enjoying this.
“If you’d like to see ‘movement’ in my marital search, you should allow me to attend the Phoenix Club assembly on Friday.”
He cut his hand through the hair. “Bah. That won’t be necessary as it seems Glastonbury is nearly up to scratch.” He laughedagain. “See what I did there? Bit of boxing humor.”
Cassandra stared at him as her agitation grew. “I don’t want you negotiating this for me. I want a husband who demonstrates…affection.” She wanted someone to love who would love her in return. And she didn’t yet know if Glastonbury was that man. “If you force me into a union as you did with Con, I’ll run away to Scotland. Or worse—Ireland. Why are you in such a hurry to marry me off anyway? There is plenty of time left in the Season.”
His dark eyes narrowed, but before he could speak, Cassandra called to the driver to stop. “Prudence and I are going for a promenade. We’ll meet you back near the track by the gate.”
The tiger leapt down from the back and opened the door so Cassandra and Prudence could descend.
“I look forward to hearing about the potential suitors you encounter, my dear.” The duke didn’t spare them a glance as the barouche continued on.
“You’re still scowling,” Prudence said softly.
Cassandra pressed her hands to her cheeks and forced her features to relax. “He is so vexing.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him laugh before.”
“It’s a rare occasion.” Cassandra linked her arm through Prudence’s, and they started back toward the gate. It would take them nearly as long to walk back as it would the barouche to return after traveling the Ring at a sedate pace.
“He really seems to like Glastonbury,” Prudence observed benignly.
“Yes. But does Glastonbury likeme? He’s been superficial thus far.”
“Perhaps you need to spend more time with him. Dancing can be a difficult time to converse.” That was certainly true. “You could ask him to promenade as you did with Wexford the other day.”
“I asked Wexford to dance, actually, and suggested we promenade in the meantime.” He’d called her brazen for doing so. But he’d also been flirting with her. She was certain of it.
Cassandra looked about to see if she could find him amongst the throng. It was the nicest spring day yet, and the park was overflowing. It was impossible to pick him out.
“Are you looking for Wexford?” Prudence asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because you often look for him. And don’t bother saying you don’t. I’m not stupid.”
“I would never think that,” Cassandra said, bringing her free hand over to give Prudence’s arm a squeeze. “You’re very observant. I daresay you’ve a great many tidbits stored in your admirable brain. You could probably pen a scandal column.” She snapped her head toward Prudence who sometimes wrote in the evenings. “In fact…do you?”
Prudence let out a rare laugh. “I’m not sure I possess knowledge that’s very interesting. I do notice other people’s behaviors, but anything I deduce is merely a supposition.”
“And what do you suppose about me and Wexford?” Cassandra was curious if her companion had accurately picked up the attraction between them.
Prudence hesitated before answering. “I’m not certain. You seem…interested in him, but I can’t tell if it’s romantic inclination.”
