Page 40 of Intolerable
Cassandra smiled. “That must be the new kitten Grayson is chasing.”
“Bloody nuisance,” her father muttered.
Throwing him an exasperated glance, Cassandra put her hand on her hip. “It’s no different than your dogs at Woodbreak.”
“Those are hunters—they earn their keep.”
“I’m sure Grayson and his new friend do the same. I’d guess there are no mice to be found in the kitchen or scullery.”
As her father grumbled something inaudible, Sabrina swept into the foyer with a bright smile. “Happy birthday, Cassandra! Come to the parlor. Constantine is pouring an excellent sherry for the occasion.”
They followed Sabrina to the parlor and the moment she reached the threshold, there was a resounding chorus of, “Surprise!” Followed by several happy birthdays and much laughter.
Cassandra worried her jaw might drop to the floor. This was completely unexpected. Her gaze moved to Sabrina, who stood beside her husband. Cassandra had never seen him wear such a wide, joyful grin. Her throat constricted. This was for her.
Blinking, she surveyed the remaining guests—Lucien of course, and Fiona and Overton. But also Lucien’s friend Dougal MacNair, Mrs. Renshaw, whom Cassandra liked very much, and, to her complete surprise and utter delight, Wexford.
Oh dear.Wexford.
She looked toward her father to see if he’d noticed, but the duke stood with his hands clasped behind his back on the other side of Prudence. Cassandra leaned toward her companion. “Did you know about this?”
“Certainly. Isn’t it lovely? It was Lucien’s idea.” Sometimes Cassandra forgot that Prudence had met Lucien months ago, that he was the reason she’d been employed by Overton as Fiona’s companion. Prudence was one of the many people her brother had helped.
“Itislovely,” Cassandra murmured, her gaze drifting to Wexford who was looking at her in return. Her insides fluttered as her pulse picked up speed.
Fiona hurried over and hugged Cassandra. Stepping back, she admired the pendant around Cassandra’s throat. “Is that new?”
“Yes, my father gave it to me.” She glanced toward him where he stood in conversation with Constantine. She also caught the glower he cast toward Wexford.
“It’s beautiful.” Fiona looked in the direction of Cassandra’s attention. “Is something amiss?”
“I’m just watching to make sure my father doesn’t do anything obnoxious with regard to Wexford.”
Lucien had walked up to her and heard what she said. After embracing her and bussing her cheek, he also looked toward their father. “He’ll behave. He never had any problem with Wex before.”
“No, just since he paid that faux call on me.” Cassandra shook her head. “I never should have asked him to do that.” Forsomany reasons.
“He’ll forget about it,” Lucien said with certainty.
“Perhaps after I wed. Anyway, it shouldn’t matter. He was downright rude and for no good reason. He has no right to judge Wexford or find him lacking.”
A slight frown creased Fiona’s features. “He knows Wexford has no plans to court you, doesn’t he?”
“He’s been told, but that doesn’t mean he won’t think whatever he wishes.” Cassandra grasped her brother. “Come, Lu, let’s reassure him.” For whatever reason, she didn’t want him treating Wexford poorly. Wexford didn’t deserve that. Plus, it was just wrong of her father to behave like that.
As they made their way toward the duke, they paused to speak with Mr. MacNair and Mrs. Renshaw, who both wished Cassandra happy birthday. Sabrina joined Cassandra and Lucien just as they arrived at the duke and Constantine.
“Happy birthday, sister.” Constantine kissed her cheek and smiled warmly. Yes, he was quite changed. And for the better. It was hard to even glimpse the extremely reserved person he’d been for pretty much as long as she could remember.
“Papa, I came to make sure you will be kind to Lord Wexford. He is not courting me, nor does he have any plans to. We are simply friends—an extension of his friendship with Lucien.”
“So you profess,” the duke said before sipping his sherry. “But who’s to say what he has planned?”
“He isn’t some villain with a nefarious scheme to abduct me to Gretna Green.” Cassandra tried not to glare at him. “Just promise you won’t ruin my birthday?”
“I beg your pardon, but I couldn’t help but overhear my name.”
At the sound of Wexford’s Irish lilt, Cassandra turned her head to see he’d come up behind her. Again, her pulse sped, and her stomach flipped over.
