Page 96 of Intolerable
“She isn’t a chaperone, let alone someone who can protect you.” Lucien’s frown deepened. “Take my coach with my coachman and footman. The footman will accompany you to the fight and keep you both safe.”
“I have Father’s coach.”
“I’ll take care of it. You’re taking my coach and my retainers, or you won’t go.” He looked to Evie. “Please convince her.”
Evie nodded. “He’s right, Cassandra. You must go with an escort. I wouldn’t go without one.”
Cassandra had to admit she’d feel better about the trip with Lucien’s retainers. Her father’s would likely object to taking her. “All right.”
“You should also wear something to disguise yourself,” Evie said. “While ladies often attend these events,youshould not. I’ll fetch something for you.” She hastened from the drawing room.
“You should spend the night there,” Lucien said. “Though it’s nearly a full moon and fortunately clear, returning at night is inadvisable. I’ll instruct the coachman to find lodging while you and Miss Lancaster go to the prizefight. I would tell you to accompany him to the lodgings first, but I know you won’t.”
“You are correct. Shouldn’t you go fetch your coach? I need to be on my way.”
“Yes.” He moved to take her hand, and she let him, despite her lingering annoyance. “I really am sorry. I wasn’t just trying to impress Father. I thought I was helping you too. But I should have told you in addition to him.”
She let out a breath, and with it, the remnants of her ire. “I forgive you.”
“Thank you. Are you certain Wexford deserves you?”
“I am. He had good reasons for believing he should wait to marry. I believe those reasons made it possible for him to realize he really does love me.”
Ruark cocked his head. “How is that?”
“In his note, he described how he felt about me, and it sounded like how I feel about him. If we both think it’s love, why wouldn’t it be?”
“Put like that, I don’t know,” he said quietly. “I think he must love you. Why else would he risk our friendship?”
Cassandra laughed. “That’s a rather pompous thing to say.”
“I only meant that he didn’t choose to fall in love with you. He wouldn’t have, not knowing how I felt. It must have been completely out of his hands.” A smile lifted his lips. “I’ll go fetch my coach.” He bussed her cheek and left.
“Your family is very complicated,” Prudence said with a shake of her head.
“Brothers can be a nuisance.” Cassandra smiled at the doorway where Lucien had left. “But they can also be wonderful.”
Evie returned with a purple cloak. “This will suffice, I think. It has a generous hood that should shield your face.” She handed the garment to Cassandra then turned to Prudence. “And one for you.”
Prudence took the dark blue cloak. “Thank you.”
“I appreciate your intervention with Lucien,” Cassandra said. “He’s gone to get his coach.”
“He can be a dolt, but he’s well-meaning” Evie said. “Just promise me you’ll be careful in Croydon.”
“We will.” Cassandra wasn’t going to let anything stop her from getting to Ruark.
Chapter 23
Ruark stood in his corner of the ring, anticipation and tension swirling through him. Mort was at his side, whispering the occasional word of encouragement.
Looking at Glastonbury across the ring, Ruark wondered if he’d called on Cassandra, if he’d proposed. Or had Lucien done nothing with the information Ruark had given him?
Shaking his shoulders out, Ruark reminded himself not to think of her and what he hoped was the start of their life together. He had to focus completely on this fight. He had towin. Losing to Glastonbury again was completely unfathomable.
Mort moved close and spoke near his ear in a low tone. “Move fast, aim for his arms first then his gut. With luck, you’ll tire him out. He’s not as good at conserving his energy. He’ll throw most of what he has at you to start.”
Ruark nodded. He went to the scratch and met his opponent. They shook hands and took their positions. The bell rang.
