Page 95 of Intolerable
Prudence paled. “I’d forgotten. You shouldn’t go. And not just because of that. I don’t think you should be seen at such an event.”
“There will be ladies there. Some are patronesses.” Her aunt had been to one that Cassandra knew of.
“But you’re unmarried. Surely the ladies who attend are wed.”
Prudence was right, but Cassandra didn’t care. “I’m going.”
She had to get to Ruark and settle their awaiting future.
Much to Cassandra’s disappointment, Lucien wasn’t at home. She was relieved to learn, however, that he was just down the street at Evie Renshaw’s. Cassandra and Prudence departed the coach and were quickly escorted to Evie’s drawing room, where she and Lucien were meeting.
Cassandra pinned an expectant stare on her brother and wasted no time getting to the purpose of her visit. “I’ve come to find out where the prizefight is being held tonight,” she said without preamble.
He’d stood as she entered and now took a small step forward. “What prizefight?”
“The one Ruark is fighting in. I must get to him at once.”
Lucien frowned at her. “I thought you were finished with Wexford.”
“Just as I should be finished with Glastonbury?” She arched a brow at him before fixing her hand on her hips and taking a few menacing steps toward him. “You’ve proven to be as meddlesome and irritating as Papa. Tell me where the fight is.”
He hesitated. “No.”
Cassandra hadn’t wanted to hit her brother in many years. Now, she wanted to push him backward onto his arse. “You owe me.”
“What did you do?” Evie asked, facing Lucien. She abruptly turned to Cassandra. “What did he do?”
“He found out Glastonbury is in dire financial straits and only wants to wed me for my dowry. Instead of informing me of that fact, he told our father.” She glowered at him. “Were you trying to win Papa’s favor?”
Lucien snorted. “That’s rather pointless.”
“That’s precisely why you did it,” Evie said softly. She came toward Cass. “Ignore your brother. The fight is in Croydon. You must leave at once if you want to get there in time. In fact, you may arrive too late for the bout.”
Cassandra wiped the back of her hand over her brow. Had she hoped to stop Ruark from fighting? She hadn’t thought about it, but she supposed she might have tried. The thought of him being hurt made her ill.
“You’re right,” Lucien said, exhaling. “I told Father hoping he’d find it helpful. Findmehelpful.”
Some of Cassandra’s anger slid away. “I understand.”
He looked at her with regret. “I’m sorry, Cass. I should have told you. Why do you want to see Wexford after everything I told you?”
“Because he wrote me a note.”
“And sent a rather astonishing floral display,” Prudence put in.
Cassandra nodded in her direction. “Yes, it’s enormous. He loves me—not just for now but forever. I believe him.”
“Are you sure you should?” Lucien asked.
Rather than explain why, she simply looked her brother in the eye and said, “Love is worth any risk. I love him, Lu, and I’m going to find out what our future holds.”
He stared at her a moment then gave a slight nod. “I’ll take you.”
“Forgive me, but I’d rather not go with you,” Cassandra said. She forgave his wrongheaded behavior, but she didn’t want him to accompany her on this particular errand. “Prudence will be with me.”
His brow creased, and he flung his arm in the air. “It’s a prizefight. There will be thousands of people in attendance. You can’t go alone.”
“I won’t be alone. I’ll be with Prudence.”
