Page 59 of The Earl's Secret
Devon’s bags were prepared,but he had nowhere to go at the moment. He couldn’t start his journey until tomorrow, but he had, at least, advised his valet and driver that they would depart in the morning.
He was sitting on a bench looking out over the ground’s small lake when he felt a presence behind him, although he knew without turning that it wasn’t Cassandra, for he could sense her whenever she neared.
“Lord Covington?” came a hesitant voice, and he turned to find Miss Hope Newfield standing there awaiting him.
“Miss Newfield,” he said with a nod as he stood to greet her. “I am afraid that I am not very pleasant company at the moment.”
“As it happens,” she said, sitting down to join him on the bench, “I am not here for company.”
“Oh?” he said in surprise, looking around for her sister or mother. He would never have assumed Lady Hope to be an opportunist looking to trap a man into marriage, but wouldn’t that be the greatest of ironies, if it was to occur now with her? “What can I help you with?”
“I thought perhaps you would like to know just why Cassandra turned down your offer of marriage.”
His head snapped up at that. “She told you of that?”
“She told us what occurred last night, and then a maid overheard your conversation in the study. She told some of the other maids, who told my lady’s maid, who told me.”
“I see,” he murmured. Goodness, that had all happened in a manner of a few hours. Was nothing secret anymore?
“Cassandra loves you.”
“I must disagree with that.”
“I know it likely seems so because of her denial of you, but the truth is, she said no because she felt that she would only be hurt again.”
“I never meant to hurt her the first time,” he protested, “and I never would again. I didn’t leave this time. I stayed, and I spoke to Gideon—”
“A conversation in which you discussed a wager of sorts?” she said, tilting her chin down and looking up at him with an expression that labelled him a fool without her saying anything.
“A wager? Cassandra had nothing to do with any wager—” He stopped as realization dawned on him. “Gideon asked me if this had to do with the bet. She must have heard. But I quickly assured him that it had nothing to do with that. That was just a flippant remark made by Lord Ferrington. I didn’t even agree to it, and we were not allowed to use any of Gideon’s family in our pursuit to win.”
Lady Hope bit her lip. “From what Cassandra said, she failed to hear any of that besides the first part. Not only does she believe that you betrayed her once more in wanting to appease Gideon, but she believes she was used for a bet. I know many women would agree to marriage with you under any circumstance, my lord, but not Cassandra.”
“Not Cassandra,” he murmured, considering that was the very reason he loved her and no other.
“Cassandra wants to marry for love. She will have nothing but.”
“I see,” he said, unable to sit any longer, as he stood and began to pace back and forth along the shore. “I must convince her that my proposal of marriage was out of love and nothing else.”
“My lord,” Lady Hope asked, standing herself, crossing her hands in front of her and staring at him with what he was sure was forced courage, “doyou love her?”
“I do,” he said firmly. “With every part of me.”
“Then tell her,” she said softly but with equal firmness. “That is what she wants to hear. However, you must make her believe you.”
“Very well,” he said as an idea began to form. “But I am going to need a little help.”
* * *
As she sulkedin the library, Cassandra closed her eyes when she heard footsteps down the corridor beyond, hoping that they would pass by and leave her in peace. She knew that her current situation was primarily of her own doing – although she did place a good deal of the blame on Devon as well – but she wanted this moment to feel sorry for herself without interruption.
Her hopes were dashed, however, when the door creaked open and Gideon appeared within its frame.
“You seem pleased to see me,” he quipped, entering without invitation and sitting down across from her on the very sofa he had been sleeping upon the night before.
“I have a good idea of why you are here,” she said, lifting her chin defiantly, “and I must tell you that you are wasting your time. I am not going to marry a man just so he may win a wager. I must say, Gideon, you have all gone too far this time.”
“Cassandra, this has nothing to do with a wager.”
