Page 15 of Earl for the Summer
“Don’t you?” His voice dropped a little. He stopped walking and turned toward her. “Forgive me if I’m being a presumptuous boor, Miss Bridewell. I only meant that last night, and again this evening, your expression said more than your words.”
Her eyes searched his, and he had the sudden, powerful sense that if he reached out—if he so much as brushed her hand—she wouldn’t pull away.
But he didn’t, of course. He couldn’t. Because she was Lady Selina’s friend, and he waspretendingto be Julian.
He swallowed and looked away. “But that wasn’t what I meant to speak to you about.”
“Ah, yes, your question. Might as well ask me now.”
“I have a request,” he said, offering a crooked smile. “You may find it amusing.”
She looked at him, tension sharpening the edge of her jaw. “You’ve always been amusing, my lord.”
Yes, that is precisely how one would see Julian.
“Normally I’m rather direct,” he confessed, though he shouldn’t have. He should have been encouraging any likeness she found in him to Julian, not dissuading her.
“But this…situation,” he continued, “requires tact and a woman’s perspective.”
She looked intrigued. “Go on.”
“I’d like to know how best to win Lady Selina Lytton’s favor.”
There was a long pause. He thought he saw something like shock behind her eyes, but it was quickly shuttered.
“I thought you and she were already…well acquainted,” she said lightly.
“We are friendly,” he said, “but I think you know how often appearances can be deceiving.”
Her mouth twisted. “Yes,” she said. “I’m learning that lesson rather thoroughly this Season.”
Cassian felt it again—the urge to reach for her. To explain himself. To confess the whole damned ruse.
Instead, he retreated into the safety of his idea. “Will you help me? Advise me, I mean.”
She hesitated.
“I don’t wish to deceive my friend,” she finally said.
The guilt he’d felt at dinner rushed over him like a wave. She made him ashamed without meaning to.
“I would never ask you to. I only wish to know her favorite flower, her interests.”
“You should seek those details through conversation, my lord. Charm has never been something you lacked.” There was no compliment in her words. Indeed, she seemed more guarded than ever.
“You’re right.” He nodded and pressed his lips together. “I should have never asked such a thing of you. Yet again, I must apologize, Miss Bridewell.”
She didn’t offer quick forgiveness this time; she merely watched him.
“I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” He bowed and turned to leave her, jaw tight. Good grief, he was a fool.
He should’ve known better than to put her in such a position. He’d just wanted an excuse to be near her, to know her better, to keep her in his orbit a little longer.
“Lord Windham.”
He stopped mid-step. Her voice cut through the garden’s quiet.
He turned. “Yes, Miss Bridewell?”
