Page 19 of Earl for the Summer
Cassian kept his hands balled at his sides, forcing himself not to plant a fist in the man’s shocked face.
“A gentleman departs when a lady tells him to.” Cassian stepped closer, backing the knave farther into the hallway. “Go. Now.”
The coward seemed to see something in Cassian’s expression that convinced him, and he began to storm off. Then he stopped, turned, and cast Cassian a glare.
From his position a few steps away, he shouted, “Daphne, I didn’t mean?—”
Cassian stepped into the library and slammed the door shut.
He heard her let out another shaky sigh before he turned to face her.
“Are you all right?” He reached for her instinctively, a hand on her arm.
They were close enough that when she reached up and pressed her palm against his waistcoat, he wasn’t certain whether she was pushing him away. But then her fingers curled around the edge of his coat’s lapel, holding him in place.
Some of his fury at the wastrel he’d found her wish eased at that. He’d stay with her as long as she wanted him to because he was exactly where he wished to be.
“Good heavens,” she whispered, “I’ve never kicked a man before.”
“He deserved that and more.”
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded. Unshed tears glittered in her lashes. And it twisted something inside Cassian to watch one slip down the pink-flushed slope of her cheek.
He forced himself not to touch his fingertip to her skin.
Swiping at her cheek, she let out a shaky breath. Then she released him and took a step back. “I am well, Lord Windham. Or I soon will be.” With a hand pressed to her middle, she worked to steady her breathing. Then she focused her attention on the closed door.
Cassian immediately realized the impropriety of shutting himself inside with her. “Perhaps we should head back?—”
“No, I…need a moment.”
“Would you prefer that I go?”
“Propriety dictates that you should.” She stepped forward, as close as she’d been a moment ago. “But I haven’t thanked you yet.”
“You needn’t thank me.” Cassian couldn’t resist matching her movement and inching a bit closer.
“And I haven’t explained that I didnotarrange to meet Mr. Moreland.”
“You needn’t explain yourself to me either.” But he did file the man’s name away in his mind.
“I came seeking a moment alone, and he found me. Or perhaps he followed me. I confess I didn’t know he was in attendance this evening. We areacquainted.” Her emphasis on the word held a bitter note.
“If you fear he’ll trouble you further, I’ll have a word with him.”
“I want nothing more to do with him.”
Cassian nodded. “Then he won’t come near you again.”
She studied him a moment, assessing, just as she’d done the night they’d met. As if she wished to know how he meant to put a stop to Moreland’s attentions.
Though she didn’t ask the unspoken question, he vowed to do whatever was necessary to ensure the knave never troubled her again.
“I feel like a fool.”
A shiver seemed to rush through her, and Cassian slipped off his evening coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. She blinked up at him as if shocked by the gesture.
“Why would you, Miss Bridewell?”
