Page 21 of Earl for the Summer
“Thank you for what you did, Lord Windham.”
“I believe it was your kick that did it.”
She gifted him with a lovely smile, then it faded as her brows furrowed. “Why did you happen upon this room?”
“I was looking for you.” It felt liberating to admit that simple truth.
“Oh.” She searched his eyes.
Cassian wondered if she saw it all there—how often he thought of her; that he’d dreamed of her last night; how he was drawn to her despite every reason he shouldn’t be.
“Of course,” she finally said. “You came for advice regarding Selina.”
“Actually, I?—”
“As a thanks, I’ll tell you this. Tomorrow a group is going to Kew Gardens, including Selina. Lord Knowles organized the outing, and I’m sure he’d be willing to add you.”
Cassian tapped his fingers against his leg. He’d just decided to be done with this whole thing, but now she’d offered something Julian would have jumped at.
“Are you going?” he asked.
“Yes, Selina invited me.”
That sealed it. Before he stopped this farce and returned to Scotland, he’d have one more chance to spend time with her and in a place he’d long wanted to see.
“Then I shall see you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 5
Daphne climbed into the Lytton’s carriage the next morning to find Selina brimming with emotion, but she couldn’t tell whether it was with excitement or dismay.
“What is it?” She reached out a hand, and Selina took it eagerly.
“I have reason to believe,” she said, her voice pitching high with eagerness, “that I’ll receive a proposal today.”
So it was excitement then. Selina’s eyes glowed with emotion. She’d already had one proposal from an elderly nobleman who she’d refused. Her family had abided by that decision because the man was a baron, and they dearly wanted to catch a duke for their daughter.
Whoever Selina believed would offer for her seemed to be much more appealing.
“Is it Lord Windham?” Daphne hated the way her heartbeat sped. It was ridiculous to be afraid to hear Selina’s answer. She had no claim on him.
“No.” For a moment Selina’s exuberance seemed to ebb. “I used to enjoy his attention, but he’s been odd since he returned. Distracted. Less jovial. I don’t think he ever would have offered for me.”
Daphne frowned. “I thought you favored him, and he seemed to feel the same.”
“Does he?” Selina shrugged. “He left for so long, and there are gentlemen who’ve been more consistently kind and attentive.”
Daphne could think of at least three, though Selina had drawn the notice of many gentlemen since the start of the Season.
“It’s Strathmere.” Selina squeezed Daphne’s hand as she said the nobleman’s name. “He’s handsome, most attentive, and well-connected.”
And he was a marquess set to inherit a dukedom. Her parents would be thrilled.
“Do you love him?” Daphne may no longer trust herself to give her own heart wisely, but she still believed in a love match, and she knew Selina did too. Her friend deserved that.
“I think so.” Selina smiled. “I can easily imagine myself spending all the rest of my days with him.”
Daphne grinned. “That sounds like a promising start.”
