Page 23 of Earl for the Summer
Lord Knowles stepped forward to hand them each down from the Lytton carriage. Then he offered his arm for Selina to take, and the group proceeded toward the ornate ironwork entrance gate of the gardens.
Daphne stepped aside and let her gaze wander to the dark-haired nobleman near the back of the assembled group. He returned her look as if he’d been waiting for her to notice him and immediately strode over to offer her his arm.
“How are you?” he asked.
The warmth in his voice wrapped around her, as comforting as it was enticing. For a moment, she could almost imagine he’d come here for her. For a moment, Daphne forgot that a gentleman pursuing her wasn’t what she wanted at all.
“I’m well, my lord.” Daphne glanced up at him. His attention was still on her. Intently. “And I thank you again.”
“He won’t trouble you again.”
“What did you do?” A wave of apprehension slowed her steps.
Windham slowed too, and they stepped off the gravel path together while the rest of the group proceeded toward the Palm House, a vast glass-domed structure with plants visibly arching against the inside of the glass.
“I merely spoke to him before he left the ball last evening and made it clear what would befall him if he attempted to bother you ever again.”
Daphne swallowed hard. “Then I thank you once more.”
“Trust me, Miss Bridewell. It was my pleasure to assist you.” His green eyes glowed in the morning sun, and he looked at heras if she was far more interesting than any of the natural beauty around them.
Then he smiled, and Daphne’s pulse sped despite her insistence that she needed to cease feeling…anything for him.
“And I must thank you,” he said in a lighter tone, “for getting Knowles to invite me today.” He glanced toward the group as they drew closer to the Palm House. “Lady Selina seems in high spirits.”
Daphne pressed a hand to her middle. She had to get ahold of herself—her reactions, her thoughts where this man was concerned. And she had to figure out how to break it to Lord Windham that the lady he wanted so much that he’d asked for her help to win Selina would soon accept another man’s proposal.
As he andMiss Bridewell caught up with the others, Cassian told himself that he should be showing Lady Selina a bit of attention, as this was the last time he’d ever encounter her on Julian’s behalf.
Yet, as happened every time he was near her, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Daphne Bridewell. Today, the bright day seemed to gild the golden strands in her hair and lightened her eyes to a shade akin to the summer sky over their heads. He noticed a beauty mark near her upper lip and another at the edge of her cheek, and he barely resisted the urge to reach out and draw a line between them across her skin.
Though, as also tended to happen when they were in the company of others, she seemed to be attempting to avoid paying him excessive notice.
Then again, she also seemed genuinely interested in the plant life around them.
At each new species of palm, she stopped to study it, making little appreciate sounds as she took in the fronds and then bent to read the metal plaques that listed the species’ Latin names and region of origin. Sometimes the donor was noted too.
Cassian studied them as well, out of curiosity, but the chance to keep close to Miss Bridewell was appealing too.
As he read one plaque, he recognized the name of the donor. “Good grief, I had no idea Carruthers had donated to Kew.”
Miss Bridewell scanned the plaque and then shot him a quizzical look. “You’re acquainted with Lieutenant Commander Carruthers ofHMS Endeavor?”
Damn and blast.
“I am.” Surely Julian had met all sorts during his time in London.
Miss Bridewell straightened and turned to him. “Your brother a navy man, isn’t he? I just recalled that you mentioned it once.”
Cassian froze, and his tongue refused to obey and utter some vague comment, then move on from the moment. Because what he truly wanted was to tell her the truth right then and there. To let her see him as himself, not some poor imitation of his brother.
Her brows drew together as the silence between them stretched.
“There’s something I must tell you, Miss Bridewell.” The moment the words were out, he could breathe easier, as if a weight had begun lifting from his chest.
“Yes?”
“The brother you asked about?—”
