Page 41 of The Damsel
Then, she glanced up and locked eyes with him, and her entire demeanor shifted in an instant. Her eyes hardened with a silver glint, spine snapping straight and her chin lifting a tick. All the softness had been leeched from her entire being by nothing more than the realization that she wasn’t alone.
Refusing to let that intimidate him, Robert started forward.
“How was your visit to London?”
“Ghastly,” she replied, her voice heavy with spite. “I am glad to be home.”
He wanted to ask her what had happened, but the look in her eyes warned him off. Whatever it was, she’d left it in Town, and obviously didn’t wish to bring it home with her.
“I …”
I missed you.
He bit the words back, knowing she would not appreciate them, even if they were true.
“I have something for you,” he declared, handing over his offerings.
She took the cluster of primroses first, giving him a questioning gaze. His face grew warm under her scrutiny.
“I discovered them on my walk here and they made me think of you.”
That was one truth he couldn’t keep to himself. She stared at the flowers a moment longer but said nothing about them—or what he’d just said. Instead, she busied herself with the envelope.
“What’s this?” she murmured as she slid the thick card out and turned it over in her hands.
“An invitation to a dinner party on the night of my father’s birthday. Mother and I were talking, and we decided you must come.”
Pursing her lips, she gave him a pointed look. “Your mother wishes to invite me into her home?”
“Well, you are our new neighbor and all.”
She scoffed, setting the invitation aside. “And not one of my new neighbors has come to call since I arrived, the baroness included. Do you expect me to believe any of them will tolerate my scandalous presence?”
Robert gave her a sheepish shrug. “Everyone loves a scandal. None of them will be able to resist bragging about how they survived a night in your company.”
With an annoyed huff, she rose to her feet, the primroses falling to the ground. She paced away from him, tension gripping her shoulders.
He was on his feet in an instant, reaching out to take hold of her shoulders. She stiffened and whirled on him, eyes wide as if he’d startled her.
He held both hands up and took a step back, remembering her rule against touching without permission.
“I’m sorry. It was bad of me to make light of the situation. And you are right … our neighbors have been turning their noses up at you from afar since you arrived. But, that is why I insisted Mother extend an invitation to you. I made her understand that they’re all being ridiculous, and we must be the ones to set the example. You’ll be made to feel welcome, I promise.”
“Yes, while they whisper behind my back and look at me as if I am some insect to be stomped beneath their heels.”
“No, that isn’t the way of it.”
“It is!” she insisted, hands braced upon her hips. “Do you have any idea how much derision I must endure whenever I visit London? I came to Suffolk to escape that, Robert, not subject myself to more of it.”
“Then rise above it,” he argued, coming toward her again.
He reached out on instinct, but then paused before his hands could make contact. At the silent question in his gaze, she hesitated only a moment, then gave a swift nod. He took hold of her waist before she could change her mind, and pulled her toward him.
He wanted to revel in the feel of pliant flesh at his fingertips. She’d just allowed him to touch her in a way that had nothing to do with sex … and it felt as if such a moment ought to be observed, exalted in. But, he was on a mission, and having Cassandra at this dinner party suddenly became imperative.
“Wouldn’t you rather stop hiding for once and rub their noses in it? Arrive wearing the most ravishing ensemble and make them take notice. Force them to see you as someone who commands respect. You certainly changed my perspective of you, so I know you can make them see it, too. Make them see how little you care for their regard and they will clamor for it.”
She blinked, looking at him as if he’d lost his mind. “And just what did you think of me before?”
