“Mr. Reeves!” she called out. “Trevor! Over here!”
Heads swiveled and turned their nose at her display, but Trevor’s grin widened and he stood on his toes, waving so vigorously he swayed with the movement. Lady Dorchester smiled at them, which Seth took to be a good sign. Caroline’s smile was bright enough to light up the park.
Cassandra didn’t look up.
Under her bonnet, dark curls had broken free of their pins. Wisps fell over her shoulder, hiding her face from view.
Seth’s face fell.
Trevor voiced the question Seth had in his own mind. “Can we talk to them?”
“Why don’t we ask permission?” Seth suggested. “Shouldn’t questions come first?”
“Precisely, sir. Do things in the proper order. Like my Ma always says, ‘screaming men keep secrets.’”
Seth frowned. “You know, Trevor. If I had your mother, I would do whatever I could to keep her happy, too.”
Seth slowed their pace and allowed the women to come to him, and he bowed. “Good afternoon, ladies.”
“Mr. Reeves, I had not expected to see you so soon,” Lady Dorchester said. “I’m sure you’ll appreciate that I’m not pleased with you.”
“I understand that apologies aren’t enough, Lady Dorchester, but I hope to one day earn your forgiveness.” Seth’s eyes trailed back to Cassandra, who still wasn’t looking at him, and he added, “And everyone else’s.”
“Mr. Reeves.” Caroline curtsied. “I’m glad to see you alive! Heavens! My brother gave you quite the beating! Did you earn the cut over your eye from your brawl with him, or from the knife fight?”
Seth’s spirits lifted, and his shoulders relaxed. At least nothing had changed between him and Caroline.
“Your brother.” He leaned down to her eye level and whispered, “It neededthreesutures.”
It would leave a scar. When Cooper could look him in the eye again, it would serve as a constant reminder of what Seth had done.
Unconcerned, Caroline beamed at him. “Cassandra said it was a bloodbath.”
Seth turned to Cassandra. “Didshe?”
“You aren’t here looking for trouble, are you Mr. Reeves?” Jasmine asked. “Not following us? Justhappenedto be around?”
“A blessed coincidence, my lady, nothing more,” Seth assured her. “Where are the four of you headed this morning?”
“Back home for the girls. We just left the modiste.” Lady Dorchester said pointedly, “Cassandra needs a very important dress this week.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Seth smiled.Four more days. “Could I walk alone with her?”
“I shouldn’t allow it.” Lady Dorchester looked between Seth and Cassandra, then sighed. “But I don’t see the harm in it. It’s not as if you can compromise her further. Cassandra, what do you think?”
An eternity passed before she spoke.
“Would it be all right?”
Relief washed over him at the sound of her voice.
“Of course, dear. I’ll give you some space to talk.” Lady Dorchester turned to Seth. “Keep your hands where I can see them, Mr. Reeves.”
Without a word, Cassandra took his arm. He came alive at her touch. She wasn’t a phantom from a dream, but tangible. A week of painful longing melted away, replaced by the desire to steal her away. He wanted to carry her to his new townhouse in Mayfair, kiss every inch of her, and never let her out of his sight again.
If only he could see her face.
Perhaps paranoid, Seth felt eyes on him as they walked. Even through the crowded park, they stuck out like a beacon, so much in the public eye they had become. Cassandra kept her eyes trained to her feet, but once out of earshot of her companions, Cassandra leaned against him.
