Page 75 of Dare to be Wicked

“Harry, they’re going to Aylesbury, not India. Not yet anyway,” Papa said fondly, hugging his wife and kissing the top of her head.

“I know, I know,” she said. “But he’s still my little boy.”

Cassius shared an amused glance with his father before hugging his mama tightly. “You may come and visit us soon, Mama, so do stop it.”

“But not too soon, hmmm?” his father murmured before adding a sotto voce whisper into his mother’s ear. “We have the house to ourselves.” Mama blushed furiously and Cassius cleared his throat, deciding it was certainly time to go. Gathering his new wife, he hurried Lottie into the carriage.

“The bouquet!” all the girls squealed, running forward as Cassius gave the driver the nod.

Lottie laughed to see little Cat pushing to the front. He watched as Lottie stood in the open carriage with her back to them all before tossing the bouquet over her shoulder. She sat down with a shriek as the carriage jerked into motion, tumbling into Cassius’s lap, much to his amusement.

She scrambled up before he could enjoy it though, looking to see who had caught the flowers. Cassius watched a slight scuffle between Greer and Florence, and then saw the bouquet go sailing again, landing at Eliza’s feet.

“Oh!” Lottie exclaimed, clapping with delight. “You’re next, sis! Just you wait.”

Eliza laughed as Jules picked up the bouquet and shoved it at his sister, looking faintly disgusted. Eliza took it and waved it at Lottie.

“Write to me!” she called, before mouthing the words and tell me everything.

Chapter 22

Dear Florence,

It was so lovely to see you at Lottie’s wedding and so nice to have someone sensible to talk to. Greer is such a henwit. I swear I shall murder her if I am forced to be cooped up with her all winter. Oh, my dear friend, please be my saviour, rescue me from the prospect of sororicide (yes, I looked it up) and invite me to stay with you for at least a few weeks. I promise to help entertain Felix and little Emmeline.

Either that, or Greer’s demise will be on your head. You have been warned.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Elspeth Cadogan (daughter of Mrs Bonnie and Mr Jerome Cadogan) to Miss Florence Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight).

22nd September 1838, on the London Road.

Cassius had arranged the open carriage for their departure as it was romantic and beautiful, and it was a lovely sunny day. He knew his bride would be delighted by the picture they made as they drove down Holbrook’s impressive driveway, and she could wave goodbye to their family in style. However, being a sensible chap at heart, and taking on board a word of advice from his father, he also had a closed carriage waiting a few miles down the road.

“Oh,” Lottie said, as the carriage halted and she spied the luxurious closed carriage that would carry them to London. “It’s such a lovely sunny day. It seems a shame to be shut up in a stuffy carriage.”

Cassius said nothing, only helped her down from one carriage and up into the next. The moment their new equipage was in motion however, he dragged her into his lap.

“It might be a lovely day for an open carriage,” he said, his tone dry. “But one cannot do this.”

He slid his hand to the back of her neck and pulled her close, pressing his mouth to hers.

Lottie sighed, at once pliant in his arms.

“Silly me,” she said dreamily, blinking at him through thick golden lashes when he finally let her go “Whatever was I thinking?”

“You weren’t thinking, love,” he chastised her, knowing she could tell he was only teasing. “But I was. Indeed, I’ve thought of nothing else but getting you alone since… forever!”

She snorted at that. “You didn’t know I existed until a few months ago.”

“Oh, come now. You know that isn’t true.”

“Hmmm,” she murmured. “I’m not sure I believe that, but never mind. I insist you show me what it is you’ve been thinking of.”

Cassius was not about to make love to his new wife in a carriage, but he was not averse to giving her a taste of what was to come. By the time they got to London, she was flushed and rumpled and utterly delicious.

They were staying the night at Brown’s in Mayfair, far from one of the most lavish hotels in the capital, but Lottie had been desperately curious to see it. The place had been open barely more than a year, the proprietors being a Mr and Mrs Brown, previously valet and personal maid to Lord and Lady Byron. Cassius had heard good things about the comfortable and well-run establishment, and so was more than happy to accede to Lottie’s wishes.

They were shown up to what Mr Brown himself proudly informed them was their best suite of rooms. It was light and airy and beautifully furnished. Lottie’s flattering comments on the style of the décor clearly pleased Mr Brown enormously and he promised to pass this onto his wife, who he said was responsible for much of it. If they hadn’t been due it before, Lottie had guaranteed them exemplary service, not that anything was wanting.