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It was useless to deny it and speculation and mischief lit up his face. ‘Guy, what are you doing here, of all places?’
‘Why, I have just arrived in Vienna and I make it my business to have an entrée to all the most interesting entertainments. And you,’ he gestured to her finery, ‘you look beautiful. What a change from fustian and breeches. What are you doing here?’
‘Ssh! Say nothing about that. This is my come-out.’ Cassandra put her hand on his arm and drew him back into the ballroom. ‘Lady Lydford is my godmother.’
‘But, of course, I remember from our conversation in the library in Paris.’ There was a pause and Cassandra was aware of his scrutiny. ‘You are sad, little one. Why so, on your big night?’
‘It is nothing I can talk about, and in any case, it is all my own silly fault.’ She gave him a watery smile. ‘You are kind, Guy, but there is nothing you can do to help.’
The Count shrugged, ‘Perhaps it will seem better tomorrow.’
He broke off as Cassandra gasped at the sight of a beautiful woman waltzing past in the arms of a cavalry officer. ‘But that was Mariette.’ The spiteful card player from the Paris party was unmistakable. ‘What is she doing here?’
‘I made the mistake of offering her escort from Paris.’ He shook his head. ‘She is as sharp as a needle.’
Cassandra could see the woman’s gaze riveted on them now. There was recognition and malicious speculation on her kittenish face. The look boded trouble.
‘Ah, Miss Weston. We have missed you, I am quite pining away, I assure you.’
Anyone less in danger of pining away than Lord Stewart would be hard to find, Cassandra reflected. She saw, with slight alarm, the steely glint in his eye as he glanced at Guy’s hand resting over hers.
‘Lord Stewart, I am so sorry. That silly girl took such an age to do my hem. And on my way back I met the Count…’ Her voice trailed away. How was she to explain her familiarity with the Frenchman when she supposedly had only just come out into Society?
‘An old friend of the family,’ Guy supplied easily. ‘Guy de Montpensier, Comte de Courcelles, at your service, monsieur.’
‘Anthony, Lord Stewart.’ The two exchanged formal bows. ‘Miss Weston, I came to claim my dance. I am on your card, I believe?’
‘I think not, my lord,’ said Cassandra, summoning up composure from somewhere. ‘I have already stood up with you twice, which some might think very forward. I dare not do so again.’
‘Excellent,’ the Count exclaimed. ‘So that means this dance is free? Please do me the honour.’
It was a waltz. Although the Count had not been presented to her as an approved partner for the dance, Cassandra was beyond caring. Perhaps Godmama would not notice.
Guy encircled her waist lightly and, as the music began, asked, ‘Is that the one who is breaking your heart?’
‘No! I mean, no-one is.’ Across the ballroom she saw Nicholas, his expression suddenly arrested as he saw her dancing past with the Count.
‘Nonsense. Do you expect me to believe that? Tell me who it is and I will run him through for you.’
Cassandra could not suppress a somewhat shaky giggle.
‘That is better. Now, tell me how I can help you.’
Cassandra circled in his arms, her eyes fixed on the solitaire diamond in his cravat, and wished she could pour out the story to him as easily as she had told the tale of her flight, that night in the library in Paris.
‘Truly, Guy, no-one can help me.’ She looked up into the sympathetic brown eyes and the attractive, ugly, face. ‘Not even you. I have been foolish, and it hurts,
but I must live with that.’
As they left the dance floor, Anthony Stewart appeared at their side as if by magic.
‘You may not feel able to dance with me, Miss Weston, but surely I may claim you for supper?’ He extended his arm to her, with a challenging glance at Guy.
‘But surely, Cassandra, you will not abandon an old friend on his first night in Vienna?’ the Count pressed in his turn.
Cassandra looked from one to the other and felt herself wilting with the heat and tension. ‘Gentlemen, you must both forgive me, but the heat…’
‘My dear Miss Weston, allow me to take you to the terrace.’ Guy must have seen her doubtful look and he hastened to reassure her. ‘Several of the chaperones are already out there, and some other parties have taken their supper outside.’
