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It was a damned mess.
“I suspect my reputation keeps the debutantes and eager mamas away,” Luke muttered.
“I hardly think that’s true, though I heard tell you were spending more time with Lady Cassandra. Do not tell me you have an interest in her? Friend or not, Anton will never allow it.” Briggs leaned in. “She’s damned handsome, though.”
Grip tight around the glass, Luke eased out a breath. Briggs wasn’t wrong but that did not mean he liked him noticing Cassie’s attractiveness. Hell, he didn’t want anyone noticing.
He’d have to be more cautious, though. Family friend or not, if their closeness had been noted, it would not be long before the gossip turned salacious, especially if a proposal did not appear by the end of the Season. He knew better than to commit Cassie to a life with him and his flaws.
“Anton requested I keep an eye on her while he was gone, that is all,” Luke said as breezily as he could.
“I’m not surprised. She certainly needs watching over. Her father is hardly an attentive chap is he?”
“Indeed.”
“Still, not a terrible task unless it gets in the way of one’s interests.”
Luke wasn’t going to confess to Briggs he’d had little interest in much apart from Cassie recently. The man could scarcely pay attention to one woman for an entire night.
Briggs set his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “You know, I’m convinced he only proposed because of what happened to Teddy Parsons.”
“Nonsense.” Luke waved a hand. “Anton had marriage in mind from the moment he set his eyes on Eliza. Besides, I’m certain they were engaged prior to his death.” Luke frowned. “Indeed, it was at least a month before.”
Shrugging, Briggs relaxed again. “Parsons’ death makes you think though, does it not?”
“How so?”
“Well, I have no time to waste. Could be snatched away in a moment. There he was, young and hale and a talented artist to boot and it was all snatched away in a moment.” Briggs shook his head sadly. “I saw him that night, you know. Here.”
“I did not know.”
Briggs sighed. “I should have asked him to join me for a drink or invited him elsewhere. Anything. I thought the man had given up gambling for good and I just feel if I had uttered but one word, he would not have left and been killed.”
“It’s hardly your fault, Briggs.”
“Still, it’s strange, is it not? One different decision and he would not have been where he was.”
Luke nodded slowly. Theodore’s whereabouts that night were no secret. He’d gambled away a sizable fortune in his youth. Though he’d become a fine and honorable man in recent years and it seemed he’d slipped up once more and sought out one of the gaming hells.
The behavior was not necessarily out of character. Had Cassie looked into it though? And would she? He finished off his drink. Knowing her, she would happily barrel into the gaming hell and get into all sorts of trouble. If he was to continue keeping her out of mischief, he needed to be clever and pre-empt any danger.
Which meant he must force his mind away from…down there.
Chapter Eighteen
Cassie stared at the perfectly neat neck cloth of Lord Bainbridge and ruby red pin pushed into his cravat. Why red? It looked as though he had eaten a juicy steak and dropped blood down the perfectly tied and crisp fabric—an insult to his valet’s hard work in her opinion.
Not that she could claim to be perfectly put together today. She had not been able to find her pale pink shoes anywhere and had been forced to wear white instead. No doubt it would not be long before they were stained by the grass underfoot and her lady’s maid scolded her for such a choice. But she had nothing else that matched the pink of her gown, and once buttoned into her gown, there was no chance she was getting out of it.
“Lady Cassandra?” Lord Bainbridge prompted.
Cassie blinked and forced her attention up to his rather determined gaze. Sweat clung to his upper lip and though not an unattractive man, the way he kept swiping his tongue up to dart it away made her stomach twinge.
She took a deep inhale of the fresh air and glanced at her sisters who were gathered on the grass nearby under a canopy. They were not alone. Many men of thetonhad come to speak with them while Chastity acted as a better chaperone than Aunt Sarah, who was talking to Mr. Wilde of his cats again. The man had approached Aunt Sarah quite deliberately, so it appeared he reveled in talking of such matters.
Lord Bainbridge had singled her out at the garden party, though, insisting on a stroll along the path that led between the neatly trimmed box trees. Cassie maintained a circle around her sisters so she could escape soon. His lordship had polite manners but there were rumors that he liked to be free with his hands and she had no desire to feel them upon her.
She offered a careful smile. “Forgive me, Lord Bainbridge, but I think my sister wants me.” She waved at Chastity, who did not even notice the movement. “Do have a lovely day and enjoy the marvelous weather.”
