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“And you’re pink,” Das said.
“No, I’m not. I’m white.”
“Definitely pink.” Das jerked his chin at the other girl. Emily. “And your sister there is looking rather green.”
Confusion flickered in Lucy’s eyes, and then a slow smile spread over her face. A genuine smile this time, Joshua realized.
“I’m pink, she’s green, and we’re both feeling blue!” Apparently delighted, Lucy danced toward Das. “I like you. Do you know how to waltz?”
“My wife has been teaching me.”
“How sweet.” Her tone turned saucy. “You won’t remember your wife’s name once you’ve waltzed with me.”
“If you think that, then you know nothing of love and a good marriage.”
Lucy’s expression faltered, revealing a vulnerable, lost girl beneath that brain-shatteringly beautiful facade. “Lucy is broken,” Cassandra had said, and he began to understand what she meant.
But then Lucy laughed again and danced back to the basket, which she opened, saying, “I have a gift for you, Mother Cassandra!”
Out leaped something fierce and gray that streaked straight for Joshua. He had barely identified it as a cat when it climbed him like a tree, finally coming to perch on his shoulders, its tail swishing wildly against his face.
Joshua twisted up and around to grab the cat. With a growl, it dug in its claws, pricking his skin through his shirt.
“No, Mr. Twit!” cried Lucy. “Don’t do that!”
“Whatdid you call me?” Joshua asked through a mouthful of fluffy tail.
Lucy laughed and started toward him, hands raised. He instinctively stepped away and, to his relief, Cassandra came to his rescue, nimbly inserting herself between him and her sister. She reached up and patted the cat. He fancied he felt it relax. That is, it unhooked its claws and stopped whipping his cheek.
“Mr. Twit,” Cassandra said softly. “That’s what I named the cat you sent me.” Mischief danced in her eyes and his desire stirred, despite his current indignity. “Apt, really. He tends to be willful and poorly behaved at times, but he is lovely if you rub his belly the right way.”
His own belly tightened at the thought of her rubbing it, any way at all. Of him rubbing her belly. Of their bellies rubbing each other.
“And you claim to be so good,” he said.
“I never claimed anything of the sort.”
Then began what could only be his punishment for his idiocy of the night before.
She reached up both arms, bumping against him. He rested his hands on her hips, to steady them both, and suffered through it, her floral fragrance softening his brain even as his body hardened, as she crooned to the cat and coaxed it off his shoulders and into her arms.
Where the wretched beast was enviously content. It rubbed its head against her throat, batted at her chin, and settled against her, purring, its paw resting right on the edge of her bodice. He watched her fingers scratch the cat’s throat, and cursed himself for a fool all over again.
He had only meant to tease her a little, and now he was the one tormented.
He looked up to see everyone watching, with varying degrees of curiosity, and then, mercifully, Newell arrived.
The red-headed girl stirred to life. “Mr. Newell!” she cried. She ran across the room and threw herself into the secretary’s arms. “I missed you. I have so much to tell you.”
Joshua looked back at Cassandra in time to see hurt flash across her face before she ducked her head and crooned to the cat. He realized that Emily had not even spoken to Cassandra, whereas Lucy had displayed open animosity. After all that Cassandra had done for them! Had they no idea what she had given up for them? That she always put them first?
He would throw the wretches onto the street for treating her like that, except she would likely object. Besides, he’d have to throw himself out after them, for treating her even worse.
* * *
Newell provedworth his weight in gold, for he ushered the two sisters upstairs, putting an end to the drama. Das and Isaac talked quietly in the doorway, and Cassandra sought solace in her cat.
Two weeks ago, Joshua had been perfectly content, alone in this huge empty house. Now it was overrun with a wife, a secretary, a brother, two sisters, and a cat. An infestation, after all. He tried to work up some irritation, but all he could see was the hurt on Cassandra’s face when Emily ignored her and ran to someone else.
