“You would march into a cage with a bear and lock the gate behind you? Trade your open sky for chimney stacks and factories? Can’t go for a walk without bumping into someone. You’ll keep Sabre… where? Tied up outside your boarding house?”
“We managed before.”
“You would do this for me?”
“All of you.” A memory flashed in his mind of the four of them talking over the breakfast table in the only place where he had ever been truly happy. “We’re family… aren’t we?”
“Reeves.” Cooper’s chest rose with his inhale and he met Seth’s eyes. “Before I agree to this, is thereanything elseyou need to tell me?”
Seth shook his head. There wasn’t time for it.
“No.”
“Right,” Cooper said, his face set in a flat line. It was a good while before he spoke. “Well? What are you waiting for, Mr. Reeves? Go make a deal with the devil.”
***
From the library’s window, Cassandra watched the preparations for the final competition. White tablecloths danced in the breeze as guests found their way to their seats. Well-to-do aristocrats who wouldn’t look her in the eye.
How could this happen?Everything had gone so wrong so quickly. She gave into temptation and it cost them everything. And Caroline—hot tears formed in her sore eyes.What am I going to tell Caroline?Her nails dug into her palms.I never should have come here!
She stood on a rock in the ocean, not knowing the tide was rising until it was too late. Those looking down at her from their boats were as ruthless as the sharks closing in. She needed someone to tell her what to do, chart out her next steps, but there were no steps to take.
Matthew would want to leave as soon as possible. But where would they go? Dorchester?Aunt Valentine won’t leave us out in the cold.From the window, she watched as the three Dorchesters found their seats. Aunt Valentine fluttered between guests, doing her best to avert scandal. She would surely give Cassandra the long list of unmarried gentlemen Jasmine passed over. Maybe one would be interested in her.
Who am I fooling?Cassandra held her head in her hands.No one will want me now.
Wallowing in it was a waste of time. Much would require her attention in the coming days. She would do what she normally did in crisis. Take one step at a time. Solve the problems she could as they arose. Determine what was within her control.
The first order of business—pack. The next… she swallowed around the lump in her throat and pushed back her tears as her heart fractured.
Say goodbye to Seth.
She left the library and walked past the yellow room, where she heard the babble of feminine voices. An altercation with Lady Samantha’s trio was the last thing she needed, so she tip-toed past the door.
“—the whole time! And—”
“—don’t forget theroses! Miss Cooper—”
Cassandra stopped. Heart hammering, she stood against the wall.
“You mean Miss Damsel in Distress,” Lady Samantha droned. “She’s shameless!”
Miss Georgiana’s high-pitched voice spoke next. “They’re saying in the kitchens that someonepaidthose men to attack them!”
“We’re trying to have a serious conversation, Georgie,” Lady Honora admonished.
“Why is it that whenever something peculiar happens, it’s always the Coopers? They’re deplorable.” Lady Samantha huffed. “Not toworry theGallantCaptain Reeves is always there to save the day.”
“They werealonetogether,” Miss Georgiana said. “Do you think she’s been compromised?”
“Like that matters,” Lady Honora said. “If her virtue is intact, it won’t be for long. I overheard Colonel Bishop and Lord Lincolnshire this morning, talkingnumbers.”
“I’veneverunderstood his fascination with her,” Lady Samantha said. “OrLord Bolderwood’s. It sounds like a bad joke. An earl, a colonel, and a bastard all trip over the same skirt. Wait until they hear about this in London. You want to know what I think—”
But Cassandra didn’t care to know what Lady Samantha thought. Feeling sick, she turned the corner.
Colonel Bishop and Sir Reginald stood in her path, arguing in hushed tones in the hallway.