“—youwanted—”
“—notwhat I said!” Colonel Bishop hissed, viciously pointing a finger at his uncle.
Stuck between going back and moving forward when there was no lesser of two evils, Cassandra stepped forward. Both of their eyes shot to her and Sir Reginald’s mouth smiled, but it didn’t meet his eyes.
“Miss Cooper, I see you have miraculously survived another close call with death. You must have nine lives.” Sir Reginald’s face contorted with the effort to keep a smile up, showing off too much teeth. “Though perhaps you’re down to seven, now?”
“Only one,” Cassandra said, shifting her eyes between the two.
“Is that a fact?” Sir Reginald hummed. “I should be off. There’s an important competition I’m dying to see. I’ll leave you to my nephew. As I understand it, you have much to discuss.”
Sir Reginald brushed past her, and as his steps echoed down the hall, Colonel Bishop offered her a more convincing smile, but no less unsettling.
“Miss Cooper, walk with me. I believe it’s time we have a proper conversation.”
“We’re headed in different directions, Colonel. I should rest, and I don’t wish to make you late for your competition.”
“They cannot conduct the event without me,” he gloated. “As much as I regret not having the opportunity to test my mettle against your brother’s pet, I do look forward to winning. Although, I take no pleasure that you have found yourself in such dire straits.” He gentled his voice and took a step forward. “Dear child, the sky has fallen, hasn’t it? Allow me to accompany you to your bedchamber.”
“I don’t believe that’s appropriate, my lord.” Cassandra took a step back.
“No need for such formalities. One day, you’ll call me Adam.” Colonel Bishop smiled. “I spoke to your brother concerning my intentions for you. He is reluctant, of course, but I’m confident the three of us can reach a suitable arrangement.”
“What sort of arrangement?” Cassandra moved back, inching toward her bedchamber as he continued to advance.
He grinned. “The mutually beneficial kind.”
“Marriage?” she asked, but her voice didn’t sound like her own.
“It was discussed,” he said smoothly. “Among other options. Shall we discuss them ourselves?”
“She doesn’t need to discuss anything with you.”
Seth approached from the direction of their bedchambers, carrying a sizable folio in his hands. Blue bruising covered his unshaven jaw, and he hadn’t brushed his hair. Ink stained his cuff and his fingertips. His blood-shot eyes honed in on Colonel Bishop’s.
“Step away from her.”
“Would you look at that?” Colonel Bishop scowled. “Anothertimelyinterruption. Tell me, Mr. Reeves, have you come tocollectMiss Cooper?”
Colonel Bishop gave him a pointed glance.
Seth narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.
“I suppose I can allow it. Adeal is a deal, after all. Let it be said that I’m a man of my word,” Colonel Bishop sang, all beams and shine. He grabbed Cassandra’s hand and roughly brought it to his lips, keeping his eyes on Seth all the while. “Cassandra and I will have plenty of time together in the future. You canbeton that.”
With a deep laugh, he dropped her hand and walked in the other direction, leaving them alone in the hall. The silence was deafening as his footsteps faded, leaving only a ringing in her ears and a sinking feeling in her chest as she struggled to breathe. Her heart beat violently, and the concern on Seth’s face only made it worse.
“What did he say to you?”
“Nothing.” Cassandra shook her head. “He didn’t say anything, only that—”
She couldn’t finish her sentence, couldn’t believe that Matthew—who had always hated Colonel Bishop—would agree to anything with him. Matthewlied. After everything he said, they were at the point where he needed to accept whatever offer came to her.
She had to get away, to her bedchamber, tosafety.
She ran.
Seth bounded after her.