Read Online A False Proposal by Pam Mingle - Free Book Online Page B

to expect the ton to take her back, and Leonora’s hurtful words proved it. There would always be the spiteful set, who found pleasure in hurting others. Why should she allow herself to be dragged through the muck again? She had a choice—no one was forcing her, except Jack, of course. If she were to tell him she preferred the life of a spinster, he would accept her decision. He wouldn’t like it, but he would accept it.
    Even if society did decide to welcome her back to the fold, there was still her enormous burden of guilt over Bentley’s death. Would it ever go away? Her cousin was right—her place was at home with Philippa. Tears stung her eyes at the realization that her life would plod on as it was. She’d been a fool to think otherwise.
    Cass sensed rather than heard the door opening and raised her head. Blast! Couldn’t she be left alone for five minutes? It was probably Jack or Cousin Louisa coming to make sure she was all right. With the back of her hand, she brushed away the tears brimming over her eyelids and tracing a path down her cheeks.
    “Well done, Cassie. Excellent set-down.”
    But no, it was Adam, making his way toward her.
    Hastily, she swiveled and set her feet on the floor. “I imagine it flew right over her head.”
    She started to rise, but he reached out a hand and gently touched her shoulder. “Don’t. Are you all right?” He looked down at her, his brow furrowed, and Cass’s heart surged, knowing he was worried about her.
    “Thank you, yes. The news was a shock, that is all.”
    “You’re lying. I can see you’ve been weeping.” His voice was soft, concerned.
    Oh, no . His attentions were welcome, but she didn’t want him to see her crying. It seemed so weak. “Only a little.” She thought about the wisdom of confiding in Adam, drew a deep breath, and plunged in. She wanted to trust him. “For the first year, I thought about Bentley’s death every day. I no longer do so. But with the news about Perceval…the memory of that awful night came roaring back. The fear. The chaos afterward…it was like Bedlam. For a moment, when you told us about Perceval, I felt as though I could hear the gunshot, see the blood, all over again.”
    “My dear Cass, don’t torment yourself.” He sat down next to her and reached for her hands, and she allowed him to take them. “I would never have said what I did upon meeting you again…seeing you for the first time after so long, had I known. It was unforgivable.”
    “Oh, don’t speak of it. I was rude to you as well. Perhaps we both got what we deserved.”
    “You will not let this drive you back into hiding, will you?”
    Smiling regretfully, she said, “It was easy enough to withdraw from society once, and I can surely do it again, if I must.”
    He tightened his grip on her hands. “No! You must not think of doing that.”
    She was shocked at the vehemence with which he spoke. “Whyever not?”
    His eyes gleamed in the firelight. “Because I do not wish you to. Is that a good enough reason?”
    And just like that, something changed. Cass wasn’t sure what it was, but she felt a spark ignite in the air between them. Her senses heightened. Every breath felt charged. In the dim light, she couldn’t read his expression. Was he saying that he cared for her? That he would feel the loss if she weren’t present at balls and soirees and parties? Flustered, she stammered out a reply. “I—I suppose so. You are a future MP, and perhaps I will have to bend to your will.”
    He chuckled softly, certain she was unaware of the double entendre. “I like the sound of that.”
    “Wretch,” she countered. “Just like a man.”
    He got to his feet, and still clutching onto one of her hands, he drew her slowly up. “And you, Cassie, are quite an irresistible woman.”
    She felt his breath skimming her face and knew he was going to kiss her. She should stop him. That is what a lady who observed the proprieties would do. But she simply could