Read Online An Affair with Mr. Kennedy by Jillian Stone - Free Book Online Page B

him with a modicum of admiration, and more than a touch of suspicion. Until today, he had sensed some reticence on her part with regards to disclosing much about her personal affairs. Now he feared he may have divulged too much—she might shut him out again.
    How could he ease her mind? Perhaps he might explain—let the cat out of the bag. Frankly, it was textbook—there was no better way to gain a person’s trust than to share sensitive information. “Can you keep a secret, Cassie?”
    She squared her shoulders. “Actually, I am rather excellent with secrets, having been raised the only female child amongst four brothers. They constantly swore me to silence over their exploits and misadventures. I am no snitch baby.”
    He leaned forward in his saddle and adjusted the reins. “If I am not mistaken, your father is soon to be knighted. An appointment to the Order of the Grand Cross.”
    When her mouth dropped open he could not restrain a chuckle. “The only reason I manage to remember any of it is—” Zeno lifted his hat, enough to scratch his head. “I must have recently updated his vetting report, most certainly brought on by the proposed knighthood.” He shot her a stern look. “This is very much a test of our friendship. You may not breathe a word of the recognition to your family.”
    A smile curled the ends of her mouth. “You called me Cassie.”
    She amused him. So few women did. Irksome as it was, the combination of progressive suffragette and bohemian artist turned out to be surprisingly attractive. “I shall take that to mean my charm quotient is improving.”
    She tilted her head in mock contemplation. “Exponentially, Zak.”
    HER LIMBS FELT a bit like rubber. After a sweat in the steam room of the Water Palace, a dip in the cool vapor plunge, and a Turkish massage, she was happy to let Mother set the pace for the first leg of their walk down Regent Street.
    “Your father and I are dining with the Burnsides tonight. Henrietta will offer up the usual tasteless leg of beef and fillets of cod. I intend to shovel in tarts and tea sandwiches like a dockworker so I might appear the daintiest of eaters this evening.”
    “I thought you’d given up on the Burnsides after he withdrew his hospital donation?”
    “My hero twisted his arm a bit and the man doubled his contribution, as well as a donation for the Women’s Franchise League.”
    “I take it you and Emmeline still scheme to form some kind of women’s union?”
    “Soon, darling. And we have both agreed to name our daughters as charter members.”
    Cassie grinned. “I shall wield my placard proudly.”
    At the corner of St. James Square, they turned down a small lane of eateries and entered Patisserie Madeline.
    “Of course, if we ever get the movement launched, it will be thanks to men like Mr. Pankhurst and Dr. Erskine. Did I ever express to my children how attractive that makes your father?”
    “I can’t fathom how any of us missed the fact. You bore him four sons and a daughter.”
    Olivia plopped herself down at a small table in the courtyard garden and sighed. “Every time I consider washing my hands of the man he reels me back in with some act of chivalry or romantic devilment.”
    Cassie perused the elegant bill of fare. “Shall we order the full tea?”
    “Perfect.” Mother set her menu aside.
    After several steaming cups of Earl Grey, a number of petite sandwiches, a lemon-iced scone and a chocolate cream tart, discussion moved to one of Olivia Erskine’s favorite topics.
    “Tell me what form of contraception you plan to use, dear.” She poured a last half cup for each of them. “Now that you’re away from that Mayfair crowd and living in a stylish new row house.”
    Cassie dabbed a napkin at the corners of her mouth. “None of my friends are as fortunate as I am to have a mother who promotes promiscuity as well as pregnancy prevention.”
    “Should you ever decide to live as boldly as you paint—” Olivia winked.