Read Online Cupid's Mistake (Cupid Regency Romance) by Karen Harbaugh - Free Book Online
Authors: Karen Harbaugh
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and Psyche could just as well do it, and that I was free to go with you if I wished."
She heard an exasperated breath from her mother, and wondered if she had said something she should not have.
Cassandra swallowed. She was not doing as she ought, that was clear, but she did not know quite how to remedy it. However, the marquess smiled at her again, and this time it was wide enough to be a grin. Cassandra almost sighed in relief. At least he was not displeased with her, and perhaps he did not mind her spencer fitting improperly.
" And did you wish it?" he asked.
Cassandra smiled, relieved. "Why, of course! I have never been in a high-perch phaeton before, and should like to try it. I used to think it a frightening thing to be up so high, but I am sure you are a competent driver and will not overturn us."
" Really, Cassandra!" Lady Hathaway's voice was reproving. "You must know that Lord Blytheland belongs to the Four-in-Hand Club!"
" Does he?" replied Cassandra, not entirely sure of the significance of this. She had heard it mentioned from time to time, but since she was not particularly interested in driving carriages she had not paid much attention to what was said about the club. "I suppose that must be a good thing, then." Her mother gave her an exasperated look, and Cassandra bit her lip. How she wished she had listened! But she had always gone to balls to dance and to concerts to listen to music—that was what they were for, after all—and so had never thought she ought to do more than that.
She saw Lord Blytheland 's smile turn wry. "It is a good thing," he said. "It is almost a guarantee that I will not overturn us." He moved forward and bowed to Lady Hathaway, then turned to Cassandra. "Shall we go?"
" Yes, please," Cassandra said. She glanced at her mother and an embarrassed irritation grew in her. Mama was looking positively smug, and Cassandra was sure now that Mama meant to try to push her and the marquess together as much as possible. It was clear now why her mother acted strangely, and not as dignified as Cassandra was used to seeing her act. It disturbed her, and the idea that her mother was being mercenary on her behalf suddenly came to her. Perhaps she was wrong . . . . But even though she tried not to listen to gossip, she could not help hearing of estates and dowries, of incomes and titles when sitting amongst other ladies. It did not sit well with her; how her mother could wish for a monied marriage when she herself had married for love, Cassandra did not know.
Lord Blytheland took her hand and placed it on his arm and drew her to the parlor door. His arm felt firm underneath her hand, and she felt, somehow, more confident. She would not be swayed by monetary considerations. No, when— if she fell in love with Lord Blytheland, or any other man, for that matter—it would be a true meeting of minds, for how could anyone live one's whole life with someone who did not enter into one's interests or beliefs?
She would be sensible, and not let her mother 's efforts on her behalf—and she was certain her mother meant well, for did she not love all her children dearly?—blind her to a man's true virtue. All she needed was to find out if the man was truly compatible in mind and spirit. She thought of the philosophies she had discussed with her father, and her spirits lightened. She would be scientific about it—did not her father say that logic would someday solve all questions? She would think of it as a scientific experiment, and then she would know to whom she'd give her heart.
Lord Blytheland was almost certain he would overturn the carriage. For all that Miss Hathaway 's dress was modest in its basic lines, the tantalizing glimpse of her bosom revealed between the frills whenever she turned to speak with him distracted him. Twice he had to rein in his horses sharply before he ran into a pedestrian or passed too close to a cart.
" Is my mother right, saying you belong to the Four-in- Hand
She heard an exasperated breath from her mother, and wondered if she had said something she should not have.
Cassandra swallowed. She was not doing as she ought, that was clear, but she did not know quite how to remedy it. However, the marquess smiled at her again, and this time it was wide enough to be a grin. Cassandra almost sighed in relief. At least he was not displeased with her, and perhaps he did not mind her spencer fitting improperly.
" And did you wish it?" he asked.
Cassandra smiled, relieved. "Why, of course! I have never been in a high-perch phaeton before, and should like to try it. I used to think it a frightening thing to be up so high, but I am sure you are a competent driver and will not overturn us."
" Really, Cassandra!" Lady Hathaway's voice was reproving. "You must know that Lord Blytheland belongs to the Four-in-Hand Club!"
" Does he?" replied Cassandra, not entirely sure of the significance of this. She had heard it mentioned from time to time, but since she was not particularly interested in driving carriages she had not paid much attention to what was said about the club. "I suppose that must be a good thing, then." Her mother gave her an exasperated look, and Cassandra bit her lip. How she wished she had listened! But she had always gone to balls to dance and to concerts to listen to music—that was what they were for, after all—and so had never thought she ought to do more than that.
She saw Lord Blytheland 's smile turn wry. "It is a good thing," he said. "It is almost a guarantee that I will not overturn us." He moved forward and bowed to Lady Hathaway, then turned to Cassandra. "Shall we go?"
" Yes, please," Cassandra said. She glanced at her mother and an embarrassed irritation grew in her. Mama was looking positively smug, and Cassandra was sure now that Mama meant to try to push her and the marquess together as much as possible. It was clear now why her mother acted strangely, and not as dignified as Cassandra was used to seeing her act. It disturbed her, and the idea that her mother was being mercenary on her behalf suddenly came to her. Perhaps she was wrong . . . . But even though she tried not to listen to gossip, she could not help hearing of estates and dowries, of incomes and titles when sitting amongst other ladies. It did not sit well with her; how her mother could wish for a monied marriage when she herself had married for love, Cassandra did not know.
Lord Blytheland took her hand and placed it on his arm and drew her to the parlor door. His arm felt firm underneath her hand, and she felt, somehow, more confident. She would not be swayed by monetary considerations. No, when— if she fell in love with Lord Blytheland, or any other man, for that matter—it would be a true meeting of minds, for how could anyone live one's whole life with someone who did not enter into one's interests or beliefs?
She would be sensible, and not let her mother 's efforts on her behalf—and she was certain her mother meant well, for did she not love all her children dearly?—blind her to a man's true virtue. All she needed was to find out if the man was truly compatible in mind and spirit. She thought of the philosophies she had discussed with her father, and her spirits lightened. She would be scientific about it—did not her father say that logic would someday solve all questions? She would think of it as a scientific experiment, and then she would know to whom she'd give her heart.
Lord Blytheland was almost certain he would overturn the carriage. For all that Miss Hathaway 's dress was modest in its basic lines, the tantalizing glimpse of her bosom revealed between the frills whenever she turned to speak with him distracted him. Twice he had to rein in his horses sharply before he ran into a pedestrian or passed too close to a cart.
" Is my mother right, saying you belong to the Four-in- Hand
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