Read Online The Pursuit Of Marriage by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online

overall impression at the moment was one of an aging lady with her best days behind her, although the room was of good proportions with a great deal of potential and lovely ornamentation, even if some repair was in order. The tingling sense of excitement Cassie had come to expect upon beginning a new project welled within her, even if it was tempered today by a distinct touch of unease. As much as she prided herself on patience when it came to dealing with the ladies she accepted as clients, it was next to impossible to sit here, where the Berkley butler had deposited her, in a collected manner and wait for whomever it was she waited for. She surrendered to the restlessness that gripped her, stood and crossed the room, as much to ease her nerves as to better examine a carved marble Adam’s fireplace. It was the height of irony that after her rude behavior toward Lord Berkley she now found herself in his home, soon to be in his employ, at the request of his mother, no less. And odder still, at the insistence of her own.
    Her immediate impulse upon receiving Lady Berkley’s note when she’d arrived home from the race and Lord Warren’s accompanying fete was to turn down the commission. She certainly didn’t need the money; she had several other equally stimulating projects currently under consideration, and she did not relish the thought of continual encounters with Lord Berkley. While her mother was not as scandalized by Cassie’s work as her brothers were, Lady William had never been overly enthusiastic, either.
    Nevertheless, her mother had been quite adamant about Cassie accepting this particular project, claiming Lady Berkley had not been feeling at all well of late and a refurbishment of her house might improve the state of her health.
    She also said she considered Lady Berkley a dear, dear friend and Cassie should take on this project as a personal favor. That too was a bit odd. Cassie had had no idea her mother had ever even made Lady Berkley’s acquaintance. Still, London society was in many ways like a village, where nearly everyone was well aware of nearly everyone else, and it was not at all unexpected that her mother and his would know each other.
    “It’s you.” An amused chuckle sounded from the doorway.
    Cassie drew a deep breath and turned, forcing a light note to her voice. “I did not expect to meet you again so soon, my lord.”
    “And yet here you are in my own home.” Lord Berkley strode to her, took her hand, and raised it to his lips. “I must admit I am surprised, but I suppose I shouldn’t be.”
    “You expected me, then?” She gazed into his gray eyes and, for the second time today, resisted the urge to yank her hand from his. And ignored as well the odd desire to keep it enfolded in the warmth of his touch forever. “Your mother must have mentioned our appointment.”
    A shadow of concern crossed his face, then vanished. “My mother said only the lady she wished to engage was…eccentric.”
    She pulled her hand free and drew her brows together. “And therefore you thought of me?”
    He grinned. “You were described to me just this morning as eccentric.”
    “By my brother, no doubt.” She knew she should be annoyed, and she would certainly let Christian know of her displeasure, but Berkley’s amusement was irresistible. Besides, she suspected the impression she’d left him with earlier today was not overly favorable, eccentric being the least objectionable adjective he could use for her, and she much preferred that he not think of her as a complete shrew. She smiled wryly. “It could have been worse, I suppose. He could have said I was daft.”
    Appreciation sparked in Berkley’s eyes. “Or mad.”
    “Even insane.”
    He nodded. “Cracked.”
    “Addlepated,” she shot back.
    “Nicked in the nob.”
    She grinned. “Around the bend.”
    He raised a brow. “Not all there.”
    She thought for a moment. “The walls don’t go all the way to the roof.”
    “One brick