Cassandra said softly. “That’s what I named the cat you sent me.” Mischief danced in her eyes and his desire stirred, despite his current indignity. “Apt, really. He tends to be willful and poorly behaved at times, but he is lovely if you rub his belly the right way.”
His own belly tightened at the thought of her rubbing it, any way at all. Of him rubbing her belly. Of their bellies rubbing each other.
“And you claim to be so good,” he said.
“I never claimed anything of the sort.”
Then began what could only be his punishment for his idiocy of the night before.
She reached up both arms, bumping against him. He rested his hands on her hips, to steady them both, and suffered through it, her floral fragrance softening his brain even as his body hardened, as she crooned to the cat and coaxed it off his shoulders and into her arms.
Where the wretched beast was enviously content. It rubbed its head against her throat, batted at her chin, and settled against her, purring, its paw resting right on the edge of her bodice. He watched her fingers scratch the cat’s throat, and cursed himself for a fool all over again.
He had only meant to tease her a little, and now he was the one tormented.
He looked up to see everyone watching, with varying degrees of curiosity, and then, mercifully, Newell arrived.
The red-headed girl stirred to life. “Mr. Newell!” she cried. She ran across the room and threw herself into the secretary’s arms. “I missed you. I have so much to tell you.”
Joshua looked back at Cassandra in time to see hurt flash across her face before she ducked her head and crooned to the cat. He realized that Emily had not even spoken to Cassandra, whereas Lucy had displayed open animosity. After all that Cassandra had done for them! Had they no idea what she had given up for them? That she always put them first?
He would throw the wretches onto the street for treating her like that, except she would likely object. Besides, he’d have to throw himself out after them, for treating her even worse.
Newell proved worth his weight in gold, for he ushered the two sisters upstairs, putting an end to the drama. Das and Isaac talked quietly in the doorway, and Cassandra sought solace in her cat.
Two weeks ago, Joshua had been perfectly content, alone in this huge empty house. Now it was overrun with a wife, a secretary, a brother, two sisters, and a cat. An infestation, after all. He tried to work up some irritation, but all he could see was the hurt on Cassandra’s face when Emily ignored her and ran to someone else.
“I’m sorry,” Cassandra said, jogging the cat on her bosom. “I never dreamed they would come.”
“They seem fond of Newell.”
“He has become like an uncle to them. It’s terribly inappropriate, I know, but I am busy and we cannot keep a governess.”
“Why not? It cannot be a case of money.”
“It’s more a case of Lucy.” She sighed. “I’ll take them home. Maybe between us, Mr. Newell and I will be able to herd them into a carriage.”
Take them home. Which meant she would leave too, and finally, finally, his life would be back to normal.
Excellent.
“They may as well stay, now they’re here,” he said. “And you do need to marry her off. Let’s launch her right away.”
She glanced up, surprised. “Surely even you recognize that she said shocking things. She is not ready for society.”
“She is perfectly ready for society. The question is whether society is ready for her.”
She groaned. “You want to make trouble. That’s why you’re suddenly so amenable.”
“My dear Mrs. DeWitt! When did you become so cynical? I am merely offering you my support in finding her a husband.” He enjoyed her skeptical, exasperated look. “What a shame the Regent needs no wife, for your Lucy would make a magnificent queen and lead the kingdom into chaos in no time.”
She gave a wan smile. “If only she could find someone who…understands her and loves her and makes her happy. She is not bad, only…” She sighed again. “It’s the least that she deserves.”
It was the least that Cassandra deserved too. But, instead, all she had was him.
Yet even after what he had done to her last night, she had stood by him today, teasing him, flirting with him, comforting him over Das’s betrayal.
“Buchanan,” he said abruptly, his mind leaping into action. “You were right.”
She looked confused. “Who