“I see.” As much as she tried to hide it, there was a distinct note of disappointment in her voice.
He chuckled and pulled her closer. “Can you finish the house while I’m gone?”
“Finish? I have scarcely started.”
“One room then. Can you complete, oh, the drawing room within a week?”
She’d once done a bedroom for Delia in a scant three days. “Yes, I suppose so, but the charges from merchants and workmen are always much higher when a room must be completed quickly.”
“I don’t care. A week, then. Thursday next.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have something rather important to discuss, and it seems only fitting to do it in the drawing room, which is being decorated specifically,” a grin sounded in his voice, “for the woman I shall marry.”
“I’m certain she will like that,” she said in a prim manner that belied the fact that she was lying here naked in the arms of the infamous rake she had just eagerly lost her virtue to. He was obviously about to make an honest woman of her just as she knew he would. Indeed, whatever kind of man the infamous Lord Berkley had been in the past, she was more and more convinced he was no longer the same. Whether he had, in truth, reformed or simply changed and why she didn’t know, but it scarcely mattered.
She’d misjudged him over and over, but she was confident now that he was not at all the type of man she’d originally thought he was. And confident as well that he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his days with her.
Indeed, she’d just bet her future on it.
Reggie crossed his arms and leaned against the portico. On the gravel drive, Gwen and Marcus bid farewell to Cassandra and her family. Cassandra joined Lord and Lady St. Stephens in their carriage, while the Effington brothers mounted their horses for the ride to London. Reggie watched the carriage pull away. He hated the very idea of being separated from Cassandra for any time at all. Still, it couldn’t be helped. Once again, he discarded the idea of abduction as a way to keep her by his side. It was scarcely necessary at this point. They would be together soon enough. And never apart again.
Cassie’s gaze met his through the carriage window, and she cast him a private smile that said without words wonderful sorts of things and made wonderful sorts of promises. It was all he could do to return a casual smile when he really wanted to grin like a lunatic. A very satisfied, very happy, very much in love madman. The carriage rolled down the Holcroft Hall drive and started off on the road toward London.
He could scarce wait for their reunion.
Reggie was confident that the estate matters at Berkley Park could be dealt with as quickly as possible. Fortunately, they were minor, if tedious, and he was certain he could return to London in no more than a week.
Gwen passed by him on her way into the house, then paused and met his gaze firmly. “I like her, Reggie. Quite a bit, actually. You don’t need my approval, of course, but you have it if you want it.”
“Ah, Gwen.” He caught her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Your approval means a great deal, but if I can’t have you, I don’t know that I want anyone at all.”
Gwen rolled her gaze toward the heavens. “You are incorrigible, and I daresay any woman willing to accept you deserves what she gets.” She pulled her hand away and cast him an affectionate smile. “Miss Effington is a wonderful choice, and I wish you every happiness.” She leaned forward, brushed a kiss across his cheek, then turned and swept into the house.
He stared after her. Gwen was one of the few women Reggie had never fallen in love with. Probably because he’d never had the opportunity. But he realized, as the wife of his closest friend, she would always have a place in his life and, indeed, in his heart.
“I gather all went well with Miss Effington, then?” Marcus stepped to his side.
“Better than well.” Reggie grinned. “She hasn’t said it yet, but she loves me. I know it as surely as I know my own name.”
“So she has decided against a perfect man in favor of you?”
Reggie’s grin widened. “I knew she would.”
Marcus raised a brow.
“Very well. I hoped she would.” Reggie shook his head. “I still cannot believe it myself, that she would care for me.”
“I hate to cast a shadow over your happiness, but how do you know that she does indeed care for you if she hasn’t said it?”
“Ah, but she has demonstrated it.” Reggie blew a long, satisfied breath. “And with a great deal of enthusiasm.”
“Good God, Reggie,” Marcus groaned. “You didn’t.”
“Actually, Marcus, she did. Or rather we did.”
“Even so—”
“Marcus.” Reggie leaned close to his friend and lowered his voice. “If you found the woman you loved in your room in the middle of the night with obviously improper intentions, what would you do?”
“Precisely what you did, no doubt.”
“I thought as much.”
“And then I’d marry her at once,” Marcus said staunchly.
“Precisely my plan.”
“I knew there would be a plan.” Marcus shook his head and heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Well, what is it this time?”
Reggie straightened and gazed at the carriage in the distance. “When she began this refurbishment of my house, she was supposed to be doing it for whatever woman I eventually married. I have given her free rein and approved her designs, not at all difficult really, as she is extremely talented. Unbeknownst to her she has been decorating her future home. What could be more appropriate?”
“That is a nice touch.” Admiration sounded in Marcus’s voice. “I still don’t see much of a plan, however.”
“It gets better.” Reggie smirked. “She has promised to complete the drawing room within a week, by Thursday next. I told her that’s when I would return to town. However, I shall send her a message from Berkley Park later today telling her I have been delayed and will not return until Friday morning. I could even send it with one of your guests who has not yet left for town.”
“Only the Bellinghams and Drummond remain.”
“Miss Bellingham then, as she’s been in on it all along.”
Reggie brushed aside the thought that given Felicity’s avowed interest in him she might not be overly willing to assist his efforts regarding Cassandra. Of course, she hadn’t said anything of that nature since the first night, and while she’d certainly been flirtatious toward him, it seemed no more so than toward anyone else. He was certain Felicity had abandoned any serious intentions toward him.
“Are you sure that’s wise? It appeared to me that Miss Bellingham was most taken with you. Indeed, there was scarcely a moment when she was not by your side. She was discreet, of course, but I rather got the impression she was pursuing you.”
“Do you really think so? Imagine that.” Reggie grinned. “The idea is flattering, of course, but absurd. Indeed, if there was a pursuit in progress, I daresay it was of Miss Bellingham by every eligible man present. I have done absolutely nothing to encourage her.” He shook his head. “Regardless, my only interest is in Cassandra, and she will be most surprised when I make my appearance on Thursday.”
“I’ve never especially liked surprises myself. Damned dangerous things in my experience. And I still don’t understand—”
“Patience, Marcus. I will offer her my heart and ask for her hand. Furthermore, I shall have a special license by then and will encourage her to marry me at once.” Reggie grinned. “It’s an excellent plan.”
“Unless, of course, she says no.”
“She won’t.” Reggie couldn’t hide the satisfied note in his voice. “Not after last night.”
“Why don’t you bring a minister with you as well?” Marcus said with a shrug. “Marry her right then and there.”
Reggie stared at his friend. “That’s good, Marcus. Very good.”
“No it’s not.” Marcus’s eyes widened with disbelief. “It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever said. It’s absurd and dangerous. What if she doesn’t wish to marry you at all, or at least not right then? What if she wants her family present?”
“That could present something of a problem.” Reggie thought for a moment. “Although…” The answer struck him, and he slapped Marcus on the back. “That’s where you come in, old friend. I’ll surprise Cassandra, and you can arrive with a clergyman and her family and whoever else seems appropriate oh, say, an hour or so later. It’s an excellent idea.” Excitement sounded in Reggie’s voice. “I daresay, Gwen can speak to Higgins about refreshments and whatever else is necessary for a wedding celebration without Cassandra’s knowledge. She did an excellent job on this party of yours.”
“I suspect Gwen will have to lie down with a damp cloth over her forehead for at least a week after this,” Marcus said under his breath.
“Don’t be absurd. Gwen is an excellent hostess. And I’m certain Lady St. Stephens would be willing to lend her assistance as well.”
Marcus raised a brow. “Just how many people do you want involved in this surprise wedding? Or should I say this surprise disaster?”
“You may be right, we shouldn’t involve Cassandra’s sister,” Reggie said more to himself than Marcus.
“The fewer people who know about this, the better.”
“Oh, that will certainly ensure its success.”
“Have faith, Marcus, this is a brilliant plan. Probably my best ever.”
“Precisely my point.”
“I’m not sure anyone but you and Gwen should know what’s happening beforehand.” Reggie thought for a moment. “Not even Higgins and the London house staff, not until the last possible moment, at any rate. Too many people might well give it away. I should like to have Cassandra’s parents present, of course, and her brothers. No real choice there. You and Gwen, your mother and mine. That’s probably more than enough.”
“What of Miss Wonderful and Lord Perfect?”
Reggie laughed. “Miss Bellingham and Mr. Drummond should most certainly be included. After all, they had a rather significant role in all this.”
“Because of the bet?”
“Somewhat. But more because…” Reggie searched for the right words. “For Cassandra, a real Lord Perfect showed her exactly what I’d hoped. Perfect isn’t nearly as desirable as she’d thought.”
“Of course, she had already expressed a serious interest in you before Drummond’s arrival.”
“Yes, and didn’t that work out nicely.”
Marcus laughed. “And what did Miss Wonderful show you?”
“Nothing really, except perhaps that wonderful is as misleading as perfect.” Reggie shrugged. “But I thought Cassandra was my Miss Wonderful almost from the beginning.”
Marcus snorted. “Hardly. I believe you said she was not your Miss Wonderful and she never would be.”
“I was wrong. Blasted imperfect of me, I’d say.”
“You do have imperfect honed to a fine art.” Marcus chose his words with care. “As much as I hate to say it, it seems to me this new plan of yours is fraught with difficulties, ripe for disaster, and could well be the worst idea you’ve ever come up with.”
“You’re with me then.” Reggie grinned.
Marcus studied his friend for a long moment, then shrugged, a reluctant smile on his face. “I would not miss it for anything in the world.”
Fifteen
There is nothing more to be feared in this life or the next than a woman bent on revenge. God help the man who has aroused such ire.
T. Higgins
“Y es, that’s it exactly.” Cassie nodded with satisfaction at the color sample presented by her foreman and one of the painters. The paint was intended for the cornices and moldings and plasterworks in the drawing room. “Precisely the color I had in mind. Not too blue nor too lavender nor too gray. Excellent work.”
“Thank you, miss.” The painter smiled with obvious pleasure at the compliment. If Cassie had learned nothing else about working with craftsmen, for she did indeed think of those who worked magic with paint and paper and plaster and wood as craftsmen, she had learned they had a great deal of pride in their work and responded well to sincerity and honesty, whether that took the form of praise or suggestion. Oh, she had certainly encountered those who did not take well to directions from a woman, and there was always a certain amount of strife during those projects. She had learned long ago that even gaining the respect of those working for her was not always enough, and she now had a foreman, Mr. Jacobs, whom she hired for every project.
“You do understand I want this for the flat of the ceiling cornice so that that wonderful detailing, which we shall keep white, stands out in sharp contrast.”
The painter nodded. “And you want the same effect on the overmantel?”
“Exactly. Thank you.” She beamed at the man. “And we shall have to play with the colors, but I think a shade just a little deeper, more intense I think, will be perfect for the offsetting stripes on the walls.”
He nodded again and headed toward a ladder leaning against the far wall. The entire room was a flurry of organized activity, with painters working on various sections of wall and ceiling, and Italian-trained plasterers finishing repairs, and others measuring for furnishings and fabrics. It had been two days since Cassie had returned to London, and she’d spent nearly every minute in Reggie’s house and nearly as much time thinking about him and exactly what he had planned. Not that it was much of a challenge. The man was practically transparent. Obviously, he wanted to declare himself right here, in the room she had decorated for the woman he would marry. And it was just as obvious that woman was her.