Page 5 of Unmasking the Earl

“Not quite so long. But there have been a few,” she admitted, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.

Wycherley gave her all his attention. “So, whom have you accepted?”

“None.”

His brow rose. “Not one? You must have very exacting standards, my dear Cassandra. I suppose you would not even consider someone like me?”

Cassie missed a step, but an iron hand caught her as she stumbled and set her back on her feet. Wycherley was correct. The manservant wasn’t only strong, but quick, as well.

She laughed uneasily. “No, I don’t think my standards are too high, but I’m afraid not even you would be acceptable. I’m devoted to the care of my father, who, since his riding accident, has not yet regained full use of his legs. Any prospective husband would have to please both Papa and me since he will be spending a good deal of time in our company. I think I’m happy to wait, for now. If any of my suitors is still unmarried by the time I feel ready, I may reconsider my answer.”

She hoped her lightness of tone would not betray the fact that she was lying. There was room for only one man in her heart besides Papa.

Julian.

Oh, Julian! Why could he not love her back?

The familiar pain clawed at her heart, and she gazed up at the moon-silvered night through a mist of tears.

“This appears to be the maze, zurr,” said Ganstridge in his peculiar drawl. They stopped walking. Oh, pray God they hadn’t noticed her moment of weakness. She must concentrate now and put Julian from her thoughts.

“Ah, the duke has illuminated his maze.”

Not such a good place for stolen kisses, then. Excellent.

She said brightly, “Do you see the platform there, with the wooden steps? That’s the center.”

“Splendid.” Wycherley looked around, and when Cassie started to speak, he put a finger to his lips. After a moment, he said, “I do believe we have beaten the lovebirds to it. I suggest, lest we risk your reputation any further, that I remain here to deal with the situation, and you return to the ball with Ganstridge as your guide. I’ll come back with Lucy, and your friend Mister, er…”

“Carnforth.”

“Your friend, Mr. Carnforth, can do as he pleases. If he returns to the ball without his prize and his nose severely out of joint, I am certain you will be able to give him whatever comfort he needs. How does that sound, Miss Blythe?”

It sounded rather good. Julian would return to the main house heartbroken, and she would be on hand to cheer him up, dance with him, and distract him until the fickle Lady Lucy was just a distant memory.

“I shall give you Ganstridge for the rest of the evening,” Wycherley said, bowing over her hand. “He will do whatever you wish, and please do not be put off by his odd behavior and his whispered asides. I believe,” he added, his voice falling to a whisper, “that he may be a little touched in the head. But he is quite harmless, I assure you.”

She doubted that very much.

Looking sideways at the stony-faced giant who stood at the entrance to the maze with his torch held in front of him like a weapon, she would never have dared call him harmless. Perhaps she would do better to wait here with Wycherley and observe the outcome of tonight’s adventure, much as it would pain her to see Julian with another woman. Wycherley’s confidence that he could separate Lady Lucy from Julian might be foolhardy. There might be something more she could do to help.

“Captain Wycherley—”

“Shh! I hear them. Go now, go quickly!”

Before she could utter a protest, Ganstridge had taken her by the elbow and half-lifted, half-dragged her back the way they had come, not slowing until they were completely out of sight of the maze.

The odd thing was, he seemed…angry.

Whatever could have infuriated him so?

Chapter Four

As soon as the maze was out of sight, Ned slowed and accommodated his pace to Miss Blythe’s, as any good manservant or footman should.

He wondered if he should offer her his arm then thought better of it. He was no gentleman now, and he needed to remember that.

Cassandra Blythe was stunningly beautiful, but so young and vulnerable. Her figure was superb, with those softly molded breasts pushing against the neckline of her gown, that slender waist, and those shapely hips.