One True Love by Lisa Follett Read Free Book Online

blushing.
     
    As soon as Randolph announced her, Lady Anne came over to hug her. "I am so glad you could come. You have met Mrs. Bloomingburg and Lady Danforth?"
     
    "Yes. Lady Danforth, I am pleased to see you again." She curtsied and then turned her attention to Mrs. Bloomingburg and nearly laughed aloud. The woman's outrageously large and floppy hat had an entire birds nest on top, complete with a stuffed bird and four ostrich feathers at least two feet high, and this with a pea green and yellow dress. "Mrs. Bloomingburg, how do you do?"
     
    Both ladies greeted her with the customary greetings. She sat down on a settee across from the two local grand dames and took the cup of tea Lady Anne offered her.
     
    "I must apologize for my cabbaged-headed brother. The man will probably be late to his own wedding. I should have told him we were leaving at eight-thirty instead of nine-thirty, and then we might possibly have a chance of him arriving on time." Lady Anne huffed and took a sip of her tea.
     
    "Lord William is getting married?" asked Mrs. Bloomingburg.
     
    Cassie's chest squeezed tight at the idea of Lord William married to another woman, a woman he would kiss, a woman who would become the mother of his children. A shadow of melancholy passed over her causing her heart to beat faster and her breathing to become shallow.
     
    "Oh no, he is not engaged, as of yet that is. Out of all of the Prescotts, William is the only one of us who actively seeks a spouse. He has always dreamed of a house filled with children."
     
    "That is mighty strange for a young bachelor of the ton . Most men run from the marriage minded mamas and young misses as if their life depended on it." Lady Danforth laughed as if she said the funniest thing in the world.
     
    Cassie could not say if she giggled from seeing Lady Danforth laugh so, or from the sudden sense of relief. Not that it was her place or concern to worry about Lord William's future wife and children. She would soon be a wife and mother herself. Lord William had every right to find the same happiness. She simply could not figure out why it bothered her so.
     
    This madness needs to stop! She must compose herself right now, before Lord William entered the room, before another blush warmed her cheeks, before she threw caution to the wind and begged him for another kiss.
     
    Another kiss?
     
    Surely she did not just think that.
     
    "Good morning, ladies. Are you ready for the journey?"
     
    Cassie melted at the sound of his voice, warm and deep, and in her case, dangerous . Their eyes met for the briefest of seconds, seconds that stayed with for an eternity. Oh, heavens, it was going to be another hot February day. How could she always feel so warm with such frigid temperatures outside?
     
    "I saw Randolph in the hall. The carriage is ready with plenty of warm blankets. Shall we?" The ladies rose as one. Lord William hung back as he allowed his sister and the two ladies to pass in front of him. He held out his arm to her. "Miss Chambers."
     
    She hesitated. Why did he have to single her out? He should have taken Lady Danforth's arm. She was the highest ranking lady in the room. Why did he force her to touch him? She did not want to touch him.
     
    Not really.
     
    Then she might feel that warm feeling wash through her and make her throb in her most secret place. She did not know what it meant, but thought perhaps it was desire. When she felt the wetness there, she sensed an emptiness so strong she knew it needed to be filled. But with what? Her reactions to Lord William were unsettling at best.
     
    She took his arm. What else was she to do? She certainly could not give him the cut direct. She tried to smile, but her mouth wobbled, somewhat like her legs. She worked to arch her spine, lift her chin, school her features and look straight ahead.
     
    Lord William leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Are you troubled about something Miss Chambers?"
     
    "No, of course not,