One True Love (2 page)

The effect this man had on her startled her sensibilities. She prayed he did not notice the heat that surely crept up her neck and tinged her cheeks with a crimson glow. Why did a mere stranger unsettle her so?

Before she had a chance to ponder these disturbing thoughts, the butler announced that dinner was served, and Lord William offered his arm to escort her into the dining room. A warm, tingling sensation moved through her hand and pooled in her belly,
and below
. The oddest need to squeeze her thighs together and cut off an abrupt ache overcame her.

Cassie noticed the strength of Lord William's arm and his wide, muscular chest; not soft, like some men, like Mr. Parker. Why did she suddenly think of her betrothed as soft? What an odd mental image; after all, Mr. Parker was handsome, and charming, and utterly delightful. How fortunate for her to catch a future viscount who also made her positively giddy when he smiled at her. He even kissed her once when they took a walk in the gardens. She wanted him to kiss her again, or longer, or with more passion, but instead, he offered his arm and escorted her back inside the house.

How would Lord William's lips feel against hers?
Oh dear.
She really should not consider such a thing. She only just met Lord William, and to begin comparing him with her betrothed was surely the height of impropriety, even if the improper conduct was contained to her private thoughts. Perhaps she really should stop reading Mrs. Radcliff's novels.

She shifted her unsettling thoughts to her host and hostess. Lord and Lady Camberley were quite different from any married couple she knew. They actually appeared to be in love. She noticed the secret glances and small touches. She believed her own parents cared for each other, but never once did they appear to share a romantic love. She often wondered how they managed to conceive two children. If anything, they spoke to each other in the most redundant way, only speaking when necessary, and making small conversation at best. They never touched, or smiled, or caught each other's eye. They simply were.

Cassie's eyes widened as they entered a grand formal dining room. The entire first floor of her home could fit into this one room. She was fortunate to visit a few of the larger manors of aristocrats who sought her father's spiritual company, but never before had she experienced the grandeur of an estate like Nightingale Hall. Flower arrangements, candles, Sevres china, and crystal topped the formal cherry wood dining table. Tapestries hung from floor to ceiling, depicting scenes from medieval times, and low hanging crystal candelabras reflected prisms of color throughout the room. A fireplace burned at one end of the room, and a buffet of dishes with tangy and sweet aromas filled the air on the other end.

William's voice startled her out of her deep rambling thoughts as he pulled out her chair for her to sit. "It appears you are to sit next to me." She tried to sit gracefully and not plop, feeling the eyes of her mother watching her, expecting her to act every inch the lady. Her mother smiled and turned towards Lord Camberley. "Miss Chambers," William started as he took his seat, "How do you like our quaint little village thus far?"

"It is positively charming." She smiled and thought of her new, but temporary home, since she was betrothed to Mr. Parker. The cottage was roomier than the family's former house in Cornwall. Indeed, her father took a step up when he agreed to take this position. His pay afforded them not only a housekeeper and cook, but a footman and butler as well. The countryside took her breath away, and so far, the neighbors were gracious and kind.

Cassie's only shame fell in her inability to see Mr. Parker until their wedding drew near. He went to London to speak to his uncle, the Viscount Winnington, about their upcoming nuptials. The disappointment of not seeing him until their wedding lodged in her stomach like coddled egg that sat too long. Her betrothed wanted to give her the wedding of her dreams. She only hoped the viscount would be biddable.

The conversation began with the usual pleasantries of weather and local gossip. She felt comfortable with Lord William, in an unnerving sort of way. Mr. Parker always made her feel nervous and as shy as a schoolgirl. How strange to fall into such contented talk with a man, a stranger, no less, as if they had known each other for an eternity.

"Now, I must warn you about developing too close of a relationship with Lady Mary. She will certainly lead you astray and ruin your reputation." William grinned across the table at his twin sister as he teased her.

"William dear, you are lucky indeed that four feet of table separates us, for if I were closer I would bean you on the head. Miss Chambers, you must completely ignore my obnoxious brother. He delights in my grief." Lady Mary eyed her brother with a look that spoke of a closeness only known and understood by two who were born of the same womb at the same time. The light manner in which they teased and played warmed Cassie's heart, and it caused her to wonder what it would be like to have such a large family. Of course, Lady Mary was a bit outspoken and rather outrageous, but she admired her courage to thumb her nose at Society and live as she pleased.

The amusing banter continued on all sides. Lady Elizabeth sat to her right, William on her left, with Lady Mary and Lady Anne across from her. The family chatted back and forth down the stretch of endless table. Her father seemed jollier than his usual somber self, and it was rather obvious mother enjoyed the company of such a prestigious group, but it was the gentleman to her left who kept her attention. She glanced at his aristocratic profile: strong chin, lush lips, straight nose, and large eyes. Her hand itched to reach up and touch a finger along the edge of his jaw.
Oh my!
She really did need to get control of her thoughts. She envisioned Mr. Parker's hair. Short. Straight. Thin.

Cassie pursed her lips.
Will Mr. Parker lose his hair early?
She thought he might and considered how she felt about being married to a man with a balding head. She nearly laughed aloud at her own silly ponderings. She loved Mr. Parker, and assumed she would love him still when he became bald and round in his old age. She only hoped he would still love her when she grew fat with their first child.

"So, you are to be married soon." William looked at her with such an intensity, she nearly spit out her wine. The cool February evening suddenly seemed as warm as a summer day. For the first time since Mr. Parker proposed, she did not want to discuss her upcoming nuptials.

"I...ah, yes, I am, my lord." The words jumbled in her mouth and made her feel quite ridiculous. "In June. I am to be married in June." Her reaction to his question stunned her. She laid a hand on her churning stomach. The sudden nausea could not be due to his question,
or could it?

"I have never met Mr. Parker, although I did meet Lord Winnington once. He is rather old and crabby if you ask me." William took a bite of his dessert, raspberries and cream, then licked the remains from his lips. She should have been shocked by his comment. It
was
beyond the pale. Instead, she was fixated on his mouth and the sweep of his tongue across his lips.
What it would be like if he kissed her?

Oh, dear,
she should not think of such things. She was betrothed, and she loved Mr. Parker. He was everything she ever dreamed of in a man. Handsome, a few inches taller than herself, blond hair and blue eyes that reminded her of the turbulent ocean, and...
thin
lips. All of a sudden, Mr. Parker's lips no longer appealed to her, at least not in the way a certain lord's lips appealed to her. She swallowed. She must stop these errant and sinful thoughts from running amuck in her mind.

"Really, William. That was not a nice thing to say." Lady Anne scolded her older brother and gave him a look that would shrink anyone to a less than proper size. The conversation at the table stopped. Everyone turned and looked at William.

He glanced up, "What? Oh, good gracious, I do apologize Miss Chambers if I offended your, ah, future father-in-law."

"I do not see that he is here to offend, and according to Mr. Parker, you are quite correct in your assessment. Lord Winnington is rather old and crabby." Cassie watched as her mother's face drained of color.
Oh well.
She only had a few more months to offend her mother with her colorful words, and then she would be a married woman, living in her own house, and making her own rules.

William burst out laughing, as did the rest of the Prescott family, and she found herself caught up in their laughter. The rest of the meal went by without incident. The ladies left the men in the company of their port and smelly cigars. Her mother would have a fit if her usually staid father came home with his breath smelling of cigar. At least it would diffuse the fit her mother would most likely have about her comments during dinner.

Cassie sat in the drawing room on a sofa talking to Lady Anne when the men entered the room. Her eyes were immediately drawn to Lord William. Dressed in a coat of dark blue, a white shirt and finely starched cravat, completed with tan trousers on muscular legs, he looked every inch the aristocrat.

Lady Anne stopped mid sentence and looked at the men, then back to Cassandra with her brows drawn together. "Tell me about your Mr. Parker, Cassie."

She forced her gaze to leave Lord William's handsome face and turned toward his sister, "He is a fine gentleman; handsome, witty, and wealthy. Well, he will be wealthy when he inherits his uncle's title. Until then he must live under the man's thumb. I just hope we will be able to live in peace. Mr. Parker tells me Lord Winnington can be quite obnoxious." She glanced sideways and watched as Lord William moved about the room speaking to his brothers, sisters, and her parents. All the while his eyes were on
her
. His gaze unnerved her and made it difficult to pay attention to Lady Anne.

"He sounds delightful. However did you meet?" Lady Anne asked.

"Oh...I...uh...we met at a country dance. Mr. Parker was visiting his friend, Lord Sheldon, a nobleman in our former district." Cassie knew Mr. Parker had insisted on an introduction. Their association grew from the moment they first danced. The very next day Mr. Parker paid a call on her. He brought her a perfect yellow orchid along with chocolate from the finest confectionery in London. She fell in love without hesitation or thought.

A shadow moved over her and she glanced up, into
his
face. She shook her head as if she were trying to shake away an annoying fly.
This is his family home. I am here as a guest. He is simply acting polite.
Nevertheless, why did her heart thunder in her ears every time he came near her?

"Miss Chambers, your mother tells me you are an accomplished singer, and that you often sing for your father's congregation. Would it be too much to ask you to entertain us with a song?" asked William.

"Oh that would be lovely, Cassie. I am sure Jane or Elizabeth could play anything you asked. Unfortunately, I did not inherit the gift of music, but Jane is amazing. Would you be a dear and sing for us?" Lady Anne grasped her hand and smiled. She certainly could not deny Lady Anne's plea, even though her stomach churned like butter.

"I suppose I could," she replied and looked at Lady Jane, the youngest Prescott, who moved to stand next to Lord William.

"Do you know
Flow Gently Sweet Afton
, Miss Chambers?" asked Lady Jane.

"Yes."

Lady Jane turned to Lord William. "Please accompany Miss Chambers in song. It has been much too long since we have heard you sing."

Cassie swallowed a lump in her throat. She was to sing with Lord William?

"I would be honored sweet Jane. Miss Chambers." Lord William offered her his hand. She took it, and discovered the contact was no less shocking than before. A slow fire built inside of her and heated her entire body. She expected perspiration would break out on her face before the end of the song.

They stood near the piano while Lady Jane took her seat and began moving her fingers across the ivory keys. The exquisite tone sounded sweet to her ears. For a moment, she lost herself and almost missed her cue, but then she began, and when she did, a hush fell over the room. Her voice joined Lord William's in perfect union. Their voices carried and melded into one, like long lost lovers who just rediscovered one another.

When she glanced up, she was drawn into his eyes, into him. His voice flowed over her and touched her skin like a loving caress. Before she knew what happened, he took her hands in his. The world fell away, and left them alone in song and something else, something unexplainable.