Cupid's Mistake (Cupid Regency Romance) (23 page)

She did not stiffen or draw away, but sighed instead. Encouraged, he put his finger under her chin and kissed her lips, gently.
'Tell me, Cassandra. Tell me what is wrong."

"
I am afraid," she said. "I am afraid I will say the wrong thing, like I always do. And I was afraid you did not mean it when you said you loved me, but then Psyche said Harry shot you and made you act—Well, never mind that. But I do believe it now, and feel horrible because I said terrible things to you."

"
It can't be worse than the things I said to you, and I was the one who injured you, you who are totally innocent of all the things I said to you." Lord Blytheland stroked her cheek with his finger, gazing at her with such love that it hurt to see it She closed her eyes. "I was married once before, you know, and. . . and my wife did not love me. I was afraid, also." He hesitated. "I do not deserve it, but will you forgive me?"

"
Yes, yes of course," she said, and smiled at him.

There was silence, and then, hesitantly, the marquess said,
"Was Psyche right, Cassandra? Do you love me? For I do wish to kiss you again, but make no mistake—if you do admit it, I shall insist on marrying you soon. And if you don't want that, I suggest you say no. Because, you see, I would not like you to share your kisses with anyone else but me, even in an experiment." There was a hint of laughter in his voice, but a question also.

She turned to him, laughing, and feeling tears as well.
"You are an odious man to bring up my experiment! It was a stupid thing, I see it now—"

"
But do you love me, Cassandra?" He held her face in his hands, looking at her anxiously now, full of hope.

"
Yes! Oh, Paul, yes!" she said at last, and put her hands behind his neck and kissed him fiercely.

With a low groan, he pulled her to him and kissed her with all the love he felt for her. His chest felt tight with wanting, and his heart
's defenses shattered at last, causing him to crush her closer to him. She did not protest, but pressed herself to him instead.

"
Marry me, Cassandra, please," he murmured against her lips, and he kissed her again, trailing his kisses from mouth to cheek, to chin and down the long column of her throat.

"
Yes," she gasped.

"
Soon." He moved his hands to her waist and hips, then pulled her onto his lap.

"
Yes," she said, and kissed him again.

"
Cassandra! Lord Blytheland!" Lady Hathaway's scandalized voice echoed in the garden. Cassandra looked up and saw her mother at the door of the garden, her hands on her hips and looking at them sternly.

Hastily, Cassandra pushed herself from Lord Blytheland
's lap and blushed furiously. But Lord Blytheland took her hand and rose from the bench and bowed to Lady Hathaway.

"
It is not as bad as it seems, Lady Hathaway," he said and grinned. "You see, your daughter has just consented to become my wife."

"
Is this true, Cassandra?" Lady Hathaway asked, her voice still stern.

"
Yes, Mama."

"
Thank God!" Lady Hathaway said, closing her eyes in heartfelt, grateful prayer. "I thought it would never happen!"

"
Mama!"

"
You must admit it has been a very trying thing for me, my girl! I have been trying to promote a match between you two this age, and then after that luncheon my hopes were almost completely dashed!" Lady Hathaway beamed happily at the marquess and her daughter. "I must go tell Sir John—he has just returned, Cassandra, and tell Psyche, too, for she was quite anxious about it. I have sent her up to her room to change her dress—she became dreadfully dirty, walking all the way to your house, Lord Blytheland! And thank you for your help in finding her, my lord. We are truly grateful. I knew you would be the perfect addition to our family." She turned to leave, then stopped. "Oh, and I should let you know, Lord Blytheland, it is not at all discreet of you to propose and kiss Cassandra in the garden here! It is in full view of the house across the alley, and I am sure any number of persons could see you from there, and from our house!" She turned and went back inside.

Lord Blytheland gazed at Cassandra, who was blushing to the roots of her hair, and grimed mischievously.
"I suppose that means I should take you inside the house to kiss you."

Cassandra blushed more pink than ever.
"Odious man!" she exclaimed, and turned toward the house. He caught her hand and pulled her to him. "Not here!" she said hastily.

"
Where, then?'

"
I do believe the music room is unoccupied," Cassandra said primly, then grinned and dashed into the house.

* * * *

Psyche sighed as she gazed down from a guest room at her sister and Lord Blytheland in the garden. "Is that not romantic, Harry? I knew it would work out if I spoke to them. I was right, after all, you see."

Harry shrugged.
"Not totally right. I think I helped, also."

Psyche stared at him.
"How can you say so? You were the one who shot too many arrows into Lord Blytheland and made him act badly."

"
But if I hadn't, he might not have thought of falling in love with your sister."

"
You don't know that!"

"
And you do?'

Psyche leaped down from her perch at the window and strode to the door of the chamber.
"Oh, you odious boy! How can you say that?"

"
From experience, my girl, from experience," Harry said, following her.

"
Hmph!" Psyche opened the door, then crossed her arms in front of her. But she could not really stay mad at Harry. He was her best friend, after all, and she did not want to lose him again. She looked at him, unsmiling at first, and then she grinned. "Oh, never mind! I am going to the kitchens. Cook has just made up some jam tarts and I am going to get some while they are hot. I know you like them, too!"

Harry grinned.
"I'll get there before you do," he said, and flew off down the hall.

"
No fair flying!" Psyche called, and ran after him.

About the Author

Born in Japan, I am a half-Japanese Navy brat and lived a gypsy childhood up and down the west coast of the U.S. and Hawaii. I graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a BA in English, am married to a wonderful man, have a wonderful grown son, and live in South King County, WA, with a brief stint in the small town of Süsterseel, Germany, which I remember very fondly. I've had various jobs, from office clerk to technical writer and editor; I now have a day job at a civil and structural engineering company.

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