Lord Deverill's Secret Read Online Free Page A

glance, then quickly looked away, fixing his eyes on a random pair of dancers.
    “Do you think she knows about Elwin?” asked Matthew.
    “No. I don’t think so. She didn’t mention him, in any case. But that doesn’t mean that someone won’t mention his name to her, and if that happens she might seek him out.”
    “It will be no good warning Elwin, I suppose?” asked Matthew dubiously.
    “None at all. Elwin does as he pleases.”
    Matthew pursed his lips. “That could prove difficult for us.”
    Justin agreed. “Which is why it will be our job this evening to make sure they don’t have a chance to meet each other. If Elwin makes a move towards her, or she towards him, then I’ll step in and ask her to dance. If she’s already danced with me, then it will be up to you.”
    “Very well,” Matthew agreed. “Between us, we should manage to keep her occupied. What about supper?”
    “I’ll take her in. With her friend’s husband on one side of her, and me on the other, we should be able to keep her away from any…less desirable…parties.”
     
    Cassandra dropped Harry a curtsy as the orchestra played the closing chords of the dance, then she took his arm as he led her across the floor to the far side of the room. She ran her eyes over Peter Raistrick. He was exactly the sort of young man she had pictured as one of Rupert’s friends. He was extravagantly dressed in a blue coat, with a heavily embroidered waistcoat and satin knee breeches. His fair hair was brushed back from his face and he had amber eyes. He was attractive, but loose living was beginning to spoil his looks. His face was flushed and there was a suggestion of spread around the girth. His lips were loose and his eyes were hot.
    “Raistrick, I’d like to introduce Miss Paxton,” said Harry uncomfortably.
    Peter pushed himself away from the pillar and stood up straight.
    “Well, well, little Cassie,” he said, then grinned. “You’ll have to forgive me for calling you that. It was what Rupert always called you.”
    “I will leave you two to become better acquainted,” said Harry, adding to Cassandra significantly, “I will not be far away if you need me.”
    “Well, well,” said Peter again, when Harry had left. He spoke heartily, but there was an underlying wariness about him. “I didn’t know you were in town. What are you doing in Brighton?”
    “I’m visiting here for a few weeks,” said Cassandra.
    “That’s a good idea. I always come here for the summer. When did you arrive?”
    “Yesterday evening,” said Cassandra.
    “Are you planning to live here?” he asked casually.
    “Alas, no. I’m afraid that at the end of the summer I will have to offer the town house for sale.”
    “Ah. It’s a sad thing, economy,” he said. “Rupert would have been saddened to know the house was going to be sold. He belonged here, in Brighton. He was very popular, you know. He was always eager for a game. We miss him badly.”
    “Thank you.” Cassandra was glad he had had some good friends, even if they were dissolute. Her brother had spent the last year of his life in Brighton and had seldom returned to the estate, preferring to drink and gamble away the small income he had been left rather than trying to restore his fortunes. It had caused her great concern and some anger, for whilst Rupert had had satin breeches and coats of superfine, Lizzie had been forced to wear cut-down clothes, but nevertheless she had loved her brother and was glad to know that he had had friends. “I never thought he would die like that,” she said regretfully, thinking of his death.
    “It’s a bad thing, to die so young,” said Peter sympathetically.
    “To be thrown from his horse…” Cassandra shook her head. “He was always such a good horse man. He could ride almost before he could walk. He had an excellent seat, and I’ve seen him hang on when other men would have been thrown.”
    Peter shrugged. “It can happen to even the best of us. He