"Should you-" Cassie broke off as Lani shook her head. She should have known Lani would not change herself any sooner than she would hide. Cassie hugged her and moved toward the door. "You'll be more beautiful than any woman there."
A moment later she was standing before the armoire in her own chamber looking at the gowns Jared had provided.
The white silk was quite beautiful, the touches of lace at the round neck demure. Just the kind of gown Lady Carradine would approve for a shy young girl. Cassie took it out of the armoire.
As far from black widow's weeds as our island is from this England. "
Lani's words kept repeating in her mind. This island and these people were not her own. Much as she liked Josette, she was not Lani. They had not suffered together, the years had not bonded them. She wanted only the best for Josette, but if there were sides to be taken, she could not ally herself with anyone but Lani.
She shoved the pristine-white gown back into the armoire and reached deep into the rear of the wardrobe.
"Good God." Bradford's eyes widened as she came down the stairs. "Stunning. You look magnificent." He shook his head. "But I don't think Jared is going to like this."
"Then he shouldn't have chosen it." She glanced around the foyer. "Where is he?"
"He went on ahead to Carradine Hall to make sure everything was in order. He asked me to bring you. Lani and Josette are waiting in the carriage." He frowned. "I don't believe he meant that gown for this type of occasion."
She knew the occasion he had meant her to wear it. When she came to his bed. In spite of its simple Empire lines, it was the gown meant for a temptress. The scarlet color alone shouted bold sensuality, the deep square neckline revealed the upper curves of her breasts. "It's what I'm wearing."
"Has Lani seen you?"
"No." She had deliberately delayed dressing until she knew Lani would have no opportunity to find out in advance. "She thinks I'm wearing white. I changed my mind at the last minute."
He took the black velvet cloak she was carrying and draped it around her shoulders, carefully fastening the button at her throat. "Well, let's at least spare Jared the first shock when you walk into the ballroom."
"I can't wear a cloak all evening." Yet she did not want Lani to see the gown until they reached Carradine Hall. She might insist Cassie go back and change. She drew the cloak about her and moved toward the door. "Shall we go?"
"You've been very docile of late." His hand cradled her elbow as she moved down the steps toward the carriage. "I'd be curious to know why you chose this occasion to break the pattern."
The footman opened the door of the carriage. Bradford glanced at Lani, resplendent in her yellow silk gown and white velvet cloak, and then smiled. "Ah, that's it, you're going into battle. I always knew I had a fondness for you," he said in a low tone in Cassie's ear. "I hope a battle won't be necessary, but no one is worth fighting for more than Lani." He helped her into the carriage, then climbed in after her. "It's going to prove an interesting evening."
Lani smiled and reached for Cassie's hand. "You're late. Is all well?"
Cassie clasped her hand nervously. She didn't know whether this was a wise move or not. Jared would be angry, and she might do damage to Josette. It might all be for nothing. Perhaps Lani would not need championing at all. Oh, well, she had made mistakes before, and she would not back away now. She smiled at Lani but did not answer directly. "You look glorious tonight. Like a queen." She said with sudden intensity, "You are a queen, Lani."
Lani chuckled. "You must have been talking to Bradford. He claims I could rule this harsh England."
"It would certainly be a more interesting country if you did." Josette grimaced. "You can't imagine how stultifying this ball will be tonight." She settled back on the seat with a sigh. "Not at all like Jared's and Bradford's parties."
"Which you were never supposed to observe," Bradford said.
Josette giggled and told Cassie, "My nurse used to fall asleep and I'd creep down and watch from the landing until Jared caught me at it one night. He was very angry."
"He would have been angrier if he hadn't caught you at that particular moment. Such parties are not for the delectation of innocents."
"An orgy," Josette confided to Cassie with relish. "Bacchanalian revels. Everyone seemed to be having a perfectly splendid time."
"May we talk of something else?" Bradford asked plaintively. "The subject of my wicked past is making me a trifle uncomfortable. Did you ride Morgana today?"
Josette obligingly accepted the turn of conversation and started to chatter on her favorite subject for the remainder of the journey.
Carradine House was ablaze with light. Lanterns hung from the trees bordering the long driveway that led to the stately brick manor house, revealing carriages of all sizes and description on the grass. Liveried coachmen moved briskly, tending their vehicles, or merely lolled in conversation with other servants.
"There's Jared." Bradford's gaze went to the open doorway as he got out of the carriage. "And our sweet hostess."
Cassie involuntarily tensed as the footman helped her from the carriage, and she caught sight of the two at the top of the steps. Carolyn Carradine was smiling up at Jared, glowingly lovely in pale-blue silk. Jared, in dark evening clothes, was no different from the Jared she saw every day. He always looked lean, graceful, slightly dangerous, and as wickedly handsome as a pagan god. It was no wonder that the gargoyle was staring at him as if she wished to eat him for dinner, Cassie thought with annoyance.
"Cassie?" Bradford said.
She hurriedly stepped aside so that the footman could help Lani and Josette from the carriage. Then she watched Lani approach their hostess for the evening with graceful dignity.
"Good evening, Lady Carradine." Lani smiled at the woman. "How kind of you to invite me to your home."
Lady Carradine displayed perfect teeth returning her smile. "It's my pleasure." Her gaze ran over Lani's gown, which was revealed when she shed her white velvet cloak and handed it to a waiting footman. "And what a lovely gown. You look quite like a sunburst."
The words could have been construed as a compliment, and the woman's tone was cordial. Perhaps it was not going to be as bad as Cassie feared.
Lady Carradine turned to Josette. "Take your chaperon to meet Lady Huntley. I've told her to act in my place while I finish greeting my guests. Her daughter, Joan, was just saying how much she missed you at school."
Josette muttered something distinctly uncomplimentary beneath her breath before she shrugged off her cloak. "Missed a pincushion to accommodate her pricks, maybe." Then, as she met Jared's warning gaze, she pasted a smile on her face and took Lani's arm. "Come along. Surely Lady Huntley is not nearly as rude as her daughter."
Cassie watched Lani cross the crowded ballroom. As she passed, the men and women turned to stare at her. Well, who wouldn't look at her? She was more beautiful than any woman in the room.
"Don't be shy, my dear. Take off your cloak and run along and join them."
Cassie turned to see Carolyn Carradine aim a glowing smile at her as she placed a proprietary hand on Jared's sleeve. "We'll join you and your stepmother shortly."
"Very well." She straightened her shoulders and then rid herself of her cloak.
She heard Lady Carradine's shocked exclamation and Jared's sharply inhaled breath. After handing the cloak to the footman, she looked around to see two bright patches of color on Lady Carradine's cheeks. "That gown is totally inappropriate in a young girl. It's… it's-"