Chapter 195

The carriages were waiting when Cassandra finally emerged, fully prepared for the evening. Draven’s sisters and Merissa had assembled in the entrance hall, and after a brief exchange, the party separated into two carriages.

Lorelei, Eugenia and Merissa would travel together, leaving Draven and Cassandra to share the second carriage.

Draven offered Cassandra his hand to help her inside before he followed and settled opposite her. The door closed, and the carriage began its journey towards Lady Sinclair’s residence.

He had intended to occupy himself with ordinary conversation during the ride. Instead, his attention kept returning to Cassandra, like a moth hopelessly drawn to a flame.

The lavender gown suited her so well that he found it difficult to look anywhere else. The necklace he gave her rested at her throat.

How was he supposed to conduct himself for the rest of the evening when his wife looked like that? He had never known a more impossible feat.

Cassandra caught him looking. Which wasn’t surprising. It’s not like he was being subtle about it.

"Is something the matter?" She asked.

"No." He replied a bit too hastily, which evidently wasn’t very convincing.

"You are staring."

"Am I not permitted to admire my wife?"

There was little point in denying it now that she had caught him staring.

Cassandra did not expect that response, and a crease formed between her brows. How was she supposed to ignore this inconvenient attraction when he said things like this with such disarming sincerity and did things that made her heart flutter? It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep her wits about her whenever he was around.

She needed to find a way to discourage him before she became too caught in this dangerous game to remember why their contract existed and why she rejected all things romance after John.

"I doubt such behaviour is advisable in a marriage as fake as ours," she replied coolly. They both needed reminding of the nature of their arrangement before either of them lost sight of the reasons behind it.

"That makes no difference to me," Draven replied, his gaze steady on hers. "You are exquisite. I need only eyes to appreciate that."

Cassandra’s expression gave little away, but Draven could not help wondering what had changed. She had seemed far more receptive to his attentions earlier. Now, she appeared determined to keep him at arm’s length, and he could not fathom the reason for it.

Rather than press her for an explanation, he decided to steer the conversation elsewhere, hoping to ease the awkwardness that had settled between them.

"I recently heard something that may interest you," he said.

"What have you heard?"

If he wanted to steer their discussion elsewhere, then she would indulge him.

"Apparently your family will be attending tonight." He answered, knowing it would pique her interest. And he was correct. "Considering what the newspapers have been publishing about your father’s conduct, I find it astonishing that they possess the audacity to show their faces at a gathering such as this."

She rewarded him with a chuckle.

"If you knew anything about my family, you would understand that they have audacity in spades." She said, mind churning as she considered what seeing her family again would entail. "Normally, I would abhor spending any time in their company, but I confess this presents an interesting opportunity. I have been curious to see how people will treat them now that the truth is becoming public knowledge."

"I imagine they will find the evening less agreeable than they expect," he remarked.

"I certainly hope so." Her eyes glinted with what looked like mischief. "What is a party without a little entertainment?"

Just like that, the last traces of awkwardness between them vanished.

Cassandra fascinated him.

He had always known her to be sharp, calculating, and fiercely determined when she set her mind on something. She had a habit of challenging those who expected unquestioning obedience from her and navigating situations that would have left others at a loss. She was fearless, vindictive, and delightfully petty when the mood struck her.

Draven had never been so thoroughly attracted to anyone as he was to Cassandra in that instant. Her beauty was certainly part of the reason; it had a way of leaving him momentarily lost for words.

But it was everything else about her that held his attention so completely.

Her wit, her courage, her cunning intelligence, and those unexpected flashes of mischief she revealed whenever she allowed herself the freedom to indulge them. The more he discovered about her, the more he found himself wanting to know.

The carriage continued towards Lady Sinclair’s residence, carrying them to a ball that promised far more than an evening of dancing.

---

Lady Sinclair’s residence was already alive with activity when their carriage arrived. Lanterns illuminated the entrance, and the line of carriages suggested that a considerable portion of Caldor’s fashionable society had accepted the invitation.

They were not among the earliest arrivals but they weren’t late either. Guests had gathered, and the sounds of conversation and music drifted from inside.

Draven descended first and offered Cassandra his hand. She placed her gloved fingers in his, allowing him to help her down before turning towards the other carriage.

Eugenia climbed down gracefully, followed by Lorelei and Merissa, whose ankle had healed rather nicely.

Merissa wore an emerald-green gown that complemented her complexion, the rich shade lending her an elegance that enhanced rather than overshadowed her natural charm.

Cassandra admired the effect as they gathered at the entrance.

"You look lovely, Merissa," she told her.

Merissa’s face brightened with a smile. "Thank you. So do you."

The five of them entered the house together, and a liveried servant escorted them to the ballroom.

Conversation hummed around them as they made their way through the crowd, yet Cassandra soon noticed several guests turning to look in their direction. Some gazed at Draven, while others regarded her with undisguised curiosity. It was hardly surprising. This was their first major social appearance as a married couple, and they were naturally eager to see them together.

However, their interest proved short-lived, for another member of their party soon caught their attention.

A handful of young gentlemen standing near the ballroom entrance had noticed Merissa. Their eyes followed her as she walked beside Cassandra, and one of the men abandoned his conversation altogether to watch her pass.

Cassandra leaned towards her, a conspiratorial smile playing on her lips. "Men these days have very little patience. We have scarcely set foot in the ballroom, and you have already captured their attention."

Merissa’s cheeks warmed, though she struggled to suppress her smile. "You exaggerate."

"Not in the least. I suspect your dance card will be full before the hour is out." Cassandra gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "Come along. We must greet our hostess."

"I—" Merissa began, only to falter beneath Cassandra’s teasing. She seemed unable to find a suitable response, which only made Cassandra’s smile widen.

"What? I am merely stating the obvious."

Before Merissa could protest again, Cassandra guided her further into the ballroom, where the lively music, glittering decorations and throng of guests competed for their attention.