Chapter 68
The queen’s condition had improved considerably, loosening the grip of dread that had tightened around Cassandra’s neck like a noose.
It took several days before Queen Delphine fully regained consciousness, and even then the physicians had insisted upon continued rest.
She remained weak, but she was awake, responsive, and showing enough improvement that Cassandra had finally allowed herself to believe that her worst nightmare was not repeating itself.
That was the only reason she had accepted the invitation to Lady Chandler’s ball.
Under ordinary circumstances, she would have found some excuse to remain at the palace, content to spend another evening watching over the queen rather than subject herself to the noise and scrutiny of a crowded ballroom.
But the Queen had urged her to attend the gathering, to mingle with the guests and allow herself a night of enjoyment rather than remain confined to the palace, tending to a sick woman.
Cassandra suspected the Queen had begun to feel guilty. Perhaps she believed Cassandra had put her entire life on hold for her sake, and did not like the thought of being the reason for it.
There was also another reason Cassandra had been willing to venture into the den of wolves again.
Draven Montague would be there.
The knowledge had influenced her decision more than she cared to admit.
By the time she entered the ballroom, however, she had banished every trace of hesitation from her mind.
She was a woman on a mission and nothing would deter her.
Light spilled from the great chandeliers overhead, catching upon polished silver, crystal and jewels until the entire room seemed to shimmer. Music drifted above the hum of conversation while servants moved between clusters of guests carrying trays of wine and delicate refreshments.
Everywhere she looked, there were silk gowns, dark evening coats and glittering ornaments carefully chosen to announce wealth and status.
Cassandra allowed herself to be swallowed up by the familiarity of it all.
She had dressed with deliberate care that evening. The gown she wore was elegant without appearing ostentatious, its cut flattering her figure and its details chosen to draw the eye without making her appear as though she were desperately seeking attention.
Though she did not need to seek it.
It came regardless, her notoriety practically ensured it.
Several conversations faltered as she passed. A few women looked at her curiously, while others watched her with the carefully concealed scrutiny Cassandra had already learned to recognize.
She was still one of the most discussed women in the capital, and she knew perfectly well what had been said about her during her absence.
Let them look, she thought.
Cassandra had no intention of making herself smaller to accommodate anyone else’s discomfort.
It didn’t matter anyway. They would soon lose interest once the novelty of her presence waned and their attention would be directed elsewhere.
She accepted the attention with her head held high, greeting the host warmly before allowing herself to be drawn into the easy current of the evening. She exchanged pleasantries with acquaintances, accepted refreshments when offered and permitted herself to be claimed for a dance or two by older gentlemen.
She laughed when the occasion called for it and paid attention when someone addressed her. She even enjoyed herself.
Beneath the graceful facade, however, her attention remained fixed upon one objective. Her duke.
She was hardly a gambler, but if she played her cards well, she might come out of all this with a husband.
She found him almost immediately.
Draven stood among a group of gentlemen on the opposite side of the ballroom, and his height alone made him difficult to miss.
Yet it was not merely his stature that drew her attention. There was something about his presence that seemed to command the space around him without any conscious effort on his part.
As Cassandra’s attention settled on him, she was grateful that her nerves remained remarkably steady.
Tonight was too important to be ruined by her trepidation.
This night would change everything.
She looked away before he could catch her staring.
It was not long before she felt his gaze upon her.
She waited a moment before glancing back. Their eyes met across the ballroom and held for a few dangerous heartbeats.
A faint smile touched Cassandra’s lips before she turned her attention to the gentleman speaking beside her.
So, there it was. He was watching her too.
That was useful to know before she plunged herself into the deep end.
She allowed the rest of the evening to unfold naturally. She did not approach him, nor did she give any indication that she intended to. A few times their eyes met again, and each time Cassandra allowed the contact to linger only long enough to remind him that she noticed where his attention had wandered to.
Eventually, after her final dance, Cassandra returned to the edge of the ballroom and accepted a glass of wine from a passing servant.
Then she noticed another servant approaching with a tray.
She swallowed down her drink and beckoned the servant closer, using the opportunity to place her empty glass on his tray.
"Wait," She called to stop the servant when he tried to walk away, keeping her voice down so no one noticed.
Cassandra reached into her reticule and withdrew the folded note she had prepared earlier. She placed it discreetly into his hand, followed by a coin, payment for his troubles and discretion.
"Give this to the Duke of Norham." Her voice was low enough that the words disappeared beneath the music.
The servant glanced at the folded note before nodding. "Yes, my lady."
Then he was off, disappearing into the crowd.
Cassandra watched him go for only a moment before turning away.
The part she dreaded was done but it was only the beginning.
A few minutes later, she slipped silently from the ballroom, ensuring her exit went unnoticed.
The corridor beyond was considerably quieter, the music fading into a muted throb behind her. Cassandra walked deeper into the residence until she found the library and stepped inside.
She closed the door behind her and waited.
Ten minutes. That was all she needed.