CHAPTER 1 – A KNOWN STRANGER
Cassie was pleased with the attention lavished on her by all. It was a bit decadent, but the power she had over these men was a heady thing. Darrin was not here, but she was still enjoying herself.
Now only, if Darrin was here – it would be perfect,
she thought.
Mark watched her from behind the curtains. He had come in late to the soiree hosted by Lady Cuthbert. Besides he was a mere miser... yet. He had not been announced. Indeed Lady Cuthbert had extended the invitation to him just by virtue of his relation with the Marquess of Bellingham.
Mark shifted his attention to the lady laughing... the sound like small bells jingling at Christmas. The sound still called out to him, just like all those years ago. He was still captivated by the sound of it, just like all those other fops dancing attention upon her. But he knew the truth of her. She like to flirt... liked the power she had over men, over him; but she would never know the extent of her power over him. It was time to move in.
"May I have the pleasure of this dance with you?", Mark said to Cassie as he approached her.
Cassie turned towards him and observed the person who had requested her for a dance. No, he had not requested. He was too sure of himself. He was very striking, more so for the depth in his eyes than the handsomeness of his looks. He had the effrontery to ask her for a dance without the benefit of an introduction. Or perhaps he already knew her, rather he probably knew Isabella. It was tiring at times to live Bella's life.
With a sigh, Cassie accepted his hand and together they descended on the dance floor as the music started playing a Waltz. Cassie wondered about the man she was dancing with.
Surely he was a peer of the realm. Who else would dare to approach the daughter of a duke?
Mark looked at the woman in his arms. She was more alluring than ever. There was a certain vulnerability about her now, which drew him to her more than before. To shake himself off it, he fell into their teasing tone of the past and said, "You look well, Marchioness." Cassie realized he must mean someone else. Bella was the daughter of a duke, not the wife of a Marquess. She sought to correct the intriguing stranger, "You are mistaken, my lord! I am not a marchioness."
"And I am not a lord, either... Marchioness!", said he as the dance ended.
Mark escorted Cassie back to where she was standing earlier. Mrs. Weatherland was standing and looking at them, walk towards her. All the while Cassie wondered over the strange conversation she had with this man, about whom she had no idea who he was.
Mark approached Mrs. Weatherland smilingly, kissed her cheek and said, "You still look as pretty as I first saw you, Mrs. W."
"Liar!" said Mrs. Weatherland. But it was clearly evident that the praise had made her happy, while Cassie stared at the man she had danced with and wondered some more about him. He was stiffly formal with her when they began dancing, then he turned teasing and then silent again. Now he was being so nice and warm to the dear old lady, who was her chaperon for the evening. But the same warmth of his eyes went missing as he turned his dark eyes to her. She felt oddly disappointed.
