Cupid's Mistake (Cupid Regency Romance) by Karen Harbaugh

woman in the barouche next to her. Miss Sophia Amberley was beautiful and had large blue eyes. Cassandra would almost have thought they were innocent eyes, but the sharp, speculative look Miss Amberley gave her and the marquess was not innocent at all. Cassandra 's face became warm. Surely Miss Amberley was not thinking that Lord Blytheland could be very much interested in her, Cassandra? No other gentleman had this Season, and there was no reason why he should either.
    Stop it! Cassandra scolded herself, and made herself smile at Miss Amberley. "Oh, only until the end of the Season, for there is not much more left to do after that."
    A satisfied expression came to Miss Amberley 's face. "That is too bad. There are dozens of diversions in London after the Season is over, you know. We often stay into the summer."
    Cassandra nodded, pleased that there was something upon which she could converse. "Oh, yes! But it gets terribly warm here in the city by then, and I cannot think the miasma that rises from the river at that time is at all healthy. It could make one look quite sickly.
    ' That is to say," Cassandra said hurriedly into the silence that ensued, "the fresh country air in the summer is bound to bring a healthy glow to one's complexion—not that you do not have a healthy complexion, Miss Amberley! Or you, Lady Amberley!"
    " I am glad to know you think our complexions quite . . . healthy, Miss Hathaway," Lady Amberley said, her voice chilly. "Well, Sophia. I do believe I see Lady Stonebaugh a little farther along the road." She nodded her head to the marquess and barely glanced at Cassandra. "My lord, Miss . . . Hathaway. Good day to you both." She signaled to the coachman, and the barouche went forward.
    Cassandra 's heart sank. She looked down at her tightly closed hands, then flattened them on her lap. She must have insulted Lady Amberley and her daughter. She glanced at Lord Blytheland. He was not looking at her, but ahead as he slackened the reins, moving the horses forward. For a moment, a small smile played about his mouth and relief flowed into her. Perhaps she had not totally ruined this afternoon carriage ride, for he could not smile and be displeased at the same time.
    She felt half regretful and half relieved when they drove up to her family 's house once again. They had not spoken of much else except of the weather on the way back, and for this Cassandra was thankful. She had experimented a little by teasing him, to see how he would respond to it, and she felt she had done it quite successfully. But she had also blundered and was just as glad they had started talking of the weather, for she did not want to blunder again. The weather, at least, was a safe subject.
    When the carriage stopped. Lord Blytheland handed his reins to his tiger and stepped down to help her from her seat. This time, his eyes were cool as blue eyes were supposed to be, though his smile seemed just as wide as before. She wished, suddenly, that he looked warmly upon her as he had before the carriage ride, and despondency rose in her. It was, no doubt, because she had been so gauche during their carriage ride that he looked so coolly at her now. She was not at all sure now he 'd wish to see her again. Why should he? But how she wished he would!
    " Shall I see you at the Marchmont's ball, tomorrow?" Cassandra blurted. Lord Blytheland's brows rose, and her face grew warm. "That is I—never mind—I should not have—" She swallowed and looked away, then summoned up a smile. "I am very foolish, am I not? I never know what to say to people. Please excuse me." She stepped down from the carriage and gave him as cheery a smile as she could. "Thank you very much for a most delightful ride, my lord. Our conversation was quite delightful, and the weather was delight…" Her voice faltered. She gazed down at her hands clasped tight together, then turned quickly to the door of the house.
    " Miss Hathaway."
    Cassandra stopped, her hand on the