Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels, #6)

by Lisa Kleypas

Most people would have agreed that Hampshire, with its green hills, lush woodland, and sparkling chalk streams, was one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth. In general, however, the only thing Tom liked to do with nature was cover it with roads, bridges, and railway tracks.

“Wh-what would you call a middle-aged lady who’s never married?” “A woman with standards?” West suggested.

“I’ll be your oyster,” Tom broke in.

“I’ll marry you,” Tom told her. “Any time. Any terms.”

“You’re not too plump,” he said gruffly. “The more of you there is in the world, the better.”

Tom was perplexed and impatient. “What’s the point of having someone’s trust if you won’t use it against them?”

West groaned and shook his head. “I might feel sorry for you, Tom, if you weren’t such a selfish arse. I’ve seen you like this before, and I already know where it will lead. This is why you own more houses than you can live in, more horses than you can ride and more paintings than you have walls. For you, disappointment is inevitable. As soon as you obtain the object of your desire, it loses its power to enchant you. Knowing that, do you think Devon or I would ever allow you to court Cassandra?”

“But life is what novels are about. A novel can contain more truth than a thousand newspaper articles or scientific papers. It can make you imagine, just for a little while, that you’re someone else—and then you understand more about people who are different from you.”

“Haven’t you ever liked someone or something right away, without knowing exactly why, but feeling sure you would discover the reasons later?”

“I hope your dream comes true, my lady. But if it doesn’t, I could offer you some very satisfying substitutes.” “Not if your heart is frozen,” Cassandra said. Mr. Severin grinned at that, and made no reply. But as they neared the last step, she heard his reflective, almost puzzled murmur. “Actually . . . I think it just thawed a little.”

But unfortunately, true love never seemed to happen to someone who was looking for it. Love was a prankster, preferring to sneak up on people who were busy doing other things.

“There’s nothing wrong about not knowing something. The stupid people are the ones who think they know everything.”

“The way I proposed to you earlier . . . I’m sorry. It was . . . disrespectful. Stupid. Since then I’ve discovered at least a dozen reasons for proposing to you, and beauty is the least of them.”

The things that help us climb to the top are the same things that keep us from enjoying it once we’re there.”

“According to basic geometry, one kiss could change your life.”

“Perfection is impossible. Most mathematical truths can’t be proved. The vast majority of mathematical relations can’t be known. But you . . . standing here in your bare feet in that dress . . . you’re perfect.”

Had Tom been capable of falling in love, he would have right there and then, as he watched Lady Cassandra Ravenel serenade a ragamuffin while cutting his hair. She was so capable and clever and adorable, it made his chest ache with a hot pressure that threatened to fracture something.

“You bought an entire newspaper business . . . for my sake?”

“There are no limits to what I would do for you.”

corner of Cassandra’s mouth curled with reluctant amusement. “You’re trying to appear as harmless as a lamb. But we both know you’re not.” “I have lamblike moments,” Tom said. At her dubious glance, he insisted, “I’m having one right now. I’m one hundred percent lamb.”

“Your body isn’t an ornament designed for other people’s pleasure. It belongs to you alone. You’re magnificent just as you are. Whether you lose weight or gain more, you’ll still be magnificent. Have a cake if you want one.”

She gave him a reproachful glance. “I thought you liked him.” “I do, absolutely. He occupies a high place on the list of things I don’t respect myself for liking, right between street food and filthy drinking songs.”