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The Duke And I Twenty
When the Duke had left them alone in the drawing room, Jonathan slid his sister a wrathful glance. "It's amazing that I can still turn my head without having it fall into my lap, isn't it?"Cassy couldn't help a small, nervous giggle. "He terrifies me, too."Jonathan lifted a dark brow. "I saw a lot more than just terror in your eyes when you looked at him," he said bluntly. "Is that what you were trying to tell me earlier?"A hot flush stained her cheeks, but she couldn't deny it. "I suppose. Oh Jonathan! What shall I do?""For God's sake, don't let him know it! Don't you know his reputation, Cass?" He asked irritably. When she shook her head, he shrugged with exasperation. "I always thought the female of the species had access to juicy gossip. Look, my innocent sister, your precious Duke is known as 'Devil' Eastland in most circles.""Because he's so hateful?""Partly. No one dares to cross him, he's deadly with a sword and a pistol, and has been known to duel three men in one week a
The Duke And I Twenty-One
Jonathan was right. They were both thrown into a whirl of activity that left them little time to speak to one another. Jonathan had his studies, and Cassy continued the rigorous training from Miss Abigail, the petite, cheerful woman with a mind like a steel trap when it came to social functions and the peerage.As Cassy's chaperone, Miss Abigail rarely left her charge's side. She had been employed by the dowager duchess to fend off gossips before it became known that the infamous 'Devil' Eastland had acquired a young and very pretty girl as his ward. The woman's reputation was impeccable, her knowledge of manners unrivalled. She would mould Lady Trenton into the soul of propriety and fully intended that the American girl take the ton by storm. And best of all, as the duchess had foreseen, she knew how to use connections.Connections, Cassy was informed, were especially important. Her chaperone had been married to a charming man of consequence and wealth at one time and, upon his demise
The Duke And I Twenty-Two
None of the duchess's plan fit into Cassy's ideas. And now, there was her birthday fete the duchess's idea to launch her into 'polite society.' She'd hated the court presentation, and had no illusions about the stiff boredom of any other social gathering. Cassy wondered if she would even catch a glimpse of Eastland. He had pointedly avoided any of the few social functions his aunt had already arranged, but this was to be at his townhouse.It was her brother's birthday too, so at least he would be there, but still, it was hard to remember everything she'd been told. She'd practised and practised, and had finally come to the conclusion that common sense and good manners would have to suffice. If she erred, the world would not end, in spite of Miss Abigail's dire predictions.Fortunately, their birthday coincided with the height of the London season. That marvellous time that Miss Abigail spoke of in tones as reverent as those reserved for god and Kings."It will be an absolutely marvello
The Duke And I Twenty-Three
The Duke's London townhouse on fashionable Park Lane was four stories high, and had many elegant rooms available for what was commonly known as a "squeeze." Cassy saw immediately why it was referred to that way when she stood beside the dowager duchess to greet the guests who had been invited. Lilian didn't make it because she was sick, but she sent in a letter telling Cassy that something amazing was going to happen.The guest were divided into two classes, the curious, who had never been invited to a party given by the notorious "Devil" Eastland, and the highborn rakes who had. Those who "had" were faintly startled, then amused at the tameness of the dancing, drink and damsels provided. None of the fair Cyprians, as those ladies of the evening were euphemistically called, were present. Instead, only young ladies of birth and or breeding were present, a great many with their mamas, and the others with proper chaperones.Looking around the assemblage with a jaundiced eye, one fellow wa
The Duke And I Twenty-Four
Eastland was fuming with rage at Zack’s behaviour. He had no idea why he was angry at the interaction between his ward and his cousin. He hated that Cassy was free and all giggles with Zack, but not with him. Zack be damned!He looked at the room and still, no one had dared to approach Cassy without his approval. That made him smile a little."Robert," Eastland said to a young man nearby, "have you met my ward?""Levington?" the handsome young man asked, turning to the duke. "Yes, as I came in, the duchess introduced us, of course.""No, I meant his sister."A flush stained the young Viscount's features, and he gave a quick nod. "Of course, your grace. She was also introduced to me.""And what did you think of her?"Lord Robert Standen, viscount of Hartford hesitated. He did not know how to answer Eastland. If the question had concerned any other young lady, he might have replied in bawdy terms, knowing that Eastland was a man about town. But this concerned his ward and thus incurred a
The Duke And I Twenty-Five
But this certainly wasn't the time to think of that! She told herself sternly because he was pulling her onto the dance floor and signalling to the musicians to play a waltz. Vaguely aware of the interested gazes levelled at them through gold quizzing glasses and from beneath haughty brows, Cassy kept her gaze focused on Eastland's chest, not quite daring to lift her eyes to his handsome face.That seemed to amuse him, and he remarked lightly, "Do you have designs on my gold cravat pin, Lady Trenton?"Her gaze jerked up, hot and embarrassed, and she said tartly, "I don't have designs on any part of your person, I assure you!"He laughed softly, and the pressure of his arm around her back increased slightly. "How disappointing. Of course, I suppose that's only proper, as I will be your guardian for some time."Surprise lifted Cassy's brows, and her soft lips parted for a moment before she blurted out, "But that's not true! I mean, not for long! I will reach my majority soon.""No, I'm a
The Duke And I Twenty-Six
London__April, 1821Cassy was nervous. In just two months, she would reach her majority. Jonathan would be in charge of his own destiny, and they would both be out from under Eastland's thumb. That was all she ever wanted, to be away from the duke's clucthes.Pacing the floor of the spacious living room on the second floor of the elegant townhouse that had belonged to their grandfather, she kept glancing out of the window again and again. The duke was expected to call on them that afternoon to arrange the final stages of his guardianship. A tight knot hung in her throat. It had been almost two years since she'd had any close contact with him, and almost three since the night he'd kissed her on the veranda of his townhouse. The burning memory of that kissed had not faded with time, nor the sharp memories of her infatuation of him.Cassy flushed slightly. She'd grown much more mature than that green girl who had gazed at him with wide eyes and the lovesick expression of a puppy. Her man
The Duke And I Twenty-Seven
If anything, Cassy noted he'd grown even more handsome in the past few years. He'd just turned thirty, the dowager duchess had said, and "none of his excesses show the slightest bit on his face, the dog!"Cassy agreed. His dark-complexioned features were still as heart-stoppingly handsome as always, and his eyes were just as vivid a green. Jonathan had told her that the duke spent several hours a week at the boxing salon, and was known to be in excellent physical shape. Though his cutaway jacket ended at his lean waist and was buttoned over his chest, it was evident that he had no use for buckram padding as some of the other gentlemen were forced to use. Inexpressible, or skin-tight trousers, showed off his superbly muscled legs to perfection, and his movements were as graceful and predatory as she remembered them. Three years had hardly changed him at all.The years had, however, changed Cassy a great deal. Henry noticed it immediately and congratulated himself on his wise decision in
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The Duke And I 60.
April 25, 1822"Twins, your grace," the physician said, smiling wearily at the man sprawled in a chair in his study. "Boys. And healthy they are, bawling their lungs out."Henry stood up slowly, running a hand over the half grown stubble on his jaw. Twins? Boys?"How is my wife?" he asked after an instant of stunned silence."Very tired, as she's so small and it was a hard birth for her, but she's well. There seem to be no problems.""There better not be," Henry growled, fixing the doctor with an intent gaze. "You are to remain here until she has completely recovered. I've heard too many times about women who have died within a few days after a normal birth, and I won't have that happen to Cassandra.""But your grace, I have other patients who need me," the doctor protested. "Lady Auberly is nearly..."Henry wasn't listening. He strode across the room and out the door of his study, taking the stairs two at a time. He eased into Cassy's room, his eyes trying to adjust to the dim light.
The Duke And I 59.
"I love you so much. . . ."His kisses seared her flesh like glowing brands as his mouth moved around her lips. "You're the best thing to had ever happen to me," he murmured against her lips, before capturing them yet again in a searing kiss.It had never occurred to Cassy that he would want her to touch him as he touched her, and the knowledge was thrilling. She put her hands against his tanned chest, slowly spreading her fingers, amazed when her simple touch made his breath catch.Feeling as if her heart would break with the love bursting in it, Cassy answered him with a melting kiss. It was answer enough.Still holding her, he moved onto his side, then he combed his fingers through her rumpled, satiny hair and brushed a tender kiss against her temple. Cassy’s lashes fluttered up and he felt as if he would drown in the deep blue pools of her eyes."How do you feel?" she teased, smiling as she asked him the same question he had once asked her. With tender solemnity, he replied, "I f
The Duke And I 58.
Henry took her home that evening. Cassy smiled all the way back home, looking at him as though he would disappear from her sight. "What is it?" he asked, smiling at her. "Nothing," she replied. "I just want to look at you."His aunt was much too happy to see them returned, and she held Cassy for a bit longer than expected. Jonathan had a long talk with his sister the next day when he arrived, and for the first time since her marriage to Henry, he actually smiled at her husband. "Isn't she amazing?" Adeline asked as she stood beside him by the large hall, both of them gazing at Cassy adoringly as she spoke with the servants; Sheldon and Gabriel included. Ever since they came back, the atmosphere of the estate had changed to a cheerful chatter."She is," Henry agreed without a second thought, and he missed the smile that spread across Adeline's face. "I had no idea she would be this forgiving.""You think she has forgiven you?" Adeline asked swiftly, gazing up at his jade eyes filled
The Duke And I 57.
For a long while, Cassy simply stared at him. She could hardly believe that he was actually here, standing before her with his darkened eyes and his tousled hair. "May I come in?" he asked. Cassy stepped aside, knowing there was nothing she could do to stop him. The ruse was over; Zack must have told him where she was. The bastard! How could he betray her like this?Henry walked behind her slowly, unable to take his eyes of her. So she had been at Zack’s this entire time. Zack, who should have had the decency to inform him at once that his wife was hiding here. Zack, who had taken Catherine from him, had also succeeded in taking his wife this time. Fury lashed at his thoughts, but his murderous thoughts were halted immediately whenever he blinked and she came into his view. Cassy lead them into the drawing room she had just vacated with Colin. This time however, she didn’t sit. Neither did Henry. He stood at the doorway, watching her hungrily. He couldn’t soak in the sight of her en
The Duke And I 56.
"Colin?"His name was a whisper on her lips, too light and feathery to be real. It had been too long since she last said the name; too long since she last saw the rugged smile and those beautiful eyes staring down at her. "Colin." She said the name again, as if repeating it would make his presence more real. He looked different, and yet somehow the same. The familiarity hit her like a train, sending her world spinning off its axis. "May I come in?" he asked, a nonchalant smirk perched on the edge of his lips. "I hardly think this is the right spot for old friends to entertain each other.""Of course," she said breathlessly, stepping aside. "Forgive my manners. I’m just so surprised to see you here of all places.""I’m surprised to see you here as well," he said, passing the threshold and stepping into the hallway. "Hardwick never told me about you.""Well I only just came to stay with him a few months ago," she replied, leading him to the drawing room. She could feel his eyes on her
The Duke And I 55.
Jonathan growled as though he would punch Henry without hearing from him. He had a defensive stance, waiting for the best moment to strike."I have no idea," Henry began, his voice cold. "Perhaps you might know where I can find her, Levington?"Jonathan was seething with rage. "Now you see why I was so against the wedding!" he snapped angrily before punching Henry on the face.If Henry heard him, he gave no sign. His attention was on the door. He didn't bother to reply Jonathan, he didn't care how angry he was. He wanted to fight. It had been a long time since he'd felt this fierce urge to battle another man, but he did now. Few of the duels he'd engaged had been of his choosing and fewer still had he anticipated. Most of the time, he had simply refused to back down when pushed and had given his challenger every opportunity to gracefully extract himself from a fight.But now, Henry wanted a fight desperately. He wanted the satisfaction of clashing blades, not the more detached aiming o
The Duke And I 54
Cassy mounted one of the sedate.The raw pain had eased slightly and was duller now, more easily dealt with now that she wasn't expecting anything, now that she wasn't expecting him to follow her. She had given up already on their love.At first, nothing had helped, then for the past week, she had begun taking her life one day at a time, making it through the day and then congratulating herself for it, spending as much time with Zack as possible. Finally, she had begun taking pains with her appearance again and had begun wearing the new clothes that fit her fuller figure. Her breasts were larger, and her waist, though still small, was not as small as it had been. Her hips were fuller, too, swelling in a curve that would hardly be mistaken as boyish now. She had definitely matured, and pregnancy surely did agree with her.But what good did it do to her if Henry was so far away? And why did she miss him so much when it was obvious he did not miss her? He was with his mistresses, and she
The Duke And I 53
"Why wasn't I told?" Adeline seethed angrily. "Why do I have to find out when things are worse? Henry, do you any idea how helpful I might have been in looking for her?""I don't care to discuss it, Madam," he said coldly, causing her to shiver. "And I'll find my wife myself.""You don't feel it necessary now when she has left already? With a baby? Your baby?" Adeline injected a note of scorn in her voice that made Henry's eyes blaze with fury as she said, "You're a coward, Henry Blake, and I never thought that of you before.""You have no idea what you're talking about!""I most certainly do. You're afraid to admit that you love Cassandra, and you're afraid she doesn't love you back as much as you do. I can tell you that she does."Clasping his hands behind his back, Henry said in a biting tone, "I can tell you, madam, that you are quite mistaken in the matter. Not only does she not care for me; she hates me. If you don't believe me, ask her. I'm certain she will be as free with that
The Duke And I 52
As he held Rebecca in his hands and watched his wife leave, Henry quickly pushed Rebecca away from him. He had no idea why he had done it, no idea why he had felt the compelling urge to hug Rebecca and kiss her as soon as he saw her standing in his study.Maybe he was confused at the words she had said, maybe their argument last night had done that. Point is, he had only caught her in the hands of his cousin, and she was drunk, which meant he might have possibly only helped her like they both said. But now, she had caught him kissing another woman, right in their home.He had wanted to hurt her as much as he was hurting, but definitely not the type of hurt he had seen in her eyes when she saw him kissing Rebecca."Leave," he growled angrily at Rebecca, and Sheldon wasted no time in dragging her out, despite her pleading. He had been pained to have seen Cassy seeing the sinful act, but he couldn't move, nor did he have the slightest idea that she had left. Only Ellen did, and it happene
