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The Duke And I Forty
Cassy waited anxiously for cards to be presented that would announce the identity of her guests and hoped that it was someone she liked. Lilian had promised to visit in her letter. She liked Lilian. Out of the dozens of young women she'd met in London, she was the only one who did not affect arrogant manners and snobbish ways. They had become friends for a time until Lilian had made a match and gone off with her new husband to tour America.But to Cassy's dismay, it was Robert. And he had brought along Zack, much to her surprise and vague uneasiness. Somehow, she knew that Henry would not be pleased to know that the viscount had been to his home in his absence."Henry is in London?" Robert asked with a slight lift of his brows. "How unfortunate. I had thought to find him at home. Well, I can present you with my felicitations, and perhaps have some of the Duke's excellent brandy. Oh, you do recall the duke's cousin, I am sure..."He seemed to expect Cassy to allow him to linger and she
The Duke And I Forty-One
"Are you certain you want to do that?" Adeline asked with an alarm in her eyes. "I think it ill-advised, at best."Pacing the floor of the rose drawing room in the dowager's home in London, Cassy snapped angrily, "Oh, I don't know. I'm not certain what I should do. I'd like to pull her hair out, or...or something equally vicious. But I suppose that would be rather drastic.""Going to Miss Whitefield's home is definitely not the thing, I would say." Adeline's voice held a sharp edge to it despite her amusement, and she gazed for a long moment at Cassy's high, flushed face and snapping blue eyes. "Besides, you're not even sure that the gossip is true."Turning to the Dowager, Cassy asked hopefully, "Have you heard anything?"Adeline shifted uneasily, then sighed and said in a grudging lone, "A little. But not, it seems, as much as you have. I haven't heard about Rebecca, for instance."Her shoulders stiffened, and her hands curled into small fists. "Then you have heard that he's keeping
The Duke And I Forty-Two
But waiting for Henry in his big canopied bed in the townhouse on park place, Cassy began to wonder if she had the same flair for "sensible choice" as Adeline obviously had. It didn't come easily to her. She wanted to fling her anger at him and tell him what she thought of him for seeing his actress again, then threaten to shoot him if he went to her again. Then she wanted him to take her in his arms and kiss her until she could think of nothing but his hard body and heated kisses.Hugging her knees, she sat up in the bed and watched as low light from candles placed on the mantel shed waving patterns on the deep green walls. She was wearing her prettiest nightgown, sewn of sheer material and caught up on her shoulders with a rosette on each side, then flowing down in a greek fashion, to swirl around her feet. In the light, a person could see right through it. What would Henry do when he saw her? Would he be pleased? Irritated? Surprised?When she finally heard his heavy tread in the ha
The Duke And I Fourty-Three
"You don't look very happy," Lady Theresa said bluntly, and Cassy shrugged."I am. Or at least, I was when we were in the country," she amended honestly."I don't think London is very conducive to happy marriages some of the time," Theresa said. Her pertface was thoughtful, and her blond curls danced merrily as she came to sit on the couch close to Cassy. "I understand Robert is a gossipy fool. And I happen to know that you and Zack did nothing out of the way." She smiled at Cassy's surprise. "Men can be foolish, don't you think?""No more foolish than women at times," Cassy muttered. "I should never have allowed them to stay without Henry at home." Or have allowed myself to fall in love with a man who has lost the capacity for emotions..."Nonsense!" Theresa said strongly. "There's nothing at all wrong with entertaining visitors, and it's not as if you received Zack alone in your bedroom!"A reluctant smile curved her lips, and Cassy managed a light shrug. "No, I suppose there isn't."
The Duke And I 44.
"Don't be so nervous," Theresa said with a decisive nod. She flicked a glance around the quiet, secluded courtyard of the staple inn, where they sat after a brisk morning shopping. "I knew you would be fretting like this. That's why I came and dragged you along with me. Aren't you glad?"Cassy managed a fretful smile. "I think so. I'm not sure. I'm not sure of anything. Theresa, are you absolutely certain we're doing the right thing? I mean, Henry has been so grim lately, and will hardly talk to me at all.""He'll get over it sooner or later," Theresa predicted. "And he won't be mean to you in public, because he won't want anyone to know there are any problems in his domestic life. It was like that after his mother..." She stopped and cast a quick glance at Cassy."Oh, I already know about his parents and Zack and his first love," Cassy said. "Someone finally told me.""You'd better not allow him to find out you know. He's quite savage on those subjects. Of course, now that he's marrie
The Duke And I 45.
"Cassy!" Theresa hissed, and came to her quickly, giving her a brutal pinch on her arm."Ow!" Cassy muttered and tried to stand up straighter, propping her shoulders against the wall and half leaning on Theresa. She hiccoughed again and dissolved into laughter, barely hearing her friend's soft groan of dismay.Almost whimpering at the fierce scowl on the duke's face, Theresa offered a weak, "We, uh, had a glass of claret, your grace."Cassy looked up, her smile quickly fading as it hit her that Henry was there and he was furious. His tall frame blotted out the light from behind, and it seemed suddenly too dark and shadowy in the alleyway."So, Zack," she heard Henry said lightly, "I see that you are once more with my wife. Getting to be a damnably dangerous habit for you, I'd say.""Henry," Zack began but stopped when the duke approached with a lazily graceful stride that looked more intimidating than it did casual. He stiffened and slid a glance toward Cassy as he stepped away from he
The Duke And I 46.
"Hold your head up and smile woman," Henry growled when Cassy hung back at the top of the steps leading to Theresa's imposing home. His hand gripped her wrist so tightly she almost gasped, and she felt like jerking away and fleeing back down the steps to the waiting carriage. There was a long line of carriages in the street outside her home; it was obvious the ton had gathered to see how Henry's duchess would juggle both her lover and her furious husband.Gaslights burned brightly, adding to the sooty air that hung over the city, casting hazy shadows in the gloom. The lights on the elegant coaches and carriages shimmered like earthbound fireflies, and the streets were alive with the glitter of jewels and the shimmer of fine garments.If not for the cold dread in the pit of her stomach, Cassy might have enjoyed the sight of London finery. As it was, she felt only a shivering apprehension at Henry's cold rage and implacable face. They'd ridden from the townhouse on Park lane to Theresa's
The Duke And I 47.
"Did you ever stop to think that perhaps I might want to talk to someone who at least pretends to like me?" Cassy countered, her eyes clashing with Henry's. "Zack has never said or done anything out of the way, and when I talk to him, I don't have to watch every word I say!""That's because he doesn't care who is in your bed. I do," Henry grated furiously, glaring back at her over the rim of his brandy snifter.The ride back from Theresa's ball had been just as quiet as the ride there and Henry had given Cassy no opportunity to evade him as he'd propelled her up the stairs and into his bed-chamber. Now, he stood watching her like a hungry predator, his eyes as green and narrowed and watchful as a panther's.Shifting uneasily, Cassy edged toward the door connecting their bedchambers, well aware that he was watching her with a coolly lifted brow. "I don't suppose," she said when he remained across the room, "that it would do me any good to care whose bed you slept in?" She refused to all
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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
