“Indeed, I am not. Althorne does not know I am here.”
“Oh.” Dear Lord, he hadtrulycome courting! Cassandra took a chair by the fireplace. She folded her hands in her lap, feeling very shabby indeed. What was the point of this man’s infatuation with her? She could no more be his duchess than she could be any man’s bride.
His Grace leaned forward in his seat. “I trust you’ll keep this secret between us, Miss Staunton.”
“Why should I?”
He smiled. “Because your sister Octavia would be cross, and Althorne would be hurt to learn I’d come all the way to Longstone and refused his hospitality.”
“If your conscience troubles you, Your Grace…if you believe your friends and my family should be hurt by your actions, then perhaps you ought not to be here.”
The duke sat back, draping a careless arm across the back of the sofa. “I am accustomed to doing what I like, madam. I am accustomed to getting what I want. Whilst I’ve the utmost respect for your sister, and Althorne is like a brother to me, their opinions do not trouble my conscience.”
“Then think ofmyconscience, for I never keep secrets from Octavia, and I should not wish to ruin His Lordship’s fondness for her.”
She stood.
He stood. “You will forgive me.”
A wise woman would turn him away, for no good could come from his visit. The Duke of Wadebridge was a selfish man. He wanted her for her looks, like all the other gentlemen who came before him. He cared little for her heart, her mind, or even her reputation.
He wished to possess her. Nothing more.
Cassandra opened her mouth to dismiss him, but at that very moment, Honoria decided to make her presence known. The youngest Staunton sister descended the stairs, putting on a great show.
The duke turned. “Miss Honoria.”
She curtseyed deeply, with all the grace and poise that Mama had blessed her young daughters with. She even lowered her eyes. “Your Grace. We are honored.”
“The honor is mine, I assure you.”
She smiled and Cassandra groaned, for Wadebridge was not going anywhere.
It would be rude to boot him now.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
He had an ally in the house, it seemed. Miss Honoria Staunton had chosen the perfect moment to interrupt their littletête-à-tête—a breath before her elder sister tossed him out. To ask him to leave now would’ve been unpardonably impolite.
Cassandra was a lady, and would never behave uncivilly.
He was a cad, and had no problem overstaying his welcome.
Miss Honoria invited him to sit. “It will take but a moment to refill the tea pot, Your Grace.”
Wade settled on the sofa once again, while Cassandra sank down onto her own armchair. The youngest Staunton sister slipped from the room to give them privacy. He heard her knocking ‘round the kitchen.
He smiled at Cassandra, who was doing her best to hide her annoyance. Her pretty face was a mask of calm, ladylike courtesy.
He recalled the deft way she had handled the Raines women. How she’d behaved at Simon’s table, despite being insulted at every turn.
Cassandra would make an admirable duchess. She would rule his dining rooms and his drawing rooms with a firm yet gentle hand.
Wade leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He liked being close to her. Indeed, he longed to touch her.
“I wager our secret is out.” He smiled.
She did not return his smile. “Whether we like it or not.”
