“And Lady Isabella?” another asked, seemingly innocently.
Isabella nearly choked, and had it not been for the hand that had already been placed against her mouth, she would have gasped.
“What about her?” He asked briskly and almost too sharply.
Keep your cool, Cassian, please, for both our sakes.
“She has also disappeared,” one of the ladies continued.
“We simply thought that perhaps?—”
“No,” Cassian interrupted smoothly, annoyance sharpening his words like ice. “I have not seen her. And I do not care for wanton accusations under my own roof.”
The ladies hesitated. Isabella could practically hear their suspicious frowns.
“Are you certain, Your Grace?” The first lady spoke up again.
Cassian’s voice dropped to a dangerously low register. “I open my doors to you, despite having reasons why I shouldn’t, and yetyou make such presumptions? Questioning me and my authority as a duke?” His voice dripped with disdain, emphasizing every word that he spoke.
“Oh no, forgive us, Your Grace. It wasn’t our intention to disrespect you. We simply asked out of concern for her,” the woman faltered.
There were more footsteps, more whispers, then silence.
Lady Kendrick exhaled, shoulders slumping with visible relief.
“Good Lord,” she muttered while shaking her head.
Isabella’s hand moved to the door, her heart still hammering madly. She turned the handle as slowly as she dared and eased it open.
Cassian stood mere steps away in the corridor. He turned instantly toward her, and the expression in his eyes worried her.
What is he thinking?
His dark, burning, and unreadable eyes locked onto hers, and Isabella felt her breath cease as though he had reached into her chest and stolen it.
Lady Kendrick cleared her throat sharply behind her, but Cassian didn’t seem to hear. Instead, he took one deliberate step towards Isabella.
Then another until he stood directly before her. “Marry me.”
Lady Kendrick froze directly behind her, and Isabella could feel her eyes widening even if she was not looking at her. “Finally,” she whispered under her breath.
Isabella’s lips parted soundlessly. “I beg your pardon?” she breathed, her body stiffening from shock.
Cassian’s jaw flexed. “You heard me.”
She stared at him, stunned. “You cannot be serious.”
“I am.” His voice was calm and steady.
“But—but why—?” She stammered.
He cut her off. “People are whispering already. According to my grandmother, half the ballroom has noted our absence. Then I had to tell those meddling harpies I hadn’t seen you.” He took a slow breath, his voice deepening. “They did not believe me.”
Isabella felt her pulse spike.
“And because of that,” Cassian continued, eyes locked on hers, “I will not let our encounter ruin your reputation.”
His voice dropped to something low and fierce.
