Cassandra almost smiled at the irony. Talk was already making its way through theton, and there would be no quietening it. The Duke’s eyes did not leave her from the moment he walked into the room, and his eyes on her made her shrink away beneath him. She was not intimidated, not quite, but there was no denying the tremendous power that he held over her.
“Dearest,” the Dowager said softly, “tell these people that you will not be marrying their daughter. It is not your burden to bear.”
“Yes, I know that you believe that, but you know how I feel about all of this. I am the one that followed her into the library, and so I am every bit as culpable.”
Cassandra stilled. For the first time, she had witnessed a man accept his own responsibility, and it was the one time that she did not truly want him to.
“But George–”
“It is already settled. I have informed the parish priest of the wedding, and it is to take place in less than two weeks at the parish church near our country estate. I told you, this is for me to settle.”
“But—”
“Not now, Grandmother. I do not wish to quarrel when we have guests.”
“We do not have guests, we have intruders.”
“Do not tell me what is happening in my home,” he said firmly, and the old lady silenced herself.
Cassandra stiffened at his sudden change in tone. He had spoken to her so gently, but he had quickly changed his mind once provoked. Even so, he did not appear to be at all perturbed by what she had been saying, and if it were not for his tone she would not have thought that he was affected at all.
She could not keep her eyes off of him. It was aggravating, but he had such a commanding presence that she was drawn to him in the same way that she assumed countless ladies were.
“Now,” he continued, “you may all argue among yourselves, but I have done what was necessary for today. If you will excuse me, my sister debuted last night, and after spending time in my study making arrangements, I should like to speak to her about it.”
Cassandra’s heart ached at the knowledge that his sister had not been able to attend her first ball without trouble, and it was her fault. It was clear that the Dowager thought she had been deliberate in what had happened, but she knew that the Duke had to know better. After all, she had told him that she wanted to leave, and that they could not be seen together.
Then again, he did not seem too pleased with her, either. He walked away without another word, and as the older people started their argument again, she knew that she could not stand to be around it a moment longer. Instead, she wanted to ensure that the Duke knew her intentions were pure, and to apologize to his sister for ruining her night, and so that was what she was going to do.
Therefore, she followed the Duke to his study, and hoped that he would not then close the door in her face.
Chapter Five
George knew how the world worked: a man might be called a rake, but a young lady would be ruined. Seeing Lady Cassandra standing there, forced to shoulder the crushing weight of theton’sjudgment alone, made his blood boil with an intensity he hadn’t expected.
They were both trapped, but the burden was his to carry. He had watched her flee the ballroom; he had watched Lashton follow her like a wolf on a scent. He’d told himself he was merely preventing a scandal, but the truth was more unsettling; he simply couldn't bear the thought of anyone else touching her.
She had been foolish to seek the darkness alone, but he had been the one to follow her into it. He could have let her be caught with Lashton and remained a clean, uninvolved spectator. Instead, he had chosen to intervene. He had chosen to be her protector, and that choice had led them straight into this cage.
When he awoke to his grandmother scowling at him and handing him a scandal sheet, he knew that it was just as bad as he had anticipated.
Lady Cassandra Burrow has at last gotten what she has always wanted. She has ruined herself, meaning that she does not need to marry. Is it truly her choice, or is it that nobody has ever wanted her and she is saving face? We may never know, but what I can tell you is that there is no saving her from this.
What is unfortunate is that she has had to bring down the Duke of Sherton with her. A new duke often has many trials to overcome, but that does not typically extend to making such an impossible choice. Will he leave her to ruin, or will he do the respectable and responsible thing and save her? One thing that will sway his decision, this author supposes, is what he thinks of her sizable dowry.
It is your move now, Your Grace.
She had a pretty name, at least.
In spite of all that he had expected, however, he had not anticipated that Lady Cassandra would follow him to his study. He felt her standing behind him, and turned in surprise.
“Lady Cassandra, I intended to do some work, and–”
“I believe there are more pressing matters, do you not agree?” she pointed out. “I am not here to cause trouble, only to talk.Besides, if I must listen to another word of what is happening downstairs, I shall be so infuriated that you will not be able to work over the sound of what I would have to say.”
He did not doubt that, and so he let her in at once. He sat at his desk, and she sat across from him, looking around the room. He was not surprised, because he did have a beautiful study; dark green walls and heavy furniture, but with his curtains open to let in sunlight.
“I cannot apologize enough,” she began. “I did not intend for any of this to happen.”
