Certainly not him.
So, yes. This strange calmness which had settled over his shoulders, despite not knowing where Matthew was, was all thanks to Athena and the way her cheek was pressed against his back as the gelding galloped for Dumpkins.
He was aduke, for God’s sake, not some stable lad! He wasn’t supposed to run pell-mell across the land, especially with a lady—an earl’s daughter specifically—perched behind him wearing naught but a walking gown!
But on the other hand, he wasn’t supposed to take time each day to go swimming with his heir and the woman who made him feel happy.
And he damn well wasn’t supposed to fall in love with her.
But Cash was smart enough—and brave enough—to admit that’s exactly what had happened.
He’d gone and fallen in love with Lady Athena Oliphant, and her adorable, invigorating,frustratingson.
Instead of alarm, the acceptance—because it was a conclusion he’d been working toward over the last few days, ever since she’d left him alone in the garden last Friday eve—settled around him like a warm cloak, as comforting as her arms.
He loved Athena.
He loved her freedom, her informality, herjoy. He loved the way she lived her life unapologetically, and he wanted to do that too, not just with her, but he wanted to bepartof the life she lived. He wanted her in his bed, aye, but more than that.
He wanted to sit across from her at breakfast and argue about the latest edition of theTimes. He wanted her on his arm, shocking all of Society with her outspoken support of worthy causes. He wanted her in his arms as they took their lads swimming and fishing and riding, and all the things normal, non-ducal fathers did with their children.
He wanted her to remind him how to beCash, the man, instead of Cashard, the duke.
But not Adolphus.
The thought had him smiling as he pulled the gelding to a stop in front of the portico at Dumpkins Manor, and when he swung her down, she noticed.
Her brow twitched upward. “Ye are looking pleased?”
He didn’t release her hand. “I’ve come to a rather important realization.”
Her expression softened, and she squeezed his hand. “That we will find the lads? We will, ye ken. They are safe.”
Her certainty made him accept this, even without knowing where Matthew and Callan were.
“You’re right,” he murmured as he tugged her up the front steps. “They’re in here somewhere. I’m just sorry…”
“What?” she prompted when he trailed off.
He pulled her to a stop before the grand entrance and exhaled as he tilted his head back to stare up at the grand edifice, built to be imposing.
“This isn’t how I’d imagined showing you my suite of rooms at Dumpkins,” he said softly, his lips quirking ruefully.
“Och, aye? So ye hadplans?”
“Athena,” he sighed, finally meeting her eyes, “I had all sorts of plans.”
“I remember.”
I was going to ask you to be my mistress.
I would have agreed.
The words hammered in his memory, as they had so often over the last days. At first, he’d been certain her response had been the reasonwhyhe couldn’t form any further connection with her. But now he was beginning to realize the challenge in those words—I would have agreed—were what made him love her.
Society would consider her the wrong kind of duchess.
But he didn’t give a fig.
