Page 11 of The Earl's Secret
“I’m not sure, Cassandra,” Gideon said, shaking his head. “I don’t like the thought of you traipsing all over the estate by yourself, searching out a mysterious treasure from a bewildering clue.”
“What trouble could I possibly find in my own home?” she asked, splaying her hands out.
Even Devon would have considered that she had a fair point, although it wasn’t for him to interject and say so.
“Besides, I would have been doing it alone anyway. At least now, you will have an inkling of my actions and we can work together.”
Gideon drew a breath, and Devon could tell by the defeat on his face that he had decided to give in. “Fine,” he said. “You can help.”
A satisfied smile spread across Cassandra’s face, even though Devon was aware that she would have searched for the answer to the riddle whether or not Gideon had given his permission.
“There is just one thing,” Gideon continued. “Something that I was actually going to speak with you about this morning, Devon.”
Devon arched an eyebrow as he waited for his friend to continue.
“I know this is rather unfortunate timing, especially since we have just arrived. Trust me, I am not interested in making another journey so soon. However, I received a note this morning. There are some issues at one of our other properties nearby. It seems the steward has not been as diligent as he should have been, and I must go put all to rights. In fact, I might just sell the thing, we shall see, although I do not want to show any signs of weakness. I shouldn’t be long, but while I am gone, Devon, would you mind staying a short time and looking after Cassandra and Mother? I know it is much to ask as you have your own responsibilities to care for, but it would be of great help for a short time.”
Devon could feel Cassandra’s horrified gaze turn to first her brother and then to him.
“Oh, Gideon, we shall be fine,” she said hurriedly. “There is no need for Lord Covington to—”
“Of course,” Devon interjected, leaning forward in his seat, enjoying this turn of events, as much as he would miss his friend’s company. “I would be most happy to.”
This was becoming more interesting by the moment.
And he wasn’t going to waste his time alone with the lovely Lady Cassandra.
Oh no, he was going to prove to her once and for all that he was not the monster she considered him to be.
Just how he was going to do so was all that remained to be seen.
CHAPTER5
Cassandra left Gideon’s study slightly shaken. Stay alone at Castleton with Devon? Well, she supposed she wasn’tentirelyalone. Both of her parents were here, but it was not as though her mother would have any inkling about why Cassandra wouldn’t want to spend time with Devon, and she wasn’t about to tell her.
Of course, Cassandra could insist that she must be properly chaperoned at all times, but that would certainly raise suspicions, especially as Devon was seen as practically part of the family and Cassandra had always been more likely to circumvent her supervision.
She would just have to continue her search as best she could while avoiding him, she reasoned. What else was she supposed to do?
Before anything else, she would pay a visit to her father, she decided. She missed him, truly she did, although it was always rather daunting to visit as she was never entirely sure just who would be greeting her when she walked into his room – the man who loved her and would do anything for her, the man who was so deep in his own demons that he could barely acknowledge anyone was there, or the man who was thrilled to see her but thought she was someone else entirely?
She steeled her shoulders and placed her hand on the banister to begin walking upstairs when she sensed a presence behind her. She turned to find Gideon there.
“Why do we not go together?” he asked softly, and she nodded, grateful for her brother and the relationship they had developed over the past few years. He allowed her to lead but was a solid presence at her back.
They greeted their father’s valet at the door. In actual fact, he was part valet and part caretaker, and had forever been loyal to the family.
“Anderson,” Gideon said. “How are you?”
“I am well, my lord,” said the man who was roughly the same age as their father, although he appeared ten years younger. “It is good to see you.”
“It is good to be back, although I wish it were for longer. Hopefully, upon my return I can stay for a greater amount of time. How is Father?”
“He is the same as ever, for the most part,” Anderson said. “Today is a particularly good day, my lord, my lady. Your mother spent most of the morning with him, which, of course, raised his spirits dramatically, as it always does. I am sure he will be ever so pleased to see you.”
“Thank you, Anderson,” Cassandra said before they entered the room, which was as pleasant of a sick room one could ever come across.
The windows were open, allowing in the fresh spring air, the light curtains billowing with them, while the bed was turned so that their father could see outside. When the weather was mild, Anderson was keen to accompany him out of doors whenever possible.
