Page 14 of The Earl's Secret
“Oh, believe me, Cassandra, I would never confuse that.”
Heat stole up her cheeks at what he was insinuating, and she stiffened her shoulders.
“I am walking away now. Please let me alone.”
Did he actually look disappointed? Upset?
“Very well,” he said, setting his chin. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”
“I can assure you that I won’t.”
CHAPTER6
Devon watched Cassandra walk away from him, her head held high, back as regally straight as any queen.
And wondered again just what had turned her into this jaded woman. It couldn’t have been him… could it? What had she meant when she had said that there wereotherconsequences? She had confirmed there was no baby, it being her sole response to him after it all had occurred those few years ago. They would have had no choice but to marry then, of course, despite her objections. Yes, they had both been rather young, but he had been a man in love, even though he realized much later it was more likely infatuation.
Perhaps Gideon could shed some light on the subject, though Devon would have to dance around just why he was interested in such a topic. He still had to speak with Gideon before he departed.
When he turned around to find him, however, he nearly walked right into another person.
“Your Grace,” he said, bowing before the duchess, and she smiled as she regarded him.
“Lord Covington, it is lovely to have you here. I trust you are comfortable?”
“Of course,” he said, noting how similar the exchange was to that with Gideon. He had a feeling both mother and son were rather worried about how their home would be regarded with their inability to do much upkeep besides the necessities. “I always feel very welcome at Castleton.”
“I am glad to hear it,” she said. “We have done all we can to make it home.”
A flash of sadness passed over her face, one that he well understood. The duke and duchess had been a love match. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like for her to have the person she loved be so close, so present, yet so far as well.
“I am glad to hear that you have chosen to stay on with us even as Gideon has been called away,” she continued. “I am sure he will be back shortly, and in the meantime, Cassandra will be happy for the company. You have always been like family to us.”
He nodded stiffly at her words, which contained far more meaning to him than she ever could have imagined.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” he said, before he continued on his way to find Gideon, hoping he still had time to speak to him before he left.
He did appreciate the duchess’ kind words. Devon had lost his father just over a year prior. While his mother had never been particularly warm to her children, he always found a duchess who actually spent time with her family to be an anomaly that he enjoyed.
After searching more than a few rooms for Gideon, he asked the passing housekeeper of his whereabouts and she suggested that he could be found in the stables. Devon dashed out, surprised to find that his friend was already preparing to depart.
“Leaving so soon?” Devon asked, and Gideon turned to him, nodding.
“I am hoping that if I leave now, I can reach the estate before nightfall. Then, I should be able to take care of my business and return shortly.”
“Take your time. All will be fine here,” Devon assured him.
“I appreciate that, but even so, I am looking forward to returning and helping in the ,” Gideon said with a self-deprecating smile. “This is the most exciting thing that has happened to me in some time.”
“That, I can understand,” Devon said. “I wanted to ask, if you had remained here to search, where would you begin?”
Gideon cocked his head to the side as he considered it. “I would say the gardens. I know Cassandra believes the servants’ quarters is the place to start, but I think she’s wrong. It is too sparse, and the staff change over too often for a treasure not to be noticed. It would have been discovered by now. The gardens it is, in my opinion. It would be easy to hide something within them, and there are so many permanent statues and ornamental pieces, if you search there, you might turn up something.”
“I shall do my best.”
“Do not forget to at least keep up the pretense of including Cassandra,” Gideon added. “It would be better that you keep her close than have her traipsing around by herself. You know the trouble she gets herself into.”
“I do indeed.”
