Page 27 of The Earl's Secret
“Cassandra, I am so glad that you are feeling better,” the duchess said once they were seated around the table. The duke was not present tonight, his valet informing them that he was not himself, which meant he was likely having an episode of some sort.
“Thank you, Mother,” she said with a nod, her eyes everywhere but on Devon, as though she couldn’t look at him, afraid that she would give something of herself away.
“I do have some exciting news,” the duchess continued. “We received an invitation today. The Newfields are hosting a party in two days’ time. They have invited us to attend.”
“Would they not have just arrived in the country?” Cassandra asked, surprise on her face, which made sense as Devon knew she was close to Hope and Faith, daughters of Lord Embury
“You know Lady Embury,” the duchess said. “She likes everyone to know where she is and how well they are doing. I’m sure the servants have been preparing this event for ages. She is calling it the opening of the summer season.”
“Well, despite the surprise, I am looking forward to seeing Hope and Faith,” Cassandra said. “While they are too far away for regular visits, at least we can have these few events.”
“How far is the travel?” Devon asked, and the duchess looked at him in surprise as though she had forgotten he was there.
“A half-day’s journey,” she said. “We shall stay overnight and return the next day.”
“Very well,” Devon said, considering that it wouldn’t take too much time away from their search – which had stalled as it was.
He felt Cassandra’s gaze on him then and turned to look at her, but she quickly jerked her head away.
“Will you accompany us, then, Lord Covington?” the duchess asked, to which he gave a quick nod. He did usually enjoy such events, but the truth was that his interest in attending stemmed more so from the fact that he had no desire to leave Cassandra – especially when she would find herself in the company of other young men.
“Of course,” he said with a wide smile, one he turned and directed at Cassandra – whether she wanted it or not. “I look forward to escorting the two of you.”
“We do appreciate it,” the duchess said. “It is lovely to have you around, especially with Gideon away.”
There was a look on her face that told him she still wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing there, but he appreciated that she hadn’t asked too many questions.
Whether she’d have some when he made it clear that he was intent on having Cassandra’s hand, he wasn’t sure.
But until then, he would play the part.
And, he thought with some amusement as he sent a wink Cassandra’s way, he would enjoy himself while he did so.
CHAPTER11
Cassandra knew she should have spent the past few days searching for the treasure or trying to make some sense of the riddle, but instead she had become rather engrossed in the latest novel she and her friends were reading – and, she could admit, she knew hiding away was the very best way to avoid Devon.
She had become rather adept at it over the years, although it was slightly more difficult when he was sleeping within the same house as she was. At this particular moment, however, she had no choice but to acknowledge him, trapped as they were within the carriage. Of course, having her mother within helped diffuse any tension or temptation that otherwise would surely have been present.
They spoke of everything and nothing on the journey to Newfield Manor, until about an hour away, Cassandra’s mother fell asleep. Cassandra kept her eyes fixed outside the window, even as she could feel Devon’s gaze upon her.
“Is your plan to simply avoid me forever?” His deep voice finally cut through her thoughts, and she turned her head sharply toward him.
“I am not avoiding you.”
He lifted one of his generous brows, that intense gaze causing a quiver deep in her belly.
“Cassandra. There were two things I would never have thought you could become – a liar or a coward.”
She sat up straight at that. “Excuse me! I am neither of those things.”
“Except that you are certainly acting like both.”
Deep within, she knew he was right. She typically met every challenge head on, unafraid to back down or show any fear. The problem with Devon was that it wasn’t the man she couldn’t handle – it was her own feelings toward him.
She glanced toward her mother, who appeared to be sound asleep, although Cassandra couldn’t be entirely certain that she wasn’t listening to their conversation.
“We shouldn’t speak of this now,” she whispered, which appeared to amuse Devon even further.
