Page 51 of The Earl's Secret
“Just like right now,” he said, and Cassandra took a chance, rising from the small desk where she had been writing to walk toward him.
“Perhaps I should just—”
“Cassandra?” The door flew open to reveal Gideon standing there. “Ah, Devon, there you are as well. I was looking for you.”
Disappointment at the interruption filled her, but she continued walking back to the desk, as though she had already been on her way there.
“Gideon, it is good to see you. I was—actually, I was just about to tell Devon that I have heard back from our aunt.”
“About the jewels?”
“Yes. She said she does have them in her possession – and that her mother gave them to her. So they are not the treasure we are looking for, unfortunately.”
“I do not suppose she is interested in selling them for us?” Gideon asked, only half in jest, and Cassandra eyed him with a look.
“I know. We are not begging from our aunt. Is that all?”
“Not quite. I have the invitations prepared,” she said, holding them out to Gideon. “Do you approve?”
“Of course,” he said, before tilting his head toward the doorway. “And thank you. Shall we go?”
Devon nodded, although as he stood, he looked up and met Cassandra’s eye, his gaze saying much more than his words ever could.
It was a promise. A promise that someday, Gideon wouldn’t be interrupting them, but would understand why they were spending this time together – and that he would have no choice but to allow it.
She just wasn’t sure when that day should be.
CHAPTER20
Time seemed to inch along over the next week. Devon wished that he could openly display his affection for Cassandra, as he was finding it difficult to spend meals with her, sit with her in the drawing room, pass her in the corridors, and have to pretend that he was entirely unaffected by her presence.
He had thought keeping their affections secret would allow them more unquestioned time together, but the truth was, it was nearly impossible to be alone, for every time they were in the same room together, it seemed as though her mother or Gideon found them. Today, the rest of their party was scheduled to arrive, and while it would seem that would make any potential opportunity completely disappear, Devon wondered if it would perhaps allow them to hide within the chaos.
He could but hope.
For he missed her – desperately. Even though she was there with him all the time, he longed to hold her, to touch her, to wrap his arms around her, to tell her how he was feeling about her.
It was damned irritating that he could think of almost nothing else, but his mind wasn’t giving him any choice.
“It looks like the first carriage is arriving,” Gideon said from beside him as they took afternoon tea together, along with Cassandra, who sat just out of reach, as always. “Who do you suppose it will be?”
“Hope and Faith,” Cassandra said, looking out beyond. “They are closest, and that looks like their family crest upon the carriage.”
“Will their mother have accompanied them?” Gideon asked, to which Cassandra nodded.
“I would assume so,” she said. “Besides, she will be quite interested to see the current state of Castleton for herself.”
Gideon cringed. “Mother will not be pleased.”
“No,” Cassandra said, shaking her head. “But we are not going to spend the rest of our lives in hiding because we are ashamed.”
Devon knew she was likely referring to far more than just Castleton, but he couldn’t help the swell of pride in his chest at her words. Her confidence was one of the things he admired the very most about her.
“I shall go welcome them,” she said, standing, and when they rose with her, she lifted a hand. “Stay. I’m sure there will be many more carriages to greet in due time.”
She was right, as the rest of the day was like a parade, with one guest after another arriving. Devon didn’t miss the looks of concern on the faces of the servants, and when he saw the duchess greeting visitors in the foyer, she seemed nearly beside herself.
“All will be well, Mother,” he heard Cassandra murmur to her. “We shall have a wonderful time, and everyone loves Castleton.”
