Page 66 of The Earl's Secret
He bestowed a smile on Cassandra at that.
“Would it be terrible to suggest that we take this up at a later date this summer?”
Everyone began to murmur among one another, but Cassandra alone seemed to note the trouble present on Gideon’s face. Her heart went out to her brother, for she knew, despite what he said, that he had put considerable faith in finding the treasure to restore the fortune that they had lost.
“It will not be a long wait, Gideon,” she said with forced optimism. “Just enough so that we are able to make a better plan.”
They were all silent for a moment as they considered it, until Lord Whitehall unexpectedly spoke again.
“I have a suggestion,” he said, and they all waited to see just what he might propose. “My mother is close friends with Lady Embury. Perhaps I could suggest a visit to Newfield Manor. There, I can begin to look at the two books and the clue, if you might permit me to borrow your copy, Ashford.”
“Of course,” Gideon said, his brows rising in surprise. “But do you have time to do so?”
The viscount shrugged. “My property isn’t far. I will return, convince my mother to organize the visit, and then I should be able to attend.” He turned to Hope and Faith. “Do you think it could be arranged?”
Hope’s mouth had dropped open in surprise, and she blinked a couple of times as though uncertain of what to say, but Faith nodded.
“Of course,” she said succinctly, and Cassandra supposed that it could work. Faith and Lord Whitehall were both efficient, if rather pessimistic people – she was sure they could see it through until they could all gather once more. “I shall speak to Mother on the morrow.”
“There is one thing to note,” Devon interjected. “You must be careful. We do not know with any certainty, but there is a chance that we were in some danger.”
He told the story as briefly as possible, even as Gideon frowned at him.
“It was likely a hunter who mistook you for an animal, but of course, it never hurts to take extra care,” Gideon said, standing and raising his glass. “Now, before we retire, one more toast to the happy couple.”
They all smiled, raised their glasses, and clinked them together. As Cassandra met Devon’s eye, she knew that, despite the lack of treasure and their inability to find what they had been looking for, she had discovered what truly mattered – this man before her, who had always been the other half of her heart.
* * *
The day had beenone to remember – as successful as it could have been, and one full of celebration. But still, Devon lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if sleep would ever come.
Which was why, when he heard the creak on the other side of his wall, he was instantly on edge – until his door opened a crack, and at the very first glimpse of the kid slipper that entered, his smile widened until he was fully grinning at the woman who slipped in through the door as though she was evading someone following her.
And perhaps she was.
“I don’t believe you are supposed to be here, my lady,” he said, laughter in his voice, and she let out a slight peep as she jumped, her hand coming to rest on her heart.
“You’re not supposed to be awake,” she said, before looking around, and then back at him, her gaze suddenly focused and direct, “however, this is exactly where I am supposed to be.”
She took a few steps before diving onto the bed next to him, and he wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer.
“On that,” he said, bringing his nose to touch hers, “I am in complete agreement.”
“The thing is,” she said, running her fingers over the side of his face, down his cheekbones to his lips, “we started something the other night, something that should have been finished in an entirely different way than it was. I know we will be together soon, but I am not an overly patient woman.”
“You don’t say.”
“Perhaps,” she said, her voice lowering to a whisper, her breath soft against his open collar, “we should return to where we were?”
She laced her fingers into his before lifting them and bringing them to the opening of her wrapper, taking their entwined hands and covering her breast with them.
“I think this is where we were,” she said, before leaning in and placing her lips against his.
“Not quite,” he couldn’t help but argue as his lips quirked upward. “I believe I had discovered bare flesh.”
He slid his hand across her wrapper, slipping it off her shoulders before her nightrail was up over her head, banished across the room as his fingers found her nipples and began to caress them while he kissed her again. Devon had to restrain himself from wanting too much too fast, as he did all he could to slow down, savour this – savour her – and take his time.
She pulled back for a moment, her eyes exploring his face before coming to rest on his mouth.
