Page 60 of The Wicked Duke's Convenient Bride
“Perfect,” Bridgette said. “What do you think, Tabby?”
“I agree,” she said. “You will be the envy of all the ladies of the ton.”
Bridgette’s face brightened. “Oh, I like making other women envious,” she said.
Tabitha knew that her friend was purposefully exaggerating her vanity, hoping to draw a laugh. Although Tabitha could not quite manage that, she smiled, nonetheless.
“I will make the adjustments at once and have the garment delivered to the country before you leave,” the modiste said.
“That will be wonderful. Thank you.”
Bridgette stepped into another room to remove the gown, the modiste following to ensure that none of the carefully placed pins were disturbed in the process. The door to the modiste opened, and Tabitha turned to look at the new customer. A lump lodged in her throat, and her pulse jumped as Cassius entered. More startling than his presence was his appearance. A mottling of bruises stretched over Cassius’s nose and across his jaw. Tabitha remembered the sight of her husband’s torn knuckles. Had Matthew been responsible for those injuries?
“Tabby Cat,” Cassius said. “I am so pleased to see you.”
Tabitha glanced behind her. If she screamed, Bridgette and the modiste would hear. “You should not be here,” Tabitha said. “Matthew will not like you being around me, and I have nothing more to say to you. I am a married woman and a faithful wife.”
“Even with Her Grace’s return?” Cassius asked. “Surely, that has changed something for you.”
Tabitha inwardly flinched. “How did you know about that?”
Cassius sighed. “When I was younger and far more foolish, I agreed to help Rosemary escape him. I was a man in love and believed that she felt the same for me. Alas, she did not. I did not know true love until I met you, though. You are the woman I really want and have always wanted. Why not fight His Grace for some portion of his fortune? Then, when you have money, we can run away together. We can be lovers like we always planned.”
Tabitha stared at him, trying to find some semblance of charm in Cassius. There was none. She could not decide if she had only imagined him charming or if it was merely that his charms, as they were, no longer affected her. “I cannot run away with you,” she said, “and I do not wish to. If I cannot be with Matthew, I do not wish to be with anyone!”
“That is foolishness, Tabitha!” he exclaimed. “Has he said something to convince you that I am a monster? I can assure you that whatever he said is not possibly true.”
“He has said nothing to me that I did not already know.”
He seized her arm, and Tabitha pulled back, trying to break his grip. “I will scream—”
Cassius pushed her against the wall, and pain jolted up her spine. He pressed close to her as if he intended to kiss her. Tabitha pulled against him, trying to free herself.
“Let go!” Tabitha shouted. “Bridgette!”
He forced his lips against hers, and she turned her head. Tabitha’s stomach lurched as he tried to find her mouth once more. She heard the thundering of horse hooves followed by the door crashing open. Suddenly, Cassius’s weight vanished. Tabitha gasped for air, pressing herself tightly against the wall as Cassius fell to the floor. Matthew placed himself between Tabitha and Cassius, towering over the fallen man.
Just then, Bridgette and the modiste emerged from the back. Bridgette gasped, and the modiste let out a shout of surprise. The door opened again, and Lady Miriam edged against the wall, her eyes wide.
“Did he hurt you?” Matthew asked without looking at her.
“No,” Tabitha replied. “No, you arrived at just the right time.”
Matthew curled his hands into fists. “I thought I made myself clear. You were to stay away from Tabitha.”
Cassius stumbled to his feet, taking an awkward step back. “You cannot make demands of me! You may be a duke, but I am of the ton, too. How do you think everyone will feel at having witnessed such disgraceful behaviour from you?”
“My disgrace?” Matthew asked, laughing darkly. “What about you? I have made it clear that I do not appreciate you harassing my wife. I suggest that you leave her be and never approach me again.”
“Or what? You will punch me again?” Cassius asked, smirking. “Do you see who you have married, Tabby Cat? A brute who beats other men when they say something remotely disagreeable! Is that who you wish to be wed to?”
Tabitha clenched her jaw. She did not know what Cassius hoped to gain with this strategy, for nothing he could say would make her prefer him to Matthew, who had swooped in like some romantic hero and flung Cassius away from her. Tabitha’s heart lodged in her throat.
She scarcely dared to breathe, her hopes running rampant. He was here for her—not for the Duchess of Hillsburgh. But why was he there for her? Surely, he had not come all this way just to tell her that he had decided to annul their marriage and remain with Her Grace, had he?
“Is it?” Cassius demanded.
Tabitha sensed everyone looking at her, and while she might have otherwise felt embarrassed or anxious, she did not at that moment. Instead, she kept her head high and her eyes fixed firmly on Cassius’s bruised face. “Yes, he is,” she said. “I agree with him. I do not wish to see you, and it would be best for you if you would leave us be.”
