The Duke's Dilemma (The Wolf Deceivers Series Book 2) by Elaine Manders

Author:Elaine Manders [Manders, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, The Wolf Deceivers Series, Mystery & Suspense
ISBN: 9780996922852
Publisher: Elaine Manders
Published: 2017-05-25T04:00:00+00:00

***

“Home. Where else would I take you, Cassandra?” Edward rubbed the tension from his neck. She looked for all the world like a lady taking her ease without a care in the world. No, she had no reason for agitation other than the prospect of committing murder.

“Cassandra, are you crazed? Did you give a thought to what you were doing?”

“You think me mad?”

“To attempt to kill a man with a house full of people watching?” He let the scorn drip from his voice. “People have been sent to Bedlam for less.”

“I wasn’t aware that Lady Ashford intended to take an entourage after me. Thank you for saving me from that scene.”

Edward leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “Did you give no thought to the consequences? If you care nothing for yourself, didn’t you consider what this would do to those who care for you? What it would do to your godmother? To Sarah?”

Cassandra pushed further back to put distance between them. “Even if I were caught, Gama now has friends who’d look after her. As to Sarah, she’s young and…and she’d get over any distress. She’d forget easily enough.”

Did she understand how callous that sounded? He leaned in until their faces were inches apart. “What about me, Cassandra? Would I get over it?”

“You?” Her warm breath carried the scent of the peppermint tart they’d had for dinner.

“Yes, I care about you. I thought I’d made that clear.”

Brows rose, puckering her forehead, but a new light came into her widened, dark blue eyes, still glistening with tears.

Her moistened lips opened but shut again as her eyes softened, not with passion, but with yearning for assurance. Of what, he couldn’t fathom.

He released the breath he’d been holding, but her gaze clouded before he could get a word out.

Her blonde head shook in a frustrated gesture, and a tendril escaped the perfect coiffure. “I thought I’d made it clear to you I’m unworthy of your concern.” She couldn’t trust him yet. Or wouldn’t. “You don’t understand, Edward.”

He moved back to give her space, his anger abated. Why did she think herself unworthy? Because of her low birth? Women married up all the time, and counted it a major feat. He sighed while excuses for her marched through his mind. “Then tell me, Cassandra. Tell me what I don’t understand.”

The carriage jolted to a stop, but he had no intention of letting their conversation end. He trailed behind her to the front door and, not waiting for an invitation, followed her inside.

Cassandra didn’t protest. “You may retire for the night, Carswell,” she told the frowning butler.

“Very good, m’lady.” The butler bowed stiffly, being too well trained to indicate his disapproval.

“You know this will occasion talk—of you as well as me.” Cassandra spoke over her shoulder as they moved to the drawing room. “You may find yourself in quite a hobble with the Ton.”

“I don’t give a hang about the idle talk of the Ton. I’m not leaving until you answer my questions.”

She waved a hand to the grog table.

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