Touched by Magic

Author:Patricia Rice
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
Published: 1992-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Cursing softly, Wyatt kissed Cassandra’s cheek and climbed from the bed. Drawing on his clammy breeches, he strode to the door.

Cassandra’s cadaverous butler waited outside, his expression one of stoicism. “My lady did not return home last night. Has there been some accident?”

“Yes, but she is well. I think it would be best if you have her maid pack her clothes and send them over to the house.”

Cassandra sat up with a start, but having nothing other than a blanket to wear, she could not protest. The sounds of dogs in the distance brought a realization of their predicament. She leapt for her clothes as soon as Wyatt closed the door.

“You do not lie fast enough, my lord,” she scolded as she struggled into her damp chemise. “Now Jacob knows we spent the night together. He will keep quiet, I believe, except for telling Lotta, but you had best let me talk to the next one who appears. ‘Go back to the house,’ indeed! I can just imagine what your mother would have to say about that.”

“My mother has no say in the matter. The house is mine and will soon be yours. She will have to make her own choices whether to stay or not.” He reached for his shirt.

At his words, Cassandra stopped fastening her bodice to stare. Wyatt seemed perfectly sane standing there with his shirt half on and half off, his dark hair falling in careless locks across his forehead. He was magnificently made, and she had to stop and gather her wandering thoughts before replying.

“I cannot believe this is St. Wyatt speaking. You cannot set me up as your mistress under your mother’s nose. If you have no respect for her, have some for me.

Wyatt grimaced. “If you require a chaperone so you won’t be calling yourself names, I will send for your mother. It may take time to locate Rupert and obtain an annulment. I have no intention of letting my future wife live in a derelict castle in the meantime.”

Cassandra’s head jerked upward at his calm reproof. “Wife? Have you taken leave of your senses? It is impossible. Rupert will never agree. We will never suit. You are all about in your head to even consider it.”

Wyatt tucked his shirttails into his breeches and began on the last of his buttons. “Rupert will have to agree. Last night I took your virginity. The evidence is right there on that bed. Your marriage was never consummated. There may be other legalities. My solicitor will look into it. There is only one honorable course for us. We will be married as soon as it is legally feasible.”

Panic held her in thrall. Cassandra stared at the man she had given herself to and saw the authority of the honorable earl. She could never marry the Earl of Merrick. He would discover she wasn’t the daughter of a marquess but a bastard. Duncan would blackmail him dry. The dowager countess would have apoplexy. Her own mother would be exposed to shame and ridicule.

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