Page 46 of A Daring Desire

“This is you conforming, isn’t it?” she said, amused.

He nodded. “There was this glorious yellow, embroidered with roses. Quite divine,” he said with a sigh. “But Viv would kill me if I made a spectacle of myself.”

“Are you still afraid of her?” she asked, amused. His twin sister Viv had always been a force to be reckoned with.

“No!” he said indignantly, and then returned a rueful smile. “Not much.”

She laughed, delighted with him, and watched as he stopped to speak to a couple of lovely young women who gazed at him with open admiration. Cat could hardly blame them. His golden skin glowed in the candlelight, his black hair glinting blue. He was tall and broad shouldered and something quite out of the ordinary.

“You’ve engaged a heart or two, I think,” she said lightly, a teasing note to her voice.

Ash laughed, though there was a rather bitter note to the sound that startled her. He was always so good natured that it seemed incongruous to hear him sound anything less than pleased with life.

“The ladies are easy enough. Their parents, however….” He shrugged.

Cat felt a surge of anger on his behalf. “Whatever do you mean? You’re handsome and kind and a perfect gentleman… well, when you’re behaving yourself. Not to mention the heir to a viscountcy, and a wealthy heir at that.”

He sent her a look edged with weariness and her heart contracted. “Don’t be so ingenuous, my sweet. You know what they think as well as I do.”

“Who? Who are these people that they think they are better or… or—”

“Hush,” he said gently, affection in his eyes. They were the deep indigo blue of his father’s and filled with patience. “The world is not perfect, Cat. We both know it. Yet we are privileged, you and I, and we always make the best of things, no matter what. Yes?”

Cat sighed. She knew he did not need her to fight for him but wished him to know she would. “If you tell me who these people are, I shall cut them,” she said savagely, only too eager to do so.

He laughed at that, shaking his head. “Lud, what a termagant you are. Has your lord and master realised his wife is an avenging angel yet, ready to burn the world down for those she cares for?”

“I think he might be figuring it out,” she said ruefully. “You’ve heard, then?”

He nodded. “Your mama told mine.” He turned to look at her, his eyes full of concern. “You won’t let him hurt you again?”

She shook her head, smiling. “No. Don’t worry for me.”

“Well, I do,” he said gravely. “And if he did, I would be forced to, er… have a little word with him, and you know I abhor violence. Ruins one’s waistcoats,” he added with a tragic air.

Cat snorted with laughter. “How ridiculous you are, and all the more so, for I know your little secret, Ashton Anson.”

“Secret? Moi? Whatever can you mean?” he asked, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“That you are not half so amiable as you make out. Thomas sparred with you, remember?”

“Did he?” he said vaguely, looking as though he could not recall.

“Don’t playact with me, I know you too well,” she scolded. “And if you can’t remember, Thomas certainly does.”

Ash gave a dark chuckle. “And so he should,” he said, sounding appallingly smug.

Cat chuckled and shook her head. “Dreadful man. But, Ash, tell me truthfully, have you solicited a lady’s hand and been rejected? I had heard nothing of the sort.”

Ash shook his head. “No, I’ve never got that far. One thing I do not desire are in-laws who dislike the connection.”

“But I did not even know you were looking for a bride yet? I know my parents have despaired of my brothers, and as for my cousin Leo,” she gave a huff of laughter. “Though I suppose Hart is the worst. I think he is a confirmed bachelor.”

“Then he’s a fool,” Ash said with a disarming smile. “If I could find someone and have a marriage like my parents, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”

“She’s out there,” Cat said, laying her hand on his arm. “You’ll find her.”

He made a noncommittal sound that was less than encouraging.