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“And you are certain you have never heard of this shipping company?”
“I wish I had paid closer attention now. Maybe I would have, had I asked for greater involvement.”
Cassie smiled softly. “I very much doubt Teddy would have let you be more involved.”
Jane returned her smile. “That is true. Teddy certainly would not have welcomed his sister interfering in his business.”
“I intend to find this Barnes Shipping Company. They must have offices somewhere here. Maybe someone there can tell me why they have been willed the house.”
“You are so brave, Cassie.”
She had not felt brave at all when she had been curled up in Luke’s arms and begging him to kiss her. But she would not mention that. “Someone must seek justice.”
“You are the only one who is interested. Everyone else believes it a tragic accident and is happy to leave it at that.”
“Which is precisely why my mother started this investigative society—to listen to those voices who would not be believed.”
“Well, I am grateful for your help, Cassie, but do be careful. I would so hate to be responsible for any sort of scandal or ruin.”
“Believe me, Jane, I am taking utmost caution.” She rose from the chair. “I am going to head to the docks now. It seems likely a shipping company shall have an office there.”
Jane scowled. “Should you not take Chastity with you at the very least?”
Cassie shook her head vigorously. Her sisters did not even know of her intended destination and she preferred it that way. If she was going to prove herself, she needed to do this without help.
“I will have protection.” Though she was certain the groom and driver would not be impressed about taking her to the docks but she had no choice. As Eleanor would say, it was the logical decision.
Jane lifted her head to peer out of the window. “Oh, is Viscount Whitehurst accompanying you? I am assured you shall be quite safe with him.”
“Pardon? I—” Cassie followed the direction of her gaze and shook her head. What was he doing here? “I had better make haste,” Cassie said. “Would not want to keep him waiting,” she added brightly.
She waited until the door closed behind her before tugging on Luke’s arm and dragging him away from the window of the house. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.
His amused smile did nothing to disperse the heat she felt flowing from her toes to her cheeks. This would not do at all. The blasted man needed to leave her alone once and for all.
***
RAGE SPARKED IN Cassie’s eyes and fool that he was, Luke realized he’d missed looking into those eyes, rage-filled or not. The pink spots on her cheeks added a certain entertainment too. There was no denying Cassie was quite spectacular when annoyed.
“I called on you at home.”
“How did you even know I would be here?”
He smirked. “You are predictable, Little Cassie Fallon.”
Her gaze narrowed to slits. “It matters not anyway. You have found me and can see I am safe and well. Now you may be on your way.”
“Said like a duke’s daughter.”
“Iama duke’s daughter.”
Her indignant tone increased his amusement. He shouldn’t be finding any of this remotely entertaining. In fact, he should be annoyed.
Traipsing all over London in search of her before figuring out she would be at Miss Jane Parsons’ house was a royal waste of his time and the mere fact he had been forced to search her out should aggravate him indeed. Had he not hoped to keep his distance from her? It was his only hope of forgetting how she had straddled his lap and offered up her mouth for the taking.
Teeth gritted, he forced away the image. Who was he kidding? He could sail to Australia and live as a convict for decades and still fail to forget that moment.
“Where are you going now?” he asked.
