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“It would be hard to sell the jewelry if they killed him. They likely took his coin and hoped to hide their crime by burning him.”
Cassie huffed out a breath. “I knew you would not believe me.” She set her jaw to prevent it from trembling with frustration. It seemed even Luke could not see her as anything other than a silly little woman with a head for fanciful stories. “I just knew it.”
She rose from her seat and reached for the door. She could not bear to be in his company a moment longer—not when it was clear he did not respect her one bit.
He latched a hand around her wrist. “Wait.”
***
HE’D REGRET THIS. Not as much as he regretted not taking her up on that kiss but a sizable amount, Luke reckoned.
“I believe you.”
Her mouth formed an ‘O’ shape then she relented and returned to the seat next to him. He released her wrist.
“In truth?”
“Yes.”
He was no liar, and he did believe her, though whether he really wanted her involved in whatever the devil was going on was another matter. However, he did not think for one minute Cassie would cease her investigations. If he knew anything about her, it was that once her curiosity was sparked, she would dive headlong into anything, with little worry as to whether the situation might be dangerous or not.
His promise to Anton no longer drove him—no, now it was his genuine fear for her welfare. She had roused a wasps’ nest and was going to get stung if he did not step in and help her.
“And I am going to help you.”
She blinked several times. “In truth?”
He smirked. “Yes.”
“I did not ask for your help,” she pointed out.
“You are going to take it, though. Someone does not like you looking into the situation and I’m certainly not willing to let you do this alone.”
“You cannot order me about, Luke. You are not my brother, you know.”
“Believe me, I know.”
Her gaze searched his, her lips parting marginally. For the briefest moment, he imagined she might lean in and offer her lips once more. He’d have a hard time turning her away this time. There was only so much willpower one could have when offered such temptation. Instead, she shifted back and dropped her gaze to her lap.
Luke cleared his throat. “You could just accept my aid and not argue with me.” He let his lips quirk. “A novel idea, I know.”
“I know.”
“So you will accept my aid? And my protection?”
“I promised Jane I would see this through.”
“You are allowed to say yes.”
She gave a slight smile. “I was exceedingly determined to do this by myself.”
“Naturally.”
“It is easy for you to dismiss such an idea. You have never been underestimated in your life.”
“Believe me, Cassie, I would never underestimate you.”
“You would be entirely alone.” She shook her head. “You have no idea how often I am told how little I am or how utterly helpless I must be because I am a duke’s daughter.”
