AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do your sisters know what happened?”
She shook her head and breezed past him, the ribbons of her gown streaming out behind her. There was many a man watching him with envy tonight and he did not blame them. Cassie had unusually declined several dances but looked as charming as ever with gold trim enhancing the line of her white gown and a large cluster of jewels that emphasized the delicate quality of her décolletage.
He ground his teeth together as he recalled how she’d felt against him and how damned close he’d been to feeling a lot more. He could not claim to be the most self-controlled man in the world but with Cassie, he’d always maintained it with those three words.
She’s Anton’s sister.
The words failed him now. He could only see her as Cassie—the woman he’d touched, the woman he’d kissed. The woman he wanted more of.
“Do they know anything of what you are doing?” he asked when their hands touched, and they twisted around one another. He needed to maintain his focus on the important matter of keeping her safe.
“In some respects.”
He lifted his brows. Cassie and her sisters were close. Her relationship with Eleanor was especially intimate and Cassie had always felt protective of her half-sister.
“What is it?”
“I am merely surprised you have not involved them in your investigating.”
Her gaze dropped briefly to the floor before meeting his. “They know what I am doing but I have no desire for them to get further involved.” She gave a light laugh that sounded strange to his ears. “After all, it is hardly the work of a lady to go about investigating such matters.”
“They shall not be impressed that I know of the danger to you and did not tell them.”
“I can manage my sisters.” She wrinkled her nose. “Besides, I am not as helpless as everyone assumes me to be. I can manage this on my own.”
“With my help,” he added.
“Yes,” she conceded, “with your help.”
“So what next?”
She bit down on her bottom lip. “You will not like it.”
“I do not like any of this, Cassie. If it were up to me, I would lock you away until Anton returned but knowing you, you would escape like Rapunzel.”
“I think Rapunzel didn’t escape. The prince came to her if you recall.”
“Well, I know you well enough to know you would not tolerate such a thing.”
Her chin lifted. “Of course not.”
“I shall do the next best thing and be stuck to your side and hope that Anton or your sisters do not decide to make a eunuch of me.”
“Luke!”
“What?”
“You should not speak of such...matters.”
He fixed her with a look, lacing his fingers with hers to draw her around him. “The potential loss of my manhood?”
Her cheeks blazed pink. A rather appealing look. “Yes,” she hissed.
Oh, this was interesting. Cassie might be willing to sneak into bedrooms and commit crimes in the name of this investigation, but it seemed she could not tolerate such bold talk.
It might be a fine way of putting distance between them. Of a sorts anyway.
He thoroughly intended to ensure she did not make a single move without him at her side whilst there were threats to her safety. But maybe it would not hurt to remind her of who he was. It had been sometime since he’d behaved truly rakishly—since his father’s death really—but he could slip back into the role easily enough, thus ensuring she did not allow him to kiss her ever again.
