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“Good Lord, no!” She pressed a hand to her chest.
He eyed the slim digits, adorned with one ring. A ring clustered with so many jewels that it likely cost more than some of the farms he owned. Cassie might be loyal and giving but he should never ever forget what she was—a duke’s daughter and destined for greater things than the life of a viscountess.
Notthat he intended to marry her. Certainly not. He enjoyed his bachelorhood. Life as a relatively new viscount did not need the added complications of a wife just yet.
“Is there a reason you cannot tell me her name?”
She exhaled audibly, her chest sinking a little. “Miss Jane Parsons.”
“Mr. Harding’s cousin?”
“What of it?”
“You mean to tell me it was a mere coincidence that you were snooping around Mr. Harding’s private chambers only yesterday and now you are to visit with his cousin?”
“I was not snooping,” she snapped.
“Oh yes, you needed air.” He pressed his lips together to suppress a grin. She really made the worst liar in the world.
“Is that so wrong?”
“Cassie, you might as well confess all right now. You are a terrible liar.”
“I have nothing to confess. Miss Parsons is suffering a bereavement. I go to offer comfort.”
“Well, we had better be on our way then.” He tapped the roof of the carriage and it rolled onward.
Cassie grabbed the edge of the window, her mouth formed into a circle of surprise. Finally, her mouth settled into its usual cupid’s bow shape and she jabbed a finger toward him. “If you are so desperate to accompany me, you are staying in the carriage. Miss Parsons does not need you prying into her affairs.”
He debated arguing but the mere fact she had not attempted to fling him out on his arse meant he offered his hands up in surrender. “As you bid, my lady.” He rested his elbows on his knees and eyed her. “By affairs you mean...?”
“That it has nothing to do with you! A girl needs her secrets.”
“Anton will not be pleased you are keeping secrets.”
“Anton is not here, and even if he were, he would not be as tiresome as you are being.” She shook her head. “I know you mean well, Luke, but I am not going to get into trouble as my brother fears and it is rather tedious to be treated as though I am still a little girl.”
Oh he well knew that. If she were, he would not have to dwell on how womanly she appeared in her powder blue pelisse. More slender than technically fashionable, her figure still teased, the coat hugging under her breasts and offering a hint of curves.
Luke prided himself on being an equal opportunities sort of a man, finding himself attracted to a variety of traits but there was something about the tall length of Cassie that made him want to claw at his gut to rid himself of the itch there.
If he had a penny for every time he’d thought of her naked over the last year or so he’d be, well, still too poor to afford Cassie’s upkeep but it would certainly buy a decent meal. His desire to see her long legs, bare and spread out on his sheets, or those delicate breasts free of their confines bordered on the obscene.
He clenched his jaw and watched their progression through the busy London streets. Drivers cursed one another and pedestrians darted between the vehicles, slowing the journey to an agonizing pace. He needed it over as soon as possible so he could breathe Cassie-free air and rid himself of this madness.
Because, damn it, she was Anton’s little sister.
“I will never understand why you do Anton’s bidding. Surely you have better things to do with your time?”
He allowed a tight smile. Cassie had little idea quite how wild he had been back in his college days and how close he had come to ruining his life forever. He considered that perhaps he should tell her and frighten her away for good, but he couldn’t bring himself to see the disappointment in her gaze.
“I gave Anton my word to protect you, Little Cassie, and I am a man of my word.”
She made a dismissive noise and lifted her gaze to the roof of the closed carriage. “You men and your word. I would rather see action than words.”
Luke’s throat tightened and he swallowed hard, but the knot did not budge. She wanted action. He wanted to give it to her. By some miracle, he managed to remain on his seat and resist the desire to leap across the gap between them and pin her to her chair, ensuring they went absolutely nowhere while he showed her exactly what sort of action he was capable of.
“I am here, in your carriage, escorting you to your friend’s house.” He forced a relaxed smile that felt borderline fraudulent. “That is action, Cassie.”
