Page 4 of His Tempting Duchess

Suddenly, his bride—not that shewouldbe his bride, not after this—seemed to be struggling to breathe, panic flashing in her eyes.

“I know. I know, dearest,” Emily Belmont said, smiling weakly. “But you have to run. Run!”

That last word echoed through the church. Before anybody could react, the other Belmont twin—Daphne, it seemed—had dropped her bouquet and raced out of the church.

All hell broke loose after that. There were shouts and a few cries, and several people ran after her.

The rector, understandably shaken, pointed with a wobbling finger. “Somebody stop that girl!”

Cassian turned a withering glare on him, and the man wilted.

“Let her go if she wishes,” he said, his voice clipped. “Heavens, do you intend to drag her back and force her to marry me? I certainly do not.”

The rector muttered something that sounded like an apology and then shuffled backward.

Most of the congregation were on their feet now, talking eagerly and whispering. Of course, this incident would be the talk of London for weeks, if not months, to come.

What am I thinking?Cassian bit back a smile.It’s likely to be years.

He turned to Richard, raising his eyebrows. “Care to explain why my bride is so horrified at the prospect of marrying me?”

Richard wilted. “I… It turned out she wasn’t too keen, so I had to apply a little pressure. I didn’t mean to be unkind. I just thought… Well, you’re quite the catch. I thought she’d be happy in the end, but it seems like?—”

Cassian cut him off. Richard did have a tendency to ramble.

“Tell me why Miss Belmont is so against marrying me,” he said, as quietly and calmly as he could manage.

His cravat was starting to itch. He regretted trying a new style for his wedding.Andthe head of his cravat pin was somehow wedged against his windpipe. Perfect.

“Did you not make it clear that I am the only gentleman in the whole of London who would accept such a brideandallow her to continue her… secret activities? I have no objection to it. Whatdidyou say, Richard?”

“I… I might have been a little more forceful than I intended. I think I got rather carried away. I thought it would be more convincing, more masterful!”

Cassian pursed his lips. “Well, I think we can both agree that this hasnotworked to our advantage.”

Richard wilted miserably, and Cassian sighed.

“Oh, Richard. Whathaveyou done?”

I’ve learned a valuable lesson—never leave something so important to my wretched cousin again.

“This was not meant to happen,” Richard mumbled.

“If I did not love you so much, Richard,” Cassian responded tartly, “I might have just hurled you through one of those fine stained-glass windows.”

Richard nodded unhappily. “I am sorry.”

“But I will not.”

“Thank you.”

“Because you are still my cousin. And the stained-glass windows are, I understand, expensive to replace.”

Richard nodded again.

Cassian drew in a breath, straightening his cravat.

At his elbow, the rector cleared his throat. “Your Grace?” he ventured. “Can I assume that the wedding will not be taking place?”

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