Page 82 of Her Tempting Traitor
Cassian muttered a curse under his breath and looked away. “I cannae believe I’ve been dallying with a duke’s niece. I’m no’ worthy of being in yer?—”
“Cassian,” she gasped, “isthatwhat this is about?”
His bright blue eyes were full of pain when he met her gaze once more. “I’m a…a bastard,” he whispered harshly.
She huffed in exasperation. “So am I!”
“Aye, butIwas raised as a bastard! Shunned!”
“So was I,” Gabby stressed, wondering if it would be bad manners to roll her eyes. Was he overtired from their elephant excursion last night? What was wrong with the man?
From the other side of the room, Hunter proved he was eavesdropping by announcing in a somber voice, “Our mother was anactress, Cass, and no’ even a verra good one at that. She sent us to our father so she could ‘focus on her career,’ only to die of the pox later. Andhewas a complete wastrel who died in a pool of his own vomit outside his club. No’ exactly the finest pedigree.”
Gabby squeezed Cassian’s hands to draw his worried gaze back to her. “And this has never been a secret, my love. We were kicked out of every boarding school Uncle Rourke sent us to?—“
“On purpose,” called Hunter.
She ignored him. “—which is why Uncle Rourke needed to hire Aunt Sophia. Do you not see?” She used her hold on Cassian to pull herself closer, tipping her head back to hold his gaze. “I am still me. You are still you. Who our parents are, who they were, it means nothing.”
“But your uncle—” he began.
“Will love you,” she finished firmly. “And do you know why?”
She saw him swallow, saw the hope in his gaze, and allowed herself to smile softly. “BecauseIlove you, Cassian Grey. You are a good man, and I am honored to be the recipient of your love. I do not care who your parents are, and you should not care whomyparents are, because they do not change whoweare.”
Was it her imagination, or had he stopped breathing?
“Ye mean it, Gabby?” he whispered almost desperately.
“Of course.” She nodded firmly. “Our parentage?—”
“Theloving mepart!” he burst out.
And she had to laugh. “Oh, Cassian,yes!” She pressed herself up on her toes to kiss him. The man gave a growl she felt in his chest and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her enthusiastically in return.
Vaguely she heard a disgusted groan from across the room, and smiled against Cassian’s lips.
It was a few moments before they pulled away, and Gabby was pleased in some ways for their audience, because her brother and their hostess’s presence had just about kept her from making a fool of herself.
“I love ye, Gabrielle Lindsay,” Cassian whispered harshly, his forehead pressed to hers. “I cannae believe how lucky I am to have found ye.”
Grinning, Gabby made her own vow. “I loveyou, Cassian Grey. How could I not love a man as tempting, as honorable, asgoodas you?”
“Of course,” called out Hunter, “there’s that wholetraitorthing.”
Ah, yes.
Clearing her throat, Gabby extricated herself from Cassian’s hold, reaching for the pocket of her skirt. To think that previous generations of ladies had to live withoutpockets.“I believe I have some news on that. Lady Zilphia, we will have to?—”
“AuntZilphia, my dear,” the older woman corrected, beaming happily. “I assume you will officially be becoming part of the family soon?”
“If I have anything to say about it,” growled Cassian, as he gave Gabby a squeeze.
Gabby’s smile felt a little wobbly as she pulled out the telegram. “I have heard from Bull.” She twisted to meet Cassian’s serious gaze. “He thinks he will be able to clear up this mess…” She winced. “But I do not think you will like hearing where we have to go.”
CHAPTER 15
“Icannae believe I’m about to meet the Duke of Exingham,” Cassian growled dismally as he helped Gabby out of Sir Dickie’s borrowed carriage, which had made the trip in relative ease. “Three days ago I thought ye a puir secretary and now?—”
