Page 38 of Enchanted By the Lyon
From quiet moments alone to steal a kiss or two whenever the opportunity presented itself, to dancing as much as could be allowed without causing gossip, to nights at the theater orattending charity events she had become involved in, she and Lucius had seemed to fall into an easy pattern of needing—no,wanting—to spend as much of their time together. If her love for this man wasn’t clear from the very beginning when she first saw him at the Lyon’s Den years ago, her emotions now nearly overflowed with wanting him in every way.
Rupert’s image briefly flashed in her mind reminding her of the love she once had for him. That love had caused her to throw her life, and her family, away. It had been so strong, and his loss had nearly killed her. Now, she had a new love along with a new chance to be loved. Her love for Lucius wasn’t the same as that young love of her youth but just as strong. Perhaps it was even stronger because it was sweeter. Now they had a lifetime together to look forward to enjoy every moment together and savor it.
He brushed her cheek in a loving caress as though he had read her thoughts. She leaned into his hand while Gyles, sitting across from them, turned his attention to look out the window. It was all the privacy they would have tonight.
Lucius leaned over to place his lips on her own. He then nuzzled her neck before whispering in her ear, “I wish we were alone.” His husky tone sent shivers of delight racing through her body.
She made every attempt to remain level-headed as she nodded toward the couple across from them. “Soon, my love,” she replied softly while she reached up to place her palm on his cheek.
He gave a soft groan of misery. “I’m not sure how much more I can stand, my darling. I am, after all, only a mere mortal man.”
She gave a light laugh. “Do you think this is easy for me?” she teased lightly.
“Celibacy doesn’t suit me,” he groaned again.
Cassandra took hold of his arm while she laid her head upon his shoulder. “I promise everything will be worth the wait.”
He leaned over again to put his nose in her hair near her ear. He breathed in. “You smell like a summer garden. I cannot wait to make you mine in every way.”
Before she could reply a low rumble came from the chest of the man across from them. “Behave, Lucius. I gave my word to Saxton you’d be a gentleman where the lady is concerned.”
Josephine lifted her head. “They’re fine, Gyles. It’s not like they’re going to do something completely reckless with us sitting right across from them.”
Lucius ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I have no intention in dishonoring Cassandra in a carriage, for heaven’s sake. Even I have a few morals left in my black soul.”
She placed a quick kiss upon his cheek. “Your soul is far from black, my love, and I don’t like when you put yourself down in this way.”
Lucius nodded toward her. “You see? She keeps me on the straight and narrow path whether I wish to divert a bit or not.”
Cassandra laughed. “One of us has to remain levelheaded.” The carriage began to slow as the driver pulled the horses to a stop. “Looks like I’m home.”
“Shall I walk you up?” Lucius asked before the door was pulled open and her bodyguard stood outside waiting for her.
“No need. Risley is on hand as you can see,” she answered before she turned her face so he could kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you later today at Asher and Patience’s townhouse for our ride in Hyde Park?”
“I look forward to spending more time with you, my dear,” Lucius answered softly giving her a look that appeared to be filled with so much love that it caused her heart to nearly burst with delight.
She quickly said her goodbyes and watched when the carriage once more rolled away. She made her way up the walk toward the front door that Risley rushed to open for her, knowing Higgins would still be fast asleep.
“Is there anything more I can do?” he asked, closing the door and quickly taking hold of a candle left on a table so he could check the front parlor before coming back to stand next to her. If Risley was nothing else, he took his job seriously and would ensure the house was safe.
“I think I’ve kept you long enough from finding your rest, Risley. I’d suggest you take the today off, but I know you’ll refuse.”
“I still report to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, Madam. Wherever you go, I will be following close behind.”
“I can see myself upstairs. I’ll see you later then.” She shouldn’t have been surprised when he led the way up the stairs anyway and double checked that her bedroom was safe. When he gave the signal that all was clear, he left the candle on the table next to her bed and left.
Cassandra went to another lantern and lit the wick, turning it up so there would be more light in her room. A soft knock came on the door before Fanny entered and helped her out of her gown and under garments and into a night rail.
After bidding her maid goodnight, Cassandra reached for the book of poems sitting on table near her bed that Rupert had once given her. It slipped through her fingers and she bent down to retrieve it from the floor. It had fallen open to one of her favorite passages, and as she hugged the book to her chest and crawled into bed, memories of her marriage rushed across her mind. She lovingly caressed the leather book. She couldn’t remember the last time that she had read through the pages. After Rupert’s death, they had first been a comfort to her until her entire world had fallen apart. Once that had happened, the book became apainful reminder of everything she had lost and had remained unread in her library for years. It was hard to think that she had, in truth, forgotten about it. One book among many collecting dust.
She pushed the lantern closer on the bedside table so she would be able to read better, at least long enough, she hoped, before she became drowsy so she could fall asleep. She had only read a few pages when something caught her eye. She sat up, swung her legs over the side of the bed, and then put the book closer to the light. There was something sticking up at the edge of the spine. Placing her fingers near the tip of the binding, she took hold of the small bit of paper and tugged hard. It took a fair bit of maneuvering since the paper was wedged in tight. She gasped in surprise when a piece of folded parchment came out.
She set the book down beside her on the bed and returned under the covers to relax back on her pillows. Unfolding the document, one sheet fell to the blanket. Cassandra couldn’t believe what she saw: Rupert’s will, legally sealed with the court naming her as his beneficiary. He had taken care of her after all!
A sob caught in her throat at the implications of what she now held in her hands.Thiswas the proof that they needed to prove her case that Barlow wasn’t entitled to anything of Rupert’s. She couldn’t believe that it had been in her possession all this time and perhaps dropping the book had at last loosened this hidden treasure enough that Cassandra had at last found what Rupert had hidden.
Remembering the other piece of parchment which had fallen on the bed, she quickly took hold of it and unfolded the paper to reveal her past moving full force into her future. The familiar penmanship of Rupert’s handwriting caused tears to freely flow from her eyes as she read:
