Page 52 of Historical Hotties
Cassius cocked an eyebrow. “Not in the least,” he said. “She is quite beautiful.”
That brought a squint from the duke, as if greatly puzzled by Cassius’ statement. “But she is marked,” he said. “Youlikethis?”
“I like it very much.”
Baffled, and for lack of an argument, Doncaster simply returned to his wine. He didn’t know what to say to Cassius’ rather strong opinion.
And neither did Darian.
Sitting next to Rhori across the table, Darian had heard the entire exchange. He was shocked to see Dacia show up for the meal and even more shocked to hear Cassius speak strongly in her defense. Then, he watched the way Cassius looked at her. He watched how attentive the man was to her.
The embers of jealousy stirred.
“It is good to see you at the table, Lady Dacia,” he said steadily. “I hope you do not feel coerced by our guest. If you were not comfortable, you did not need to come.”
Dacia looked over at Darian, already knowing why he was saying such things. There had never been any competition for her hand and now that Cassius had shown up, and had shown interest in her, suddenly there was very viable competition. In fact, it was competition that could easily oust Darian from the consideration and she could tell that he was well aware of the fact.
Although Dacia liked Darian a great deal, he was like a brother to her and nothing more. He knew it, which made this situation delicate because Dacia genuinely never expected to face anything like this.
Someone else who might be interested in her.
She didn’t want to hurt Darian.
“I do not feel coerced, I assure you,” she said evenly. “It was nice to be invited to sup. I’m usually so busy making sure everyone else has been well fed that, sometimes, I forget to eat myself.”
Remembering how Darian staked his claim when they were at Old Timeo’s cottage, Cassius wasn’t oblivious to the mood radiating from the man. He was essentially jumping his claim,although not in an official capacity. He’d not made any formal offers, but his behavior definitely suggested interest. He didn’t want to upset Darian, but he was also quite conscious of what he was feeling when he looked at Dacia.
As if nothing could spoil his evening.
“Would you like to sit with us, Darian?” he asked generously. “We would be happy for your company over here. It is a big table.”
Darian’s gaze moved from Cassius to Dacia and back again. “Mayhap later,” he said. “But thank you. That was kind.”
Over on Cassius’ left, Doncaster suddenly snorted. “You have competition, Darian,” he said. “Your lack of action may cost you but, of course, Cassius has not expressed any real interest in her. But he probably will not– with as handsome as he is, I’m sure he has armies of women following him around. I am sure you will be thankful when he leaves, eh?”
The old man had obviously had too much to drink and it was showing. Darian didn’t say a word. He simply returned to his food, while Cassius looked at Dacia to see how she was reacting to all of this. She was still looking at her lap and Cassius reached over to the pitcher on the table, pouring her some wine himself.
“I donothave armies of women following me around,” he said quietly. “Well, not big armies, anyway. I suppose that all depends on your point of view. Are hundreds of women considered armies?”
He was teasing her and he could see her profile as she smiled. “Probably,” she said. “It would seem that my grandfather speaks the truth.In vino veritas.”
He lifted his cup. “Et vinum non opus ad pulchritudinem tuam.”
Dacia’s head snapped up, looking at him with wide eyes.I do not need wine to see your beauty.
Her mouth popped open.
“Your Latin is flawless,” she said.
He shrugged. “Like you, I have been well-educated,” he said. “Besides, my mother was a postulate before she married my father, so if I do not know Latin, she would probably beat me.”
Dacia’s smile grew. “Where do your parents live?”
“Berwick Castle,” he said. “My father is the Earl of Berwick.”
She looked surprised. “I did not realize that,” she said. “But I suppose I should have, given your elite status. The de Wolfe family is well-titled, are they not?”
He nodded, pouring himself more wine because the conversation was starting to flow effortlessly and he wanted to keep it going. “My grandfather, William de Wolfe, was the Earl of Warenton,” he said. “My uncle, Scott, now holds that title, while his youngest brother holds the title of Earl of Northumbria by marriage. Uncle Thomas married well, needless to say, but my father was granted the title by Edward years ago. My eldest brother, Markus, holds the title of Viscount Ravensdowne and the property of Cheswick Castle. There are a dozen other titles floating around to various uncles and sons, inherited or earned, and as for me, I had to earn mine. When I accepted the position of Lord Protector, I was given Penton Castle and the title Lord Westdale. Penton Castle guards a major road from Scotland that leads into Carlisle. It is a very big place, built upon the ruins of a Roman fort, and it has seen more than its share of action from the Scots.”
