Page 7 of Intolerable
He did? No, this was all pretend. For a moment there, Ruark’s chest tightened, and he struggled to draw a shallow breath.
“Don’t try me, Cassandra.” The duke and his daughter glared at each other. Ruark was almost enchanted by the sizzling fury racing between them. It was like watching a boxing match between two well-matched fighters. Who would emerge the victor?
The duke rose, pulling his waistcoat down to his thick waistline. “I prefer Glastonbury. I hope you haven’t frightened him off.”
Cassandra shot to her feet. “Me?” She sent another look toward her companion, and Ruark could see she was absolutely flabbergasted. “I am not the one intimidating anyone. That is entirely you. That only Glastonbury and now Wexford have called is entirely your fault. Now Wexford will go and tell everyone what a horrid beast you are, andthatwill probably drive Glastonbury away.”
Was Glastonbury courting her? Ruark knew him from the Black Boar, his boxing club.
“Wexford won’t do that. He’s a friend of Lucien’s, isn’t he?” It was as if Ruark wasn’t even there. Then the duke seemed to remember he was as he turned his icy stare on Ruark. “You won’t discuss this interview.”
Ruark stared at him as if he’d sprouted a third eye. “Why on earth would I?”
Her father pressed his lips together. Ruark expected steam might come pouring out his nose and ears next. “You also won’t call on my daughter again. Or ask her to dance.”
“You don’t get to dictate that,” Cassandra said in a low tone that showed she too had mastered the art of the near growl. Perhaps it was a family trait. Ruark would ask Lucien if he could do it too.
Redirecting his attention to the disaster of a social call, Ruark pulled a thin, fleeting smile. “I must admit the prospect of you as a father-in-law is rather daunting. I imagine I’m not alone in that estimation. With respect, you may want to reconsider your tactics, Your Grace.” He stood before the duke decided to throw him out then bowed to Cassandra. “As always, it’s been a pleasure. I look forward to our next encounter.”
He shouldn’t have said the last, but he wasn’t one to back down, even if this entire call was a charade. What he hadn’t intended was for his statement to provoke a flare of heat in Cassandra’s eyes that brought to mind the incident they’d agreed to forget. He was beginning to think that would be impossible. Or that they should do it again and prove, once and for all, that it was not worth remembering.
Pulling himself from the grip of her sensuous gaze, Ruark inclined his head toward the duke. “Good afternoon.”
Then he beat a hasty retreat to the foyer that was about ten times faster than his earlier progression from that very spot. A footman opened the door, and Ruark eagerly left the ducal residence.
As he walked into the square, he ran smack into Lucien whose eyes immediately narrowed.
“Wex, what were you doing at my father’s house?”
Ruark considered saying he was looking for Lucien, but he’d see right through that. Lucien spent the majority of his time at the Phoenix Club or at his smart terrace near St. James, and Ruark knew that. He’d never go in search of him at his father’s house. “I was paying a call on your sister.”
Lucien’s eyes narrowed further, and it was clear Cassandra hadn’t told him of her scheme. “What in the bloody hell are you playing at?”
Yes, in fact, Luciencouldgrowl. “Why doesn’t the Evesham crest have a wolf?” Ruark asked.
Blinking, Lucien looked at him is if he’d gone daft in the span of five seconds. “What are you nattering about?”
“I’ve noticed you all growl, even Cassandra. Actually, I can’t attest to Aldington’s skill in that area, but I’d wager he can.”
Lucien advanced on him until they were nearly nose to nose. “How in the hell do you know whether Cassandra can growl? And why are you referring to my sister by her first name.”
Shit.“I witnessed her growling at your father a short while ago. I’ve known her for years, Lucien. It’s hard to think of her as Lady Cassandra. In fact, I’m sure she asked me to call her Cassandra at some point.” He wasn’t sure of that at all, but it wasn’t outside possible. She was a friendly young woman.
Sneering, Lucien didn’t back away. “Did youcallon her?”
“As a favor, yes.” Ruark held his ground. He wasn’t going to retreat either. “She was supposed to speak with you. I told her you’d be angry.”
Scowling, Lucien took a step backward. “What favor?”
“She’s hoping my paying a call will show others that they needn’t be afraid of your father. I plan to tell everyone it went well, that the duke was surprisingly charming.”
“You’re going to lie.”
“Of course.”
Lucien gave his head a shake. “You’re a good man to help her like that. Why did she ask you?”
“We’re friends, Lucien—because she’s your sister. Just as I danced with her at that Phoenix Club assembly to save her from whatever-his-name-was, I am helping her with her current problem. She can’t get any decent interest, and your father is completely unaware of his negative impact.”
