Page 107 of Intolerable
“Not him,” the duke growled.
“I swear your coat of arms needs a wolf,” Ruark muttered. He stepped around Cassandra. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I should have spoken with you before proposing to your daughter.”
“No, you should not have.” Now Cassandra was growling. “As I said, this was my decision. I choose Ruark, Papa. I hope you will be happy for us.”
The duke stared at her a moment. “I told you what love—” He cut himself off and turned away.
“What exactly is your objection to Lord Wexford?”
Everyone turned their heads toward Sabrina.
“Be careful, Father,” Con warned. “If it’s because he’s Irish or who his mother married, you’re going to have to move past that. He’s a good man and he loves Cassandra.”
“He also has wealth and a good reputation,” Lucien put in. “Everyone likes him. He and Cassandra will likely be one of London’s most sought after invitations—when they decide to entertain.”
The room was silent as the duke seemed to fume. He turned on his heel and stalked from the room.
Lucien started after him, and Con jumped to his feet.
“Don’t,” Cassandra said, rushing to cut them both off. “Let me talk to him.” She looked to Ruark and smiled.
“I love you,” he mouthed. She turned and left, and Ruark hoped things turned out the way she wanted them to. He knew one way or the other they would be married. But for her sake, he wanted her father to be at her side.
Cassandra took a deep breath as she followed her father from the drawing room. He stood at the top of the stairs, his brow furrowed.
She slowly made her way to him, not wishing to upset him further. When he’d mentioned love, she’d wondered if his true opposition to her marrying Ruark was because they were in love. He didn’t want her to be hurt.
She went to him and took his hand. His flesh felt cool and dry. “I know you want me to be happy, that you don’t want me to experience pain or suffering. When Mama died, it felt like my world had ended. I was very lonely for a long time after that. You did your best, but for the first time, I feel as though I belong with someone. I have the chance for a large, loving family. And now that my brothers are no longer blockheads, I have my family too. Please tell me you will be part of that. I couldn’t bear it if you weren’t.”
His features softened. “I have never been able to deny you.” He sent a narrow-eyed glance toward Ruark. “You’re sure he’ll make you happy?”
“Completely certain.”
He bent to kiss her cheek. “Then I give you my blessing.”
“Thank you, Papa. That means the world to me.” She hugged him, but he was still stiff. He needed time to accept this. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t have long. “Ruark is going to seek a special license. Would you mind if we married here?”
“I, ah, all right.” He frowned. “I’ll lose you sooner than I expected.”
“I thought you were in a rush for me to marry!”
“I was, but now that the moment is here, I suppose I realized how much I enjoy your presence. I should have told you that more often. I should have done more after your mother died. I’m sorry, Cass.”
Her heart squeezed. He hadn’t called her that since she was small. “You did your best, Papa. Just love me. That’s all I need.”
“I can do that.” Then he took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.
This was the best day Cassandra had ever had.
Until her wedding day two days later.
Epilogue
The Phoenix Club
The wedding of Lord and Lady Wexford took London by surprise. They’d received a flurry of invitations since marrying three days prior—the most blissful three days of Ruark’s life. Now, as he walked into the Phoenix Club with his wife on his arm, he didn’t think he could ever be happier. And yet, when he looked over at Cassandra’s radiant visage, he knew he hadn’t even begun to feel the joy that their life together would bring.
On the one hand, he appreciated his father’s counsel, for it had ensured that Ruark was still unwed when he encountered Cassandra in that cupboard. On the other, he wished he hadn’t doubted himself—or his love for Cassandra.
