Page 8 of Intolerable
“I’m not sure he is. I think he doesn’t care.” Lucien snorted. “Actually, I think he likes intimidating everyone, especially her suitors. He’ll want a son-in-law he can manage.”
“Your sister isn’t going to marry anyone like that.”
Some of Lucien’s earlier anger flared in his dark eyes. “You think you know her so well?”
“I think I knowyou, and the two of you seem more alike than not, especially when it comes to listening to your father.”
“I suppose that’s true. Our father doesn’t make it easy. Not even Constantine is following his lead any longer. You should have heard the setdown he delivered the duke.” Lucien smiled broadly. “It was a lovely thing to witness. Anyway, back to this ridiculous scheme of Cass’s. You’re going to spread it around that my father isn’t the domineering ass everyone thinks him to be? I don’t know if people will believe you.”
“Then perhaps you and Aldington should lend your assistance. Since you said he’s not following your father’s lead anymore, he would surely be willing to help his sister in this matter. The two of you need to say the same thing and encourage some gentlemen to come forward.”
“That’s just it. We don’t know any. I can’t think of any that would interest Cass.”
“Is that true, or is there no one you think is good enough?” Ruark arched a brow at his friend. “I know you think I’m not.”
“That’s not the issue, and you know it.” The growl had crept back into Lucien’s voice. How had Ruark not noticed that before? Because he hadn’t heard three immediate family members make the same sound within an hour before today. “You’ve promised not to wed until you’re thirty, remember?”
How could Ruark ever forget the vow he’d made to his father when he’d been just six years old? His father had been wounded and ill and would in fact die just a few days following the promise Ruark had given him.
“Swear to me you won’t wed until you’re mature enough to know your mind and your heart. Don’t do as I did and surrender to lust thinking it was love.”
Ruark hadn’t understood what lust meant, but he heard and saw his father’s earnestness in delivering this message. It was of the utmost importance that Ruark listen, understand, and pledge to do as his father said. Since he’d been so ill, Ruark would have promised him anything.
“When will I know, Da?”Ruark had asked.
“If you think you’re in love, know that it won’t last. Not for you and not for her. This may happen a number of times. Mayhap one will be lasting true love, but you won’t be able to tell until you’ve lived and learned. I was just twenty-one when I wed your mother. Far too young to know my mind, let alone my heart.”
“So I should wait until I’m twenty-eight, like you are now, Da?”
“Say thirty, just to be safe. Promise me you won’t wed until then, Ro.”
His father had always called him Ro.“I promise.”Ruark had crossed his fingers over his heart and clutched his father’s hand.
“Just so,” Ruark said, in response to Lucien’s query. “I’ve three years until I can wed, and I may not even do it then.” It had been an arbitrary number, representative of a time when he might know his mind and heart. So far, his father’s counsel had been both prognosticative and helpful. Ruark would likely have married the first woman who’d captured his heart at the ignorant age of eighteen. Or he would have created an absolute scandal by trying to wed his mistress three years later. That alone proved Ruark was a blockheaded romantic who had no business getting married for quite some time. All he knew for certain was that he wouldn’t wed until he wasat leastthirty. No matter what.
“In the meantime, I will help your sister if I can.” Ruark continued benignly. “Shouldn’t you want that? And not just because she’s your sister, but because you’ve rather made an occupation out of helping people.”
Lucien actually winced, surprising Ruark. “I may take a hiatus from that work. It seems I’ve overstepped recently.”
“You’ve also done a lot of good.” Ruark was probably only aware of a fraction of the people he’d helped find employment or aided with a difficult situation, but it was enough to know that Lucien had one of the kindest and most generous hearts he’d ever known. The Phoenix Club in itself was a thoughtful and benevolent endeavor, an exclusive place where some who would never be accepted anywhere else were warmly invited and included. As an Irishman, Ruark was well aware of prejudice and what it felt like to be on the outside—something Cassandra’s father had just reminded him.
“I appreciate that.” Lucien glanced toward his father’s house. “I suppose I should pay the visit I’d intended. I’ll speak with Cassandra about her plan.”
Ruark nodded. “See you later at the club?” He was a founding member of the Phoenix Club and even sat on the secret membership committee, which was now known—rather infamously—as the Star Chamber.
“Yes.” Lucien moved past him then said, “Just promise me you aren’t actually courting my sister and won’t.”
Ruark turned to see his friend watching him expectantly. “If you’re concerned that your sister has found her way under my skin and that I’ve developed a tendre for her, I have not. See you later.”
Pivoting on his heel, Ruark strode away. He may not have a tendre for Cassandra, but thanks to a chance encounter in a cupboard, she was most certainly under his skin.
Chapter 3
Cassandra and Prudence arrived at Overton House on Brook Street for the first time since Fiona had become mistress of the house. The butler showed them into the drawing room where Fiona awaited them.
“Fiona, you suddenly appear quite matronly, and I mean that in the most complimentary sense. Marriage agrees with you,” Cassandra said as she removed her gloves and took a seat on the settee in the center of the room.
Fiona perched on a chair next to the settee, and Prudence sat on another settee opposite Cassandra.
