Page 28 of Secrets of a Duke's Daughter (The Duchess's Investigative Society 1)

Cassie had been pondering her next moves carefully. She could not afford for Luke to catch wind that she was still investigating this company, nor did she wish to act with the haste that had meant she had been caught not once but twice by him. However, now was not the time to dwell. The solicitors must know something about the will.

“I must speak with someone.”

Eleanor narrowed her gaze at her. “You do not need to keep secrets from your sisters, you know.”

“I know, I know.” Cassie unlatched her arm from Eleanor’s. “And I shall tell you all when I return.” She hurried toward the huge wrought iron gates at the end of the path.

“Cassie, do you not want the carriage?” Chastity called after her.

She waved a hand. She did not need any of her father’s servants watching what she did next.

***

NATURALLY, HE NOTICED when Cassie dashed off from the park.

Luke smiled grimly to himself. Because what else should he be doing with his time but obsessing over her every move? This was getting beyond ridiculous, and when Anton returned home, he was tempted to order him never to bestow such a favor on him ever again.

Unfortunately, he had the horrible inkling that even if his duty to watch over her ended, he’d still be watching for the blasted woman.

He fought it for the briefest moment before giving in and offering his excuses to the company of two attractive widows and his friends and followed after her. She moved at a pace, apparently agitated by whatever it was Mrs. Sutton had to say. He’d heard the woman squawk to just about anyone who would listen but had yet to hear the gossip himself.

Cassie hastened ahead and his stomach slowly sank when he realized where she was headed. Apparently she did not care one jot for her own safetyorhis sanity because she had not dropped whatever it was she was pursuing. When she came to a stop outside the solicitors and headed inside, he shook his head. He should have known the stubborn, determined Cassie would ignore his demands.

He paused. Should he follow her inside or wait? He leaned against the wall and watched the office for some time and ground his teeth together. When she emerged, he would...

Well, he’d scold her as a brother would, yes?

He certainly would not think about kissing her into submission. He would tell her in no uncertain terms that her behavior would warrant a letter to Anton at the rate she was going, and he would be stern, and maybe even a little furious.

That would be the end of it with any luck and he would not have to spend another minute worrying about her. Because, Lord knew, the last thing he needed was Little Cassie Fallon on his mind any longer.

She exited, followed by a short gentleman who gestured wildly then dipped his head in a curt manner. Cassie put hands to her hips, her expression tight, her lips pouty. The man gave another dip of his head and headed back inside, shutting the door before Cassie could turn and utter another word. Whatever she had asked of the man, she must not have received the answers she was looking for.

Luke peered up the road, looking for an opportunity to cross. His gut clenched when he saw the man approach her. His senses sparked into awareness, noting the man’s worn clothing, the confidence of his gait and the broadness of his shoulders. His clenched fists offered evidence of a recent fight and dark, ashen, unshorn hair touched his collar. Everything about him shouted danger.

The man’s attention remained fixed on Cassie.

Damn it.

He waited only a moment more, skirting past one carriage and pausing in the middle of the road as a wagon zipped in front of him. The man grabbed Cassie’s arms.

Whoever he was, Luke was going to have to kill him. He crossed the road and felt the breeze of a vehicle whipping past him as the man shoved Cassie to the ground. She stumbled backward and fell hard on her rear.

Heat burned through his veins. Luke dashed over to her and took her arms in his hands. “Cassie? Are you hurt?”

She stared up at him, wide-eyed. “I-I—”

He followed her gaze in the direction of her attacker but the man was lost to the crowd. Luke would not forget his appearance easily. “Cassie?”

She gave a shaky smile. “I am well.”

He aided her up and her legs trembled beneath her. One arm looped around her, he urged her to lean on him and motioned for a hack. He bundled her inside and she must have been terrified indeed as she did not offer up one word of protest. He ordered the carriage to depart for her home and settled beside her then she sank gratefully into his arms while he murmured comforting words. Once her trembling had ceased, he eased her back and cast his gaze over her.

“Are you certain you are not hurt?”

She lifted her hands. “These sting a little but that’s it.”

He pushed the little buttons of her gloves through the eyelets and drew the fabric slowly down. He turned her hand this way and that. Had he been less furious, he might have taken more time to appreciate her delicate hands against his dark kid gloves. “A little red but no damage.”

---