Page 83 of Secrets of a Duke's Daughter (The Duchess's Investigative Society 1)

His heart plummeted to his gut.

Luke closed the gap but not rapidly enough. Not in time to prevent her from doing something foolish. She swung a fist down, connecting with Jameson’s crotch. The man’s eyes bulged, and his arm loosened from around her neck. Luke swiftly stepped in and dragged her from him before Jameson lifted the knife. He felt the blade tear through fabric and graze skin, but no pain came.

Head ducked low, Luke used all his weight to shove Jameson to the ground. Behind him, Cassie screamed. He was vaguely aware of the smattering of people gathering around them. Luke caught the raised hand and beat the man’s fist on the ground until the knife clattered against the cobbled path.

Jameson struggled beneath him and struck out at his injured arm. Luke ignored the agony and used his good arm to grab Jameson’s collar and slam his head against the stone, again and again. He’d never wanted to kill a man so badly. The image of Cassie with the knife to her throat seared his mind.

“Luke!” Cassie put a hand to his arm. “He’s senseless.”

He stilled and glanced at her. “He deserves more.”

“We need him if we are to find Theodore,” she reminded him. “Please,” she begged as he drew back a fist, “do not let it be for naught.”

He loosened his fists gradually and stumbled to his feet. Cassie glanced him over then swung her arms around his neck. He grunted and she retreated.

“Oh goodness, I am sorry.”

Luke shook his head, tugged her into his hold and pressed himself firmly against her. “No. I’m sorry. Sorry for everything I said.”

A smile more beautiful than he deserved spread across her face. She rose onto tiptoes and gave him a firm kiss.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Any anger she had left at Luke fled when he looked at her so. His determination to see her safe, his battered state. She knew why he’d pushed her away. Or at least she sort of did. She could not fathom all the reasons but he’d been trying to protect her from himself—from the rake that he was.

But he’d never behaved like a rake with her. Not once. He’d only ever tried to be honorable.

And there would be time for proper answers later.

A shaky hand cupped her cheek, his thumb pressing fiercely into her skin as though he was afraid she was not real. He glanced down at her neck and smudged something away. Blood from where the knife had been pressed she assumed. She’d felt no pain, only the pressure of the knife so close to killing her.

“You are lucky he did not slice your throat when you punched him.”

“I knew you would protect me.”

His jaw pulsed. “I could not have endured it had something happened to you, Cass. I...” He muttered a curse under his breath. “I am simply going to say it. I love you, Cass. I’ve probably loved you for some time.”

Cassie could not fight the broad smile that spread across her lips. Her chest warmed and she pulled him closer, careful to avoid his limp arm. “Thank goodness you finally said it.”

“You knew?”

“Not until very recently.” She tilted her head. “Do you forget that I am extremely good at observation? And you, my lord,” she tapped his chest, “gave yourself away today.”

“I tried hard not to.”

“You can hide nothing from me,” she whispered, bringing her lips close to his.

His gaze searched hers. “I have no wish to. Which is why—”

“What the devil is going on here?”

Cassie dropped her arms from Luke’s shoulders and spun at the sound of Anton’s voice. He wore no hat or gloves and one of the grooms and his valet followed him. He stepped over to Luke, glanced him once over and swung.

Luke didn’t even raise his fists to protect himself. The hit struck, landing on his jaw.

Cassie screamed and darted between the two men, glaring up at her brother. “Anton!”

From the corner of her eye, Chastity ran to join them, followed by Aunt Sarah, Demeter, Eleanor and the hired men. The two men who had held Luke captive were held at gunpoint by the hired men and shuffled over.

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