Secrets of a Duke's Daughter (The Duchess's Investigative Society Book 1) Read online

  “I called on you at home.”

  “How did you even know I would be here?”

  He smirked. “You are predictable, Little Cassie Fallon.”

  Her gaze narrowed to slits. “It matters not anyway. You have found me and can see I am safe and well. Now you may be on your way.”

  “Said like a duke’s daughter.”

  “I am a duke’s daughter.”

  Her indignant tone increased his amusement. He shouldn’t be finding any of this remotely entertaining. In fact, he should be annoyed.

  Traipsing all over London in search of her before figuring out she would be at Miss Jane Parsons’ house was a royal waste of his time and the mere fact he had been forced to search her out should aggravate him indeed. Had he not hoped to keep his distance from her? It was his only hope of forgetting how she had straddled his lap and offered up her mouth for the taking.

  Teeth gritted, he forced away the image. Who was he kidding? He could sail to Australia and live as a convict for decades and still fail to forget that moment.

  “Where are you going now?” he asked.

  “Home. Not that it is anything to do with you.”

  “Oh excellent. I shall accompany you.” He gestured for his own carriage to move off, having already told the driver he wouldn’t be returning home yet.

  “You certainly will not.”

  “Because you have no intention of going home?”

  She opened her mouth then closed it. He forced his attention away from her tempting lips. Ridiculous really given they were out in public, in full view of everyone. Did he have so little self-control that the desire to kiss her here and now felt like an itch tearing through his skin that would not abate unless he gave in?

  Anton’s little sister.

  Luke eased a breath through his teeth and focused on the task at hand. “Where are you going, Cassie?”

  Her chin lifted. “To the docks.”

  “Most certainly not.”

  “I am and you cannot stop me.”

  “I might be able to.” He curled a gentle hand around her arm.

  She glanced around. “And cause a scene? You would never.”

  He shrugged. “I can weather a scene or two.”

  She released a frustrated sound. “The arrogance of men being able to do whatever it is they wish…I am heartily sick of it.”

  “You are not going to the docks, Cassie.”

  “I most certainly am and this older brother act is tiring indeed.”

  What would she say if he told her he did not feel like her older brother one jot? Nothing most likely. He suspected she had entirely forgotten her request for a kiss. A woman like Cassie did not dwell on near kisses from mere viscounts.

  “Perhaps if you were honest with me, I would not have to step into Anton’s shoes, and we could return to our amiable friendship.”

  Her lips pressed together. “There is nothing amiable about this.” She removed her arm from his grip. “But I am seeking a business, that is all.”

  “Why should you be seeking a business? Is this anything to do with the solicitors?”

  “What solicitors?”

  “Oh, I do not know.” He tweaked the cuffs of his jacket. “The solicitors you broke into perhaps?”

  “I did no such thing!”

  He fixed her with a look. “Do not treat me like an imbecile.” He removed his hat, shoved a hand through his hair then put it back. “If this continues, Cassie, I am going to have to send word to Anton.”

  “You would not dare! His honeymoon would be ruined, and Eliza would be heartbroken.”

  “Not to mention he would likely lock you in your room to never come out again,” he added with a wry smile.

  Her gaze searched his. He held firm and her shoulders sagged. “You may come with me I suppose.”

  “Excellent. And will you tell me exactly why it is you are searching for this business?”

  “It's nothing really.”

  He aided her into her carriage and seated himself opposite her. He had thought it would be better not to be next to her, feeling her leg brush his through the delicate silk of her pale pink skirt, but now he had nowhere else to look but her. Even in the shadowy confines of the vehicle, there was something innately bright about Cassie, like a guiding beacon or something ridiculous like that.

  She smiled brightly and he recognized that smile all too well. He saw it when one of the older, dryer members of the ton engaged her in conversation. Luke did not much like having it directed at him.

  “I am merely, um, curious about the business. I have been reading about it.”

  “Cassie…” he warned.

  Several moments of silence passed while she glanced around the carriage as though looking for a falsehood. “Luke, I cannot tell you! But I have good reason. Will you at least trust me on that?”

  He eyed her for a few moments then nodded. At least she had ceased lying to him. He would never claim to be an expert on Cassie but, knowing her, she thought she was doing some good deed for someone.

  “I trust you, Cassie.”

  “Thank you.”

  “But that does not mean you are ridding yourself of me.”

  “Blast,” she muttered, making him chuckle.

  Blast indeed. Little did Cassie know, he did not wish to be with her any more than she wished him to accompany her, however, he would manage. A few more hours of keeping his hands to himself and pretending he felt nothing for her would not be so hard, would it? He’d lasted this long after all.

  Chapter Eight

  Cassie narrowly avoided plunging her perfectly polished boots into a puddle of ridiculous size then practically barreled into a man carrying a substantial crate balanced precariously on one shoulder, with only one hand to support it.

  She mumbled her apologies, ducked the wobbling crate and hastened on. She did not glance back to see if Luke followed because she did not need to look to feel him there—like some dark cloud pursuing her.

  Though a dark cloud would feel different, she supposed. He was dark to be sure, with his thick black hair and eyes as brown as hot chocolate but the strange tingling sensation in her stomach was not at all similar to what one might feel if one were glancing up at the skies and fearing rain.

  Blowing out a breath, she shook her head at herself and stopped to eye the names painted upon the buildings ahead. The docks were vast and busy. Masts of ships bustled for space against the skyline while rows of brick buildings clustered the side of the Thames.

  If one avoided all the people gathered in the area, then one had to contend with all the goods piled high as bellowed orders were shouted from ship to land almost everywhere they went.

  Cassie had not expected to instantly come upon this shipping company but she would have anticipated someone might know the name or work for them. So far every man and woman with whom she had spoken had never heard of them.

  It likely did not help to have Luke peering over her shoulder, his arms folded as though anticipating some great danger at any moment. Admittedly the docks were not the most savory of places and had Luke not been here, she would have dragged Mr. Barratt with her, but did he have to keep glowering so?

  If there was something untoward about this company, no one would say as much with him looking as though he wanted to tear apart anyone who so much as looked at her.

  “It would not hurt you to look a little less...intimidating.”

  An eyebrow quirked upward as she came to his side. “Intimidating?”

  “I am trying to ask questions and my chances of getting an honest answer are a lot lower with you looking...” She gestured up and down him. “Well, like that.”

  “I did not know my appearance was so terrifying,” he answered dryly.

  She had never thought of Luke as terrifying before. She’d known him for that long and he had always been...Luke. Occasionally Viscount Whitehurst. He wasn’t terrifying, though. No, that was not it. Terrifying suggested he scared her when it was someth
ing else, something that made her skin itch and her cheeks warm.

  “I would say you are more intimidating than terrifying.”

  No, that word felt wrong too as soon as it exited her mouth.

  But she was not going to tell him why she was fighting so hard to find a word to classify him and she certainly was not going to admit that moment in the carriage had left her brain a strange, tangled mess ever since. Frustrating indeed considering all she wanted to do was focus on helping Jane.

  When she should be thinking of Jane’s missing or maybe dead brother, she found herself recalling being settled upon his lap and wanting the touch of a man more than she had ever wanted before.

  There had been plenty of opportunities thrown at her for a courtship since her debut and even a man or two willing to toss aside their honor to settle a kiss upon her lips, but she had never once been tempted.

  Until now. Until Luke had taken her in his arms.

  A frustrated sound fled her before she could hold it back.

  “The docks are vast, Cassie. I doubt you will come upon this company straight away.”

  “I would have thought someone would have heard of it.”

  “I’m no stranger to shipping companies but a small one might have passed my notice.” He gestured around. “Or it does not exist, and you should give up on finding it and allow me to escort you home.”

  “I am not giving up, Luke.”

  “It must be an important reason indeed that you might wish to find this company, yet I cannot fathom why. It is strange, though, that you should be inspired to find this company after speaking with Miss Parsons.”

  “I have no idea what you mean.”

  “You have been acting strangely ever since the death of her brother.”

  Cassie lifted her chin. Her mother’s investigative activities had only continued because no one of importance knew of them. How scandalous it would be for a duchess to be seen meddling in the affairs of others.

  For the most part, the requests had been small and delicate—problems like trying to catch a thieving maid or prevent a husband’s mistress from taking the family jewels. Matters ladies would not want a man involved in. Her mother’s naturally caring nature involved her in such matters until it had become clear she needed help and thus the Duchess’ Investigative Society had been born.

  If Cassie were to continue her mother’s excellent work, Luke could not see her activities as anything other than someone helping a friend.

  “It is a sad time for Jane, and I can only imagine the pain she must be going through. I would be devastated if something happened to Anton.”

  His gaze arrowed in on her. “And he would not be impressed if he knew you were traipsing around this untoward place. Or that I was letting you.”

  She offered a swift smile. “Who says you are letting me? I am my own person, you know, and you are most certainly not my keeper.”

  “For now I am.”

  Any response was cut off when he snatched her arm and hauled her sideways into a darkened alley. She scarcely had time to draw a breath before he pressed into her, urging her up against the wall and into the shadows. The rough brick scraped against the delicate fabric of her pelisse and caught on the brim of her bonnet.

  “What…?”

  The breath from her lungs escaped as he peered down at her, his gaze searching.

  Cassie held what little air was left in her body and stared up at him, wide-eyed. He was going to kiss her, was he not?

  ***

  SOUNDS OF THE scuffle he’d tried to avoid vaguely infiltrated his mind. Raised voices faded swiftly, however, when he glanced down at Cassie and became aware of her slender body crushed between the wall and his chest.

  Even through the layers of his shirt, waistcoat and jacket, her gentle curves niggled at him, barely covered by the thin pelisse she wore. Her gaze, lined up perfectly with his mouth thanks to her height, kept flitting to his lips, and damn it, he could not help but believe she must be having the same thoughts he was.

  But it could not be, surely? Her demand for a kiss over a week ago had been a moment of vulnerability—her needing comfort and nothing more.

  She needed no comforting now, of that he was certain.

  He wanted the question repeated, though. Maybe this time he would give in and conquer the regret eating away at his insides. Just one kiss. What harm would it do? Then he could forget his desire for his friend’s sister and be the gentlemen he purported to be.

  Damn it.

  Even one kiss was a kiss too many. Anton had placed his trust in him, and a kiss was enough to ruin a woman, even if the chances of them being caught were minimal to none. He would not consign Cassie to a life with him when it seemed she had a duke ready and waiting for her. He would not ruin her future.

  He ground his teeth together, eased away and jerked his head toward the fracas nearby. “I did not want you to be hurt,” he said, aware of the gritty quality to his voice.

  Her eyes widened and she jolted away from the wall to peer out from their hiding spot. “Oh.”

  He saw disappointment spark in her gaze. But that could not be. He was no innocent, and enough women were charmed by his position, personality and looks, but Cassie was different—she had the world and hardly needed him in it. Whatever he thought he was seeing, he was fooling himself, and he did not like that one jot.

  Her cheeks were warm with spots of pink when she put a hand to his chest. “It seems the brawl has passed.”

  He shot a look sideways. The men had moved on without him even noticing. Some protector he was.

  “Come, we should get you home.”

  She shook her head and stepped out of the alleyway. “I still need to find this company.”

  “It could take forever, Cassie.”

  And he did not have forever. If he stayed around her much longer, his vows to Anton were going to tumble into the murky waters of the Thames. He’d be damned if he betrayed his friend. If what Aunt Sarah said was correct, Cassie had her future mapped out for her, and he’d rather hang than interfere with that.

  “Cassie—” He reached for her but she marched on, skirting several men who paused their card game to watch her pass.

  “You do not have to stay,” she called over her shoulder.

  Luke pinched the bridge of his nose and hastened after her. The crowds thickened with the arrival of a new ship and he had to push his way through to keep up with her, finding that the crowds naturally parted for the elegant young woman and immediately closed ranks after.

  “Cassie,” he called after her. “Damn it, Cassie.” She paused, frowning, and swiveled on her heels. “Cassie?”

  He moved swiftly to keep up with her pace. He had little idea what had caught her attention until she snatched the collar of a boy.

  “Here, leave me be,” the boy protested, fighting to free himself from her grip.

  “What’s going on?” he demanded as she dragged the struggling boy from the crowds.

  “Will you tell him or shall I?”

  The boy had to be no more than twelve years of age and malnutrition had left him scrawny and unable to pry her fingers from his collar. His clothes were filthy and oversized, likely gifted or stolen from an adult. He glanced between Luke and Cassie before sagging against her hold and stuffing his fingers into his jacket pocket. He drew out a pocket watch.

  Luke’s pocket watch.

  He snatched it from the boy. “When the devil did you take that?”

  “I saw him slip his fingers in your pocket back there.” She jerked her head toward the crowds.

  Luke eyed her. He hadn’t felt a thing. How on earth had she spotted the thief? He stuffed the watch back into his pocket then took the struggling lad in hand. “Be grateful I’m not handing you to the bailiff.”

  “Your lady has witch eyes,” he muttered. “No one spots me.”

  “Say that word again and I shall be sorely tempted to hand you over.” Luke pushed him back, sending the boy staggering.
“Now be on your way and cease your trouble making.”

  Cassie put her hands to her hips and eyed him. “You put coin in his pocket.”

  He shrugged. “The boy might be right about you.”

  “I am merely observant. But why did you do that? He tried to take your watch.”

  “He’s starving and desperate.”

  “And a thief.”

  “The world is not always right and wrong, Cassie.”

  Her brows furrowed. “Funny, I suspect Anton would say different.”

  “There are many more sinister characters around the docks. He was most certainly not the worst of them.”

  He glanced around her at a fellow he’d noticed before. The man had a distinctive limp but kept his face covered with a large floppy brimmed hat. Those sorts worried him more than a skinny boy picking pockets.

  “And we are drawing attention. We will leave now, Cassie. I insist upon it.”

  She looked in the direction of the man who ducked behind a small group of women and her shoulders rounded. “I haven’t found this company yet.”

  “Tell you what, if you promise not to come here again, I shall look into the company myself. My steward might well know of it, and if not, I can request the records at parliament.”

  “You promise?”

  “Only if you promise first. No more visits to docks.”

  She nodded eagerly and Luke felt his insides shrivel a little. Not only was he indulging whatever this was but he’d wrapped himself up further in her business. Keeping his promise to Anton was going to be harder than ever if he could not create some distance between them.

  Chapter Nine

  Chastity entered the drawing room in a flurry of skirts. “Luke is here, Little One,” she announced breathlessly.

  Cassie straightened then forced her raised brows to lower. “Oh?”

  She had not told her sisters he had offered to seek information for her. She doubted Eleanor, Chastity or even Demeter sought the help of the opposite sex when they did their investigations.

  “For you, naturally.” Chastity shifted her gaze about the empty drawing room. “You are spending a lot of time together...”