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

by Samantha Holt

  The distraction lasted only moments. Her gaze inevitably strayed back to Luke.

  “He never changes,” Eleanor declared.

  Cassie glanced at her sister. Eleanor tended to avoid dancing at balls too if she could help it, but if Cassie had perfected her observational skills over time, Eleanor was a natural, and with Cassie’s continued looks Luke’s way, her sister would know something was going on. She needed to be more careful.

  “I do not know why Anton trusted him to keep an eye on you.” Eleanor made a disgusted sound. “Surely he is precisely the sort of man Anton would wish you to stay away from?”

  Cassie offered a vague sound of agreement. She could not even bring herself to argue that Eleanor made her sound entirely out of control and incapable of making sensible decisions, but kissing Luke had hardly been a moment of self-control had it?

  As though he had overheard Eleanor’s dismissal of him, Luke looked their way. He uttered something to the women surrounding him, who all appeared disappointed indeed, then headed in their direction.

  Cassie planted her feet firm and fought the desire to dash out of the doors toward the gardens. People would certainly notice if she hastened away from him, especially Eleanor, and she did not want her sisters to have any inkling of the troubles she faced. This had to be done alone—or at least appear to be done alone—or else they would never let her help again.

  He greeted Cassie and her sister with a brief dip of his head. A knot gathered in her throat at the sheer handsomeness of his appearance. Her gaze lingered on his lips and warmth flowed steadily through her once more.

  Good Lord, she needed to get a grip on herself.

  She forced her gaze to his eyes and offered a stiff smile.

  “I was hoping to request a dance.” He glanced at her ridiculously empty dance card. “And it seems you are free right now.”

  She lifted the card and grimaced inwardly. The daughter of a duke never had an empty dance card, but it seemed she had declined far too many offers tonight. She stretched her smile and offered a hand to Luke. “Of course.”

  He led her out onto the dance floor, and they took their positions. “You have been avoiding me all evening,” he murmured when she moved past him, their palms briefly touching.

  “Not at all.”

  “Has anything else occurred? Any more threats?”

  She peered around, grateful for the close proximity of this dance and the music and footfalls that would drown out their conversation. “No, no threats.”

  “And you are well?”

  She swallowed and smiled broadly. “Quite well.” If one did not count obsessing over a kiss.

  “No injuries from the fall?”

  She shook her head and pivoted around him. Their hands came back to touch. They had danced many times over the years. Goodness, being such a close friend of the family, Luke had been one of her first dances upon her debut, but the tightness that lingered in her chest as they moved about each other was entirely new.

  What had she done to herself?

  ***

  LUKE SHOULD BE ashamed. He should regret how Cassie could scarcely look him in the eye. Regret how if they’d been caught he’d have ruined her and consigned her to a life she did not deserve. A life with a mere Viscount, a life with a man like him.

  Yet he swore as long as he lived, he would never forget it—his one taste of perfection.

  Her cheeks were rosy, her lips pulled into a tense line, highlighting the determined point of her chin.

  Well, he might loathe that she wished to avoid him, but she could not do so forever. If this stubborn woman insisted on helping her friend, she would not rid herself of him.

  “You know, I cannot protect you if you avoid me.”

  “It might not happen again.”

  He caught the lie in the slight tremor of her tone. She had been frightened enough to accept his aid and confess to the nature of her investigations and he did not think her fear had vanished overnight.

  “Do your sisters know what happened?”

  She shook her head and breezed past him, the ribbons of her gown streaming out behind her. There was many a man watching him with envy tonight and he did not blame them. Cassie had unusually declined several dances but looked as charming as ever with gold trim enhancing the line of her white gown and a large cluster of jewels that emphasized the delicate quality of her décolletage.

  He ground his teeth together as he recalled how she’d felt against him and how damned close he’d been to feeling a lot more. He could not claim to be the most self-controlled man in the world but with Cassie, he’d always maintained it with those three words.

  She’s Anton’s sister.

  The words failed him now. He could only see her as Cassie—the woman he’d touched, the woman he’d kissed. The woman he wanted more of.

  “Do they know anything of what you are doing?” he asked when their hands touched, and they twisted around one another. He needed to maintain his focus on the important matter of keeping her safe.

  “In some respects.”

  He lifted his brows. Cassie and her sisters were close. Her relationship with Eleanor was especially intimate and Cassie had always felt protective of her half-sister.

  “What is it?”

  “I am merely surprised you have not involved them in your investigating.”

  Her gaze dropped briefly to the floor before meeting his. “They know what I am doing but I have no desire for them to get further involved.” She gave a light laugh that sounded strange to his ears. “After all, it is hardly the work of a lady to go about investigating such matters.”

  “They shall not be impressed that I know of the danger to you and did not tell them.”

  “I can manage my sisters.” She wrinkled her nose. “Besides, I am not as helpless as everyone assumes me to be. I can manage this on my own.”

  “With my help,” he added.

  “Yes,” she conceded, “with your help.”

  “So what next?”

  She bit down on her bottom lip. “You will not like it.”

  “I do not like any of this, Cassie. If it were up to me, I would lock you away until Anton returned but knowing you, you would escape like Rapunzel.”

  “I think Rapunzel didn’t escape. The prince came to her if you recall.”

  “Well, I know you well enough to know you would not tolerate such a thing.”

  Her chin lifted. “Of course not.”

  “I shall do the next best thing and be stuck to your side and hope that Anton or your sisters do not decide to make a eunuch of me.”

  “Luke!”

  “What?”

  “You should not speak of such...matters.”

  He fixed her with a look, lacing his fingers with hers to draw her around him. “The potential loss of my manhood?”

  Her cheeks blazed pink. A rather appealing look. “Yes,” she hissed.

  Oh, this was interesting. Cassie might be willing to sneak into bedrooms and commit crimes in the name of this investigation, but it seemed she could not tolerate such bold talk.

  It might be a fine way of putting distance between them. Of a sorts anyway.

  He thoroughly intended to ensure she did not make a single move without him at her side whilst there were threats to her safety. But maybe it would not hurt to remind her of who he was. It had been sometime since he’d behaved truly rakishly—since his father’s death really—but he could slip back into the role easily enough, thus ensuring she did not allow him to kiss her ever again.

  And with any luck, putting an end to any thoughts of repeating yesterday.

  “So what are your plans, Cassie?”

  She paused in front of him. “Back to the solicitors.”

  “Even I cannot persuade them to part with confidential information.”

  She shook her head and moved closer. “We will go in at night. I know how to get in.”

  “More criminal acts, Cassie?” He took her hand and drew her in un
til they were almost toe-to-toe. “You ask an awful lot.”

  “The solicitor must know something about this company or else they could not have fulfilled the bequest to bestow the house upon them. They surely would have a record of them somewhere?”

  “I am going to heartily regret offering to help am I not?”

  “Not as much as I am going to regret accepting it,” she muttered. Her gaze shot to his and she pressed her lips together. “That is…” She huffed. “Never mind.”

  Well, at least he knew she regretted the kiss as much as he did. Now it seemed she scarcely even wanted his company. Good for her. She knew she deserved more than a rake like him.

  If only the thought of never kissing her again did not tangle his insides so tight he feared they would never come undone.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The little gasp that escaped Cassie when she spied Luke at the side of the house could have spilled forth due to how hidden he was in the shadows, but it was more to do with how dark and dangerous he appeared at this time of night, dressed entirely in what she presumed to be black or maybe some dark blue. It was hard to tell so late at night.

  Why she should appreciate him looking remotely dangerous she did not know but it seemed to pluck at some strange feminine part of her that appreciated how it emphasized how tall and masculine he was. Hardly a short woman herself, she supposed it was natural to find taller men appealing.

  She shook herself. She’d known when they danced this had been the biggest mistake of her life.

  Well, second biggest. First had been kissing Luke. To continue being in his company was beyond foolish. When they danced, she kept forgetting what they were discussing. How could she aid Jane if she found herself distracted by the very man intending to protect her?

  How could she continue investigating without him, though?

  The determined man would never allow her to do it alone and she could not forget the gruff threats the man had spat at her. If he’d been willing to push her down in public in such a way, what could have happened if she had been alone?

  Swallowing hard, she strode over, keeping herself tucked against the shadows of the trees that lined the long wall around her father’s house. If anyone spotted her, they would think all sorts of things and she would most certainly be ruined. However, she’d been careful to cover her fair hair with the bonnet she last wore when Uncle Simon passed and her clothing was also grey and black like Luke’s. With any luck, she would not be spotted, but if she was, she might appear no more than a boy.

  A strange boy wearing a bonnet, admittedly, but better than looking like the lady she was.

  He glanced her up and down. “Trousers?”

  She lifted both shoulders. “They are Anton’s but I had to tighten them at the waist.”

  His gaze met hers, his expression inscrutable. “Naturally.”

  “Last time I did this, I found my skirts a hinderance.”

  “Last time,” he repeated. “Of course you did.”

  “What is it?”

  His teeth flashed in the darkness. “I forget you have such a criminal past, Cassie.”

  She released a hot breath at the nickname but said nothing. “We should get going before anyone sees us.”

  “To be sure.”

  Cassie followed Luke around the corner and up a small sideroad where his carriage awaited. She paused. “I thought we would take a hack.”

  “If anyone recognizes me and sees me with...whatever this is,” he gestured up and down her, “my presence shall most certainly be noticed. Far better to be tucked away in my own carriage.” He reached for her hand when she did not move toward the vehicle. “My driver is extremely discreet, do not fear.”

  “I have no doubts about it.” Knowing Luke, his driver had witnessed all sorts of dalliances.

  Luke ordered the driver to stop a few roads away from the solicitors’ office, ensuring no one saw his vehicle. He ordered Stevenson to drive around a while but stay away from the offices.

  “You should be a spy,” she said. “You have thought this through.”

  He fixed her with a look as they made their way to the building. “Of course I am taking this seriously, Cassie, this is your safety and reputation at risk.”

  She failed to respond. She hadn’t thought too hard about what she risked when she had embarked on this. Her sisters had investigated delicate matters many a time after all. But she could not let them—or Jane—down. No matter the risk to herself.

  The building remained dark as did most of the buildings around it. The majority were used for offices or businesses of some kind and luckily, would have no one in them at this time of night. The streets were blessedly quiet too.

  Luke gestured to the office. “How did you get in last time? A window?”

  “No.” She tugged her picks from her pocket and unfurled them. “Keep watch.”

  “Lock picks?” he whispered. “When the devil did you learn to pick locks?”

  “Shh, I need to concentrate.”

  “I really do wonder where my life went wrong sometimes.”

  “The moment you decided you wanted to be a rake, perhaps?” She bit down on her lip when the words came out more bitter than she’d intended. She’d known Luke for far too long to care now about the reputation he had garnered for himself.

  “I think I can pinpoint it to when I became friends with Anton.”

  “He’s no rake.”

  “No but had I realized I would be accompanying his sister whilst she picked the lock of a respectable business, I might have thought twice.”

  “Nonsense. Anton says you scarcely thought twice about anything when you were at Oxford.” She scrunched up her nose.

  “True,” he admitted.

  She felt the give of the tumblers and the door opened inwards abruptly. She toppled with it, the picks falling from her grasp, and she landed upon her palms.

  “Cassie?” He gripped her arm and eased her to her feet.

  “Blast, I knew I should not have done this tonight when I could not find my black hair ribbon.”

  He eyed the open door. “I’m impressed.” He ushered her in and shut the door behind them. “Let us get this done quickly.”

  ***

  THE DESIRE TO grab Cassie’s shoulders, shake her a little and demand, “Who on earth are you?” ate through Luke.

  Picking locks? Breaking into buildings? Running around the docks? He always knew Cassie could be trouble but not this sort of trouble.

  And, of course, it made him desire her all the more. How typical.

  Cassie grabbed a lantern on the table by the door, lit it then held it aloft.

  Luke peered at her. “Will we not be seen?”

  “The watchman does not walk past here for another hour and how else do you suggest we find the records?” She nodded toward the dark room to one side of the building where he assumed they were to go hunting for some evidence of this shipping company.

  Of course she knew that.

  “We had better make haste regardless.”

  “Yes.” She led the way into the building, opened a door and gestured inside. “This is where I found the will.”

  He muttered a curse when his shin struck a box just inside the doorway.

  She winced. “Sorry, they do not seem to be the tidiest of record-keepers.”

  He eyed the ledgers lined up along endless shelves then the many, many boxes. “This is going to take forever.”

  “Not so.” She lifted a finger. “I just need to find...” She plucked a book from a nearby table. “Here it is.” She flicked it open and he peered over her shoulders. “Despite their erratic way of storing things, they do have a record of it all.”

  “Makes you wonder if they have any idea they are dealing with a fraudulent company.”

  “I imagine they have little idea but who knows?”

  “The fact someone approached you here is suspicious.”

  “Or someone could have been watching the building.” She t
wisted and gasped slightly.

  He took a step back, assuming his proximity had startled her. Moving so close to her had been a mistake anyway. It allowed him to breathe in her sweet scent and feel the warmth emanating from her body. It tempted him to remove the ugly bonnet and press a kiss to her neck to feel her shiver in his arms.

  She turned her attention back to the book and ran her finger down the page and tapped one entry. “Here’s Theodore’s name.”

  He looked again, this time standing to one side rather than making the mistake of being behind her. “Looks as though there are several entries.”

  “I think they conducted most of his business. It took me some time to find the will when I was last here.”

  “We had better start then.”

  She pointed to the bookcases that lined the whole room. A slender window running along the front of the building above the bookcases offered the tiniest fraction of light from the street lamps. He squinted at the spines of the ledgers. This was most certainly going to take a while. He’d regretted agreeing to this from the moment he’d spied her wearing trousers that hinted at the long length of her legs.

  Now he regretted it even more.

  “Ledgers thirty-four, eighty-one and one hundred and three.” She pursed her lips and set the lamp down on the desk then removed her bonnet and fluffed out her hair. His mouth dried as golden locks spilled from a dark ribbon. “Looks like there might be something still in the boxes too. Why do you not start with the ledgers whilst I search the boxes?”

  He bolted into action and grabbed the first one. At least he had something dull with which to distract himself. A few hundred pages of records would surely make him forget how much he wanted to press his fingers into her hair and pull her close.

  After flicking through the first book and coming upon Parsons’ name several times but nothing out of the ordinary, he put it back. “What was the next number?”

  Cassie paused her rifling through the box to glance up. “Eighty-one.”

  As he reached for the ledger, he stilled. Light flickered past the window above the bookcase. It moved too slowly to be a vehicle driving past. “Cassie?”

  “What?”

  He put a finger to his lips and nodded toward the source of the light.