Luke twisted to view her. “He would want to be here.” He glanced at the note. “This is a real threat, Cassie.”
“I know that.” She lifted a cloth away from her head to reveal a thin gash marring her pale skin. “And they nearly hit Eleanor. Whoever this is, we need to catch them, as soon as possible.”
“Or you need to consider that this is too dangerous,” he said firmly. He’d been a fool to underestimate the danger to her. He’d thought since nothing had happened recently, all was well, and the threat had been nothing more than the words of an addled man. It seemed they should have heeded it.
“Do you not see?” Cassie said. “This means we are scaring whoever it is who is involved in this. We are getting close to the truth.”
He shared a look with Chastity, who simply shrugged.
“Can you not persuade your sister to cease pursuing this?”
Chastity gave a wan smile. “Have you not realized by now our sister has a mind of her own?”
“We cannot let Jane down,” Cassie protested.
“We can hire someone to look into it—a private investigator,” he suggested.
Demeter nodded. “That sounds a b-better idea, Cassie.”
“And you, Eleanor, do you think I should stop?”
Eleanor shrugged. “I want to help Jane as much as you do but we have never encountered such dangers before.”
Cassie stared at the blood-soaked cloth in her hands and folded it in two. “A private investigator will not understand the urgency of the case. Nor are they likely to take a woman at their word.”
“They will take my word,” Luke reminded her.
“I promised Jane, though.”
“She would not wish you to put yourself in danger,” Chastity reminded her. “She will understand.”
Cassie shook her head. “I want to do this.”
“Cassie...” Eleanor said tightly.
“I shall speak to an investigator,” Luke suggested and held up a hand before Cassie could protest. “I shall express the urgency of the matter and they’ll be paid handsomely. It will be in their best interests to solve this case quickly. In the meantime, we’ll arrange protection for you all.”
He looked to Chastity, who nodded slowly. Grim lines lingered around her mouth and he sighed inwardly. Being the oldest, Chastity took the care of her sisters to heart and he wanted to do what he could to assure her all would be well. The trouble was, he could not be certain of it. The fact that whoever had done this had potentially murdered someone and burned their body left him convinced they would not balk at doing something worse to prevent Cassie from continuing her investigations.
“I think I should stay here too.” He looked at each of the sisters. “As protection.”
Cassie’s eyes widened but she said nothing.
Chastity nodded slowly. “Father would not mind the male company though I’m not certain how we shall explain your presence.”
“Renovations!” Demeter declared.
“Renovations?” Cassie frowned.
“You could say your house is undergoing some work and you need to stay here for a while.” Demeter grinned. “You know Father will not even think to question it.”
Luke nodded. “Works for me.”
In fact, it worked all too easily. Now he would be under the same roof as Cassie with far too easy access to her. He shouldn’t even be thinking such thoughts with Cassie under threat but, hell, he was a rake after all.
And rakes never changed it seemed.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cassie stared at the window from the comfort of her bed, her covers tucked tightly about her. She kept expecting it to explode into a storm of glass. She tightened her muscles to prevent the shiver wracking her. Were they out there now? Watching her and her sisters?
Teeth clenched, she drew in a shuddery breath. How dare they do such a thing?
Luke wanted her to sleep in one of the other rooms tonight but how could she let whoever this was cow her?
Unable to sit still any longer, she pushed aside the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. As foolhardy as it sounded, she wanted to inspect the area around the window. If she could just find some evidence, maybe it would lead her to the people behind Theodore’s disappearance, and this could be over and her sisters would be safe.
A tiny thread of warmth spiraled through her at the thought of Luke. To imagine he slept only a few rooms away. She considered his scorching touch, knowing that other women had partaken in the pleasure of experiencing him—all of him—and she was still waiting.
Her heart twisted. Why on earth was she thinking of such a thing? She stood, tiptoeing to the door to listen. She didn’t hear anything on the other side. She knew Luke was nearby, but he could be pacing around another area of the house, making sure no one was trying to get in through any of the servants’ entrances.
Breath held, Cassie twisted the doorknob and cracked the door open, peering out into the hall.
No Luke.
She let go of her breath and ran back to her bedside to lace up her boots and throw a robe over her nightgown. Back at the door, she stepped into the hall and began silently making her way down it, trying to reach the stairs.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
She froze at the deep voice of Luke. Turning, she raised her chin, trying not to act like a mouse caught in the act of stealing cheese. “I wanted a bit of fresh air.”
Luke’s dark brows lifted. “Why is it always air with you, Cassie?”
“I just want to see the area below the window. Perhaps we missed something.”
“And you think you’d find that something in the dark?” Luke shook his head, a roguish smile dancing across his lips. “Come back to bed, Cassie. I swore to your brother I’d protect you and protect you I will. Even if it is from your own foolishness.”
“I don’t want to continue living in fear,” she retorted. “Hardly a foolish notion.”
But she knew he was right. With a potential threat waiting for her outside, it would have been dangerous to venture out alone. But she wasn’t about to let Luke know she’d realized that.
Luke extended an arm. “Back to bed, Cass.”
“But I can’t sleep,” she insisted, taking his arm. “Will you stay up with me?”
He hesitated. “Are you inviting me into your bedchambers?”
Heat flushed through her insides, but she held firm. “Yes.”
They were just outside her bedroom now. He faced her, those deep brown eyes searching her face. “You are full of unwise notions tonight.”
“And what’s unwise about inviting my bodyguard into my bedroom?” she asked.
“Always ready with an answer.”
“You did promise me, and this is the first time we have been alone since you said you would…help me.”
He shook his head, the smile sliding away from his face. “I can’t, Cassie. I can’t.”
Luke moved to step back, but she grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him into her. Inhaling the scent of him, the area between her legs throbbed with the need to have him.
“I want you to,” she said, placing a hand on his chest. “I trust you.”
He sighed. “Perhaps you should not.”
But she felt the heat building between them. He wanted her, just as she wanted him. Standing on her toes, she pressed her lips against his. They were always so soft and warm yet firm and demanding. His breath caught, then his hands locked around her shoulders, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss until he broke away.
“Apparently I cannot deny you anything.”
Her hand tucked into his, she led him into her bedroom and closed the door.
Once they were alone together, she felt her face flush. Perhaps this had been a mistake. She had little idea what to do with him now she had him alone.
“Um, what now?” she asked.
Luke approached her like he would a new-born foal. “Before we start, let me describe to you what is
involved.”
She nodded eagerly.
He settled her on the edge of her bed, sitting next to her. “First, it’s important to pay attention to how you feel,” he said, his warmth enveloping her as he spoke, leaning into her. “You should feel good, never bad or in pain.”
Her mouth had become dry. “All right.”
“Do you ever… touch yourself?” he asked, his eyes steady on hers.
She frowned.
“Between your legs,” he clarified.
She shook her head, but the very place he described ached.
“Would you like me to touch you there?”
She shifted uncomfortable on the bed, taking stock of her condition between her legs. “It’s currently…” she gestured vaguely with little idea how to describe the sensations down there.
He smiled. “That’s a good thing.” He leaned closer to her, kissing her lightly on the lips.
Her desire for him flared. “Yes, you can touch me,” she said.
In response, he unbuttoned and removed his shirt, revealing a chiseled chest that made her gaze wander hungrily. She pressed a hand against it, drawn to the lines of his muscles. He gently pushed her back until she laid across the bed and he kissed her neck, right in her sensitive areas. She closed her eyes, gasped and relished the thrills that ran through her.
He ran a hand along her leg, to her thigh, where he massaged the skin there. Just his hand on her thigh, combined with the fervent kisses, had her burning from the inside out. Her mind went into a pleasant haze, never wanting this intimate moment to end.
When his fingers reached the area between her legs, he rubbed gently, but that was enough to make her eyes fly open and a gasp to escape her throat. He paused, but she shook her head.
“Do not stop.”
He chuckled, his breath hot against her skin, and resumed, rubbing harder and a little faster.
It drove her wild, enflaming a carnal beast inside her that she never knew existed. She arched her back, wanting to feel more. While his fingers worked between her legs, his other hand cupped a breast, rubbing and squeezing. She gripped his shoulders, in utter bliss. If this was what love making was all about, then she wanted to do it all night, every night. How did married couples sleep when they could be doing such pleasurable activities such as this?
“Good Lord, Cass,” he murmured and she met his gaze. He shook his head. “You steal my control.”
“Then do not have any.”
“Right.” His jaw worked. “Let’s take off your nightgown.”
***
Where had those words even come from? First touching her, now wanting her naked. This evening had unraveled faster than he’d even imagined it could.
Aware of that fact or not, he didn’t stop himself from helping her peel off the garment.
“Luke, what’s wrong?” She stilled halfway to flinging it aside and clasped the fabric to her chest.
“Nothing.” He shook his head and allowed a smile to travel across his lips. “Nothing at all.”
Unless one counted her being more beautiful than he could ever have imagined with high, pert breasts, petite rosy nipples and slender limbs that seemed impossibly long. How in the hell was he going to maintain his self-control?
Well, he had one idea. Focus on her pleasure and her pleasure alone.
“Lie down,” he whispered, and she fell back once more.
He inched open her thighs, inhaling the musky scent of her.
“Luke?”
“You can tell me if you do not like anything I do, remember?”
She nodded. He caught sight of her wide eyes as he moved between her legs. He let his breath dance across her heated flesh and her legs trembled.
“This is very—”
He cut her off with a swipe of his tongue to her sensitive skin. Her taste danced in his mouth and he groaned against her. Her legs clamped around his head and he set his hands around her thighs to give him a little breathing room. He licked and suckled and teased while she bucked against him. His only hope was no one heard her cries but he could not bring himself to care—he had one desire—to see her fall apart in his arms.
Her legs tightened around him again and he rose up. Cassie curled a hand around his arm, her fingers clamping tight while she dragged in breaths. “Luke, that—”
“Is not over.”
“Oh.”
He moved his fingers down, sliding over impossibly wet folds. God what he would not give to be inside her as she reached her peak. But as dishonorable as he was, he could not take her. He refused to force such a future with him on her. She clung to him while he drew pleasure from her.
“Look at me, Cass,” he demanded. “Look at me while I touch you.” He might not be the one to claim her, but he was not going to let her forget he was the first to touch her in such a manner, the first to introduce her to the pleasures that could be wrought from her body.
She met his gaze, panting. Her back arched and he eased a finger inside her while sweeping her sensitive spot with a thumb. With her eyes clenched tightly shut, she orgasmed suddenly, abruptly, with such power even he was not ready for it. She shuddered and collapsed against the bed, her skin sheening.
Luke eased his hand from her and dropped a gentle kiss to her lips. She opened her eyes when he moved away and twisted off the bed.
“Luke—” Her hand wrapped about his arm and she sidled over to him, her breast pressing into his arm.
He bit back a groan.
“Do you not want...more?”
“More?” Why he even needed clarification, he did not know. Of course, he damned well wanted more.
“I would assume if men are so keen on the act, they derive pleasure from it in a similar manner to what you just...” She sucked in a breath. “That was quite something.”
“It was,” he agreed.
“Can I not do something for you?” She glanced down. “Something similar.”
There was no doubting it now. He was being punished.
“There is no need.”
She flattened a hand to his erection. “You get hard when you are aroused.”
“Yes,” he pressed through his teeth.
“Does it feel nice when it is touched?”
Her question might have been innocent but each word she uttered was somehow the most erotic thing he’d ever heard.
He could not stop himself from answering. “It does.”
“Show me.”
Well, if he was going to be damned, he might as well get something from it. He unbuttoned his fall and took her hand, easing it into the gap in the fabric. Her mouth parted and he dug one hand into the bedding when she curled her fingers around him.
“It’s so hot...and hard,” she mused.
“Mmm hmm.” He gave himself a few moments to adjust to the feeling of her cool fingers before showing her how to move her hand back and forth.
“So I just do that?” She repeated the movement.
“Yes,” he grunted, stealing a look at her breasts and the shadows of her thighs.
It wouldn’t take much, even with her inexperience. He’d never desired a woman more. He closed his eyes, imagined pushing her down onto the bed and slamming deep into her heat. He knew, with complete certainty, that if he ever did that there would be no going back for him. His feelings for her would go over the edge and he’d be far beyond salvation.
“You can speed up if you wish,” he said tightly.
Cassie did so and he mangled the blanket in his grip, his muscles tight while he moved his hips into her hold and pictured them exploding together, her offering words of love while he coaxed powerful orgasm after powerful orgasm from her.
The peak hit swiftly, and the pleasure shot through him. He might have muttered her name as the sensations burned. Gulping down air, he opened his eyes to find Cassie staring at him.
“That was good, was it not?”
He nodded slowly and swallowed. “Very, very good.”
After cleaning himse
lf up, he could not resist taking her in his arms—all naked and vulnerable. Cassie was so bold and courageous but there was an innocence to her, a tiny part of her that needed him to acknowledge her as a grown woman, as something more. Let them pretend they were lovers, even if just for the night.
He tucked the blanket around them both, vowing he would only stay for a while—until she had fallen asleep.
A bloodcurdling scream drew him from his sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“What was it, Cass?” Luke demanded as he met her in the corridor, his hair mussed and his shirt half-buttoned.
She wished she had time to admire him. Or to mull on last night. But something awful had happened.
Cassie urged him away from the door of the servants’ quarters. “I need to find one of the drivers. We must send for the doctor.”
Demeter dashed up the narrow stairway as Cassie and Luke hastened their way down. She stilled, her gaze swinging between them. “Doctor? I heard a scream, Cassie. What’s happened?”
“One of the servants—Betty—she was attacked,” she explained breathlessly. “I need to send for the doctor.” She waved a hand and continued downstairs, aware of Luke on her heels.
Her heart thudded hard, her fingers were hot on the bannister. First the rock through the window, now this. She hadn’t even done anything since the rock incident and still they were being attacked. She hastened through the house.
“Cassie?” Luke called after her.
She gestured vaguely. “Let me find Mr. Barrett. He’s the fastest rider.”
She shoved out through the doors, skirted a pile of hay and made her way toward the stables. Mr. Barrett was brushing down one of the horses when she caught up with him in the shadowy building, explained very briefly what had occurred, and the slender man nodded. “Lucky we have Jester saddled.” He touched the brim of his cap. “My lady, my lord, I will move with all haste.” He grimaced. “Is it very bad?”
“I’m not certain. Mrs. Lamb would scarcely let me near her.”
Mr. Barrett nodded again and strode off to fetch Jester. Wrapping her arms about herself, Cassie eased out a long breath, feeling as though her legs might give way at any moment. Luke came up behind her, set his hands on her upper arms and drew her into the comforting warmth of his chest. She leaned back into it.
Secrets of a Duke's Daughter (The Duchess's Investigative Society Book 1) Page 15