“We are engaged, Brother,” Cassie reminded him.
“That means nothing. Many a rake has broken an engagement and left the lady ruined.”
Luke bit back any argument. Anton had still not forgiven him, and he did not blame him. He only hoped he proved himself with his care of Cassie once they were married.
Which could not come soon enough. Anton continued to glower at him in the shaded confines of the carriage until his wife Eliza jabbed him in the side with her closed fan and he looked out of the window.
Luke regretted their broken friendship, but he knew Anton, and knew he would come around eventually. If he understood anything about his friend, it was that he cared for others deeply, even if he did not show it in the best ways. Like trying to plan Cassie’s engagement for example. But the fact Anton had saved Luke from a miserable future when he could have dusted his hands of him surely meant he would forgive him.
Eventually.
Nearly losing Cassie to that bastard Jameson had made him realize he’d have to let go of his vows, and he’d certainly have to release himself from his promise not to follow in his father’s footsteps. He needed more. Hell, maybe one day he’d deserve more.
“Of course, we could have left Aunt Sarah behind and that would have saved us a vehicle,” Cassie murmured. “But apparently Simon wished to see the outcome of all of this.”
“If we even find Theodore,” Anton pointed out.
“I’m certain we will.” Eliza smiled. “Cassie has investigated this thoroughly.”
Anton’s lips thinned. “I still do not approve of this investigation business. I had no idea our mother was involved in such things.”
“Normally it is harmless,” Cassie pointed out.
“There was nothing harmless about having broken windows and attacked servants,” her brother muttered.
Luke straightened. “I would not have let any harm come to any of them.”
“If I thought it would do any good, I would forbid you all from such matters, but I know I have no hope of controlling my sisters.” Anton sighed.
“Not that you want to, dear,” Eliza pressed. “They are all clever, independent women, who are quite capable of finding their way in the world.”
Cassie gave Eliza a grateful smile.
Anton’s sour mood had not made the journey to Oxford any easier. Luke almost wished he’d remained in London, but he would not leave Cassie alone. Besides, he was damned curious to see if she was right and Theodore had been in hiding with an old professor all this time.
The carriage stopped outside a long row of tall houses, all white and uniform with black railings covering the stairs down to the servants’ entrance. Cassie peered out of the window. “This is number thirty-three. It must be a little farther along.”
Anton stepped out first, offered Cassie a hand and glared at Luke as she and Eliza exited. Luke donned his hat, ignored the look from his friend and watched Aunt Sarah climb out of her own carriage, cat carrier in hand. The rest of the sisters gathered around Cassie.
What Theodore would make of this crowd Luke did not know, but he had no desire to argue against Cassie’s family accompanying them. Cassie’s determination to keep nothing from her sisters in future was admirable and he vowed he would do the same with Cassie. Laying himself bare to her had lifted such a weight from his shoulders.
Cassie led the way, glancing between the numbers on the doors and the slip of paper in her hand. She came to a stop at the bottom of some stone steps and everyone nearly piled into her.
“This is the one!”
“Shall I...?” offered Anton.
Luke chuckled to himself. Poor Anton was only just realizing quite how headstrong his sisters really were.
Cassie shook her head. “I shall.” She pulled the doorbell and they all waited.
Luke swore no one took a single breath until the door opened and an elderly man appeared. The group gave a collective exhale while the man peered at them all from under unruly eyebrows. His eyes shone bright underneath them and his teeth were neat rows of yellow surrounded by a slightly tobacco-stained beard.
“Professor Underwood?” He recalled the man now. Vaguely. Luke could only blame his lack of sobriety for not remembering his name.
The man peered between Luke and Anton. “What have I possible done to receive two of my former students at once? And with, well, their family, I assume?” He peered at the women. “Lots of females,” he muttered.
“We have come to see Theodore,” Cassie announced.
The professor jerked straight. “Who?”
“Professor,” Luke implored, coming to join Cassie at the top step. “We need to see him.”
“I do not know what you are talking about. It is just me.” He leaned forward. “Are you in danger?” he whispered.
“There is no danger,” Luke assured him. “The men chasing Theodore are in jail.”
“Oh.” Professor Underwood straightened, his gaze narrow. “I still do not know—”
Cassie slipped past the man and Luke hastened after. She strode into the right-hand room then pivoted and headed into the next. Luke came to a halt just behind her.
Theodore lifted his head from behind the newspaper. “Whitehurst?” He scowled and lowered the paper. “What the devil are you doing here?”
Luke shook his head slowly. To think he’d been here all along, reading newspapers and sipping tea while he’d been getting his arm broken and Cassie suffered a knife to the neck. However, to give Theodore his due, his eyes were shadowed, and he appeared a little gaunt.
“You are safe,” Cassie blurted as the rest of the women filed into the room, followed by the professor who tried to step in front of them and ease them away.
Aunt Sarah took his arm and whatever she murmured to him urged him to take a step back.
Theodore rose from his seat. He eyed them all, his mouth ajar then finally looked to Luke and Anton. “What is going on?”
Anton sighed and gestured to Cassie. “My sister had better explain.”
“I suppose you should all sit.” Theodore gestured around the modest room.
The sisters and Aunt Sarah crowded onto a sofa whilst Luke and Anton remained standing. Eliza joined her husband who put a protective arm about her shoulders.
Cassie seated herself in the seat opposite Theodore and he sank down, his brow creased. “Well?”
“The men who faked your death are in jail,” she explained.
“Faked my death?” His face turned ashen. “Faked my…?” His voice choked. “Dear Lord…”
“You did not know?” Anton asked.
“No of course not. I—” He eased out a breath. “I have been travelling much of this time. I sought shelter with the professor when my funds ran low.” He shook his head. “Jane… she…?”
Cassie nodded grimly. “She thought you were dead, yes.”
“Poor Jane.” He shook his head slowly. “I never intended for such a thing to occur. I certainly did not think anyone would announce me dead.” Theodore twined his hands together, his knuckles whitening. “They tried to kill me to be sure. I managed to escape and went on the run. I have barely ceased running since then and I certainly had no time to read a newspaper.” He gestured to the one on the side table. “I imagine my death is old news now, is it not?”
“Why did you not reach out?” Anton demanded. “We all thought you were dead. Hell, we buried you.”
“Good God.” His face paled. “They had been threatening me for some time.” He pushed a hand through chestnut brown hair, leaving it spiky. “I made the mistake of becoming involved with them in my wilder days, and they hoped to manipulate my position as a Member of Parliament. When I did not give in, they threatened Jane. Then one night, they attacked me.” He glanced at Luke’s arm. “Do not tell me you got involved with them. They are darned dangerous men.”
Luke gave a dry smile. “Involved might be a bit of an understatement.”
“So you ran?” Cassie pressed.
“Indeed. I dared not send a letter or they might track me. I had little idea what to do but I figured so long as I could not be manipulated, they would leave Jane alone, especially if they were too busy hunting me.”
“They nearly caught up with you,” Luke said. “They had this very address. It is how we found you.”
“I am not surprised. They are well-connected men. It was only a matter of time.” He dropped his head in his hands. “I created this. It has all been my fault.” He finally peered up at them all. “But why are you all here and how did you become involved with them?”
Cassie lifted her shoulders. “Jane was determined you were not dead.” She smiled softly. “And now you may return to her.”
Theodore eyed her for a few moments, his gaze narrowing. “They are captured.”
“Indeed.” Her smile widened. “They are already charged with kidnap and fraud.”
Theodore’s pained expression softened. “Truly?”
Luke nodded. “They can do no more harm. They will likely hang for their crimes. All we need is for you to return to Jane and take up your position once more.”
“I…” Theodore’s throat worked. “I must thank you.”
Anton cleared his throat. “Cassie must take the credit. She found the men and she found you.”
“Well, it seems I owe you a great deal, Lady Cassandra.” He rose from the chair and offered out a hand.
She blinked at the hand for several moments then rose and took it, giving it a hearty, if awkward, shake. Then she beamed at Luke.
He’d never loved her more.
Epilogue
“Have you seen Papa?” Cassie asked her lady’s maid as Louisa breezed past in the hallway between the library and the ballroom, several delicate vases clasped in her arms.
She came to a brief stop and shook her head. “Sorry, my lady.”
Mr. Massey entered through the rear doors, a wooden chair hanging from each hand. Cassie hastened over. “Have you seen my father?”
The footman shrugged and set the chairs down for a moment. “Have you tried the library, my lady?”
“Yes, he’s not there.”
Cassie puffed out a breath, ruffling the curls Louisa had carefully tonged into place. Where could he be? She had not seen him at the morning meal and although that was not unusual, she prayed he had not forgotten what today was.
“He’ll be around, my lady,” Mr. Massey assured her. “There’s so many people here, he’s likely lost in the crowds.”
She eyed the steady stream of people moving in and out of the ballroom. Her stomach gave a little dip, and she could not help the smile from spreading across her face. The engagement had already been announced in the newspapers and the congratulations did not cease to arrive by post, but their engagement ball made it oh so official. Who would have guessed the thought of marriage could make her so giddy? A few months ago it would have filled her with dread.
Of course, a few months ago, she had not been in love with Luke.
She pressed a hand to her fluttering stomach and gave Mr. Massey an apologetic look as he grabbed the chairs and shuffled on his feet. “I won’t keep you.”
Perhaps her father had gone to his room to dress and she had simply missed him when she’d gone into the gardens. There was no chance he could have missed all the chaos.
“Cassie, you look flustered!” Demeter took her arm. Today she had a single red rose tucked into her chignon.
Cassie smiled. She at least knew what that one meant. “I’m looking for Papa.” She grimaced. “I’m worried he has forgotten all about the engagement ball.”
“Oh I-I am certain I saw him earlier.” Demeter stepped back when several men carrying grand vases of vast flower arrangements moved between them. “Perhaps try the music room?” Demeter said over the flowers. “It is the quietest room in the house at present.”
Cassie nodded and squeezed her way past the flower arrangements crowding the front hall then moved from one room to the next until she reached the music room. Chastity and Eleanor glanced up when they spotted her.
“You look so beautiful!” Chastity rose from her seat at the piano and came over to clasp her hands. “Are you excited?”
Cassie bit down on her bottom lip. “I am.”
“What is the matter?” Eleanor asked, setting her notepad down on the arm of the sofa and joining her and Chastity.
“I’m worried Papa has forgotten today.” She looked to her satin slippers. “And whether you shall let me continue with mother’s investigative society once I am married,” she admitted quietly.
Chastity laughed. “You forget Mother wanted you married before you joined. She would have been relieved indeed.”
“It shall be a boon to have a married lady amongst us,” Eleanor agreed.
She glanced between her two sisters. “And you are happy for me, are you not?”
Chastity and Eleanor shared a look and Chastity grinned. “He is an excellent man. He was willing to go to the ends of the earth for you.” Her sister lifted a shoulder. “I am not always the best judge of character I fear—you can thank my late husband for that—but Luke loves you more than anything. I have no doubt he shall treat you properly.”
Eleanor nodded. “I have analyzed his behavior most carefully and it seems he has put his rakish past behind him.”
She let her posture slump a little and gave a grateful smile. “Now all I need is for Anton to be happy for me.”
“Do not forget he is arranging this ball for you,” Eleanor pointed out.
“Reluctantly,” Cassie reminded her.
“He shall come around. You’ll see,” Chastity assured her. “Do you want us to help search for Papa? I saw him upstairs earlier today. Perhaps he is there.”
Cassie waved a hand. “No, I’ll find him.”
She hastened back toward the entrance hall, her attention fixed on the grand staircase. She would go upstairs, and if he was not there, she would—
“Watch out!”
The warning came too late. She barreled into a young man carrying the largest floral display she had ever seen. She skidded to a halt but she ended up with a face full of flowers. As the man tried to correct his course, she put her hands to the vase to right herself and tugged it downwards. Soil spilled from the brim, dropping down the front of her gown in a cold, gritty waterfall. She squeaked in dismay and stumbled back a few steps.
The man’s mortified expression matched his now ashen skin. He looked her up and down. “Oh, my lady, please forgive me. Oh boy....”
“It was my fault.” She peered down at her gown and shook her head.
Soil marred her beautiful gown, from almost head to toe. Her bare arms were filthy too. She would need another wash and a change of dress.
“Please do not let me keep you,” she said to the man who appeared frozen in position. He hurried off and she swiped a hand down her gown but to no avail. Her carefully chosen evening gown was ruined.
“Why is it you are always dirty when I see you, Cass?”
She spun on her heel and could not keep her lips from curving. “Maybe I am cursed.”
Luke peered around and leaned in to give her a chaste kiss on the lips. “Cursed or not, you look beautiful.”
“I look a mess.” She plucked at her skirts. “I shall have to bathe and find another dress to wear.”
Luke eyed the grandfather clock. “You have a few hours.”
“I’m still trying to find my father. He seems to have vanished.”
“Oh I saw him in the lamp room only moments ago.” Aunt Sarah stopped at her side, wrinkled her nose and looked Cassie over. “He said it was the best place to study with all the preparations.” She lifted Simon who blinked lazily at Cassie. “Simon says you look wonderful but perhaps you might want a cleaner gown.”
“So Papa remembers what today is?”
“Of course! He doesn’t understand the need for the fuss, but he is most happy for you.” She moved over to Luke and off
ered Simon up.
Luke obligingly gave the cat a pet.
“We always knew you two would wind up together. Simon has a sense for these things, you know.” Aunt Sarah grinned. “What an attractive couple you two make. I cannot wait to see your passion grow and grow.”
“Uh, thank you, Aunt Sarah,” Luke said but she had already wandered out of the front door, the cat still clutched tightly.
Cassie shrugged. “I’m not certain how, but Aunt Sarah never seems to be wrong.”
“Perhaps that is where you got your observational skills from.”
“Perhaps.”
The hallway remained blessedly empty for the moment so Cassie moved over to him until only a pace or so separated them. “Today I observe that you look remarkably handsome.”
“Remarkably? Does that mean I am not usually handsome?”
“Oh you are a rogue.”
“I’m your rogue.” He closed the gap.
“If you touch me, you shall get dirty,” she warned him.
“I hope so.” His tone was so low that it made her body tingle with promise. Their wedding night could not come soon enough. Now that everyone knew about them, it had been nigh on impossible to get a moment alone.
“Ahem.”
Luke jumped back and Cassie laced her hands behind her when she spotted Anton by the stairs.
Her brother’s lips thinned into a line when he spied her filthy state. “What on earth have you done to yourself, Cassandra?”
“I shall change.”
Eliza took Anton’s arm and tugged him close. “A little accident, Anton, do not fear. Cassie has time to change.”
His posture relaxed at the insistence of his petite wife. Dressed beautifully in jewel green tones, Eliza offered a bold contrast to her brother. Cassie never quite understood how the vivacious women had fallen for her stern sibling but somehow it worked. A smile curved his lips.
He leaned in and brushed a kiss to Cassie’s cheek. “You do look wonderful, regardless, Sister.” He stepped back, his stern look returning.
“She’s yours to keep out of trouble now, Whitehurst.”
Luke chuckled. “I have my doubts I will manage.”
Anton gave a bemused smile. “Me too.” He clapped a hand on Luke’s arm. “Well, good luck to you.”
Secrets of a Duke's Daughter (The Duchess's Investigative Society Book 1) Page 21