All Chapters of The Duke And I: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Jonathan was right. They were both thrown into a whirl of activity that left them little time to speak to one another. Jonathan had his studies, and Cassy continued the rigorous training from Miss Abigail, the petite, cheerful woman with a mind like a steel trap when it came to social functions and the peerage.As Cassy's chaperone, Miss Abigail rarely left her charge's side. She had been employed by the dowager duchess to fend off gossips before it became known that the infamous 'Devil' Eastland had acquired a young and very pretty girl as his ward. The woman's reputation was impeccable, her knowledge of manners unrivalled. She would mould Lady Trenton into the soul of propriety and fully intended that the American girl take the ton by storm. And best of all, as the duchess had foreseen, she knew how to use connections.Connections, Cassy was informed, were especially important. Her chaperone had been married to a charming man of consequence and we

None of the duchess's plan fit into Cassy's ideas. And now, there was her birthday fete the duchess's idea to launch her into 'polite society.' She'd hated the court presentation, and had no illusions about the stiff boredom of any other social gathering. Cassy wondered if she would even catch a glimpse of Eastland. He had pointedly avoided any of the few social functions his aunt had already arranged, but this was to be at his townhouse.It was her brother's birthday too, so at least he would be there, but still, it was hard to remember everything she'd been told. She'd practised and practised, and had finally come to the conclusion that common sense and good manners would have to suffice. If she erred, the world would not end, in spite of Miss Abigail's dire predictions.Fortunately, their birthday coincided with the height of the London season. That marvellous time that Miss Abigail spoke of in tones as reverent as thos

The Duke's London townhouse on fashionable Park Lane was four stories high, and had many elegant rooms available for what was commonly known as a "squeeze." Cassy saw immediately why it was referred to that way when she stood beside the dowager duchess to greet the guests who had been invited. Lilian didn't make it because she was sick, but she sent in a letter telling Cassy that something amazing was going to happen.The guest were divided into two classes, the curious, who had never been invited to a party given by the notorious "Devil" Eastland, and the highborn rakes who had. Those who "had" were faintly startled, then amused at the tameness of the dancing, drink and damsels provided. None of the fair Cyprians, as those ladies of the evening were euphemistically called, were present. Instead, only young ladies of birth and or breeding were present, a great many with their mamas, and the others with proper chaperones.Looking around the assemblag

Eastland was fuming with rage at Zack’s behaviour. He had no idea why he was angry at the interaction between his ward and his cousin. He hated that Cassy was free and all giggles with Zack, but not with him. Zack be damned!He looked at the room and still, no one had dared to approach Cassy without his approval. That made him smile a little."Robert," Eastland said to a young man nearby, "have you met my ward?""Levington?" the handsome young man asked, turning to the duke. "Yes, as I came in, the duchess introduced us, of course.""No, I meant his sister."A flush stained the young Viscount's features, and he gave a quick nod. "Of course, your grace. She was also introduced to me.""And what did you think of her?"Lord Robert Standen, viscount of Hartford hesitated. He did not know how to answer Eastland. If the question had concerned any other young lady, he migh

But this certainly wasn't the time to think of that! She told herself sternly because he was pulling her onto the dance floor and signalling to the musicians to play a waltz. Vaguely aware of the interested gazes levelled at them through gold quizzing glasses and from beneath haughty brows, Cassy kept her gaze focused on Eastland's chest, not quite daring to lift her eyes to his handsome face.That seemed to amuse him, and he remarked lightly, "Do you have designs on my gold cravat pin, Lady Trenton?"Her gaze jerked up, hot and embarrassed, and she said tartly, "I don't have designs on any part of your person, I assure you!"He laughed softly, and the pressure of his arm around her back increased slightly. "How disappointing. Of course, I suppose that's only proper, as I will be your guardian for some time."Surprise lifted Cassy's brows, and her soft lips parted for a moment before she blurted out, "But that's not

London__April, 1821Cassy was nervous. In just two months, she would reach her majority. Jonathan would be in charge of his own destiny, and they would both be out from under Eastland's thumb. That was all she ever wanted, to be away from the duke's clucthes.Pacing the floor of the spacious living room on the second floor of the elegant townhouse that had belonged to their grandfather, she kept glancing out of the window again and again. The duke was expected to call on them that afternoon to arrange the final stages of his guardianship. A tight knot hung in her throat. It had been almost two years since she'd had any close contact with him, and almost three since the night he'd kissed her on the veranda of his townhouse. The burning memory of that kissed had not faded with time, nor the sharp memories of her infatuation of him.

If anything, Cassy noted he'd grown even more handsome in the past few years. He'd just turned thirty, the dowager duchess had said, and "none of his excesses show the slightest bit on his face, the dog!"Cassy agreed. His dark-complexioned features were still as heart-stoppingly handsome as always, and his eyes were just as vivid a green. Jonathan had told her that the duke spent several hours a week at the boxing salon, and was known to be in excellent physical shape. Though his cutaway jacket ended at his lean waist and was buttoned over his chest, it was evident that he had no use for buckram padding as some of the other gentlemen were forced to use. Inexpressible, or skin-tight trousers, showed off his superbly muscled legs to perfection, and his movements were as graceful and predatory as she remembered them. Three years had hardly changed him at all.The years had, however, changed Cassy a great deal. Henry noticed it immediately and congratu

The memory of his last kiss came back in a rush, and Cassy knew what to expect. There would be no controlled press of the lips against hers such as Lord Robert was content to do. Eastland meant to invade her with his lips, as he had done last time.Squirming almost desperately, Cassy tried to turn her head away but it was no use. He held her fast, and his mouth covered her parted lips in a scorching kiss that made her tremble. She felt the heated satin of his tongue trying to gain entrance and determinedly clamped her lips together, knowing that to admit him entrance would be insanity. Three years had not diminished the burning memory of his last kiss.But he was just as determined as she and clamped his long fingers firmly but painlessly on her jaw, tightening his grip until her lips parted for his plundering invasion. Jolts of shock shuddered through her, and the rapid thrusts of his tongue in her mouth left her quivering with a heated tension she

"She's a slut."Scandalized, Cassy said, "Aunt Adeline!" She didn't know whether to laugh or to be outraged and settled for doing neither."Well, she is," the aristocratic lady said calmly. "I don't know why you're making such a big fuss about it. I'm much more interested in what transpired between you and Eastland. He was in the devil of a temper when he arrived at my house last night, and I can tell you that I was in fear of my well being for several moments.""I doubt that," Cassy said with a faint smile. "And I'm making a fuss about Miss Whitefield because my brother is involved with her. She's an actress, and what's even worse...""She was Henry's ladybird for a time. I know.""Your grace!" Cassy gazed at the duchess with a mixture of amusement and dismay."Oh, don't mind me calling a spade a spade or a slut a slut, and between you and I, there should be

At that moment, Jonathan was listening furiously to his guardian, his brows a straight slash over his blue eyes."It was my experience," Henry drawled, "that Abigail was extremely expensive. Are you certain your estates can handle it, Levington?""I have enough blunt to keep her in style, and you know it," Jonathan said evenly in spite of the fury in his eyes. "I'm curious, why do you care so much who I spend my time with?""Because you're not experienced enough for a clever doxy like Abigail." Eastland met his ward's gaze with a lifted brow. "While I admit that she knows some very pretty tricks, it can cost a great deal.""I appreciate your concern," Jonathan grated, "but I'm satisfied that I can watch out for myself.""Oh, I am too. But you won't be watching out for the illustrious Miss Wh