Page 44 of A Highland Duke to Claim Her Heart

“He is stubborn,” her father said dismissively. “It is well known in the Scottish political circles that when it comes to the rights of farmers and tenants, he will not give an inch. Sometimes I think he cares less about preserving the old houses and titles than he does about improving the conditions of the workers.” Her father shook his head.

Cassandra, meanwhile, felt her hands ball into fists. Ofcoursehe cares more about the workers, she wanted to snarl. But she did not say this.

“Anyway, as I said, you are doing well,” Lord Pembury continued. “The duke seems very taken by you, and it has softened him. Even just this morning, he was more open to Lord Whitmore’s ideas when the two of them were speaking about the future of farming in the Highlands.”

Cassandra did not respond to this right away. She was too surprised to form words. Not only had she been unaware that Ewan had spoken to Lord Whitmore this morning, but she had no idea what her father meant about him being taken with her.

Lord Pembury, however, did not seem to need her response. He almost never did.

“The way he looks at you, with so much delight and admiration, even fondness, it is extraordinary, my dear!” Her father smiled at her and patted her arm. “I was not expecting the duke to warm to you so quickly. He does not warm to many people.”

Cassandra forced herself to unstick her throat. “You think he has warmed to me?” she asked.

“Of course he has!” Her father chuckled. “You have seen the way he looks at you, surely? As if he thinks you are the most beautiful woman of his acquaintance. I remember the feeling well. When your mother and I were first married, I could not take my eyes off of her…” He shook his head. “Of course, things became more strained when she could not give me a son.”

Cassandra’s stomach curled with anger, and she looked away.Who says it was her fault?She wanted to snap, but she held her tongue.

“That is why you must give the duke a son,” her father continued. He was not looking at her now, and she was glad of it. Heat crept up her neck and cheeks, and he seemed uncomfortable as well as he cleared his throat. “The happier the duke is, the easier it will be for all of us to work together and make the political advancements we want. We are all on the same side, after all.”

They had reached the end of the drive, and her father made to turn left, down the road that would take them into the village.

Cassandra, however, stopped.

“I think I want to go back,” she said. She was suddenly feeling dizzy, and as she touched her head, the world swam in front of her. “I am not feeling well.”

“But of course,” Lord Pembury said quickly. He offered her his arm, and she took it. “Perhaps it is the heat,” he said. “Or maybe you are with child already.”

She said nothing, simply allowing him to steer her back to the house. They had just reached the courtyard when the door to the castle was flung open and Ewan stepped outside. One look at him told Cassandra that something had disturbed him. He spared her only a glance before hurrying forward, toward the drawbridge, shading his eyes as if to glimpse something in the distance.

“Ewan?” She released her father’s arm and followed her husband across the courtyard. “Ewan, what is it?”

He turned to her then, and she saw that his face was stricken. Immediately, fear washed through her with all the force and suddenness of a summer rainstorm.

“There is a rider on the horizon,” Ewan said. His voice was hoarse. “I was up in the East Tower and I saw him approaching.”

“A rider?” she frowned at him. That could be anyone, could it not?

“He is riding with haste,” Ewan said. “And… He looks familiar.”

It took Cassandra several seconds to understand what he was saying. Then her lips parted, and she also stared out onto the horizon, looking for the rider.

Was it possible that it was Christopher?

But no, it couldn’t be.

Christopher was dead.

Unless…

The sound of hoofbeats filled their ears, and Cassandra’s stomach jolted. Then, in the distance, she saw him: A slim man on a horse, riding toward the castle at full speed, as if something were chasing him. Instinctively, she reached for Ewan’s hand, and to her surprise, he took it at once, holding it firmly and tightly.

If it was confusing and scary to imagine Christopher returning for her, then she had no idea what it must feel like for Ewan. He was his brother, and he had thought him dead.

The rider was drawing closer, but Cassandra could not make out his face yet, could not distinguish him. She and Ewan drew closer.

They did not say anything, but their bodies drew together as if magnetized, and she felt something almost calm wash over her. No matter what was about to happen, no matter who the man she was, she and Ewan were united.

Chapter 17