Page 56 of A Highland Duke to Claim Her Heart

Cassandra took Lillian’s hand, pressing it softly. “Do you want to go?” she murmured.

Lillian looked away. “I do not think I have a choice,” she muttered. “Things here are becoming intolerable, the way they are…”

She did not elaborate, but of course, she did not need to. Cassandra understood entirely. She was speaking of her feelings for Alaric.

“I am very sorry,” she said at last. “I wish there was something I could do, some way I could persuade you not to leave, that you should follow your feelings, that the duke and I would help you.”

But Lillian was already shaking her head. “I cannot be reliant on Your Graces’ will for the rest of my life,” she said. “I must make my own way, support my family. I must do what is right for them, even if it causes me pain. The pain will fade, after all. It always does.”

Cassandra was thinking about Lillian’s predicament, and her own, for the rest of the afternoon. She did understand why her friend was reluctant to accept their help.

It was not easy to be reliant on a patron’s benevolence, even one as generous as Ewan. And if his current behavior was any indication, it was possible that his favor could change. And if Lillian married Alaric, theywouldbe reliant on him. It would be a life of constant insecurity and charity.

And yet, how is that any different than my life?She wondered, as she sat in the library several hours later, trying to read while her thoughts wandered.A wife is also reliant on herhusband’s charity. She cannot work for herself. Her fortunes are dependent on his continued favor.

She had just let out a long sigh of disappointment when she heard the door open. She turned, hoping to see Ewan entering the library, but her heart sank.

It was Christopher.

“Good afternoon,” he said, bowing. “I did not think to find you here.”

“Good afternoon,” she said stiffly.

“I have been thinking much about our previous conversation,” he said, his mouth composed into an unreadable smile.

“Have you?”

“And I wondered if you had given any thought to my offer.”

“Your offer?” Cassandra frowned.

Christopher’s smile slipped. “My offer to be your dance partner and companion at social gatherings, since they are not my brother’s strongest suit.”

“Oh…” Cassandra barely knew what to say. “I suppose that if we are at a dance together, and you ask for my hand, then I will say yes. But I do not know why we need to discuss it ahead of time.”

There was no doubt about his countenance now: Christopher looked angry.

“Perhaps because you were supposed to be mine,” he said, with such viciousness that she was actually taken aback. “Perhaps because I am mourning the loss of the woman I was supposed to marry.”

She stared at him, open-mouthed. Although he had hinted that his thoughts were turning in this direction the other day, she had not thought he would be so bold as to actually speak it out loud.

“Do you ever think of it?” Christopher urged, leaning closer to her. “The life you might have had as my wife?”

Cassandra swallowed. Truthfully, it had crossed her mind, but every time, she had found herself infinitely relieved not to be married to him. And she did not think it would be polite for her to tell him that.

“No,” she said instead, speaking as gently as possible. “I do not think about it, my lord. I find it better to focus on the present and plan for the future.”

Something flickered, deep, in Christopher’s eyes. She did not think it was heartbreak, exactly, but something far more dangerous. However, before she could place it, it was gone.

Christopher sat back, observing her coolly. “You are an impressive woman, Your Grace,” he said. “A woman like you is wasted on my brother. He will never be able to love you with the openness and passion that you deserve. Of that, I am sure.”

Cassandra felt suddenly sick. As much as she did not want to give any of his words credence, they hit harder than she had expected. Because it was her same worry. That the man she had married, while a good man, could never fully open his heart to her.

That he would forever be stuck behind the walls he had built.

“Excuse me,” she said, and she rose, sweeping away across the library and out the door without a backwards glance.

She might never be able to make Ewan open his heart to her, but she could choose to walk away from Christopher. He had no power over her. And she desperately hoped it remained that way.