Page 52 of My Duke, The Stranger
“I do not,” he said sharply. “You would not be here otherwise.”
“Ah, yes,” she said, forcing her smile to remain because she was desperate to change the tone of this conversation. “Silly me. I am still new to such ways, the rules of this world. Forgive me for my ignorance.”
His eyes flicked toward her. She held her smile, and he looked away. Then, he shifted where he sat, turning his body further.
Isolde knew she should have kept her mouth shut, just as she knew that Cassian was forcing his actions. Perhaps he did hate her. Perhaps he would never forgive her. But his memories had not come back, so he was still the man she had gotten to know so well.
He is still that same kind, caring, generous man. One who loves to laugh, just as he loves to be loved…
“Although, it occurs to me that you are not much better,” she tried carefully, her tone light. “While Mr. Pemberton has spent the last two days training me, I wonder who has trained you?”
His brow furrowed, he shifted as if to say something but caught his tongue and looked away.
“With that in mind, if you need any help tonight, any advice on how to act, do not hesitate to ask me,” she said. “I know firsthand how strange this world is, so please let me know if it becomes overwhelming.”
She watched him across the carriage. The light from the moon shone across his face so that he had nowhere to hide. And while he held his scowl, while he continued to look uninterested, Isolde could have sworn that she saw the faintest hint of a smirk touch his lips.
It left them just as quickly. Maybe, she had imagined it? But Isolde took such a small thing as a good sign. Cassian was still there and while he hated what she had done, she needed to believe that he did not hate her completely.
That was, after all, the only way this marriage and her future might be saved.
“Should I…” Isolde hesitated when she and Cassian stepped out of the carriage together.
They had arrived at Mr. Brook’s London townhouse. It was a large residence, and once, Isolde might have gaped at its size because it was far bigger than anything she could have imagined herself living in. Now, it almost seemed small compared to her own home.
Waiting for them outside was a valet, and as soon as the doors opened, he rushed down the driveway to greet them. There were another four carriages lined up along the side of the road, suggesting that she and Isolde were the last to arrive.
This was expected, and Mr. Pemberton had told her that she and Cassian were the guests of honor so that when they walked inside, everyone would be there to greet them… as well as judge them as a newly married couple.
Cassian stood just ahead of her, as he had not helped her to climb down. But when she spoke, he looked at the valet, he hesitated, and then he turned back.
“Yes,” he said with a slight grimace. “You should…” He offered her his arm and raised an eyebrow at her.
It was an expected gesture and Isolde tried not to read too much into it. But she smiled warmly as she swept toward him, and her heart fluttered just a little as their arms linked and they came together.
“Your Grace.” The valet bowed deeply when he reached them. “Mr. Brooks and his guests await you inside.”
“Good,” Cassian said. “After you.”
Isolde could not help but smirk as she eyed Cassian. He was trying so hard to be the man he thought that he must be, rather than being himself. It did not suit him, even if it was who he once was, and she wondered just how much he struggled.
They walked down the short driveway together, arm-in-arm. Above, the moon shone full, and in front the light from the residence lit the way. Isolde was dressed in a dark blue gown of silk and the dress flowed behind her as the wind made her hair flutter. Cassian wore a dark suit, he looked every inch the duke, and together they surely looked the part.
It was all for show, Isolde knew, but as they walked, she could not help but imagine how things might have been in slightly different circumstances. If she who she had said, or had she not told him the truth, would they be laughing together right now? Making jokes about how tedious this evening was sure to be? Would she have finally started to feel for Cassian what she knew he had once felt for her?
I suppose I will never know, and that hurts more than I like to admit.
“Be sure not to speak unless spoken to,” Cassian said as they walked up the steps and towards the front door.
“I know it,” she said. “I wrote some jokes earlier, but I suppose it would be best if I do not use them.”
He frowned and looked at her as if he thought she was being serious.
“That was a joke,” she said with laughter. “The only one, I promise.”
He scowled and looked away, but once again, she could have sworn that she saw him smile.
They entered the residence together, where they were met by five other couples. Three of them were members of the gentry, Mr. Brooks and his wife included. The other two were members of the peerage, each a lord with his lady wife.
