A Match Made in Bed (Spinster Heiresses #2)(58)

That brought a deeper blush to her cheeks.

Cass didn’t know how to respond to flattery. She knew she had even features, but she’d never garnered any male attention for anything other than her money.

Of course, there had been that evening when Mr. Roger Edmonds, the poet, had kissed her, but he didn’t count. He was an odd character. Whereas Soren, even as impoverished as he was, would have been many a debutante’s first choice—especially once he smiled at them.

He had finished his breakfast but he waited for her to eat. A waiter placed a plate of sausage and toast in front of her. She was famished.

As she tucked in her food, Soren observed with a wicked wink, “You have an appetite this morning, my lady.”

“Pleasing you is hard work,” she replied, a piece of sausage on her fork ready to pop into her mouth—

The clearing of a masculine throat prevented her from eating. The Duke of Camberly had approached their table and had overheard her comment.

Soren laughed and stood out of respect to his friend’s title. Cassandra wished she could crawl under the table. She started to stand but the duke waved her to sit.

“Please remain in your chair, my lady, and finish your meal. And don’t look so mortified. I envy my friend. I’m happy the marriage seems off to a good start.”

“Please join us, Your Grace,” Soren invited easily.

Cassandra had set down her fork and knife. First, it was always uncomfortable eating in front of someone who wasn’t dining. Secondly, she caught herself comparing the two men. She wondered if God had brought the duke to their table as a test.

Yes, Camberly was extremely handsome. Almost physically perfect. She understood why at one time she’d been excited over the thought that he might have been interested in her.

However, now she believed he lacked the character Soren possessed.

Indeed, the duke didn’t look as if he was feeling quite well. There were dark circles under his eyes, the sort that were caused by anxiousness.

“I can see that Lady Dewsberry won’t eat in my presence,” he said, taking a step away. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“Please sit, Your Grace,” she heard herself saying. “Have you eaten yet?” The words flowed out of her. Before she’d been too self-conscious around Camberly to say very much of anything. Their conversations together had been quite stilted as a consequence. However now, her concern for him set her at ease.

“That’s very kind of you. But I can’t intrude any longer.”

“We are traveling to Pentreath today,” Soren said. “If you have the opportunity, it would be an honor if you visited.”

“I may.” The duke shook Soren’s offered hand but he did not let it go immediately. He looked from Soren to Cass and smiled, the expression sad. “I’m envious of your obvious true affection for each other.”

On those words, he released Soren’s hand and went striding toward the door.

Soren sat. He leaned toward Cassandra. “Do I have a reason to be jealous?”

She grinned. “Are you?” She bit into the sausage.

“A bit. You were once quite taken with his looks.”

“You knew that?”

Soren’s gray gaze met hers. “Sometimes, Cassandra, I believe I know everything about you.”

“Not everything.” It felt good to be able to say that, especially after the day she’d had yesterday. She picked up a piece of toast. “Although you do know what I like for breakfast.”

“You are English. We are predictable.” He rapped the table once and said, “Spill it, what were you thinking when you were talking to Camberly?”

“I was thinking he appeared quite downcast. Did you not notice?”

“No, I was too jealous.”

That made Cassandra laugh and then she stopped, struck by a new thought. “If I had married the duke, do you believe Camberly would have stayed beside me once he learned MP Holwell had spent all my inheritance?”

“Matt is a good man. However, you are not dispelling my jealousy.”

“I do not believe you have anything to be jealous over, my lord.” MP Holwell had been right—Camberly would never have chosen her. Her statement made Soren smile. “However, I sense the duke is upset.”

He reached for a piece of her toast. “And why do you think he is?”

“I believe he is not taking Letty Bainhurst’s defection lightly.”

His brows rose as if she might be right. “It is still a good thing she has ended it.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never had a broken heart.”

“Camberly’s supposed love life doesn’t interest me. My focus is on you and Logan. Come, let us see what can be done about Holwell stealing your inheritance.”



Mr. Forrester was a thin man with a pleasant disposition. He treated Soren with respect and, of course, extended that courtesy to Cassandra. He apparently was working with Soren on properly entailing Pentreath Castle. Part of the pearl money would go to that endeavor.

After Soren laid out what he and Cassandra knew about her inheritance, Mr. Forrester gave the matter a moment’s thought before saying, “You are quite right, my lord. There probably is little money left in Lady Dewsberry’s inheritance. This is not a singular case. There are often dangers when a guardian has control of a minor’s money. It is well known that MP Holwell spends prodigiously. I have heard rumors of disastrous investments he’s made. I wondered why any sane man would throw about money in such reckless manner, and now we know. Perhaps he was attempting to recoup losses. I admit I have been jealous of that new coach he purchased.”