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Cassian gave a wry smile at her obvious insincerity. He couldn’t blame her for her dislike. She doubtlessly knew about his attempt to blackmail her daughter, to say nothing of their disastrous almost wedding. Perhaps she also blamed him for how Miss Daphne had very nearly been ruined. Shewouldhave been ruined had she not stumbled upon the Duke of Thornbridge and married him.

Still, Cassian found his eyes straying to where Emily stood. The rug stretched out between them. He wanted nothing more than to cross it, to snatch her up in his arms, to pull her close to him.

He wanted to kiss her again, to press his lips to her throat and feel her pulse hammer. He wanted to let his hands slide over her curves, feel her heart beat faster beneath his touch. He wantedher.

“Your Grace?” Lady St. Maur prompted, sounding as if her thin store of patience was already running out. “This is a most unusual hour.”

“I shall get to the point,” Cassian spoke up. He had rehearsed his speech in his head, and he noted wryly that he was not offered a seat or a cup of tea. “I have asked Miss Belmont to marry me.”

Lady St. Maur folded her arms tightly across her chest. “Again, you mean? However, I am not sure your first proposal was really a proper one.”

He inclined his head. That was a fair point.

Lady St. Maur turned to Emily, who was hovering beside her, eyeing him expectantly. A flush was spreading across her cheeks, creeping down her neck. When he met her eyes, she blinked rapidly, drawing in a breath.

“Emily, would you step out for a moment? I would like to speak to His Grace alone.”

Cassian had not been expecting this. Neither had Emily, judging by the startled look on her face. She glanced between the two of them, then sighed, her shoulders slumping.

“Yes, Mama.”

She cast one last glance at him, the look in her eyes something he could not quite interpret, and slunk out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Silence fell like a heavy blanket.

Lady St. Maur turned an unblinking stare on Cassian.

“I’m sure you entirely understand my reservations about this matter,” she began, her voice quiet and firm. “Emily is my last daughter left at home. She is a little more… vulnerable than her sisters. Anna could always take care of herself, and Daphne, too, is a forthright and assertive young woman. I am not certain that you are the best match for my daughter. Not after everything that has transpired.”

“I understand. However, Miss Belmont and I have discussed the issue, and we feel that marriage is exactly what both of us need. After all, the incident to which you refer has damaged my reputation, too. We have thought it over, free of troublesome emotions, and have come to this conclusion.”

Lady St. Maur narrowed her eyes at him. She really didnotlike him, it was eminently plain.

“Oh? And when and where, exactly, did you have this lengthy and intimate conversation with my daughter?”

Cassian frowned. He had not anticipated that question.

“I…”

Lady St. Maur sighed, shaking her head. “Oh, I think it is better that I do not know. If you have spoken to Emily about this, and she has agreed to marry you, then I will not oppose it. She’s of age and has a mind of her own. If she has set her mind on something, I daresay she will do it without my blessing, so you do not need that either.”

Cassian swallowed, drawing in a deep breath. “No, I do not need your permission or your blessing. But I would like to have it, even so. Emily adores you. It is… refreshing to see a family so close to each other. I should not like to separate her from the people she loves, even if I cannot offer her love myself.”

Lady St. Maur’s expression softened a little at that. Cassian had not planned such an emotional speech, and his words had taken him a little aback. Still, it seemed to have worked.

“You shall have it, then,” Lady St. Maur relented. “I give you my permission and my blessing. But mark my words, Your Grace. I shall be watching you closely. I love my daughters, and like any good mother, I shall be as fiercely protective as is necessary. You had better take care of her, and do her no harm.”

He bowed. “I promise faithfully, Lady St. Maur.”

She eyed him for a moment longer as if she could not quite make him out.

Sighing, she turned to the door and called out, “I know you have been listening, Emily. You may come in now.”

The door creaked open, and a red-faced Emily slipped inside.

“I was noteavesdropping,” she insisted stoutly. “I just happened to be nearby.”

Lady St. Maur met Cassian’s gaze, rolling her eyes.