Page 9 of Enchanted by the Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #93)
“You must amuse me so I can ensure you are not only seen by the doctor, but that you will be safe returning to your own residence,” Cassandra replied before her gaze traveled from the woman lying on the bed to Lucius as he stood at the foot.
She tore her eyes from him then took hold of a blanket and placed it over Emily.
“Can you tell me if you know who that man was?”
Fear flashed across Emily’s face, and she turned her head away. “I’d rather not say.”
Cassandra clucked over the woman like a mother hen watching over her chicks.
Lucius began to wonder. Who had attacked Emily, and how would they be able to find the assailant if she remained tight-lipped?
He knew from experience that she could be very secretive as well as stubborn, and even if she knew who was behind the potential abduction, she might not be willing to share that information.
Then again, he reasoned, without a man to help her—or even any family—what choice did she have?
He supposed that he and Saxton would need to be the ones who stepped up to help her, especially now that Saxton’s wife, and especially his enchanting house guest had apparently taken the woman under their mother-hen-like wings.
Indeed, even now his thoughts were interrupted by clucking from the head of the bed; he looked to see Cassandra frowning at him, her feathers clearly ruffled.
He bit back a snort as she squawked, “Lord Blackthorn. Lord Blackthorn! If I might have a word?”
“Yes, of course, Mrs. Vaughn.”
He allowed the woman to proceed him and as they left the room, Cassandra turned back to close the door. “Thank you for your help with Mrs. Yates, my lord. I don’t know what we would have done if you and the marquis hadn’t been with us.”
He inclined his head. “I’m certain the driver could have handled the situation, but I am glad I could be of whatever help you needed,” Lucius replied before he remembered their earlier conversation.
And the reprimand from Saxton. “May I take a moment—since we are alone—to offer my sincere apologies for my conduct earlier? I should never have been so… flirtatious given we hardly know one another. The implications that I might have hinted at that might lead to something more should never have occurred, of course.”
“Implications?” she asked with a frown. She appeared curious but Lucius had the impression she was also still miffed with him. Ruffled feathers, he reminded himself and bit the inside of his lip.
“Conversations of such a… delicate nature should be done in privacy, and not in the front parlor of a friend’s home,” he commented dryly wishing he forget such thoughts had ever crossed his mind given her desire for marriage.
She narrowed her eyes and lowered her brows. “Lord Blackthorn—”
“I believe, Cassandra, that I liked it better when you called me by my given name,” he said in a husky whisper.
“That was a momentary lapse of judgement given as I felt the need to help a friend, Lord Blackthorn,” she said icily and properly, instead of using his more intimate suggestion. He reminded himself that she was looking for a husband and that her refusal to be so…friendly…was for the best.
He gave a short bow. “Of course, Mrs. Vaughn,” he replied using the formality he should never have dropped in the first place.
“I still offer my apology. In fact, I understand from Saxton that your current circumstances are changing for the better and I wish you all the best in finding a suitable husband.” Although, he wondered if she could be persuaded to leave there and return here to her perfectly good and still-staffed townhouse, where he and she could then—
A slight gasp escaped her. “The marquis told you I am residing with them?”
He nodded and allowed a small but wicked smile to curl the edges of his lips. Say yes. I’ll make it worth your while…
“Be that as it may, since you obviously weren’t paying attention as I comforted Mrs. Yates, I shall inform you—I told her she should remain here in my home until we find out who attacked her and whether or not she would be safe in her own domicile, and I will continue to reside with the marquis and the marchioness’s home. ”
That ended all his hopes. “Very well, then. I suppose, given your hope to return to the good graces of Society, I won’t be seeing you much at the Lyon’s Den.
” Unable to resist her magnetic pull, especially here, where they were alone and it wasn’t exactly improper, he took a hold of her hand.
He ran his thumb across the back, and he swore he felt her tremble at his touch.
“I will still be going there since I have made an arrangement with Mrs. Dove-Lyon,” she said before she slowly pulled her hand away. Of course she had, he mused, for who else but the matchmaker would assist her to find a suitable husband?
He kept his opinion, this time, to himself, but he didn’t miss the briefest flash of something in her green eyes.
Desire? Regret? Whatever it was, he still couldn’t help the sudden urge to pull her into his arms. Mentally, he shook off such thoughts.
If she was attempting to make a good marriage, he wouldn’t get in the way by ruining her chances, since he had no intention of heading down the same road to matrimony as his friends.
She turned then and began walking down the hallway. He had no choice but to follow her. Before they reached the open area at the top of the stairway, she paused, then surprised him by turning back to him, placing her hand upon his forearm, and giving it a slight squeeze.
“Thank you again for your help today… Lucius,” she purred sweetly before she quickly turned and continued onward toward the stairs.
When they had gathered in the front parlor with Saxton and his wife to wait for the doctor to arrive, Lucius had the distinct impression that he would come to regret that he had no intention of marrying.
But then, he dismissed that as nonsense.
Mrs. Vaughn may be a lovely distraction, he reminded himself, but he was certain he wouldn’t be the best husband for her.
But he couldn’t help but think, what a pity.