Chapter Seventeen #2
Every ounce of hesitation fell away at his stalwart confession. Cassandra rushed him, wrapping her arms around his torso and clinging to him.
“I cannot live another moment without you, Cass,” he whispered into her hair. “Be mine. Forever.”
Her heart faded into oblivion as she melted into his embrace. “I have always been yours.”
Contentment settled around her even as the reality of their situation hovered in the distance. None of it mattered. All that she cared about lay here and now between the two of them. And nothing save the hand of God Himself could stop them.
Cassandra had finally found peace, and she would be damned if anyone tried to take it from her.
*
Mine. Reuben held her tightly as a deep, soul-shattering sense of relief consumed him. Finally. He inhaled, allowing the sweet, floral scent of her to permanently capture this moment in his memory.
She drew back and cradled his face in her hands. Her tear-brightened eyes searched his.
“How did you know where to find me?” Cassandra whispered in awe.
“I will always find you,” he replied, half-serious. When she narrowed her gaze at him, he relented. “The duke.”
“Phillip told you?” Cassandra blinked in astonishment. “But—he—”
“I saw him at Simon’s estate. He met with the Lord of Devil’s Acre to discuss the outstanding debt.” Reuben shook his head. “I know nothing of their conversation. We merely passed in the hall as I was leaving.”
“And you did not strangle each other?” She arched a brow. “How suspicious.”
“He found me later at a tavern,” Reuben explained. “We came to an understanding, and he told me about the masquerade. Then he gave me his blessing, along with an invitation.”
“His blessing.” Cassandra mulled the words before a smile brightened her features.
“While I understand his position dictates I require his permission, I would gladly give it all up to be able to do whatever I please at my own discretion. However, I am certainly relieved that whatever quarrel lay between you both has reached an end.”
Reuben ran his hand along her spine, pressing her closer. “You would do as you please, regardless of his council?”
Cassandra nodded, her eyes darkening with a familiar hunger he knew too well.
“Would you take me as your lover?” he asked, brushing his lips against her jaw. “Boldly declaring your possession and independence? Even if it means losing your status—your finances.”
“I—yes.” Cassandra moaned when his grip tightened on her waist and he ground his hips against her.
“Marry me, Cassandra.”
“You—” She stilled in his arms, her breathing rapid and uneven. When she drew back to search his face, she softened when she found no trace of humor. “Are you in earnest, Reuben?” she asked, breathless.
“Quite.” His heart beat like a war drum inside his ribcage. “If you are willing to risk scandal for a lover, then I believe you are willing to risk it for an unsuitable husband.”
Cassandra scowled. “Whoever said you would make an unsuitable husband?”
“I am of low birth. A servant. A scoundrel with a horrid past.” He trailed his fingertips along her jaw in a featherlight caress.
“Those things are of no consequence.” She rested her hand over his heart. “I know you, Reuben.” Her scowl transformed into a radiant smile. “You are loyal. Considerate. Understanding. And most of all—passionate. I believe you would be the perfect husband.”
Reuben held his breath, nearly bursting at the praise she bestowed upon him. He exhaled when she grasped his lapel and tugged him closer.
“Ask me again.” Her words whispered across his mouth.
“Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, Your Grace?” he asked, his throat hoarse and head spinning. “I offer you all that I am. I love you and do not wish to be parted from you from this moment forward.”
Cassandra drew a steady breath and pressed an achingly tender kiss to his lips. He accepted it without question, melting into the sensation. When she tilted her head, he deepened the kiss and surrendered completely. She tasted of cinnamon, cloves, and desire.
When she ended the kiss, he groaned in frustration at the loss of her touch.
“I will marry you, Reuben.” She ran her thumb over his lower lip. “If you answer one question.”
“Anything,” he murmured. She could demand any task, and he would obey.
“Why would you take such a risk to protect me?” The question was soft, but not hesitant.
“Every day, I saw how he treated you. How he hurt you with every callous word and consistent neglect.” Reuben’s fury returned at the memories.
“But when I saw him strike you—” His hands balled into fists, and he struggled to maintain his composure.
“I heard him, Cassandra. I heard you struggle as he took you by force.” His voice cracked. “I heard your sobs after he left.”
Reuben stroked his hand down her back to ground himself. “I could no longer stand idly by and allow him to breathe after inflicting such pain on someone as beautiful and innocent as you.” A tear ran down his cheek. “You deserved better, and I ensured it would never happen again.”
“They said he died in his sleep.”
“I—”
“No. Don’t tell me. It does not matter. Not to me.”
His hand stilled on her back. It had been simple, truly. A few extra doses of laudanum in his brandy. Two splashes of the liquid and a monster’s life had been snuffed out. Reuben sighed. Unless she truly wanted to know the details, he would take that secret to his grave.
Cassandra stared at him, her tears mirroring his own. “I should be horrified by this knowledge, but I—I cannot tell you the measure of relief I felt when I found him dead.”
“I know, darling.” Reuben held her tighter. “I did what needed to be done. My only regret was that I could not save all those who came before you.”
Cassandra shivered in his embrace. “Thank you, Reuben.”
They stood in the dim conservatory, the distant strains of music filtering through the trees and bushes. Reuben allowed everything to fall away, his worry, the uncertainty. This moment was for them alone. A chance to find peace and begin anew.
“Reuben,” Cassandra said, her voice muffled by his jacket. “Take me home.”
Without further direction, Reuben took charge, replacing their masks.
He took her arm and led her back to the masquerade.
Curious gazes followed them as they wandered the perimeter of the room, but they remained to the shadowed edges of the group so as to not to make a spectacle of their departure.
Cassandra waved to her friends watching from afar, who grinned in delight.
He left Cassandra to secure her wool cloak while he donned his coat and ventured out to locate her carriage. Within ten minutes, they were both tucked inside the warm confines of the carriage as it rattled toward Mayfair.
Cassandra rested her hand on his thigh, and he turned to meet her heated gaze. Without a word, her hand drifted higher.
Reuben sucked in a breath. “Perhaps we should wait until—”
“I have no intention of waiting another moment.” Cassandra cupped him through the fabric of his trousers.
His cock, already hard, grew impossibly firm beneath her caress. He groaned at the insistent grip. Reuben leaned forward and kissed her. The tenderness from earlier vanished, replaced with a tempest of need.
Her hands fumbled with his trousers, attempting to free him, but he pushed her hand away. She moaned in disappointment.
Reuben shifted, pressing her back against the carriage cushion and gathering the fabric of her skirts, pushing them up. When he touched the silken skin of her bare inner thighs, Cassandra gasped and her hands gripped him tighter, one holding his jacket and the other taking hold of his hair.
The first brush of his fingers along the seam of her cunt sent a bolt of lust straight to his cock. She shivered beneath his touch.
“Fuck,” he murmured against her cheek. He teased her opening before sliding two fingers deep inside her warm cunt. “Dripping for me again.”
“Reuben,” she whimpered, biting her lip. “Please.”
“Do you want me to fuck you, darling?”
She ground her hips against his hand, taking him deeper. A gasp ripped from her throat.
“Say the words, Cassandra.” He nipped at her lower lip. “Tell me what you need.”
Both hands took hold of his hair. Her eyes blazed with heat. “I want—need you to fuck me, Reuben. Now.” A feral growl unleashed from her as he removed his hand and licked her arousal from his fingers.
Her sweet taste lingered on his tongue as he freed himself from the confines of his trousers. With effort, he managed to pull her atop him. Her skirts rucked around her waist as she straddled his lap. When she sank down onto his cock, it took all his effort not to come.
Heaven. She felt like fucking heaven. Like redemption and salvation wrapped in a warm, guiding light. He rested his head against her shoulder, allowing himself a few breaths to steady the fire coursing through him.
Then Cassandra moved, and sparks ignited in the darkness. His hands on her waist, he thrust up, earning him a satisfied moan that echoed through the carriage.
They sank into unison, moving as one in tandem with the movement of the rocking carriage. Cassandra braced herself on his shoulders as he held her firmly on his cock.
Her head lolled back as he moved inside her. She ground her hips against his, her desire growing with every stroke. It was too much, but he held tight, strangling his rapidly building release as hers took to new heights.
Heat blossomed around them, the rustling of their clothes and gasping, panting moans filling the tight space. Surely, the driver could hear them, but Reuben could not bring himself to care. He needed this—needed her. Just as she needed him.
Passion burned through them both, and they surrendered to the demand willingly.
Reuben raked his teeth along her neck before capturing her mouth in a punishing kiss. He felt her tighten around him and knew she was close. He quickened the thrust of his hips, shifting the angle enough to draw a deep, keening moan from deep within her.
She shattered around him, her climax pulling him under and triggering his own. Her body drew it from him, clenching like a fist around his cock. He gasped at the sheer magnitude of the sensation coursing through him.
Cassandra collapsed against him, and he wrapped his arms around her, cradling her in his lap, completely sated and entwined in the aftermath of their passion.
The carriage slowly rolled to a stop, shaking them from their stupor.
“I believe we have arrived,” Reuben murmured against her cheek.
Carefully, they disentangled themselves, managing to right their garments in time for the footman to open the door.
Reuben helped Cassandra from the carriage and offered his arm. She smiled and took it. As they ascended the stairs, a sense of peace settled over Reuben.
He’d found his purpose, his home. Cassandra. Whatever came next, he knew with absolute certainty that he had done the right thing.
When the footman opened the door, Reuben stood aside to allow her to venture in from the cold. With a quizzical look at Reuben, the footman hurried forward and took their outer garments.
Mrs. Mercer stood at the end of the hall, her mouth agape. “Your Grace?” Her gaze fell to Reuben. “Mr. Evans. Well, this is quite a surprise.”
“Would you mind giving us a moment alone?” Cassandra asked.
“Of course.” Mrs. Mercer summoned the footman, and they left Cassandra and Reuben alone in the hall.
Turning back to her, Reuben paused mid-step. Cassandra stood watching him.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, coming to her side.
“Not at all.” She caressed his cheek. “I just realized something.”
“What?” He leaned into her touch.
“I never answered your question directly.”
Realization dawned. “Ah, yes, well, you do not need to—”
“Yes, Reuben.” Her eyes sparkled with delight. “I will marry you.”
Effervescent joy filled him, and he caught her up in his arms. Her squeal of surprise shook the house.
He lowered her to her feet and kissed her soundly.
Then he swept her into his arms and carried her up the staircase to her bedchamber, where he made up for lost time by worshipping her in all the ways she deserved.