But waiting for Henry in his big canopied bed in the townhouse on park place, Cassy began to wonder if she had the same flair for "sensible choice" as Adeline obviously had. It didn't come easily to her. She wanted to fling her anger at him and tell him what she thought of him for seeing his actress again, then threaten to shoot him if he went to her again. Then she wanted him to take her in his arms and kiss her until she could think of nothing but his hard body and heated kisses.Hugging her knees, she sat up in the bed and watched as low light from candles placed on the mantel shed waving patterns on the deep green walls. She was wearing her prettiest nightgown, sewn of sheer material and caught up on her shoulders with a rosette on each side, then flowing down in a greek fashion, to swirl around her feet. In the light, a person could see right through it. What would Henry do when he saw her? Would he be pleased? Irritated? Surprised?When she finally heard his heavy tread in the ha

"Don't be so nervous," Theresa said with a decisive nod. She flicked a glance around the quiet, secluded courtyard of the staple inn, where they sat after a brisk morning shopping. "I knew you would be fretting like this. That's why I came and dragged you along with me. Aren't you glad?"Cassy managed a fretful smile. "I think so. I'm not sure. I'm not sure of anything. Theresa, are you absolutely certain we're doing the right thing? I mean, Henry has been so grim lately, and will hardly talk to me at all.""He'll get over it sooner or later," Theresa predicted. "And he won't be mean to you in public, because he won't want anyone to know there are any problems in his domestic life. It was like that after his mother..." She stopped and cast a quick glance at Cassy."Oh, I already know about his parents and Zack and his first love," Cassy said. "Someone finally told me.""You'd better not allow him to find out you know. He's quite savage on those subjects. Of course, now that he's marrie

"Hold your head up and smile woman," Henry growled when Cassy hung back at the top of the steps leading to Theresa's imposing home. His hand gripped her wrist so tightly she almost gasped, and she felt like jerking away and fleeing back down the steps to the waiting carriage. There was a long line of carriages in the street outside her home; it was obvious the ton had gathered to see how Henry's duchess would juggle both her lover and her furious husband.Gaslights burned brightly, adding to the sooty air that hung over the city, casting hazy shadows in the gloom. The lights on the elegant coaches and carriages shimmered like earthbound fireflies, and the streets were alive with the glitter of jewels and the shimmer of fine garments.If not for the cold dread in the pit of her stomach, Cassy might have enjoyed the sight of London finery. As it was, she felt only a shivering apprehension at Henry's cold rage and implacable face. They'd ridden from the townhouse on Park lane to Theresa's

This time, when he made love to her, Henry lingered over her for hours, holding himself back while he guided Cassy to peak after peak of trembling ecstasy, and then joining her there.Dawn was already streaking the purple sky with wide pink slices when Henry made love to her for the last time and finally fell into a deep slumber. Cautiously lifting his imprisoning arm from around her waist, Cassy inched forward and slid out from beneath the sheets. Her body, unused to such vigorous lovemaking, felt weak, limp, and deliciously weary as she walked silently around to his side of the bed and picked up her satin dressing gown. Sliding her arms into the sleeves, she wrapped the gown around her, then hesitated, looking down at her husband. His hair was inky against the gleaming whiteness of the pillow, and sleep softened the rugged contours of his tanned face, making him look almost boyish.The sheet had slid down to his hips, exposing to her view the full expanse of his broad, muscled chest

Cassy had no idea what it cost Henry to remain cool. He fought against the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, the relief to see her again, the fear that she would hate him for his harshness to her. He struggled briefly, and finally returned into cool deliberation. He wanted to hug her so tight in his arms, then toss her to her bed and make love to her until the sun rose the next morning. Since he could do neither without looking like a brute or a fool, he chose to cut her with words."Perhaps I should be flattered that you chose to come back to the country instead of going on to London for the small season, but I can't say that I am. I find your presence here a bit inconvenient.""Do you?" she said coldly without turning to look at him. She couldn't look at him, couldn't let him see how easily he could hurt her. "That's unfortunate. I hardly see that could matter to you.""Then you should have researched more carefully. I am giving a little dinner party tomorrow night,