Chapter 194

"Not bad," she pronounced. "Not bad at all."

One of his eyebrows rose in response.

Cassandra left Rachel’s side and approached him, circling him with such focus and scrutiny that he began to suspect she was enjoying herself far more than was strictly necessary.

She examined the cut of his coat, the arrangement of his cravat and the fit of his waistcoat, then stepped behind him to inspect the back.

Draven stood still, enduring the examination like an exotic bird on display.

"Well?" he asked when she returned to face him.

She nodded approvingly. "Yes. That will do."

"How generous." He narrowed his eyes at her playfully. "And here I was thinking I would at least get a pat on the back for a job well done."

Perhaps even a kiss on the cheek, he thought wishfully. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

"Those are reserved for exceptional feats. You did well but it’s not exceptional."

Her smile widened to show that she was teasing. With everything that seemed to require her attention lately, teasing him was fast becoming her favorite pass time.

If this was the price of making her happy, he would gladly submit to another inspection.

"You look quite dashing," she admitted.

"Thank you." Draven inclined his head. "I am relieved to know I have met your high standards."

"Aren’t we all?"

He nearly laughed but settled for holding out the small box he had been carrying. "I brought you something."

Her attention shifted to the item in his hand. "For me?"

"Unless you can think of another woman in this room to whom I happen to be married to."

A woman who occupied his every waking thoughts, and who held his heart in her delicate hands without even realizing it.

Cassandra accepted the box, her movements tentative as she examined the fine wrapping and the ribbon tied neatly around it.

"You don’t need to buy me gifts, Draven. They were never part of our agreement."

He disliked hearing her speak of their marriage in such terms. Every time she reminded him of their marriage contract, he felt as though she were deliberately drawing an uncrossable line between them.

It was as if she refused to acknowledge the possibility that what existed between them might be growing into something more.

"I am aware," he replied.

"Then why do it?"

"Because I fail to see what is so unusual about it. Friends give each other gifts all the time."

His explanation was reasonable enough, but Cassandra still regarded him with faint suspicion before finally loosening the ribbon and lifting the lid.

Inside lay a delicate diamond necklace arranged upon dark velvet. The stones were set in fine gold, forming an intricate design at the center, with smaller diamonds extending along the slender chain.

Cassandra was struck speechless by the sight of it.

She lifted the necklace carefully, allowing the chain to slip over her fingers as she marvelled at it.

It was exquisite, the kind of piece that could have adorned a queen without looking out of place.

"Oh, Draven." Her voice was soft with genuine wonder. "It is beautiful."

Draven’s satisfaction was impossible to contain, even if he tried.

He spent a good amount of time choosing the necklace, rejecting pieces that were too gaudy or too heavy until he finally settled on a piece he thought she might like.

Seeing the delight on her face now made the time he spent picking it out feel worth it.

If she would permit it, he would gladly cover her from head to toe in precious gems. He wanted to give her whatever caught her eye, whatever pleased her, whatever might bring that smile to her lips. Jewels were only the beginning. There was scarcely anything he would not wish to lay at her feet if she asked for it.

"It is good of you but you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble," Cassandra murmured, still admiring the necklace.

"It is only a necklace."

She glanced up at him. "Only a necklace? I think not." Her fingertip caressed it gently. "It is very lovely."

He could have told her that he considered buying several others so she would have a variety to pick from everyday. He could have admitted that the thought of her wearing something he had chosen for her often stirred up strange possessive feelings he shouldn’t be having about her.

Instead, he merely held out his hand. "May I?"

"Yes. Please put it on for me." Cassandra placed the necklace in his palm, then turned her back to him.

Draven stepped even closer and draped the necklace around her neck. It was cold against her heated skin.

The necklace rested lightly against his fingers as he brought the ends together behind her neck. He worked carefully at the clasp, his attention fixed on the small fastening. Once or twice, his fingertips would brush the nape of her neck, grazing her sensitive skin.

Cassandra drew a quiet breath.

The touch was slight, scarcely more than a fleeting contact, yet a shiver travelled down her spine.

His fingers lingered only as long as necessary to secure the clasp. Even so, the closeness of him made her acutely aware of the space between them—or, rather, the lack of it.

"There," he murmured.

She turned around and their gazes met. Something passed between them, unspoken and difficult to name.

"It looks stunning on you." The look in his eyes was no longer that of friendly affection.

It was a scorching intensity that would reduce her to cinders if she let it.

Then Rachel shuffled to the dressing table, reminding them that they were not alone.

Cassandra glanced down at the necklace, touching the central ornament with her fingertips. "Thank you. I truly love it."

Draven nodded. "I will wait for you in the sitting room while you finish getting ready."

"Alright, I won’t be long," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

He left the bedchamber, closing the door gently behind him.

"His Grace is very thoughtful," Rachel remarked from somewhere behind her.

"He is, isn’t he?" Cassandra replied, still absentmindedly stroking the necklace around her neck as her gaze remained fixed on the door Draven had just walked through.