Seducing the Ruthless Rogue

by Tammy Jo Burns

  He went after the shooter.

  “Because he felt guilty thinking that I had been shot by accident and he was the true target.”

  “Missy Cassie, who you talking to?” Chang interrupted.

  “No one,” she said, turning her head to look at the man. “I’m glad to see Director McKenzie delivered you in one piece.”

  “He very angry. We not speak entire trip.”

  “I am not surprised.”

  “He has secrets.”

  “Don’t we all,” Cassie muttered.

  “This note come for you,” Chang said, entering her room and holding out a piece of paper to her.

  Cassie took it, opened it, and quickly scanned its contents. She bolted upright as she read it again. “How dare he?” She felt rage racing through her veins.

  “Who, Missy Cassie?”

  “Director McKenzie, that’s who. I don’t know who that man is that he thinks he can dictate to me and I will just obey like a pup being ordered to sit and roll over.” Now she was pacing the confines of her bedroom.

  “What has you so riled, daughter?”

  “This,” she waved the note in the air. Her father took it from her and she continued to pace. “Well?” she asked impatiently.

  “He would not have sent the note if it weren’t important. Therefore, I think you should do as he says. Stay away from the boy.”

  “You are taking his side?”

  “I trusted the man with my life, remember? He has a reason for everything that he does. You need to trust him.”

  “I agree with Sir Graham,” Chang chimed in.

  “Out, both of you, now.” Cassie pointed to the door of her bedroom. Chang left almost instantly, not trying to hide the fact that she had hurt his feelings. Her father had other plans.

  “There is no need for you to behave like this. Chang is worried about you and evidently, so is Director McKenzie.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “As you did when you were shot? You are not invincible, Cassie. And it is all right for you to rely on and listen to others. I suggest you do what Director McKenzie has ordered. He will let you know in good time when things change.”

  “Thank you for your advice, Papa, but I have been taking care of Chang and myself for a year. I think I have done very well without anyone’s interference, including yours.”

  “If that is the way you wish it to be, then I will not stand in your way. Let me just say this, it is much more difficult for a parent to attend their child’s funeral than it is the other way around.” Sir Graham calmly left the room.

  Cassie walked over to the door and slammed it shut, getting little satisfaction when it rattled in its frame. She could not wait until she saw Director Stuart McKenzie. She would set him straight about several things, including what he could and could not instruct her to do.

  Chapter 14

  “What is it, Preston?” Mack practically barked at the other man when he knocked on his office door.

  “Sir Graham would like to have a word with you.”

  “Send him in,” he sighed and pulled a large cloth over his desk, covering the papers that were littered all over it.

  “You trust no one, I see. That is wise in this day and age.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Mack stood and reached across the desk to shake the man’s hand. “What can I do for you?”

  “You have begun a war, if you did not know.”

  “I am not surprised. Your daughter can be quite fiery at times.”

  “Yes. I think I have made her see the wisdom of following your orders. I am just not sure how long she will follow your directive.”

  “I just need her to follow it through Mikala’s party next week, when I can speak to her in person.”

  “You are choosing a party to discuss the matter with her?”

  “I’m afraid I will be followed to your house otherwise. Preston,” Mack called.

  “Yes, Director?”

  “Please shut my door.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Mack waited until the door was firmly shut then turned back to the older man sitting across from him. “Sir Graham, are you aware that your daughter writes editorials for The Times?”

  “I knew she wrote articles,” the man conceded. “I wasn’t sure what the nature of them were.”

  “Have you never read any of her works?”

  “Director, I am an inventor and scientist. People want me to create things that will help Britain win the war. I rarely have time to sit and read, and when I do, it is not for the joy of reading. I read scientific treatise and tomes. Material that will help me with my inventions. Tell me, why do you read the newspapers?”

  “To keep a finger on the pulse of the country and the world.”

  “Exactly. It aids you with your job.”

  “You know, she is an excellent writer.”

  “I have no doubt about that,” her father replied.

  “Sir Graham, Cassie has successfully kept her identity a secret from everyone. I have just recently pieced together that it is she writing these articles. I was called into the Prime Minister’s office to find out who C. E. Jones is and put a stop to their writing. Jones’ articles are making members of the ton nervous and irritating members of parliament.”

  “Jones is Cassiopeia, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jones was her mother’s name before we married,” he said, becoming a little rheumy-eyed thinking about his late wife. “You do realize that it will do no good telling Cassie to quit writing. She will do it regardless.”

  “Sir Graham, at first when Cass…Miss Graham was shot, I thought the bullet was meant for me. Now, I am not so certain.”

  “It matters not. I know my daughter, McKenzie, and she will continue to write as long as she believes she is forcing a change.”

  “Even if her life is in danger?”

  “She cares not.”

  “You need to take your daughter in hand, Sir Graham.”

  “Is that what you think, young man?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know how old my daughter is, Director?”

  “No.”

  “Old enough to make her own decisions and choices. Her mother and I prided ourselves on teaching our daughter to be independent and live her own life. So, no, Director McKenzie, I will not get involved in this matter between you and my daughter.” The older man stood to leave. “I will caution you though, that you are going to have a battle on your hands.”

  “You should marry her off, Sir Graham. Let some poor man be stuck with trying to keep her from harming herself and others.”

  “Are you volunteering for the job, Director?”

  “No,” Mack burst out. Sir Graham actually laughed as he left the office.

  When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Sir Graham ran into the Duke of Hawkescliffe. “Lord Hawkescliffe, I understand that your lovely wife is hosting a party, and my daughter is attending.”

  “Yes, she is, Sir Graham.”

  “I hope it would not be too presumptuous of me, but I would be most appreciative if I might be able to attend as well.”

  “I didn’t think that you cared for those types of things,” Hawkescliffe stated, a note of curiosity in his voice.

  “Normally, I don’t, but I think that this one might be very interesting indeed. Besides, I would love to see my daughter dressed up for a change.”

  “Of course.”

  “And I need to personally thank your wife for taking Cassie under her wing.”

  “Mikala has enjoyed it. We will look forward to seeing you. I will have Mikala send you an invitation.”

  “Wonderful. Thank you, Your Grace.” The two started to part ways. “Oh, and please don’t mention this to Director McKenzie.”

  “All right,” Hawkescliffe agreed, a look of confusion on his face.

  “Good day, Your Grace.”

  “Sir Graham.”

  As he left, Sir Graham smirked and rubbed h
is hands together gleefully.

  ***

  “Where have you been?” Cassie asked her father when he came ambling into the house later that afternoon.

  “Out,” he replied evasively.

  “That’s not like you.”

  “I have been known to go out and see people,” he teased. He laughed when she gave him a look that questioned what he had just said. “Perhaps it has been a while, but I used to be quite popular back in my younger days.”

  “I’m sure you were. Supper will be ready shortly so do not go out to your workshop yet.”

  “Yes, my dear.”

  They quietly ate their meal, and after Cassie and Chang cleared the dishes and washed everything, they all three went their separate ways. Sir Graham disappeared into his workshop to tinker on who knew what. Chang retired to his room to meditate. Cassie went into the study to work on her writing. She had been at an impasse all day and hoped she could settle down enough to continue working on her story.

  Every time she came to a part where the heroine came into contact with the dark hero, images of Director McKenzie popped into her mind. Mack. She would attempt to bring herself back to the present, but instead would find herself lost in thought once more, thinking about him. How could one man irritate and distract her so much? When she thought about him, her stomach felt like butterflies had been set loose inside. Those kisses they had shared, the way he had touched her…

  Something pinged against the front window. Cassie stood and crossed the room, stretching as she walked. She pulled back the curtain and looked outside. The moon cast a silver glow on everything. The wind blew papers down the street in front of their little house. The small plants that were planted around the house swayed in the breeze. Other than that, everything looked as it should.

  “You need to relax,” Cassie instructed herself.

  She found herself making a pot of tea instead of returning to her writing. Cassie loaded a tray with biscuits, cups, and the tea, then went out the back door. She knocked on her father’s workshop door, as she carefully balanced the tray. Cassie hoped to spend a little quality time with him after such a long separation. She also hoped to ease the tension between them after their altercation. The wind whipped her hair about. When he didn’t answer her knock she entered his domain, calling out, “Papa, I brought tea and dessert.”

  “Come in, girl. The wind is picking up out there. We’ll have a storm upon us by morning. Be sure and have Chang fix you his storm potion.”

  “I will. Papa, I’m sorry about the other day. I shouldn’t have argued with you like I did. All of this just has me out of sorts.”

  “You know, I love you no matter what, my girl, even if I don’t always show it or say it.”

  “Yes, Papa. Now, let’s enjoy this tray of goodies, and you can tell me all about what you’re working on.”

  ***

  The week passed slowly. Cassie felt like she had been sentenced to life in prison, and her home had been turned into a cell. McKenzie had not responded to any of her notes. When she questioned her father, he only told her she worried too much. He would remind her that the director had protected him and just do as he instructed because he had his reasons.

  The only time she had been able to escape was when Mikala had come around to collect her for the final fitting of her dress. When they arrived at the dressmaker’s shop, Cassie was already feeling much better. She and Mikala walked inside and were eagerly greeted by Mrs. Garrett.

  “Ladies, sit and I will retrieve the dress. It turned out beautifully, if I say so myself,” the seamstress beamed.

  “I can’t wait to see it,” Mikala said excitedly.

  Cassie twisted her hands nervously. She watched as the woman came from the back carrying a gorgeous red gown. “There must be some mistake,” Cassie said. “We had picked out the pale blue fabric for my dress.”

  “Well, I sent a note around to Mrs. Garrett and asked her to make it out of the red fabric.”

  “But you said we shouldn’t fight society’s rules about this.”

  “And I remembered how much fun I had defying society. Besides the people that are going to be at my party would not care what you showed up in. Now, go try it on and let’s see what you look like in it.”

  Cassie followed Mrs. Garrett to the back of the store. The woman helped her out of her old dress and into the new one. The fabric felt luxurious on her skin. Mrs. Garrett did up her buttons in the back, then turned Cassie around.

  “Oh my, you look absolutely beautiful,” the dressmaker said.

  “Don’t keep her back here where I can’t…” Mikala stopped when she flung the curtain back. “Cassie, you look absolutely gorgeous.”

  “Truly?”

  “Yes,” Mikala replied, reached for her hand, and pulled her in front of the cheval mirror. “Look,” she turned Cassie to face the mirror.

  Cassie stood in awe, staring at herself. The upper part of the dress shimmered a beautiful, rich red in the light. Sheer black fell from just below her breasts to the floor. The front of the sheer material was split, giving glimpses of the red fabric beneath every time she moved. Cassie turned every which way she could to see what the dress looked like all the way around.

  “We will pin your hair up with little tendrils framing your face.”

  “It’s just so beautiful,” Cassie said in awe.

  “How does it fit,” Mrs. Garrett asked.

  “Perfect,” Cassie whispered. “Everything is perfect. Thank you so much, Mikala.” Cassie threw her arms around the other woman.

  “You are so very welcome.” They spent the rest of the time deciding what accessories she would wear.

  Now, a scant two days later, she stood in a bedroom in the Duke and Duchess of Hawkescliffe’s house with a maid helping her dress for the party. She looked like a fairytale princess who had been given a small window of time to live out her dream. Her stomach fluttered crazily at the thought of going downstairs and facing all those people.

  Her hair looked just like Mikala had described it. The maid had piled it on top of her head and then pulled tendrils free. Because her hair was so straight, the maid took a short metal rod and heated it in the fire. Then she took pieces of Cassie’s hair and wrapped them around the metal for a few seconds and released it so that curls bounced like springs. The maid added just a touch of rouge to Cassie’s cheeks and lips and a bit of kohl to her lashes.

  “There you go, miss. How do you like that?” the maid asked when she finished.

  “Is that truly me?”

  The maid giggled her answer. She helped Cassie put on her gloves and the pieces of jewelry Mikala had sent for her to wear that evening.

  Cassie was pleased to see that between the sleeve of her dress and her gloves, the bullet wound was covered. She heard repeated knocking on the door for the last half hour. People must already be showing up for the party. “I suppose I’m ready,” Cassie said and walked to the door. The slippers were so different than the hearty shoes she wore. It almost felt as if she were going barefoot, and they matched the color of her dress.

  “You’ll be fine, miss,” the maid encouraged her.

  “I do hope you’re right,” Cassie said. She started to leave the room, then paused as nervousness overtook her. “I need just a moment. By myself,” she told the maid.

  “Of course, Miss Graham,” the maid seemed to understand and left Cassie in peace.

  Cassie shut the door, walked across the room, and opened the window to let in some fresh air. The fading rays of the sun were turning the sky shades of pink and lavender. She heard an owl hoot somewhere nearby. What was that silly superstition about owls? Oh, yes, if you hear one during the day, sadness will befall you before the night is over. It was a good thing Cassie did not believe in superstitions. She took one more deep breath of fresh air before crossing the floor again.

  She left the room and made her way down the stairs. She followed the din of noise to a large room at the back of the house. There were a
line of people going into it. What are all these people doing here? she thought wildly. Mikala had told her that would only be a small party with a few family members and friends invited. As the line inched forward, Cassie could see Mikala greeting people. When Mikala spied her, she said something to someone and then came towards her.

  “Cassie, you look beautiful,” she took her hands and squeezed them tightly.

  “Thank you. I thought you said this was going to be a small party.”

  “I might have gotten carried away.”

  “I can’t do this. This is too many people.”

  “You can, and you will do it,” she heard a familiar voice say.

  “Papa?” Cassie asked. She spun around and saw her father walking up to the line. He wore his best suit and cravat, both of which had seen better days, but still made him look dignified. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She threw her arms about him when he reached her.

  “Don’t you know it isn’t good ton to show emotion?” Her father chuckled as he hugged her back.

  “I don’t care. I’m just so glad that you are here.”

  “Her Grace was kind enough to send me an invitation, and here I am. I couldn’t miss my princess’ big debut, now, could I?”

  “No,” Cassie answered.

  “Now, let me take a good look at you,” he backed up and indicated that she should spin around.

  When she did, she stopped and looked expectantly at him. He just stared at her and she thought she saw him blink back tears. “Well?” she asked nervously.

  “Beautiful. Absolutely stunning. You look so much like your mother. She would be so proud of you,” he said.

  “Papa, don’t make me cry,” she sniffed and blinked furiously.

  “No, we will have none of that,” Mikala insisted. “You two come with me. As guests of honor, you get to stand with Gabe and me in the receiving line.”

  “Guest of honor? Oh, no, Mikala, you never said anything about this. I think I will return upstairs.”

  “No, you won’t. You will come with me. I hate receiving lines as much as anyone,” she whispered to Cassie. “They are a necessary evil when hosting a large party. If you are by my side, it will make the time go faster.”