Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 272

The moment Cassian came in, Hugh threw the words at him. "Your Grace, even if you're newly married and inseparable, you should show a little self-control."

Cassian stayed calm, shot him a glance, and said, "Don't say that in front of my wife. She's shy. You'll embarrass her."

Hugh stared.

Cassian continued lazily, "If you're jealous, I can introduce you to someone too."

Hugh's expression darkened further. "Get out."

He kept his face set and gestured sharply for Cassian to hold out his arm.

Hugh's fingers found Cassian's pulse. He focused, reading it.

Then he froze.

Hugh frowned, checked Cassian's pulse again as though he could hardly trust what he was feeling, and then slowly shook his head.

"Something wrong?"

"No mistake. If anything, it's better than it should be."

Cassian raised a brow. "Better than it should be?"

Hugh released his wrist and studied Cassian from head to toe, clearly puzzled.

"What exactly did you do last night and this morning? Your pulse says your circulation is smoother, your strength has recovered much faster, far more than yesterday. No ordinary treatment could have improved your condition this much."

Cassian went still for a moment. He hadn't done anything—except Elowen.

After a brief pause, Cassian looked at Hugh.

"Hugh. Is there something you know that I don't?"

Hugh was still thinking about the pulse and answered without really thinking.

"What?"

Cassian lowered his gaze toward his legs, his voice quiet. "Seems my wife may be the cure after all."

At the Baker estate, dusk slowly settled, and the courtyard sank into shadow.

After Geoffrey finished his work, he headed toward Clarisse's courtyard as he usually did.

A maid stopped him outside with a cold expression.

"Miss isn't feeling well. She has already retired for the night. She won't be seeing anyone today."

Her tone was stiff and unfriendly.

Geoffrey understood immediately. Clarisse was punishing him.

That morning, he had let his gaze linger on the Duchess of Duskmoor a few times too many. After leaving the Crown Prince's Wing, he had even probed cautiously, asking whether they should return to Sunspire Hill.

Clarisse had crushed the idea on the spot.

So he had returned to his own room alone. But the restless hunger in his body refused to fade.

He had tried to handle it himself, yet no matter what he did, the frustration only grew worse instead of easing.

And every time he closed his eyes, Elowen's face appeared before him.

That pale, flawless profile had burned itself deep into his memory.

He had heard that Cassian had little interest in his wife, and had even stood by while others humiliated her on the day of Alaric's wedding.

And Cassian lived confined to a wheelchair.

For all anyone knew, she might as well have been living alone. That morning she had turned her head and looked at him once.

The guard's expression shifted slightly. He hesitated.

But Geoffrey appeared far too composed, and nothing about him seemed suspicious.

Finally the guard waved him through. "Fine. Go."

Geoffrey's smile widened.

"Much appreciated."

He walked inside without any trouble.

He remembered the layout well. It didn't take long before he reached the main courtyard.

Just then a maid stepped out.

Geoffrey stopped her and asked casually with a friendly smile, "Do you know where the Duke is?"

He needed to make sure Cassian wasn't here. Otherwise things would be difficult.

The maid glanced at him and answered without suspicion.

"He's not here."

Geoffrey quietly breathed out in relief.

"He went to Dawnfall Ridge," she added while walking away. "He won't be back anytime soon."

Satisfaction flared through Geoffrey's chest.

If Cassian wasn't returning soon, and only Elowen remained here...

Then nothing stood between him and her. A woman left alone for too long would inevitably grow lonely.