A Lady of Secret Devotion

by Tracie Peterson

  “It does seem to be a rather advantageous business,” Robbie replied. “Especially from our side of the board.”

  Sebastian chuckled. “What can I say? I am a man of opportunity. They have provided a means for me to better my station, and I won’t ignore it. I think we can easily put our friends to work up and down the coast. It will require a bit of investment money, but I believe I can soon have that in my pocket.”

  “Your mother?” Robbie questioned, raising a brow skeptically.

  “Yes. She isn’t well, you know.” Sebastian smiled and shrugged. “If she dies soon, I will inherit everything. It will give us the foundational investment to allow for a worldwide enterprise. There are a great many cargoes that are vital to this country. Cotton alone is a huge industry. We can begin to invest in that, as well as other commodities.”

  “I can see what you have in mind, and I suppose if you are able to get a great deal of money together, we could proceed without risk.”

  Sebastian nodded. “I want you to get word to the men. All of them. The team here, of course, as well as our connections in New York City, Norfolk, and Charleston. See what you can discover about making additional allies in other cities. We’ll also need to contact our friends in England and France, but I will see to that myself.”

  “All right. What do you want me to say?”

  “Tell them we’re expanding. Tell them instead of merely having someone to contact in those towns, we’re seeking to put together a group of men who can work with us on a permanent basis. We can arrange to meet with them here in Philadelphia; perhaps by the end of the month. See what their feelings are on the matter and get back to me as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll do what I can, but my present financial situation is no better than yours.”

  “I’ve already thought of that,” Sebastian said with a smile. “Under my bed there is a pillowcase filled with some of the family silver and other trinkets. I believe you can sell those for a tidy sum. That should give you the travel funds you need.”

  Robbie got to his feet. “I’ll be off, then. I’ll get as much accomplished as quickly as I can.”

  “Good. I’m certain by the time we have everyone in place, I’ll have the additional money we’ll need to see this through. Now I must go see Silas on an important matter.”

  “Since when has the kitchen become your interest?” Robbie laughed.

  Sebastian fixed him with a serious look. “Since it occurred to me that many of my problems could be solved through culinary efforts.”

  “I don’t understand, Sebbie. What is your meaning?”

  Jameston smiled. “It isn’t important. Go to your business and leave me to mine.”

  Cassie walked beside Mark to the stable, a sense of anxiety building as they approached. The smell of hay and straw mingled with the animal scent that clearly reminded her of all that she’d been avoiding these past ten years.

  “Elida’s birthday is tomorrow,” Cassie offered to keep her mind occupied.

  “Yes, I remember. I’ve purchased her a gift.”

  “That was very kind,” Cassie said, looking up at him. “You didn’t need to, however.”

  “I have it with me. I left it in my saddlebag. Could you perhaps deliver it for me?”

  Cassie nodded. “Certainly. Mrs. Jameston is having her driver take me to the house tomorrow night.”

  “That’s even better. Might I accompany you?”

  Cassie stopped and studied him for a moment. “I suppose you could. I know Mother would not mind another guest for our little celebration.”

  “Wonderful. What time shall I come?”

  “Five. I’m leaving here at five.”

  He smiled, and it warmed her through and through. “Are you ready to see your new horse?”

  “Not really,” Cassie replied as she stared into the stable.

  “Nevertheless, I suppose I must. I did give my word.”

  Mark led her into the building. “I think you will be surprised at how easy this will be. I’ve already spent time talking to Wills about your gift. He said the mare is very congenial and quite docile. You should get along famously.”

  “I hope someone suggested the same thing to the animal.” Cassie could see the gray peeking out from her stall just down the way.

  “I believe Wills had a long talk with her when he brought her here today, Miss Stover,” Mark said.

  “Would you do me a favor?” He stopped and looked down at her, and Cassie felt a catch in her throat. Goodness, but his eyes were so blue.

  “Anything.”

  She heard such tenderness in his voice that for a moment she nearly forgot what she’d wanted to request. “Please . . . ah . . . call me Cassie. I know all the proprieties demand otherwise, but I hate the formality. I wasn’t raised with it, and well . . . it seems . . . I mean, I like to think we’ve become friends.”

  Mark laughed and patted her arm. “Of course we’re friends. I would love to call you by your first name. And you must call me Mark.”

  “I’d like that . . . Mark.” She was thankful he couldn’t see how her knees were knocking together. Just being near him caused her to forget most everything else.

  “Now Posie is waiting for your formal introduction.”

  “Posie?”

  “That’s the mare’s name. Didn’t Mrs. Jameston tell you that?”

  Cassie eyed the animal’s large head. Reality began to sink back in. The mare’s eyes seemed intent on watching her. “No. No one told me her name.”

  Mark reached up with his left hand to pet the mare’s face, all while pulling Cassie closer with his right hand. “See, she’s absolutely gentle.”

  “That’s because she recognizes a person of strength. You are a man and quite a brave one. She obviously knows that, just as she will know I am afraid.”

  “I am certain she will sense your fear, and that is why you must cast it aside. You have to take charge and let the animal know that you are the boss. She will yield to you once she understands that point.”

  Cassie shook her head. “I hardly see how that could be true. She’s ten times my size and hasn’t any need to adhere to social rules.”

  Laughing, Mark rubbed the mare’s muzzle, then drew Cassie’s hand up to do likewise. Cassie stiffened beside him but let him guide her hand. The animal’s nose was like velvet to touch.

  “See, she likes you,” Mark declared.

  They stood there for some time, just stroking the animal. Mark told Cassie a great deal about horse care and shared stories of his childhood when he had first learned to handle such animals.

  “Each animal has his or her own personality. You have to remember that. Learn what upsets them and what comforts them.”

  “There was a time,” Cassie said, remembering for the first time in years, “when I thought horses were wonderful. I liked them very much.”

  “Your tragedy was painful, but unusual. While such beasts do need a firm hand and a wide berth, they are generally manageable. You should have a healthy respect for them, but not a crippling fear.”

  Cassie knew he was right, but it didn’t ease her concern. That would only come in time, she thought. Once she could put aside the memories of her father’s ordeal, perhaps then she wouldn’t be afraid.

  “I just keep seeing my father on the ground being trampled.” She pulled away and buried her face in her hands. She smelled of horse, and that only served to make the memory stronger. “I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t do anything but watch him die.”

  “Cassie . . .” Mark came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Sometimes things like this happen. I don’t expect you to put aside your fears overnight.”

  She trembled at his touch. She knew he would feel her shaking but hoped he would believe it had more to do with Posie than anything else. “I will try,” she whispered.

  He turned her and pulled her hands away from her face. “Let’s go for a walk,” Mark suggested. “We’ve done enough here today, and
I would very much like to discuss something with you.”

  “I presumed you might. I told Mrs. Jameston that we might take a stroll after we visited the stable.”

  Mark smiled. “And what did she say?”

  Cassie felt a flush come to her cheeks. “That she was glad to see two young people getting to know each other better.”

  “Then let us make her deliriously content.” He looped his arm through Cassie’s. “I’m certain you’ll stop trembling if I get you away from Posie.”

  More likely, I’ll stop trembling if I get away from you, she thought, but remained silent.

  They ambled from the stable and through the garden. At the back, an alleyway allowed them a means of exit from the yard. Mark walked at her side as though they had done this a million times before. Cassie couldn’t help the race of emotions that coursed through her mind. She was losing her heart to this stranger—this man who intended to see her employer’s son sent to prison, if not hanged.

  “So have you considered my proposal?”

  “Your what?” Cassie asked, startling at the comment.

  “The idea of your helping me to capture Mr. Jameston.”

  Cassie steadied her nerves and nodded. “I have, but I need more information. I do not pretend to understand how I can be of use to you.”

  Cassie couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief as he let go of her and remained standing as she took her place on the seat. His nearness was most difficult to deal with in her present state of mind.

  “Sebastian Jameston has been in trouble with the law in various ways for most of his life. His mother and father had enough money to keep him from prison for his petty offenses, but now he has expanded his crimes to include murder.”

  “Murder? Whom exactly did he kill?”

  “My friend Richard Adkins.” Mark’s features darkened.

  Cassie started. “The one you told me about?”

  “Yes. Richard and I worked for the same insurance company. Over the course of several years, there were a great many claims put in from various companies here in Philadelphia.”

  “Claims?”

  “Yes. You see, we insure ship cargoes, as well as the ships themselves. When a cargo is stolen or lost at sea, there are often insurance policies against such losses. When there is a loss, the company who insured the cargo puts in a claim. The claim is to reimburse them for the monetary equivalent of their property loss.”

  “And Mr. Jameston was responsible for these claims?”

  “Ultimately, yes. As far as we can figure out, he heads up a group of criminals who steal cargoes and then demand reimbursement from the insurance company. Sebastian Jameston is the leader. Richard learned that much. I believe it was because he was getting close to catching Jameston that he was killed.”

  “I am sorry. I cannot say that such a thing would surprise me about Mr. Jameston. But I am heartbroken for his mother. She is a good woman. I am certain she has no idea of his committing such crimes.”

  “Perhaps not, but he was shot. She cannot help but wonder how that came to be. I believe Richard was the one who shot him. The police said Richard had fired his pistol.”

  “I knew it hadn’t happened while engaged in some type of entertainment, as he professed. Although if I were long in his company, I might very well want to shoot Mr. Jameston myself.”

  Mark laughed. “I do like the way you speak your mind.”

  Cassie shook her head. “It’s not a quality to admire. I speak far more than I should. And I certainly should not make light of something so serious as shooting a man.”

  Sitting beside her, Mark took hold of her hand. “I need your help in this, Cassie. I am confident that if I can just get close enough to Jameston, I am sure to be able to get the proof I need.”

  Cassie couldn’t help but stare at his hand holding hers. “And how do I help you do that?”

  Mark led her to a small park and pointed to a bench. “Why don’t we sit, and I will explain.” “Well, that’s easy. We pretend to be courting. If I am courting you, then I will obviously be in your company as much as possible. Mrs. Jameston doesn’t seem to mind having me at the house, so you could encourage this. Get her to invite me to dinners and gatherings. Anything that would help me to have opportunities to explore the house and Jameston’s activities.”

  Cassie felt a lump form in her throat. Pretend to be courting.

  Just pretend. She drew a deep breath and sighed. “I’m quite good at pretense. I suppose it could work. I do not like deceiving Mrs. Jameston, however.”

  “There is a difference in this kind of deceit. You said yourself that you fear for her life. I do as well. Jameston is a desperate man, and there is no telling what his next move might be.”

  “Very well. Then I will do as you say. But I must tell you, I don’t know much about being courted. I’ve never had a suitor.”

  “I find that hard to believe.” He looked at her as if to ascertain if the comment was nothing more than a joke.

  She pulled her hand away from his and clasped her fingers together. “It’s true. I’ve been far too busy. My mother desperately needed my help after Father died. So I quit school and went to work in our laundry service. And I helped care for Elida. . . . Besides, I was afraid to let anyone in my life. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing them.”

  “I know how that feels. When Ruth died, I found I didn’t want to continue my life without her love.” Mark’s voice deepened. “Richard was the one responsible for helping me to get through my pain. He wouldn’t let me give up on life.”

  “He sounds like a very good man to care so much.”

  “He was. He helped me to turn to God instead of drink or sorrow. His death caused me to . . . well . . . I suppose I shouldn’t say this, but when Richard died, it felt like he took God with him.”

  Cassie considered his words for a moment. “I had similar feelings when Father died. I couldn’t understand why God would take someone I loved so much, someone who loved Him so much. Father’s death was violent and senseless. I felt as though God no longer cared about us, and I grew quite angry. Mother helped me to overcome my anger, but it wasn’t easy.”

  Mark met her gaze, and Cassie felt as if she couldn’t draw a breath. He was so very handsome and very near. It was almost as if he’d cast some kind of spell over her, but Cassie didn’t believe in such things. Still, his dark eyes seemed to beckon her trust—her acceptance. She tried to look away but couldn’t. “Why don’t you come early tomorrow? You can speak a bit with Mrs. Jameston and familiarize yourself better with the house.”

  “I’d like that. Then we can go see your sister and mother. It will seem natural if we are courting.”

  Cassie frowned. “I know it’s for a good cause, but I will feel strange lying to my mother about our situation. Pretense is only fun when no one gets hurt.”

  Mark gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Many people court and nothing comes of it. Let us court and perhaps a greater good will evolve.” He winked.

  “It will still be nothing more than pretending,” Cassie said, daring him to correct her. When he said nothing, she got to her feet. “We should go back. Mrs. Jameston will worry about me.”

  Later that night, Mark sat at the table with Westmoreland. He was intrigued by the information the man had picked up among his friends.

  “I believe I know the identity of at least one of the men involved in the latest cargo heist,” Westmoreland said. “With a little luck, we can corner him and separate him from his friends.”

  “And you believe we can get information out of him?”

  “If he’s the same weasel of a fellow he was years ago, I believe he will tell us everything we want to know rather than be incarcerated.”

  “Good. We’ll have to set something up. For the time being, I have some new connections of my own. Connections that I believe will deliver the ringleader into my hands quite neatly.”

  Westmoreland lit his pipe and nodded. “If you cut the head off the sn
ake, he’s no longer a danger.”

  “Well, all we can do is hope and pray that the snake doesn’t learn of our efforts and disappear.” Mark got to his feet. “For now, I’m going to bed. Tomorrow should be a busy day.”

  In the quiet of his room, Mark thought of his encounter with Cassie. She hadn’t minded the idea of pretending to court him. The only real problem was that Mark wasn’t at all sure that he wanted it to be pretense. He was starting to have feelings for the woman—feelings that were vaguely familiar—feelings he’d vowed to never have again.

  Chapter 12

  I’m delighted that you could attend the party with us,” Mrs. Jameston told Mark. Cassie watched his reaction with a bit of apprehension as the older woman continued. “I believe you and Cassie make a perfect couple. I knew from the moment I met you that you held more than a passing interest in our Cassie.”

  Mark seemed completely at ease. He gave Cassie a smile as he leaned closer to Mrs. Jameston. “I’m very glad to have been asked to join you lovely ladies. I have to say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself.”

  Cassie looked out across the sea of people. Henrietta Wilson smiled and nodded as various people stopped by to wish her a happy birthday. The woman was quite pale and thin, but seemed happy enough. Mrs. Jameston had told Cassie that the troublesome son would not be making an appearance at the party, which had led to a more relaxed atmosphere. It seemed Franklin Wilson was abroad, thanks to a last-minute suggestion made by his father. Cassie couldn’t help but wonder if Mrs. Jameston might follow suit and offer to send Sebastian abroad as well. For the last few days, he’d caused nothing but misery to anyone who dared to stand up to his bullying ways. Cassie knew the situation was taking its toll on her employer. Mrs. Jameston had complained several times of stomach pain and weakness. She thought it nothing more than nerves, however, and refused to see a physician.

  “Why don’t you two join the others and dance?” Mrs. Jameston suggested. “I’m going to speak with Henrietta.” She didn’t wait for an answer but moved across the room to her friend.