A Lady of Secret Devotion

by Tracie Peterson

  “Why does he think himself entitled? He treats you cruelly and then expects you to put your life in his hands?” Cassie shook her head and put down the thick volume she held. “I don’t want to speak ill against your son, Mrs. Jameston, but I cannot help it. He has said things that have been . . . well . . . rather threatening.”

  “I’ve no doubt of it,” Mrs. Jameston replied. “I suppose . . .

  I suppose it would be better if you left me.”

  Cassie leaned forward and patted Mrs. Jameston’s hand.

  “I am not leaving you. I do not fear for myself. I fear for you.

  He’s always talking about when this shall all be his. He speaks of being my master once you are gone. I do not like the way he talks about you. I must say, Mark—I mean Mr. Langford— feels the same way.”

  Mrs. Jameston smiled. “What of your Mr. Langford? Are things becoming serious between the two of you? I believe it will just be a matter of time before he proposes, and what a story you shall have to tell your children!”

  Cassie startled. “What do you mean?”

  The older woman chuckled. “That you met when he nearly ran you over with his horse. And then he taught you to love horses again.”

  “Well, I cannot pretend I love them, but at least I can tolerate them more readily. He wants us to ride in the park next Sunday, but I’m not at all comfortable with the idea.”

  “Oh, you’ll do fine. You should go and enjoy the afternoon.”

  Cassie frowned. “But I do not like leaving you alone. I’m not trying to frighten you, but I am worried about your son trying to do you harm.”

  Mrs. Jameston’s expression saddened. “I’m too tired and weary of the fight. Sebastian will do what he will do. We cannot hope to stop him from that.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” Cassie immediately glanced toward the parlor door, hoping no one had heard her outburst. She lowered her voice and continued. “I am here to help you—to be a strength for you to rely on. I won’t give up this fight without at least trying to keep you from harm. If your son shows himself to be a danger in a way that I can counter, I will.” Cassie paused and lowered her voice even more. “Even if it means he goes to jail.”

  Mrs. Jameston sighed. “I am convinced that is where he belongs. Sadly enough, I know his deeds have not been good.

  Worse still, I know that I have shared responsibility in what he’s become.”

  “Everyone is accountable for their own deeds, Mrs.

  Jameston.”

  “True, but had I been a better mother, Sebastian might not have turned away from what was right. I neglected him, Cassie. I allowed my grief to separate me from him when he needed me most. As the years have gone by, his behavior has caused me to pull away even more. Had I been more loving, he might not have turned down the road he’s chosen.

  “I can see in his eyes that he has done a great deal to be ashamed of, yet he’s proud. I pray for his soul, Cassie, but I fear he is lost to the powers of this present darkness.”

  Cassie shivered. She believed it was true, as well, but she’d not really applied a spiritual element to the matter. “We shall have to pray all the more that God will protect you from harm.”

  “And you, my dear. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You are in danger from his advances. I wasn’t going to tell you this, but I feel it only fair and right. Sebastian took Essie against her will long ago. That’s why she is terrified of him. I caught him in the act, but the damage was already done. I threatened to call the police, but he swore it would never happen again— that he would leave her alone. I should have done something more, but I felt . . . well . . . he was my son, and I hated to think of his suffering in jail. Not that they would have necessarily done such a thing to him given Essie was a servant and has dark skin. But even so, his reputation would have been damaged and . . .” She let the words trail off.

  For several minutes, Mrs. Jameston fixed her gaze on a portrait that hung over the fireplace. “There’s no sense in talking about it now.” She straightened. “It is enough for you to know that he is not to be trusted, Cassie.”

  “I know that very well. But I also know it is true for you. I do not wish to lose my dear friend.”

  Mrs. Jameston smiled. “That could never happen. Now let us put aside sad matters and share a pleasant afternoon.”

  But that was not to be. The words were no sooner out of her mouth than Sebastian Jameston strode into the room.

  “Mother, I wish to speak to you.”

  “Very well.” Mrs. Jameston stiffened, and Cassie saw her fix a stern expression on her face.

  Cassie turned her attention back to Jameston. He had dressed in a dark suit as if ready for a day on the town, and the irritation in his tone left no doubt that he was in a hurry. He glared at Cassie momentarily, then returned his focus to his mother.

  “I wish to speak to you alone. I’d like Miss Stover to leave.” It wasn’t really a request so much as a demand.

  “There is nothing you can say that I would not allow Cassie to hear. I prefer she stay,” his mother replied.

  This did not bode well. Jameston heaved an exasperated sigh and crossed the room in two long strides to take the chair across from the women. “Perhaps you do not care that she hears our conversation, but I do.” He looked at Cassie and narrowed his eyes. “Go.”

  Cassie lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “No. Mrs. Jameston is my authority, not you.” She hoped he felt the full impact of her statement. He could not—would not—control her, and Cassie felt it imperative to stand her ground.

  For a moment, Sebastian watched her. Cassie could only imagine what he was thinking. His gaze swept over her body.

  Taking his time, he finally met her eyes and smiled. “Very well.”While he said nothing more than those two words, Cassie felt certain there was some sort of implied threat. She could just as easily have heard him say, You’ll pay for this.

  “So what was so urgent that you felt it justified interrupting our afternoon of reading?” Mrs. Jameston asked her son.

  Sebastian leaned back and crossed his legs. “I see you are recovered.”

  Cassie watched the exchange between mother and son.

  They might as well have been enemies, and that might have described their relationship more accurately than any other word. The tension between them was thick.

  “I am better,” Mrs. Jameston replied. “Although not recovered. I am still quite weak and only able to be up for a short while.”

  “Long enough for a ride to town, I’m sure.”

  “Hardly that,” Cassie interjected. “This is her first day to come downstairs.”

  “Besides,” his mother continued, “I have no need to go to town, and no desire for a carriage ride.”

  “But I have need,” Sebastian declared. “I need money.”

  Cassie could hardly believe that he’d come to bother his mother over money. She started to speak her mind on the matter, but Mrs. Jameston quickly answered.

  “I’ve not even been able to pay my staff these last weeks due to my illness. I cannot give you money for frivolities and not pay them first. When I am able to, I will have Cassie and Wills take me to the bank.”

  “I need the money now.”

  His statement was delivered without emotion. He didn’t care that his mother had come close to death; he only cared about his personal desires. At least that was how Cassie saw it.

  “In a day or two perhaps,” his mother told him.

  “No. I need the funds today. I’ve had an investment go bad, and I must have the cash immediately.”

  “Exactly what do you do for employment, Mr. Jameston?” Cassie dared to ask. “You’ve been here for some time now, and I have yet to see that you occupy any job at all.”

  He gave her a cold, hard smile. “I didn’t know that you cared enough to watch over my actions. Suffice it to say I am an investor. I invest myself in the properties, situations, and interests of others. When I am successful, it play
s out very well for me.”

  “And when it does not, you take advantage of your mother?”

  The smile faded and Sebastian’s expression became menacing. “You would do better to stay out of things you have no place in.”

  “Enough. I won’t have you berating Cassie. She is only concerned for me,” Mrs. Jameston interjected.

  “And have I not shown concern as well, Mother? I have remained here and risked my investments in order to assure myself of your recovery.”

  “Let us not play games. You’ve stayed here because it suited your purpose to do so. You have never been known to handle your affairs in any other manner.” She turned to Cassie. “I believe I am ready to return to my room. I’m quite exhausted.”

  Cassie nodded and put the book aside. She rang for Brumley while Sebastian protested his mother’s decision.

  “I have responsibilities, and I need my money. Why can’t you just give me my inheritance now? In fact, why not sell this house and everything in it and live in a smaller place—a place where I could look in on you from time to time? You have no need of a companion and this many servants, and you certainly have no need for a house this size.”

  “Enough, Sebastian. I have no interest in selling my property. This house was your father’s gift to me, and I cherish it.”

  She got to her feet, but Sebastian remained seated. Cassie came quickly to her side to offer support.

  Sebastian watched the women with narrowed eyes. Cassie forced herself to hold his focus. She wanted to prove her strength to him and hoped it might act as a means to ward off his further threats and attention.

  To both women’s surprise, Sebastian got slowly to his feet and came to stand only inches away. He lowered his voice and spoke in a barely audible manner. “You are neither one strong enough to keep me from what I want. Tomorrow, whether you are recovered enough or not, Mother, you will accompany me to the bank—alone. I have no need of your pretty little companion to poison your mind against me.”

  “And if I refuse?” his mother questioned, meeting her son’s evil expression.

  “Then you will both suffer for it. You will suffer in a most heinous manner.” He turned to Cassie and grinned. “Especially you.”

  “Enough,” his mother said. “I want you out of this house. No one threatens me, my friends, or my servants.”

  “You may want whatever you choose, but I would weigh my choices carefully. I, too, have friends. If you try to force my hand in this matter, you will find yourself left with very little. It would be a pity, for instance, if this house were to burn down.”

  Cassie felt an icy shiver run down her spine. Sebastian was serious. He would see them all dead if he had his way. Just then Brumley appeared at the door.

  “You rang, ma’am?”

  Sebastian stepped back and smiled. “My mother is feeling a bit tired. Would you be so good as to help her upstairs?”

  Cassie marveled at the way Sebastian instantly changed his countenance. She kept watching him even as he moved away from them. He was a dangerous adversary, and now he had made a direct threat toward them both. Cassie knew it was the kind of thing she would have to share with Mark.

  But there is nothing he can do. He cannot stay here and watch over us, and he doesn’t have the information he needs to put Jameston in prison. She sighed. There seemed no simple answer, but Sebastian Jameston was dangerous, and if she wasn’t careful, she might well be the focus of his next attack.

  CHAPTER 16

  Cassie sensed something was wrong from her first waking moment. The memory of Sebastian and his vile threats had left her restless throughout the night, but joy had not come with the morning. In fact, what had come was the memory of Sebastian threatening to force his mother to accompany him to the bank.

  Dressing without Ada’s help, Cassie hurried next door to see how Mrs. Jameston had fared. She was shocked to find the adjoining bedroom empty, however. Fear coursed through Cassie as she raced downstairs, nearly running Ada over in the process.

  “Where is Mrs. Jameston?”

  Ada shook her head. “Mr. Jameston woke her early, then demanded she accompany him to the bank. At least he waited long enough to let her eat. She’s still quite weak, though.”

  “This is ridiculous. I cannot believe he’s doing this. I know he doesn’t care if she lives or dies, but this is outrageous.” Cassie hurried outside to find the carriage nearly ready to go.

  “I’m afraid Mother will have no need of you this morning,” Sebastian said as Cassie tried to make her way to Mrs. Jameston’s side.

  “This is pure nonsense, Mr. Jameston. Your mother is not well.” Cassie came to where he stood and squared her shoulders. “We already know you are ruthless and without concern for anyone other than yourself, but this goes beyond cruelty.

  The doctor has told your mother that she is to remain quiet and at rest.”

  “I am well aware of that, Miss Stover, and once she has done her duty by me, she can rest all she likes.”

  “She owes you nothing,” Cassie declared.

  “That is where you are wrong,” Sebastian countered. “She owes me everything.”

  Mrs. Jameston had been sitting on a bench by the carriage house, but now she stood and made her way to where Cassie and Sebastian argued.

  “Please do not fight on my account, Cassie. As Sebastian pointed out to me, he can leave more quickly once he has money in hand.”

  “That’s still no excuse. You are in no condition to go out.”

  As if to prove Cassie’s point, Mrs. Jameston began to sway.

  “Oh dear.”

  Cassie pushed Sebastian aside and went to help support his mother. “Wills!”

  The man left his work harnessing the horses and immediately noted the problem. He lifted Mrs. Jameston in his arms just as the woman went pale and nearly lost consciousness.

  “Take her back to bed. I’ll be right there.”

  Cassie turned to Sebastian. “If you want that money you so crave, perhaps you would do a better service to go after the doctor than to remain here sulking.”

  She started to go, but Jameston took hold of her, bruising her wrist with his grip. “I warned you to stay out of my affairs. I can make matters exceedingly unpleasant for you.” He lifted a brow. “On the other hand, I could make you mistress of everything here. You could live quite happily with me after my mother is deceased. Imagine it: You could have everything you’ve ever desired.”

  “You have nothing I could desire. Besides, I could never love you,” Cassie said rather haughtily.

  Jameston laughed and released her. “Love? Who said anything about love? I hold no store in such fairy-tale ideals. I merely want you. I have no love for you.”

  Cassie felt as if he’d slapped her across the face. She stood in stunned silence for several moments before managing to gather her wits. “Your mother needs the doctor. I will expect you to go for him immediately. The carriage stands ready.”

  She didn’t wait to hear what he might say. He knew his mother was very ill, and despite his desire to take over her fortune, he knew also that other people had observed his presence. Cassie felt confident that this would cause the man to act to put aside any doubts that the staff might have in regard to his plans for Mrs. Jameston.

  But half an hour later, Cassie came downstairs to find him in deep discussion with Mr. McLaughlin. The doctor had failed to arrive, and she wanted very much to know what had caused the delay.

  “Excuse me. Did the doctor say when we should expect him?”

  Sebastian leaned back, while Robbie rolled up the papers he held. “I have no idea when the doctor should arrive. I didn’t have time to do your bidding, Miss Stover.”

  Cassie felt her stomach churn. “You didn’t go for the doctor?”

  He smiled. “No. I didn’t. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have some important business to discuss.”

  With her hands balled into fists at her side, Cassie stormed from the room. She nearly plowed righ
t through Brumley as she came into the foyer.

  “Steady there, miss.” Brumley reached out to keep Cassie from falling backward. “Are you all right?”

  “No. No, I am not all right. Mr. Jameston was to have gone for the doctor, but he chose instead to do business with his friend.”

  Brumley frowned. “Would you like me to go?”

  “Yes, please. Mrs. Jameston is suffering pain in her stomach.

  She nearly fainted at the carriage house. I think the doctor should come and see her immediately.”

  Brumley went to retrieve his hat. “I shall be as quick as possible.”

  “I know,” Cassie said, shaking her head. “It’s my own fault for having trusted Mr. Jameston to do the job.”

  Just then, Miriam appeared. “I heard that the missus has taken ill again. Is there anything I can do?”

  Cassie looked at the petite blond and noted the grave concern in her expression. “Pray. I fear it’s all we have.”

  Miriam smiled. “It’s all we need.”

  The house seemed deathly quiet as Cassie paced from room to room, waiting for the doctor and Brumley to return. She had come to love the subtle elegance and charm of the Jameston house. Mrs. Jameston had given the place such tender care. The oak woodwork of the stairs gleamed as if they had been built only yesterday.

  Of course, a houseful of servants had seen to most of the needs over the years, but Mrs. Jameston’s touch was evident everywhere. Toying with a porcelain figurine of a dancing couple, Cassie couldn’t help but think of Mark. Would they ever dance together again?

  She replaced the figurine and moved to the window. Mark hadn’t come to see her since the day he’d kissed her. Cassie touched her fingers to her lips. She could still feel the warmth of his mouth on hers. Long ago her mother had warned her not to be taken in by men who promised the world with their mouths but failed to produce such with their hands and deeds. She couldn’t help but wonder if Mark’s kiss might be exactly what her mother meant. That kiss seemed to promise a future of happiness and joy—of true love.

  “At least it did to me,” she murmured.

  The sound of the front door opening sent Cassie running to the foyer. Brumley was just taking the doctor’s hat when she approached.