A Lady of Secret Devotion

by Tracie Peterson

  Her mother got to her feet. “I will pray that God gives you wisdom in the matter, but for now I need to return home. The walk is long.”

  “Nonsense. I’ll have Wills take you in the carriage. It’s the least we can do. I know Mrs. Jameston would want you to have that comfort. After all, it’s your good soup that has helped her to recover her strength.”

  Cassie linked arms with her mother and headed toward the stables. “I can also show you the progress I’ve made with my horse. I’ll have you know I’ve actually sat atop her several times now. And I’ve ridden her slowly around the yard.”

  “I’m proud of you for overcoming your fears. Your father would be proud too.”

  “I hope so,” Cassie replied. “It has taken a great deal of courage.”

  “So will dealing with your heart.”

  Cassie nodded. “I know. I’m just not sure I can handle both horses and hearts.”

  Cassie heard a commotion at the front door and realized that Sebastian had once again returned with a group of friends. She glanced up from her book to see half a dozen men following Sebastian into the formal sitting room.

  The raucous group seemed highly entertained by something Sebastian was telling them. The men laughed heartily and made comments, but Cassie couldn’t quite make out what was being said.

  She closed her book and rose from the chair as silently as possible. Tiptoeing to the foyer, Cassie clutched the book to her chest and tried to move close enough to the formal sitting room to overhear the conversation.

  “The biggest problem I foresee is the means of getting business done in a timely manner without proper resources,” Sebastian said as the men sobered.

  “And why has the payment been delayed?” one of the men questioned. “That’s never happened before.”

  “I’m not entirely sure,” Jameston replied. “It probably has something to do with the death of their investigator, but they cannot bring that back on our company. For all they know, we’re just a small shipping firm that expects to be reimbursed for stolen cargo.”

  “What about the plans for Baltimore? We’re going to have to put forth some investment in order to have any cooperation there,” another man declared.

  “Baltimore is still on the table. Charleston too.”

  “I have a friend in New York City,” someone else mentioned. “I believe he can be useful to us.”

  Cassie nearly jumped out of her skin as someone came to close the pocket doors. She pressed back against the wall just in case the person looked out into the foyer. Her knuckles went white as she gripped the book even tighter.

  “Now, as for the local river matters, the real issue is the warehouse on Arch Street” was the last thing she heard Sebastian declare. She didn’t have any idea what it all might mean but decided it would be best to go write everything down for Mark. There was no hope of reaching him until he sought her out, but Cassie wanted to be ready nevertheless.

  It was several days later before Cassie saw Mark again. She had wondered if he’d been upset with her, but when he arrived and suggested they go for a long walk, he acted as if nothing were wrong.

  The warmth of the day had caused Cassie to dress in a layered muslin gown of light blue. The short puffed sleeves and modestly rounded neckline helped to alleviate the heat. Ada had dressed her hair that morning in a wonderful new way that put it all high atop Cassie’s head. The style gave her great relief from the damp humidity of Philadelphia, and the wide-brimmed bonnet she tied on over it allowed her some shade from the sun.

  “You look very pretty,” Mark said as he took hold of her arm.

  Cassie forced her nerves to remain even and unaffected by his touch. She didn’t want to act like a complete ninny after not seeing him for so many days.

  “I’ve wanted to see you,” Cassie admitted, “but didn’t know how to get ahold of you.”

  “We should rectify that,” he said with a grin. “Mrs. Jameston has my address, but I will leave it with you as well. You can always send Wills after me with a message.” They strolled out along the street looking for all the world as any courting couple might.

  Cassie cleared her throat rather nervously. She wanted to address the matter of their kiss, but she felt so self-conscious. Besides, there was the other information to share. Mark no doubt cared more about Sebastian’s dealings than the wanton way she had responded to his kiss.

  But I can’t keep denying what my heart feels, she told herself. There was an unrest in her soul where Mark was concerned, and she needed to set things right. Yet just as she worked up her nerve, Mark questioned her about Sebastian.

  “Have you managed to overhear any of his conversations?”

  Cassie sighed and nodded. So much for her decision. “As a matter of fact, things have not been good. He has been desperate for money. I don’t know what happened to cause this, but he even forced his mother to leave her sickbed for a trip to the bank. But poor Mrs. Jameston was too weak and collapsed at the carriage house. Meanwhile, there have been many people coming to see Mr. Jameston. I did manage to overhear him say something about a delay of payment and the men needing to get what was due them. He said something, too, about a warehouse on Arch Street, but I don’t know the address. It sounded like it might be close to the river, though.”

  “That’s all very good information, my dear,” he said, smiling. “I couldn’t have done better. You are quite good at this spy game.”

  The reminder of their situation came like a kick in the stomach to Cassie. She tried hard not to openly react to his comment. At her age, Cassie figured she ought to be able to handle just about anything, especially if it related to her emotions.

  “I managed to dig up some information of my own,” he told her. “And the delay of payment you heard him mention is in regard to the insurance claim. My company has refused to pay out just yet. In the past, he’s received his money fairly quickly once the police verified the theft. This time, however, we are certain the police are cooperating with Sebastian and his cronies, and my company has refused to pay out on their verification alone.”

  “I have to tell you that Mr. Jameston is getting more and more dangerous,” Cassie confided. “He . . . well . . . he threatened both his mother and me.”

  Mark captured her gaze. “What kind of threat?”

  “He came to interrupt us in the sitting room. He wanted his mother to go with him immediately to the bank. He said some investment of his had failed and he needed the money right away. I argued that she was still too weak and that the doctor wasn’t allowing her out of the house just yet. This enraged him. He said we would suffer in a most heinous way if we interfered. He even implied that he might burn the house down around us.”

  “I don’t like this at all. I knew Jameston would get desperate, but I hadn’t seen it playing out this way. It would appear our little game has taken a deadly turn.”

  “About our game . . .” Cassie said, feeling the need to declare her thoughts.

  “I know what you’re going to say,” Mark said, pulling her along with him as they made their way back to the Jameston house.

  Cassie looked at him as they walked. “You do?” She tripped and would have fallen if Mark hadn’t righted her.

  “You’re going to tell me that the charade has become more than you bargained for.” She drew her breath in sharply and knew he hadn’t missed her reaction. “See, I knew the situation would become dangerous. I knew it had the potential to lend itself to tragedy anew. You didn’t. I should have made it clearer.”

  Confusion coursed over Cassie’s mind. What was he talking about? “I don’t . . . I mean to say . . . that isn’t—”

  He patted her arm as they walked up the expansive drive to the Jameston mansion. “It’s all right. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to put an end to this. I’ve benefited greatly by having a reason to come here and listen to what you’ve managed to learn. But I don’t want you to feel endangered.”

  “That isn’t going to change—e
ven if I stop trying to overhear what Sebastian Jameston is saying,” Cassie replied. “And that isn’t what I was going to say at all. I’m glad to help. I just feel it only fair to . . .” Her words trailed off as she spied Sebastian and Robbie as they walked on the westerly side of the lawn. “It’s him,” she whispered.

  Mark pulled her into his arms, but while he bent his head to hers, he didn’t kiss her. Cassie had closed her eyes in anticipation of the moment, but she quickly reopened them when nothing happened. Mark smiled. “I’m sure Mr. Jameston can’t tell that we’re not actually kissing. I felt bad about forcing it on you last time. It was wrong of me. I feel as though I stole something very precious.”

  “You didn’t steal anything. I gave it quite willingly. I’ll happily give it again,” she said rather boldly, then immediately regretted her words.

  Mark, however, grinned. “I’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

  “Excuse me? Are you suggesting that—” she started to protest, but he covered her mouth with his own.

  Cassie completely forgot about everything with that kiss.

  She loved the way she felt in Mark’s arms. She loved the smell of his cologne and the softness of his lips against hers. She feared her knees would buckle beneath her at any moment.

  “Perhaps a quick marriage would suit you both,” Jameston declared as he and Robbie made their way to where Mark and Cassie stood. “On the other hand, your wanton behavior might best be served by not marrying at all, Miss Stover.”

  Cassie pulled away from Mark. She was breathless and couldn’t reply. But that didn’t stop Mark. She felt him stiffen at her side.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Sebastian laughed as Cassie’s face reddened. “You two can scarcely keep your hands off of each other. It’s embarrassing to watch your public displays. Come along, Robbie. Let us leave them to their cavorting. At least I have the decency to keep my mistress hidden away.”

  Mark stepped forward and stood in Sebastian’s way. “I expect you to apologize to this young woman. She is far from wanton in her behavior and has done nothing to merit your disdain. If there is fault to be placed, it is appropriately put upon my shoulders.”

  Sebastian’s steely eyes never left Mark’s face. Cassie watched as just a hint of a smile—cold and calculated—appeared on Jameston’s face. “I certainly didn’t mean to imply that our Cassie was anything other than chaste in her behavior.”

  Cassie hated the way he spoke with such familiarity, suggesting she belonged to him. She stepped forward to speak her mind, but Mark was already responding.

  “Jameston, you would do well to leave this matter alone. I do not appreciate your sullying Miss Stover’s good name by pretending a familiarity with her that you do not have.”

  “Oh, but don’t be so sure. After all, we live under the same roof. Her room is only a short walk from mine.” Now Sebastian was grinning from ear to ear. “I would say that I have more than ample reason to support a familiarity with her.”

  Mark’s hand closed in a fist. Cassie saw this and immediately took hold of his arm, while Robbie was already pulling Sebastian away. She hadn’t realized how strong Mark truly was. His arm felt like a band of steel, rigid and unmovable. Had he wanted to strike Jameston, she would have been a very poor obstacle to keep him from his goal.

  Robbie, however, seemed more than capable of handling Sebastian. He pulled the man along with him into the house, but Sebastian’s eyes never left Mark.

  “That man deserves to be punched in the mouth,” Mark declared. He flashed an angry look at Cassie, which immediately caused her to let go of her hold and back up a step. She’d never seen him like this.

  He immediately saw her confusion and fear. “I’m sorry, Cassie. I couldn’t stand the implication Jameston so freely suggested. Perhaps you should leave this place.”

  “I cannot. I cannot leave Mrs. Jameston to fend for herself. If she passes away, I will immediately have Wills take me home. But I cannot desert her.”

  Mark smiled and put a finger under her chin. “My Cassie isn’t afraid of anything anymore. Even Posie is no longer a threat.”

  Cassie laughed nervously and looked away. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. I fear a great many things.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Everyone is afraid of something,” she countered. “I would guess that even you have fears.”

  Frowning, Mark dropped his hold. “On occasion, I suppose I do.”

  Cassie felt sorry for him. He looked genuinely upset by her comment. “I didn’t mean to cause you pain. What is it that you fear?”

  “Losing those I love,” he replied, looking deep into her eyes.

  “I’ve lost twice before—my wife and my best friend—and with the passing of those dear people, it lent me another fear.”

  “And what was that?” Cassie asked softly.

  “The fear that God had forsaken me. That maybe He’d never been there for me at all, but rather was only there because of them.”

  She wasn’t about to chide him for his feelings, for she’d experienced them herself when her father had died. She nodded knowingly and took hold of his arm. “It’s quite a hopeless place to be.” Moving toward the back gardens, Cassie was glad that Mark willingly joined her.

  They said nothing for several minutes, and it wasn’t until Cassie led them to the garden settee that she managed to work up her courage. “Mark, I think it only fair for you to know that I . . . Well . . . I don’t know how to say this.”

  “Are you going to tell me that time will heal my wounds and I will magically begin to see how wondrous God is and that His love for me is real?”

  Cassie was momentarily caught off guard. “Ah . . . no . . . I wasn’t—”

  “Please don’t worry about me, Cassie. I’m sorry I got so angry. It’s just that I feel like I’ve put you in mortal danger. If something were to happen to you, I would never forgive myself.”

  But something has happened to me, she thought. Something I never expected and just as dangerous as anything Sebastian Jameston could do to me. She felt such a sense of frustration. How could she explain without sounding pathetic—even desperate?

  Mark drew a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I suppose we will have to consider putting an end to our game. I can’t bear being the reason Jameston would strike at you.”

  Cassie shook her head. “Jameston wants me for reasons that have nothing to do with you, I’m afraid. He has an idea of becoming my lord and master after the death of his mother. My biggest fear is that he will somehow advance that threat and harm his mother before her time.” She paused and squared her shoulders. How could she convince Mark that the only way for her to protect Mrs. Jameston would mean putting her own safety on the line?

  “We have to see him put behind bars; otherwise this will go on and on until he manages to have things his way. So you see, Mark, whether I try to overhear his conversations or not, whether you never grace the doorstep again, Sebastian Jameston will do exactly what he feels he must.”

  “That’s what worries me,” Mark said, his jaw clenching.

  “Then we should do what we must.”

  “No matter the cost?” he asked, looking deep into her eyes.

  Cassie felt the protective wall she’d tried to put between them begin to crumble. The ordeal had already cost her heart— what more could possibly be required of her?

  “The price will be worth it in the long run,” she told him.

  Now. . . if she could only convince herself.

  CHAPTER 18

  By the last day of June, Mrs. Jameston had improved—so much that the doctor agreed she should start to eat regularly again. Cassie was glad to hear this, for the woman was terribly pale and thin. Cassie’s mother had assured her daughter that the soup was quite beneficial, but it seemed that Mrs. Jameston had lost a great deal of weight.

  “It is so wonderful to see you up again,” Cassie told her
friend. “I have prayed long hours for your recovery.”

  “I have as well,” Mrs. Jameston said, finishing her tea. She shook her head when Cassie offered to pour more. “I have several things I want to accomplish right away. Given that

  Independence Day is Saturday, I would like to get into town before the celebration madness takes over.”

  “Are you certain you feel well enough?” Cassie presumed the woman had in mind to get her son the money he craved.

  He had barely been civil to anyone these last few days.

  “I will be fine with your help.”

  “I suppose you want to get money for your son,” Cassie said in an offhand manner.

  “Yes, among other things. I’ve determined to speak to the lawyer about several issues. I want to drop by his office and see if we might make changes to my will.”

  “I see. Well, we can certainly attend to that. Mark had planned for me to take my first horseback ride off the grounds tomorrow afternoon, but I can cancel if need be.”

  “Nonsense. We can attend to our business in the morning.

  I’m delighted to hear that you will ride. I feared that my gift was of no use to you.”

  “I’m glad to overcome my past.” Cassie paused as thoughts of that long-ago accident came to mind. “I know I cannot bring back my father by holding on to an irrational fear.”

  “That shows a great deal of maturity, my dear.”

  “Excuse me, ma’am. Silas says the meal is ready,” Essie announced.

  “Very good. We’ll be right there,” Mrs. Jameston told the young woman. Essie smiled and exited the room as quietly as she’d entered. With Sebastian out of the house for the evening, Essie was much calmer.

  As they walked to the dining room, Mrs. Jameston gave Cassie a knowing look. “You’ve come to care a great deal for your young man, haven’t you?”

  Cassie knew there was no reason to lie. “Yes.”