A Loving Spirit

by Amanda McCabe

  "A real one? Or a phantom one?"

  "I have no idea. It looks rather substantial." Cassie feared she was grinning like a simpleton at this silly conversation.

  "Well, I just wanted to make sure you were quite all right and that you were able to sleep."

  "I was a bit anxious at first," she admitted. "But I feel fine now. Better than fine, in fact. I am sure that I will sleep very well."

  "Mr. Bates cannot come back," Phillip said. "There are guards all around the castle."

  "I am not afraid," Cassie answered truthfully.

  "Good. I would never want you to be afraid."

  They watched each other in sweet silence for a moment, a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity yet was over in an instant. Then Phillip smiled and waved at her once more. "Shall we go riding tomorrow after breakfast?"

  "Oh, yes. I would like that."

  "I would, too. There are some—things I would like to discuss with you. Good night, Cassandra."

  "Good night." My love, she added silently.

  * * *

  "And you are certain that is what Mr. Bates said?" Lady Lettice asked Angelo, leaning over him intently.

  "He is coming back during the masked ball to kidnap Cassie?" Louisa said, appalled.

  Angelo nodded firmly, the bells on his cap tinkling. "That is what he told that overdressed cousin of his. His grandfather will take away Mr. Bates' inheritance, which is a very large one, unless Mr. Bates can prove he is a reformed, responsible character by making a success of his plantation. And gambling away a portion of that plantation is decidedly not responsible."

  "No, indeed," Lady Lettice murmured. "So he wants Cassie's land to begin to replace what he lost."

  "He will kidnap her and force her to marry him in order to get it. And to have his revenge on her for refusing him, as well," Angelo said. Then he burst into tears, wiping at his streaming eyes with the velvet sleeve of his doublet. "Angelo doesn't want the evil man to kidnap Cassie!"

  "Oh, do cease crying, Angelo," Lady Lettice said. "He will not kidnap her. We will see to that. It was very clever of you to get into the carriage with them."

  Angelo sniffled, his tears dissolving into a rather pleased expression. "It was?"

  "Indeed it was," Louisa agreed. "Now, it is five days until the masked ball. Plenty of time to come up with a plan of our own." She gave a merry little peal of laughter. "It is certain that Mr. Bates will never darken our door again after that night!"

  * * *

  Late that night, when the castle was quiet and dark, Lettice slipped into Antoinette's chamber. She moved quickly and silently, careful not to wake the woman who slept peacefully in the curtained bed. This would be much easier with Antoinette's help, Lettice knew, but she did not want to involve the humans. It could be too dangerous.

  She selected one of the leather-bound volumes from Antoinette's bookshelf, and leafed through it until she found what she was looking for. A solidifying spell for spirits.

  Lettice smiled as she read it. Sir Belvedere and Louisa were very blithe about the whole matter, not at all considering in practical terms how it might be brought off. But Lettice knew they had to have a plan, and that being able to mingle freely with the humans had to be part of it.

  As she read over the spell again, memorizing it, Lettice tried to reassure herself.

  "All will be well," she whispered, trying to maintain her hard-won confidence.

  Deep inside, though, were the stirrings of doubt and fear. Lettice had not had very many people to care about in all her existence. Just her father, and Angelo, and, for a brief while, Jean-Pierre. Now she had all these fragile humans, who did not even realize the danger they were in.

  She never wanted any evil to befall them.

  Chapter 21

  It was a bright, cool morning when Cassie and Phillip rode out from the stables and galloped along the cliff-top paths. White-gold sunlight shone down on the blue and foam-white sea below, and a light breeze ruffled the treetops and sent autumn leaves skittering across the path.

  Cassie tilted back her head and breathed deeply of the fresh, salty air. She laughed aloud at the glory of the morning.

  "You are looking very well today," Phillip commented with a smile.

  Cassie gave him an answering grin. "I feel well today. And you are looking quite—refreshed yourself."

  "Well, I have had a realization of late, and it has lightened my mind considerably."

  "A realization?" Cassie thought of her own realizations of the night before. "What, pray tell, was it?"

  He just shook his head, and gave her the little half smile she had once disliked so much, but now found adorable. "Shall we walk?" he said, drawing his horse to the side of the path.

  "What a good idea. It's such a lovely day." Cassie pulled her own horse to a halt, then waited for Phillip to dismount and come to her assistance.

  His hands lingered at her waist as he lowered her to the ground, holding her warm and safe. Cassie leaned against him, her palm laid lightly against his shoulder. His scent of starch and soap and ink was sweet in the cool air.

  "So," she whispered, "what was your realization?"

  In answer, he shook his head again and took her arm, leading her along the path. The sun was warm on her head, so warm that she took off her hat and carried it in her hand, letting the breeze ruffle her hair.

  It was a lovely day, and she was content to walk along next to Phillip in silence. The peaceful moments were most welcome after the shock of Mr. Bates' sudden appearance and just as swift exit. Under this sky, with this man beside her, nothing could hurt her.

  They walked until they reached a scenic spot overlooking the cliffs and the sea, where there was a weathered old bench. Cassie and Phillip sat down, but he did not remove his hand from her arm.

  "So much has happened in the short time you've been at Royce Castle, Cassandra," he said. "More than ever happened in the years before I met you, I vow!"

  "Is this your revelation?" Cassie teased. "Never to have houseguests again?"

  Phillip laughed. "Or perhaps to have more houseguests?"

  "Was that it, then? That you ought to expand your social engagements?"

  "Something of the sort." His hand slid down her velvet sleeve to her gloved hand, which he held between both of his. "As I said, so many things have happened since you came here. Most of them to the good."

  "Most of them?"

  "Very well, all of them. Or almost all. But they have all conspired to make me think. To make me realize that my life of study, while satisfying in many ways, is not enough."

  "Is it not?" Cassie said softly, not daring to hope what he might be saying.

  "No. I will always love my books and my work, but they are meant to be part of my life, not the whole of it. There must be time for things such as family, and fun, and wonder at the mysteries of life. Things are not always rational—nor should they be."

  "You have taught me many things, too!" Cassie said, curling her fingers tighter around his.

  "Have I? I've no idea what they could be."

  "I have discovered that our lives are now. The past is gone from us, and the future unknowable. I loved my life in Jamaica, but it was over when my father died. I could never have it back, no matter what, and I would not choose it if I could. My memories will always be with me, but my home, my life, is here now. I am where I am meant to be." She looked past him, out to where the sea lay blue-gray under the sun. "Life cannot be built on a foundation of all dreams and fancies. There has to be logic and solidity, as well. And family."

  "So we have learned from each other," Phillip said thoughtfully.

  "I think we have. My time here at Royce Castle has been the best of my life."

  "I hope that time is not over yet."

  "Of course not. There is still the ball."

  "I mean—oh, I am saying this badly. I mean that I hope it will not be over, ever."

  Cassie's gaze swung back to him, her hand tightening on his.
He watched her seriously, almost warily. "Wh—what do you mean?"

  Phillip took a deep breath. "I mean, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

  She stared at him, trying to decide if she had actually heard what she thought she had. Had he actually said those words?

  The silence lengthened, and he looked away from her. His hands began to slide from hers, but she grabbed onto them and held them tightly.

  "Do you truly want me to marry you?" she whispered.

  "More than anything else," he whispered back.

  "Then, yes. I will marry you."

  "Cassandra!" he said, his voice ringing with triumph. His arms came around her, drawing her against him, and she tilted her face for his kiss.

  It was sweet, and ardent, and filled with all the promise of their life to come. All the passion, all the laughter, all the uncertainty—and all the logic, too.

  Cassie's hand crept to his cheek, which was warm beneath the thin leather of her glove. The wind blew a lock of his hair loose, and it fell like a piece of silk across her neck.

  He drew back, but his arms stayed around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment. "I thought you would never ask," she said.

  He laughed, stirring the curls at her temple with his sweet breath. "Never? Dearest, we have only known each other a short time. I moved as quickly as I could."

  "But I knew the first time I saw you that I loved you."

  "You hated me the first time you saw me!"

  She gave a little shrug. "So I mistook one strong emotion for another. I knew I felt something for you, something I would not be able to let go of."

  "And I knew I felt something for you, as well. Something I could never feel for anyone else."

  "Love?"

  He paused just an instant too long before saying, "Yes. That must have been it."

  Cassie hit him on the arm, laughing. "So sincere you are! Well, no matter what, that is all behind us now. We have found our love, and I am deeply grateful for it."

  "As am I. There is just one more detail to decide."

  "What is that?"

  "When shall we announce our betrothal? At the masked ball?"

  "Oh, that would be perfect!" Cassie said in delight. "But..."

  "But what? You are not changing your mind!"

  "Never! I just want to wait until the day of the ball to tell your mother and my aunt."

  "Whatever for?"

  Cassie was not quite sure, herself. She only knew that she wanted this to be a secret for just a little while longer; she wanted it to be her own happiness. Then, the day of the ball, she would joyfully shout it from the rooftops, and draw everyone else into the pink glow of her contentment.

  "I just want to be quietly happy about it for a while," she answered. "And your mother is so very busy with the preparations for the ball."

  "Hm. You are quite right," Phillip said. "I am sure that the moment she hears the news she will begin planning the wedding. Two festive occasions might be too much for her."

  "Then we are agreed?"

  "Agreed. It will be our secret until the day of the ball."

  Then he drew her back into his arms for another kiss, one to seal their betrothal. It was very late indeed when they arrived back at the castle.

  * * *

  "You are getting married?" Antoinette cried, staring at Cassie in a stunned manner. "Truly?"

  Cassie laughed and tossed her hat and riding crop onto her bed. As soon as they returned from their ride, she had gone to tell Antoinette the news. She might be able to keep a secret from Lady Royce and Aunt Chat for a short time, but she could never keep a secret from Antoinette.

  "I am truly getting married," she said. "Are you not happy for me?"

  Antoinette finally managed to close her mouth and rushed over to hug Cassie. "I am more than happy for you, my dearest friend! Lord Royce is a good man and deserving of your love." She drew back to peer closely into Cassie's face. "You do love him, don't you?"

  "Of course I love him," Cassie said. "I would not marry him otherwise."

  "I know you would not. It is just that when we first met him, you were not—overly fond of him."

  Cassie smiled at her and went over to the dressing table to let her hair down and start brushing the tangles out. "That was then. And you did not care for him at first, either."

  "He has proven himself to be a man of open mind and great intelligence, and not just intelligent from books, either. He has a kind heart, and he loves you a great deal. I could ask for nothing more for you." Antoinette's reflection in the mirror smiled, but her eyes looked sad and distant. She turned away and sat down in a chair beside the fire.

  Cassie wanted no sadness from anyone she loved on this day. She wanted everyone to feel as joyful as she did! She put down the brush and swung around to face Antoinette. "Is something amiss? Did something happen while I was gone?" A terrible thought struck her. "Is Mr. Bates..."

  "No, no!" Antoinette answered quickly. "He has not been seen again. It is just—well, I have been thinking perhaps I should go back to Jamaica. After your wedding would be a good time."

  Cassie was absolutely appalled. She ran across the room to kneel down beside Antoinette's chair, and took her friend's hands in hers. "No! You cannot leave me."

  "Cassie, you know I would miss you horribly. But you are beginning a new life now, a new circle. Perhaps it is time for me to go back."

  Cassie shook her head violently. "You said when we left that there was nothing for you in Jamaica. That your mother's family, well, that they did not..." Her voice trailed away.

  "That they did not approve of my closeness to a white family," Antoinette finished gently. "No, they did not, and they chose not to let me be a true part of their community any longer. You were all my family, and I was happy to come here with you."

  "Are you not content here in England? Do we not have a good life?"

  "A very good life, and I am quite content here. I was looking for a new beginning of my own, you know. But we both know that it is highly unlikely I will ever marry. I can't stay under your feet forever."

  "You are hardly 'under my feet'!" Cassie protested stubbornly. "I need you. The ghosts need you, and Aunt Chat needs you. One day, my children will need you. If you grow bored here at the castle, you can always go see Aunt Chat in Bath. But I will not hear another word about your returning to Jamaica! And that is that."

  Antoinette smiled. "No one could ever argue with you when your mind is made up."

  "No, indeed. So, you will stay?"

  "I will stay. Only for as long as you need me, though."

  "Then you will be here forever!" Cassie cried happily. "Oh, Antoinette! We are going to be so happy here. I can just feel it."

  Chapter 22

  The next few days passed very quickly, in a blur of social engagements and preparations for the masked ball. Under Lady Royce's careful supervision, the ballroom was cleaned and polished from the frescoed ceiling to the parquet floor. Musicians were hired, new draperies were hung at the windows, and potted palms in unheard-of quantities were brought in.

  The costumes were delivered by the dressmaker, and tried on amid much laughter and posing. Guests from far away arrived to stay at the castle and at the inn in the village. They were entertained with suppers, and card parties, and picnics on the shore. There was tea at the Lewishams' vicarage, where they were invited to help plan the annual parish bazaar, and a musicale at Lady Paige's house.

  With all the activity swirling around them, Cassie and Phillip could not find a great deal of time to spend quietly together. But they would take their books to the garden in the mornings and stroll the paths and talk about their readings. It was all perfectly proper, and if they occasionally crept behind a hedge to exchange a quick, stolen kiss, who was to know?

  At night, Cassie would lie in her bed and hug all the warm happiness of the day close to her. She had truly never been more content than she was now at Royce Castle, and ever
y moment was precious to her, a perfect pearl she could take out and marvel over again in the darkness of her room. She was surrounded by friends, by warm security, and the shining promise of love and a good future.

  She clung to these things, as if a small part of her feared they might be snatched away.

  * * *

  "You are certain this is what they mean to do, Angelo?" Lady Lettice said, kneeling down to place her hands on the dwarf's small shoulders.

  He nodded vehemently. "Very certain! I snuck into their lodgings again tonight. Mr. Bates is very angry. Very angry indeed. He wants revenge on Miss Richards and Lord Royce. Angelo does not like him!"

  Lady Lettice patted his shoulder and stood up. "We will not have to worry about him at all after tomorrow night. Is everyone ready?"

  Louisa and Sir Belvedere nodded.

  "Cassie's costume is a shepherdess, which Mr. Bates knows since Lady Royce mentioned it when they first arrived here," said Louisa. "I have discovered she keeps it in the dressmaker's box at the bottom of her wardrobe."

  "And I have examined the 'gentlemen's' carriage," said Sir Belvedere. "There will be no trouble at all."

  "Excellent," Lady Lettice said with a smile. "Then we need only wait for tomorrow night. When they make their move, we shall make our own."

  The day of the masked ball was a cold one, with a gray sky and an angry, frothy sea. This put an end to the planned luncheon picnic, and all the house-guests at Royce Castle had to stay indoors. There were card games in the drawing room and charades in the gallery. Servants hurried to and fro, carrying costumes to be pressed, trays of tea, and, as the preparations for the ball itself commenced, hot water for baths.

  Laughter and chatter echoed through the ancient castle, as they had not for so many years.

  Lady Royce went once more to examine the ballroom before she went to dress. It looked as it had when she had first danced there as a young bride, so very long ago. Footmen were lighting candles in the sconces, casting a golden glow over the cream brocade upholstery of the chairs and the deep yellow-green leaves of the palms. The musicians were practicing on their dais, a sweet, old-fashioned minuet.