Shackles of Honor

by Marcia Lynn McClure

  “You close your eyes so tightly before me as if you feared I may strike you down for such a request,” he growled. With a heavy sigh, he straightened and looked beyond her toward the staircase. “You wish for me to give Thomas a larger salary so that he and his Katie can wed?”

  “Yes,” she answered quietly.

  “This is your request as a gift to yourself? Do I so underpay him as to make it impossible for him to support a wife?” He seemed truly concerned and unsettled.

  “It’s only that Tom is the sole support of his mother and sisters, sir. He cannot afford to keep two households. I do know that it’s a great deal to ask of you…for he would be highly paid for what he does. But I’m also certain that he would be willing to work all the longer hours to earn such pay and—”

  “He would have no time left to him to spend in loving his new wife. What consolation could that possibly be? To have the woman you want in your bed…er…home and never be there with her?”

  Cassidy was surprised at his reasoning as well as by his unprecedented stumbling over words. It seemed so unlike him to be concerned about someone having the time to nurture a relationship.

  “You’re refusing my request then?” She felt the hard pinch of denial in her heart for Katie’s sake.

  “Certainly not. I only say that I’ll have to think on it…to find a way to make it work. Thomas Whitney is a proud man. He’ll not accept an increase in wages without good reason.”

  Cassidy’s heart swelled with joy, and she could not withhold the delighted smile that spread across her face. “You’ll grant me this request then? Truly, sir?” she exclaimed, barely able to restrain herself from throwing her arms about his neck and hugging him in splendid gratitude.

  “Indeed,” was all he said. Again the puzzled expression crossed his furrowed brow as he watched her clasp her hands together delightedly and spin merrily around once.

  “They’ll be so happy! Just imagine their joy! Doesn’t it make you proud to be able to help them? What good is wealth and position if you cannot make to better the lot of those less fortunate?” she nearly squealed. Then, regaining her posture of propriety, she added, “Thank you. Thank you so much. There’s not a better thing on this earth that you could’ve given me at this moment.”

  “They must never know you’ve requested this of me. It would burn Thomas’s pride to the point that he would leave my employment entirely,” Mason commanded suddenly.

  “Of course. Of course. I’ve no wish that either should know.” Mason’s frown deepened, and she couldn’t withhold her next question. “Why do you frown so? What is your deep concern? I’ll say nothing. Don’t you believe in my word?”

  “I do,” he answered. “It only shames me to the marrow of my bones that I did not know the full truth of Thomas’s situation. I should’ve known and done something sooner. I’m remorseful that I had to hear this from your lips, that I didn’t know him well enough to understand his plight. It gives me concern. How well do I know the circumstance of any of those who toil for wages at Carlisle?”

  “You’re a very kind, concerned, indeed, benevolent overlord. You needn’t scold yourself for not knowing intimate details. People—especially those with pride fully and strongly intact—do not wish that others should know their concerns, their tribulations in life.” Cassidy followed him as he began walking toward the staircase. “Of course…it does seem a witless reason for keeping oneself from having the person one wants.”

  “I’ve known reasons far more asinine,” he mumbled as he increased his stride to almost a run, leaving her to return to her room alone.

  Cassidy found rest in hope, hope for Katie and her Tommy. If she could not win Mason’s heart, the least she could do was try to make glad the hearts of others.

  

  It was fairly early when Katie, beaming radiantly, came bursting into the chamber where Cassidy still slept. At the first sight of the girl’s euphoric expression, Cassidy knew Mason had wasted no time in granting her request.

  “For pity’s sake, Katie,” Cassidy greeted her. “Whatever has you in such a whirl?”

  “I know it’s your doing, Cassidy,” Katie squealed in a whisper. “But I don’t care! I’m just too happy to care!”

  “Whatever are you going on about, Katie?” Cassidy had only a small pang of guilt within her bosom at pretending not to know.

  “Mr. Mason has given my Thomas a new situation. The salary that accompanies it is far better than we could ever have dreamed! And, not only that, he has given Thomas a cottage on the east lands as part of the agreement!”

  Cassidy’s eyebrows raised in amazement, and her heart began pounding furiously with joy at Mason’s munificence. Yet she was, in the same breath, not so astonished.

  “Katie! How wonderful! Does this mean that—” Cassidy began.

  But her exuberant friend could not wait for propriety to offer its turn to her, and she interrupted, “It goes beyond what I’ve only just told you, miss.”

  “It does?” Cassidy asked.

  “Yes! Oh, yes, yes, yes! Mr. Mason was out to see Thomas’s mother only an hour ago. I had stopped by on my way to the manor, and I was there when he arrived. He actually went to the house to speak to her! He asked her if her husband, Thomas’s father, had been the stable master when he himself was a lad. Thomas’s mother told him Thomas’s father had indeed been such a steward for some time before he took a position at another estate and was killed in a riding accident. Mr. Mason told her he held fond memories of her husband. It was her husband, Thomas’s father, who taught him to care for horses and instilled in him his adoration for equestrians and breeding. And then, oh, Miss Cassidy…it’s too much to take in! Then Mr. Mason told Thomas’s mother that he wished to return in what minuscule way he could her husband’s kindness to him. And—I still pinch myself to be certain I was awake when I, indeed, witnessed this—then, miss…Mr. Mason handed Thomas’s mother the deed to her cottage and ten thousand!”

  Cassidy herself gasped in wonderment. She could not believe the tale. “Katie…are you certain that you perceived this correctly?” she found herself asking.

  “Yes, miss! Yes! I cannot believe it myself! The most wonderful part of the tale is yet to be told. After Mr. Mason left, Thomas dropped to his knees, right there in front of everyone in the family…and asked me to marry him Saturday next! Can you believe our good fortune?” Katie reached out, taking Cassidy’s hands in her own, and said softly, “Of course you can, for I know it was your doing.”

  Cassidy shook her head and whispered, “This was Mason Carlisle’s doing, Katie. None of mine.”

  Katie stood up and whirled around and around in her bliss. “I know that it’s only a marriage of commoners, miss. I know it’s not a grand wedding like you’re used to…but would you help me with a dress, Miss Cassidy? And would you be there when I marry my Thomas Saturday next?”

  “Of course, Katie! I would be so very honored.” Cassidy’s heart was swelling with joy for her friend, swelling with pride in Mason’s act of benevolence, and swelling with love for this man who was so benevolent.

  “I know you probably think me terribly selfish for asking you this when today is to be your day,” Katie continued, “but I cannot believe our good fortune! Our good fortune in having you come to us.”

  “Katie, I tell you, this was Mr. Mason’s doing. I…I…”

  “But it was your influence upon him. How else would he have known of our situation? I thank you, dear friend, for your help.”

  “Katie…I…”

  “Oh, let us think of your day! Today he will officially be yours, Cassidy. Tonight you can revel in the feel of his embrace, knowing that never will you have to worry about his pining for another.” Katie was too excited, too blissful in her own happiness to see the truth of Cassidy’s situation. But Cassidy said nothing. If it made Katie happy to imagine that Cassidy might someday share in the same kind of blissful knowledge she now did…she wouldn’t take such happiness from her.
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br />   Chapter Ten

  Oh, and it was a day of excitement! There were moments when Cassidy marveled that such an event was being held with her as the focus. But there were other moments when the idea sickened her, causing her to be unable to eat for most of the day.

  She began preparing herself far in advance, for it was important to her that she appear at her very best. She knew there would be gossip of the same cruel caliber that her mother had endured at her very age. She would not have them saying that not only did Mason find himself shackled to this strange, unknown, childish girl but that she was plain and homely to boot. Katie helped Cassidy into the beautiful brown gown, arranging the folds of the skirt and laces meticulously. Then her dear, blissful-in-heart friend did indeed dress her hair perfectly, curling it carefully with the hot curl iron and then pulling it back and pinning the mass of gathered curls to the crown of her head. Her hair hung in brilliant cascading curls down her back. Several softer curls adorned her forehead and temples, causing that she should look just the least little bit imperfect and adding a “desirable subdued appearance,” as Katie explained.

  Cassidy heard the carriages arriving all afternoon and the joyous voices of congratulations and inquiry raised jubilantly. And now, as Katie helped her pull on her gloves, ensuring the seams were straight, a knock came at the door, and Cassidy startled violently.

  “He’s come for you,” Katie said, smiling.

  “He has come to escort me to the guillotine,” Cassidy stammered nervously. Then, glancing at herself one last time in the looking glass, she said, “I cannot, Katie. I cannot face these strangers, all of them knowing…where is Mother? She didn’t even come to—”

  “No doubt your parents and Mr. Mason’s are already seated for dinner, Cassidy. Remember, you are on display. Your entrance must be magnificent.”

  “Thank you for your encouragement,” Cassidy said sarcastically as there was another knock on her door. “Don’t let him in yet, Katie. I’m not ready.”

  “Nonsense,” Katie scolded, going to the door and opening it wide to reveal a dashing, immaculately groomed, magnificently handsome Mason Carlisle.

  Instantly Cassidy’s stomach began to tumble, and her legs felt weak. He stood before her dressed in the blackest of trousers, tight-fitting so that every line of each fabulously developed muscle in his legs was strikingly defined. His boots were polished to a perfect sheen, his coat was magnificently cut to boast his broad shoulders, and his collar stood stiffly beneath a perfectly arranged white cravat.

  “Come along then, Miss Shea,” he muttered. “Are you ready for the gawking frenzy?”

  His words of encouragement, rather discouragement, nearly undid her, and she felt like shouting, No! But she did not and merely nodded.

  “Stay with Katie, Mathias. Stay,” Mason commanded as the dog began to follow them toward the stairs. “Take my arm then,” he instructed Cassidy, offering his arm. Reflexively Cassidy linked her arm with his, noticing at that moment that he wore no gloves himself.

  “No gloves,” she mumbled as her mind began to drop into some sort of astonished, frightened panic. “And I cannot believe that neither Mother nor Father nor even Ellis came to accompany me. I—”

  “I detest gloves. My palms are perspiring enough as it is. Stuffing them into hot, ridiculous gloves would not serve,” he grumbled.

  “You’re…you’re nervous at this?” she asked. She could not believe it! Was it possible?

  “What mortal man would not be nervous, Miss Shea? I’m to walk into a room of friends, business associates, strangers, and noblemen and present my troth to a girl who would rather have my dog than me! All the while creating an appearance of serenity, friendship, and attraction between us. By all that is, girl, yes, I am nervous.”

  She was more startled by his revelation of making to pretend that they were amiable than his confession of nerves suddenly. He wouldn’t forsake her then? Wouldn’t subject her pride to being trampled upon? Just as he had taken care of Thomas and dear Katie, he would not fail her. She had to believe in him, then, or else simply perish.

  “I’m certain to be as pale as death,” Cassidy mumbled, feeling no color remained in her face, for it had certainly sunken to the depths of her sickened stomach with the rest of her feelings.

  “The color is little in your face,” he agreed. “Of course, I could redden your lips for you…in my own manner. And I’m nearly certain that the result would then be the addition of color to your face as well.”

  But it wasn’t necessary that he kiss her as he obviously intimated, for the implication itself coupled with the pure delight she felt at the rather flirtatious remark caused the heat to rise to her cheeks immediately.

  “There now. I’ve caused you a blush…and with less effort than I expected.” She could not believe his teasing. Yet it was so very encouraging! He would not abandon her. She was certain of it. Somehow, due to his championing her, she would be able to endure the prying eyes, the gossiping whispers, and the disapproving stares.

  As Mason led her to the door of his father’s chamber, she felt the warmth of comfort that always pervaded the air in Lord Carlisle’s presence even before she had entered the room.

  “What vision is this?” Lord Carlisle remarked, a broad smile upon his face as they entered.

  “We go now, Father. To fulfill your wishes,” Mason told him rather formally.

  “Ah! Not as yet, boy. My wishes will remain unfulfilled until the day you marry and that marriage is consummated finally. Then will my wishes be fulfilled,” Lord Carlisle stated. Cassidy’s warm blush turned to flaming heat at his remark.

  “I take her from you then, Father…before she melts in a puddle of embarrassment before your very eyes,” Mason said, grinning mischievously.

  “If you’re going to melt, my dove,” the great man began, taking Cassidy’s gloved hand in his and kissing the back of it tenderly, “be sure it’s in my son’s arms and not in a puddle on the floor.”

  “Yes, sir,” was all Cassidy could manage. “I mean,” she began, realizing how agreeable her answer had sounded, “I mean…I will. No, no! I mean…”

  “Take her to the ball, Mason, and away from discomfort,” Lord Carlisle chuckled, kissing her hand once more.

  “Yes, sir,” Mason agreed.

  

  An uproarious applause erupted upon their entering the dining hall. All the men were standing behind the chairs on which wives, daughters, or other female companions were seated. “Smile, Miss Shea,” Mason whispered as a broad and very definitely alluring smile spread across his face. Cassidy forced the corners of her mouth to turn upward and nodded at her father and mother, who had tears evident in their eyes.

  “Please, be seated friends,” Mason announced, his voice booming audibly throughout the expanse of the room. “We welcome you and beg that you enjoy an enormous feast in honor of our special guests at Carlisle Manor, Lord and Lady Shea and their family.” There was more applause as Cassidy’s father and Ellis bowed to all present. “Miss Shea,” Mason said, motioning that she should sit next to his mother and beside him where he sat at the head of the table in his father’s absence. He manipulated her chair with ease, and she, for all her jitters, found herself able to sit elegantly as he slid it beneath her.

  Once all were seated, the attendants began to serve the first course of the meal. Cassidy knew she would not be able to put one bite of food into her mouth for fear her churning stomach would force it back out again.

  “You look a dream in that brown, Cass,” Ellis whispered from across the table. She could only nod, especially when she noticed that Gabrielle Ashmore sat directly across from her, next to her brother and Mason.

  “Yes, Miss Shea,” Gabrielle chimed. “Quite the dream. Don’t you agree, Mason?”

  Cassidy’s indignation burned. Gabrielle was far too familiar with Mason’s sharp tongue and knew her asking about Cassidy’s appearance would bring forth a remark to dampen Cassidy’s already disappearing confiden
ce. To make matters worse, all other conversation at the table within hearing distance of Gabrielle’s remark ceased, and everyone looked to Mason, waiting for his response. Cassidy looked to him hopefully—her eyes pleading for salvation.

  Without pause, he said, “Miss Shea is all essence…the very marrow of my dreams.” Poignantly he reached over to where Cassidy’s hand lay in her lap. Placing his own over hers encouragingly, he winked reassuringly, surprising her with the gesture.

  “Bravo, my boy,” an older man who sat some way down the table commented, and all the women in attendance sighed heavily, flashing smiles of approval at Mason. Cassidy gave him her own smile of thanks—thanks for salvaging her pride for the moment. As she glanced across the table at Gabrielle, it was to find not an angry, hateful expression, but more that of confusion.

  The meal went forth, and Cassidy noted Ellis often distracted Gabrielle from staring longingly at Mason. She knew her brother was ever her champion. And several times when her courage would begin to fade, she glanced at Mason, and he grinned supportively, sometimes winking at her as well.

  But all too soon the meal ended, and Mason asked everyone to gather in the main dance hall so the ball might begin, stating that he had an important announcement to make. Everyone, already fully aware of the announcement that he intended, smiled and began chatting amongst themselves as they made their way to the grand ballroom.

  “Miss Shea?” came Mason’s voice as Cassidy paused in rising from her chair. Mechanically, she rose and took his arm, feeling the heat of a horrid blush rise to her cheeks and her entire body begin to tremble uncontrollably. Once everyone assembled in the ballroom, Havroneck cleared his throat, and Mason at once had everyone’s attention.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,” Mason began, a smile blazoned across his face, “I have wonderful news to deliver to you this grand evening. No doubt, all of you, especially you gentlemen, noticed the strikingly beautiful daughter of my acquaintance, Lord Shea.” Masculine chuckles erupted in the room. “Lord Shea has graciously entrusted his daughter to my care…to my protection…to my adoration. It is with a greater pride than my stumbling words can proclaim and it is my honor to present her to you now…Miss Cassidy Shea…my betrothed!”