Now, there was no doubt in his mind. The moment his lips had met hers, desire poured through his body like molten lava, pushing his need past the bounds of reason. She’d felt right, smelled right, and tasted divine. But...she was determined to keep him at arm’s length.
Devlin shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed. Separate beds and no kissing. What a way to start a marriage. He shook his head and grinned. Somehow, he’d find a way to seduce Cassandra - a challenge he meant to focus on with diligence once they left England.
Until then, he’d let her believe he’d surrendered.
“That’s fantastic,” Penelope exclaimed when Cassandra told her she’d decided to accept Devlin’s proposal.
“Are you sure?” Cassandra asked. After leaving Devlin she’d returned to the house and gone straight upstairs to her daughter’s room. Penelope had been putting on her walking boots in preparation for the kite flying expedition when Cassandra arrived.
The first thing she’d done was apologize for her reaction earlier. A warm embrace had followed, after which Cassandra had told Penelope everything.
Cassandra gave her a direct look. “If you have any objections, I can tell Devlin I’ve changed my mind.”
“Why would I object? We get to sail the world, Mama, to go on a real adventure.” If Penelope looked any more excited she’d probably start glowing. “I think you marrying Dev is a smashing idea.”
Dev?
Cassandra blinked and then uttered the only word she could think of. “Why?” When Penelope gave her a queer look, Cassandra said, “Besides the part about getting to go on an adventure.”
To Cassandra’s surprise Penelope didn’t hesitate. “Because he’s fun, charming, handsome, kind...” Penelope counted each characteristic off on her fingers. “Romantic, knowledgeable, atten—”
“Romantic?”
Color flooded Penelope’s cheeks. “He chased after you, Mama, and fought for your hand even though it was obvious you did not want him to do so.”
“That could just mean he lacks common sense and manners.”
The arch look Penelope gave her seemed far too mature for a twelve-year-old to manage. “Either way, his persistence paid off.”
“When on earth did you become so observant?”
Penelope grinned. “I’ve also noticed you haven’t denied the part about him being handsome.”
It was Cassandra’s turn to blush. “Well,” she said, “doing so would be rather dishonest, don’t you think?”
Penelope’s grin turned into a joyous smile. “I’m glad you’re doing this.” Having finished with her boots, Penelope stood, chin raised, and with a thoughtful expression suggestive of great insight. “Hopefully, it will give you the same kind of happiness Mary and Emily were able to find with Caleb and Griffin.”
Cassandra had her doubts about that since her motive for getting married was entirely different from what her friends’ had been. But she appreciated her daughter’s words and most especially the blessing they represented. And now that she’d put her initial annoyance with Devlin aside, she agreed he wasn’t the worst man a woman could end up marrying.
Half an hour later, while standing with Katherine on the edge of a meadow they’d carefully selected for their kite flying outing, or kiting, as the children liked to call it, she watched Devlin help unwind strings and show the youngest boys what to do. He knelt beside them in the grass, making gestures and offering explanations.
Katherine gave Cassandra a nudge when Devlin showed Henry how to hold the kite and run with it. “He’ll make an excellent father one day.”
Cassandra choked on her own breath and coughed until tears pooled in her eyes.
“Good heavens.” Katherine patted her back. “Are you all right?”
“Mm...hmm.” Cassandra took a deep breath, coughed once more, and finally felt her throat start to clear. “It’s just...um...what you said.”
Katherine tilted her head and gave Cassandra an odd look. A frown creased her brow and then suddenly, without any warning, her eyes grew wide. “Cass.” Her expression conveyed a mixture of shock and sympathy. “He’s going to be your husband. I mean, that man over there will be yours to...” She waved her hand.
Cassandra groaned. “I know, but I don’t think I can.”
“Because of Timothy?”
“I loved him with all my heart, Kathy. To... Oh, how do I explain this?” She blew out a breath. Devlin was now running across the field with Henry, shouting instructions while the rest of the children looked on. And then the kite was released. It wobbled slightly until a breeze caught it and swept it up into the sky. Henry whooped and Devlin grinned while the rest of the children called for him to help them next. “I gave Timothy something I swore I’d never give anyone else. The night we spent together was magical, Kathy. I remember each detail, each precious moment, so vividly I can close my eyes and picture it with perfect clarity.”
“And you worry this memory will fade or be overshadowed by new ones made with Devlin.”
Cassandra nodded. “I feel as though I’m betraying Timothy by even marrying Devlin – by pledging myself to someone else before God.”
Katherine reached for Cassandra’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I didn’t know Timothy, but I cannot imagine he would want you to torture yourself like this. Don’t you think he would rather you moved on and found someone else to share your life with?”
“Of course he would. But that doesn’t ease the ache in my heart or stop the guilt from eating away at my conscience.” Liking Devlin, being attracted to him, only made it worse. “I’m marrying Devlin for Penelope’s sake. He’s a friend, so I don’t imagine it being so bad. But I won’t give him children, Kathy. I cannot make myself do it.”
“Is Devlin aware of this?” When Cassandra answered in the affirmative, Katherine looked stunned. “And he has agreed?”
“Until four days ago he had no intention to marry or have children, so I don’t believe it’s an issue, considering his motivation is based entirely on doing the honorable thing.”
“I see,” Katherine murmured. But the way she said it made Cassandra wonder if she might be pulling the wool over her own eyes. Devlin was, after all, a man in his prime. He would surely have needs. And if she didn’t satisfy them, then he’d probably have to find someone else who was willing to do so.
She considered his lean body as he loped across the field to help Rosemary and Penelope with their kite. For some peculiar reason, her heart squeezed painfully at the thought of him being with another woman. But she supposed that was something she’d simply have to get used to since dishonoring Timothy wasn’t an option.
Chapter 6
“I have to return to London,” Devlin informed Cassandra the following day when he found her in the kitchen.
She met his gaze without any hint of how his comment affected her. “When do you leave?”
“Immediately after breakfast.” Was that a flicker of disappointment in her eyes? He couldn’t be sure, but he hoped she’d regret his absence a little. “I left in a bit of a hurry, you see.” A hint of a smile tugged at her lips as she averted her gaze. “My quartermaster will be needing my help with the cargo we brought to England and then with readying the ship for departure.”
She raised her gaze to his. “When do we sail?”
“In four to five weeks.” Noting the way she bit her lower lip and wrung her hands, he asked, “Does that give you enough time to plan the wedding?”
“I believe so. We only need three weeks for the banns, and regarding the rest, I’m sure Mary and Emily will be happy to help, not to mention Robert and Vivien.”
“Good.” He was tempted to step forward and kiss her cheek, but she looked so guarded, as if she wished there were a wall between them, that he decided it might be best not to. There would be time enough to romance her later, when she’d had more time to adjust to the idea of being his wife.
So he just punctuated his sentence with a nod and removed himself to the
dining room, taking the tea with him as he went.
Four days later, standing on the deck of his ship, The Condor, Devlin informed his crew of his intention to marry.
Silence followed for a good five seconds after, then someone said, “Well, it’s about bloody time!”
Another voice sounded from amidst the throng of hardy seamen. “Congratulations to ye, Captain! We’ll drink to yer health tonight!”
“Aye, that we will,” a third voice murmured amidst the ensuing cheers and well wishes.
“I should mention,” Devlin added with a hasty glance in Monty’s direction, “that my wife will be joining us on our next voyage.”
He reckoned he actually heard one man gulp in response to that comment. The crew stared back at him as if he’d lost his head. Only one word followed, and it was a dumbfounded, “What?”
Devlin allowed his gaze to travel across each familiar face. “Should her presence aboard the ship trouble you, you’re free to remain in England. All I ask is that you let me know now so I’ve time to find replacements.”
Someone coughed and then a young deckhand stepped forward. “Begging your pardon, sir, but having a woman on board is deuced bad luck. I...um...” He scratched the back of his head and shuffled his feet.
“No need to explain, Sam.” Devlin eyed the rest of the group. “Anyone else?”
A fair amount of grumbling followed, during which six more men gave their notice.
“It could have been worse, I suppose,” Devlin told Monty while the two of them enjoyed a drink later in Devlin’s cabin. “Though I will say I’m sorry to lose Big Jack.”
Monty nodded. “He was a fine gunner and a great personality to have on board.” He tossed back his brandy. “I’ll miss him as well.”
Stretching his legs out, Devlin crossed his ankles and swirled the amber liquid in his glass. “Would you consider asking Laura to come along?”
Monty shook his head emphatically. “That would mean bringing the children, which isn’t something any of us would be quite prepared for.” Considering Monty had six, Devlin supposed he made a fair point. “And besides, I’ve been married long enough by now to know that the last thing I need is to be trapped with a woman I can’t escape for great lengths of time. At least on land, I can go for a walk or head to the nearest inn for a small reprieve.”
Devlin frowned. “Considering your plans to quit sailing so you can spend more time at home, I was under the impression you love her.”
“Of course I do, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need time apart on occasion.”
Devlin wasn’t sure he understood his friend’s reasoning. Cassandra was first and foremost a longtime family friend. He’d always enjoyed her company and valued her opinions. Now that he would be marrying her, he couldn’t imagine not sharing every aspect of his life with her.
It was, he acknowledged, one of the reasons why he’d been opposed to marriage – his knowing he’d be taking someone away from what she was used to and possibly making her miserable in the process. He could only hope to God Cassandra would be happy sailing the world. Because that was the sort of marriage he wanted, one where he and his wife forged a bond more secure than any knot in existence. And the only way to do so was through shared experiences, honest conversation, communication, and intimacy – all of which required being together.
“Don’t you miss each other?”
“Of course we do. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?”
Devlin shrugged one shoulder and decided to leave the subject alone. Cassandra was accustomed to the challenge brought on by change. She was used to rolling up her sleeves and making the most of a difficult situation. Unlike most Society women, she’d had her fair share of trouble to deal with, but rather than play the victim, she’d found her strength and used it to help others. He admired her greatly for that.
Now, if he could only find a way to dispel her aversion to intimacy.
“I still can’t believe this is happening,” Caleb told Devlin three weeks later when they rode toward the church in one of the Camberly carriages. “Are you nervous?”
Devlin considered the question for a second, then shook his head. “Not at all. On the contrary, I’m really looking forward to this new adventure.” He’d not spent much time with Cassandra in the weeks leading up to the wedding. They’d both been horribly busy – she with arranging for someone to take her place at Clearview, packing for the trip, having her wedding gown fitted, and managing other wedding-related chores, and he with taking new cargo on board and preparing the ship for departure. So it would be good for them to focus more on each other, as he imagined they would be able to do once they left England and things settled down.
“She’ll make you an excellent wife,” Caleb added. “I’ve always thought so.”
“Even though I practically coerced her?”
“She might not have fancied the way you went about the whole thing, but on the other hand, I doubt the two of you would have gotten married without a little disaster to nudge you along.”
“And by disaster, you mean my own stupidity.”
“What? I thought it very gallant of you to defend Cassandra’s honor,” Caleb said with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“Hmm…I’m not so sure she saw it that way.”
“Nevertheless, there’s no denying she likes you – no, don’t argue with me on this, Dev. I’ve seen the two of you interact over the years. There’s definitely more between you than the connection you share to Mary and Emily, and I’d say that’s a pretty good start.”
Devlin glanced out the window. They were almost at the church. He frowned. “I hope I can make her happy.” It hadn’t even occurred to him until that second that he was afraid of not being able to do so.
“You will,” Caleb told him quietly, “because of the man you are. I know you’ll do everything in your power to make sure she doesn’t regret becoming your wife. That’s a lot more effort than most husbands make, of that I can assure you.”
Bolstered by his brother’s words, Devlin felt his confidence surge. This was the right decision for him and for Cassandra. Not because they loved each other or because they felt destined to be together, but because this was about more than them – it was about protecting a young girl’s reputation and ensuring she’d have the future she deserved.
And as Devlin watched Cassandra walk up the aisle toward him later, he gave Penelope a quick glance and silently thanked her. Surprisingly, she’d turned out to be the key to a dream he hadn’t even known he wanted. Even if the dream was a little pricklier than he’d have liked, he mused when it was time for him to kiss his bride. She deliberately moved her head at the very last second, ensuring his lips touched her cheek instead of her mouth.
“Vixen,” he muttered when they drew apart and his eyes were able to lock onto hers.
Brazenly, she arched her brow and held his gaze. “I did say we couldn’t do that ever again,” she whispered.
Naively, he’d thought he’d be able to force the issue when they were standing in front of a whole congregation, but she, cunning creature that she was, had managed to sidestep the matter entirely. He was certain he ought to feel affronted, angry even, yet the only emotion swirling inside him was excitement – rather like the thrill one might feel when faced with a sport one had yet to master.
“Touché,” he replied beneath his breath as he started leading her out of the church. His lips quirked with humor. If this was how she wanted it to be, then by all means, he’d play the game and do his utmost to win it.
The wedding breakfast, held at Camberly House, was a lovely affair with only the closest family and friends present. Cassandra’s parents, however, were not in attendance. Although she had—most grudgingly— issued an invitation, they chose to remain absent. Not that she minded. In fact, she was relieved to know she would not have to face them on her wedding day.
“I must confess I’m a little jealous of you,” Emily told her once they were finished eating and
they’d adjourned to the parlor for tea and cake. “You get to travel the world and see things the rest of us only get to read about.”
“It’s so exciting,” Mary agreed, joining the conversation. “Devlin has always brought back the most fascinating gifts from faraway places. Makes me wish I could go there myself and experience it all first hand.”
“You could suggest a holiday to your husbands,” Cassandra said.
“Yes. I suppose so. But it will have to wait a few years.” Mary placed one hand on her belly. “I don’t think it wise to veer too far from what I am used to with a young infant.”
“Neither do I,” Emily said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“What? You too?” Cassandra gasped.
“Shh…” Emily grinned while holding one finger to her lips. “We only just found out about it and wanted to wait with an announcement until later so as not to overshadow your big day.”
“Thank you for that. And congratulations to both of you.” Cassandra took another sip of her tea and tried not to wonder why Emily’s comment caused her to look at Devlin. He was standing near the fireplace, conversing amicably with his brothers.
His eye caught hers and Cassandra’s heart bounced. Heat flooded her cheeks and she instantly dropped her gaze. “It will be lovely for you to welcome another child into the family.”
“Speaking of children,” Mary said, “I had a word with Katherine earlier and have promised her that Caleb and I will be here to help with Clearview if she needs us.”
“Thank you.” Cassandra had managed to find a young woman named Felicity who was ready to move in right away, but knowing Mary – who was familiar with the running of Clearview – was also willing to assist was reassuring. “I believe Katherine’s sister plans to visit with her for a while as well, so all in all, it should be all right.” But it had been one of Cassandra’s greatest concerns since Clearview had always been hers. Leaving it with no intention of returning to the life she’d had there was strange indeed.
Her Seafaring Scoundrel Page 7