“My Lady Cassia.”
“Sir Guy.”
He was not even permitted to give her his arm to escort her to the table. They had to walk side by side, as if they were mere acquaintances and nothing more. And when they spoke, it was in quiet tones and short sentences, as if they carried on a small and simple conversation of little importance.
“I spoke to Stephen.”
She tried to keep her voice calm, though she was trembling with anxiety.
“Yes?”
Guy sighed. “He is withholding his decision until tomorrow.”
Her heart sank, and she fought the urge to curse. “This is maddening,” she declared. “He knows my feelings, and yours. And yet he remains so deliberately stubborn.”
“I know. I assure you, I was not at all pleased to hear it. But for one more day, I shall maintain my civility and exercise my patience.”
“Will you tell me more of your conversation? Tonight?” Her voice held a note of promise, of anticipation…and his was the same in reply.
“I look forward to it.”
She smiled, and though she dared not look up at his face…she would find it difficult to look away if she did…she knew he was smiling too.
When she made her way to his room that night, she found him standing before the fire with his arms crossed. Clearly he was deep in thought, but still he managed to turn to her with one of his lovely smiles. He held out his hand to her…and she went to him instantly, slipping her palm into his. But rather than kissing her right away, he drew her against him, holding her close. She sighed against his chest, wondering at his thoughtful expression.
“You look so pensive, my love. What is on your mind?”
He rested his head against hers. “I was just thinking of today. Of all that your brother and I discussed. There is much responsibility in the job he has given me. It would be quite a pity if the duty were to be given to another. And I
will
let it go to another, if he does not give his consent tomorrow.”
She leaned back in his arms, looking up at him. “Guy, tell me truly. Did Stephen give any indication as to how his decision might go?”
“I am afraid not. He was quite stoic in all that he said and did. Your brother has a true soldier’s disposition. He hides his thoughts and feelings quite well when he wants to.”
Cassia sighed. Still holding Guy’s hand, she went to the edge of the bed and sat down with him. He put his arm around her, drawing her to his side.
“Beloved, are you certain of leaving your newfound relations? It troubles me to think that I will separate you from a family you have only just come to know.”
She buried her head against his chest as she replied. “You will be my family, Guy. You and our children.”
“I know. And the notion of a family…our family…is something I dream of. But all the same…”
A sudden pounding on the door interrupted their conversation. And then a raised voice made them both give a start.
“Gisborne! I want to speakwith you, immediately!”
Guy looked at her, putting his finger to his lips. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the side door. Once she’d slipped out, he walked calmly to the chamber door and unlatched it…and Stephen didn’t waste a moment rushing in.
“Is my sister here?” Instantly he began looking about, moving quick through the room.
Guy shrugged, his expression above suspicion. “Not that I am aware of, my lord.”
“Are you certain?”
“Quite certain, I think. Unless she is hiding here without my knowledge.”
“Well she is not in her room.”
Raising an eyebrow, Guy gave Stephen an odd look. “Forgive me, my lord, but I do not understand.”
“Never mind, Gisborne. Forget my intrusion.”
He swept from the room as quickly as he had come in. Guy closed the door behind him…and he grinned, quite entertained by this little game of cat and mouse. If he knew Cassia, she was already well away from danger. And even if, perchance, she found herself cornered, she was clever enough to wiggle her way out. She’d encountered more formidable beings than Stephen DeWarren. Hells bells, she’d taken on
him
and been victorious. That in itself was a feat worth a heap of rewards and recognition.
*****
Slipping out the door of the opposite room, Cassia wound her way down the back stairs, through the servants’ passageway and into the kitchen. Stephen would no doubt come looking for her, and if he found her in the kitchen, it would provide a credible alibi. Taking an apple from the larder, pouring herself a goblet of wine, she sat at the table to wait…and it wasn’t long before she heard the commotion of a search. She sighed, taking a long draught of her wine. Then she heard her name being called…and she called back, not hiding the displeasure in her voice.
“I am in the kitchen, and I am quite well.”
She turned her head to see Rosalyn, along with several servants…and coming up behind them, Stephen. Sighing, she shook her head.
“Is it such a crime to appease one’s hunger at this hour? I hardly think it necessary to send the entire household to find me.”
Stephen came forward, his face full of concern. “You worried me, Cassia. I did not find you abed, and I thought…”
Rising fast to her feet, she spoke before he could. “I think I know precisely what you thought, brother. And I must say I am very hurt by your scrutiny.”
She brushed past him, not caring that everyone was watching. She heard him telling all to return to their beds, and then she heard him calling out to her. But she paid him no mind, calmly returning to her own room and her own bed. She latched the door, unwilling to speak to him, even when she heard the soft rapping that she had known would soon flow. She heard his voice slightly muffled through the door.
“I want to speak to you, if you please.”
“Who is it?” she asked, standing with her arms folded.
“You know who it is. It is Stephen.”
“Who is it?” she repeated.
“It is Stephen, Cassia. Open the door.”
“I ask again, who is it?”
There was a long silence…and then he replied, “It is I. Your brother.”
She opened the door to him, but only a space. And she glared at him.
“Are you certain you are my brother, or are you my jailer? Of late, I have a hard time distinguishing between the two.”
“May I come in?” he asked, his tone more gentle than she’d heard it before. “I do not wish to converse in the hallway.”
She considered his request for a moment…and then she stepped back. But instantly she turned away from him, her arms folded defensively. “It is your home. You will do as you please with or without my consent.”
“Cassia, do not be a child.” He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “I came here to speak to you, and to offer an apology.” He approached her, but she sat on the bed and faced the window, giving him her back.
“Speak if you will. Apologize if you must. It does not mean I will hear a word of it.”
He walked back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back. “You are angry with me, and you have every right to be. But I have my reasons for all that I do. You are my sister, and I cannot help being protective.”
She rose to her feet, coming to stand before the window, her back still turned to him in silence.
“I made Gisborne my Steward as a favor to you. I am aware of your feelings for him, and for that reason I am willing to allow him to stay here. But you cannot know how difficult it is for me to fully accept him.”
Now she turned to him, furious.
“He is not the man you knew all those years ago! You do not know him as I do!”
Stephen did not answer. He crossed his arms, continuing to pace back and forth. Now Cassia came close to him, sitting on the edge of the bed as she looked at him.
“I love him Stephen, and he loves me. Whatever his past actions, they are simply that…past actions. He is the only man I wish to call my husband. And you know I will do anything to be with him.”
“I know that very well!” His shout took surprise…and his next words nearly knocked her down. “And that is why I’m allowing the union.”
She clutched the bedpost for support, completely stunned. “Are you in earnest? Will you truly not stand in our way?”
He shook his head, though he kept his eyes on the floor. “In the morning I shall make the announcement.” Clearly, he was not pleased with his own decision. But he had consented. He had given his blessing of marriage…and she was so ecstatic, she leapt up and threw her arms around him. At first he was reluctant to embrace her, but she was too happy to care. She clung to him all the same, tears of joy sliding down her cheeks.
“Thank you, brother. I cannot tell you what this means to me.”
At last he put his arms around her. His voice was sad, and he sighed. “You are my sister. I cannot pretend to understand your feelings for that man…but I do not wish to battle with you. We have been too long apart for such pettiness.”
She kissed his cheek, hugging him even tighter. After several moments he withdrew himself, holding her slightly away. He placed a kiss on her temple…and left the room, saying nothing more.
When he was gone she jumped on her bed and fell back on it, bouncing like a giddy little girl.
*****
Sitting in his chair by the fire, Guy tried his best to be patient. He had poured a goblet of wine and sat sipping at it, trying to relax as he waited for her return. He was certain that she was simply being cautious, biding her time until she could make her way back to him, and he told himself that at any moment she would come slipping in like she had before. He longed to see her there, looking so soft and beautiful in her white nightgown.
But as the minutes went by, he found himself rising from the chair to walk back and forth, occasionally straining his ear in the hopes of catching the sound of her footsteps falling on the hall floor. But except for the crackling of the fire, all was silent. He began to wonder if she’d been detained in some way. Perhaps Stephen had caught her in the hallway and ordered her back to her room. But if he’d done that, then wouldn’t he be here flying into a rage? His curiosity and concern became too much at that moment, and setting his wine goblet aside, he moved to his door and eased it open. Peering out into the hall, all was dark silence…and he made the decision to go in search of her. If she couldn’t come to him, he would go to her. Perhaps it was a foolish thing to be slinking about in the dark as he was, boyishly eager to be with the woman he loved. But he’d hardly seen reason since those first yearnings he’d had for Cassia, and there was no point in being sensible now.
In the gallery between the guest quarters and the family apartments, he paused at the glow of a candle across the way. Stephen was leaving Cassia’s room. It seemed it was just as Guy had suspected…her brother had sent her to her chambers and probably ordered her to remain there. His eyes narrowed bitterly, feeling a surge of anger at the Baron’s treatment of his sister. Brother he may have been, but he was treatr more like a ward. Stephen had been treating her as such ever since Guy had first known him…and he was growing tired of such disregard. Although he had never been a man of easy temper or great patience, for Cassia’s sake he had tried to tolerate Stephen’s overbearing ways.
But enough was enough. In the morning, the Baron would make his decision about the marriage. If he allowed it, then all would be well. But if Stephen refused it, then by God, he would take Cassia and run with her to find the nearest priest.
Let not that which has been joined together by God be parted by man.
So said the scriptures, and so it would be.
He waited a few long minutes, giving Stephen ample time to reach his bedchamber. When he was certain all was safe, he moved to her door and stole into her room, latching the door behind him. He turned to see her sitting up on her bed, a slightly stunned expression on her face…but she was quite pleased to see him, judging from her little smile. He wondered at her happy mood, if she had been confined to her quarters. But he couldn’t help but smile back at her.
“I waited for you,” he said in a whisper, crossing the floor quickly. “But patience has never been one of my strongest virtues.” On the edge of her bed she rose to her knees, holding her arms out, and he fell into her embrace. The warmth and softness of her body never ceased to temper any ill feelings he had. Instantly her brother was forgotten. The thought of all other things was replaced by the contentment of having her in his arms. Then she spoke, softly and tenderly, her tone full of great joy.
“He said yes, Guy. He is allowing our marriage.”
He pulled back for a moment, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Are you quite certain?”
She nodded, clutching the back of his neck to pull him close for a kiss. Winding his arms around her, they fell down on the bed together, embracing and sharing small heated presses of their lips.
“He is not altogether pleased with himself,” she said between kisses. “But it matters not. He has given his blessing.”
His words were muffled slightly, his lips exploring her neck. “Thank God for that.”
“No more sneaking about like criminals in the night. Now we can be together just as we wish to be.”
He raised himself up, looking at her. “As often as we wish to be?” He stroked her cheek, and smiled at the daring look in her eyes…the crooked little smirk she wore.
“Very often, I hope.”
He brought his lips to her ear. “Believe me love, if I had my way, we would hardly set foot outside our bedchamber.” He felt her shiver when he placed a kiss just behind her ear…and his heart beat fast with delight when she giggled.
“You are a brazen, debauched man,” she whispered, laughing softly at the same time. “And I never want you to change. Stay just as you are, you wicked beast.”
She clung to him tightly, and ahe put his head upon her shoulder, a deep feeling of tranquility came over him. For the first time in his life, he looked to the future with a complete sense of hope. There was no fear, no despair. He closed his eyes against a wave of great emotion that came over him. He loved her so very much, and at last he knew that she truly was his…and that she would always be.