Chapter Six
Duke was very surprised when he was readied for riding and received not only Master Reid upon his back, but also the lovely woman who had brought him carrots and lilacs.
She seemed none the worse for wear after her incident with that human predator.
In fact, Duke would go so far as to say she had a definite glow about her.
Master Reid now put his arms around her as he took the reins, one of those actions that Duke knew was reserved for mated couples.
Master Reid was a stronger specimen than the man who had been so unpleasant.
The woman—it seemed her name was Cassie—would be quite safe in their little herd.
But it was that other fellow, the one whom Duke had wanted to crush with his hooves, who stormed out of the house when they arrived at Chadwick Hall, waving his hand angrily.
“What is the meaning of this? Release Miss Richards at once! You keep taking liberties, Mr. Reid. But this will be the last time. Do you hear me? I am talking to you, man!”
Master Reid slid from the saddle and lifted Cassie to the ground.
Taking her hand, he walked toward the main entrance, depositing Duke’s reins into the gaping man’s possession.
“Won’t be long,” he said over his shoulder.
“Just came to make your aunt an offer for Willow. She’s to be a wedding present for my bride. ” And he tucked Cassie’s arm into his.
They disappeared around the corner of the house, leaving Duke standing with the unwanted stranger.
The man scowled at the reins in his hands.
Seeing no one around to hand them to, he threw them to the ground.
His pale skin was blotched with humiliation and pent-up rage.
In a matter of seconds, Duke was standing alone.
Duke didn’t understand much human speech, but he knew Willow’s name had been mentioned.
He was tempted to go and find her at the stables.
But his loyalty to his man tugged at him.
He knew Master Reid could take care of himself.
Still, Duke was curious to know why they were here without the wagon or any vegetables, and what that had to do with Willow. So, he followed them.
Unfortunately, they had already entered the house, though Duke could see them through the large windows that reached almost down to the ground. Beneath those paneled windows was an array of flowerbeds. And an assortment of very tasty-looking flowers…
*
“What do you mean by making such a ridiculous request?” Lady Webb demanded. “You cannot possibly expect I will allow it!”
“In two months, I will not need to ask,” said Cassie. “I wanted to offer you the courtesy, as my guardian… and my aunt.”
“Well, it’s out of the question. I will never…” Lady Webb stopped short. “I beg your pardon?”
Cassie tightened her grip on Martin’s arm. “I know. Everything. Whose daughter I am. The real reason you wanted to keep me away from the Reids.”
Lady Webb sucked in her breath. “I see. Very clever of you, Mr. Reid. You have feigned concern and sown seeds of distrust between us, knowing a healthy dowry awaits Miss Richards.”
“You misunderstand my intentions,” said Martin, his jaw set in that rigid square reserved for those who had earned his disdain. “I neither want nor need any dowry. It is only the hand and heart of Miss Richards that I seek.”
“And to avenge Cassandra’s mother,” Lady Webb answered grimly.
“We have not come to demand anything, Aunt,” said Cassie, her confidence rising. “The truth is a public secret here, anyway.”
“Cassie’s past will remain where it is,” added Martin. “She has no intention of claiming any rights to the Prescott name. I will give her a name to be proud of. A family where she can truly belong.”
Lady Webb considered this in silence, her hands folded across her torso. “Your father will never approve of this match,” she said, but Cassie could hear the fight had gone out of her voice.
“As I am sure you will agree, Aunt, my father relinquished all rights to me before I was even born. I can live without his approval.”
The rigid face that Lady Webb had presented to the world all these years fell away abruptly, revealing a tired, long-suffering sister.
“One cannot choose family,” she said with a deep sigh.
“It has been a burden I have carried even longer than you have. But I have done what I can. You should know, Cassandra, that your unknown benefactor is not Thibault, but me.”
Cassie’s mouth dropped open in what she imagined must have been a very unladylike manner.
“It was I who sent for you when your mother died,” Lady Webb continued. “I tried to do right by you. Not an easy thing in a man’s world, especially when the men are such absolute addle-pated scoundrels.”
Cassie stared at her aunt in wonder. “So, you know Mr. Prescott—Wesley—has been terrorizing me with his attentions?”
“What?!”
Lady Webb’s features, which had just begun to relax a little, tightened at once, her spine growing taller as if she would have the truth cower before her.
To Cassie’s immense satisfaction, Mr. Prescott chose this exact moment to barge into the room, only to find his aunt pointing her thunderous glare directly at him. He halted, his eyes shifting uncertainly from Cassie back to his aunt. Their aunt.
“Pack your things.” Lady Webb’s voice was pure ice.
“I’m sorry?”
“No, you’re not. But I don’t have to put up with you like I did with your father.”
“I don’t understand.” Mr. Prescott attempted a show of anger to disguise his obvious shock. “What nonsense have they been telling you? I only did as you asked of me. Miss Richards has been determined to disobey your wishes.”
“Your sister tells me you have been paying her ungentlemanly attention for some time now.”
“My sister?” Mr. Prescott’s eyebrows crushed together. He blinked twice. “I don’t have a sister.”
“Miss Richards is your sister,” Lady Webb stated blandly.
“Half-sister,” added Cassie, keen to distance herself as much from the man as possible.
“She’s my what?”
“Your father can explain it to you. No doubt there are other half-siblings trailing his dubious path in life. For the moment, Cassandra is the only one who holds my interest. Now, kindly pack your things while I still feel remotely civil toward you. I want you gone by first light tomorrow. That is all.”
Mr. Prescott’s face displayed a rapid exchange of emotions. The muscles beneath his skin rippled as he showed rage, humiliation, horror.
Cassie clung tightly to Martin’s arm as the intensity of her brother’s emotions threatened to flood her own.
Eventually, Mr. Prescott reclaimed the chilling calm that he chose to wear like a mask. Hate still lay shallow in his eyes, but his power to do anything with it had been stripped away. He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.
Cassie exhaled.
“In answer to your earlier question,” said Lady Webb, a hint of a smile forming upon her thin lips, “yes, I give my blessing. I have misjudged you, Mr. Reid, and for that I am sorry. Too many years spent with the likes of my brother, I fear, has made me untrusting and cynical. I have tried my best to protect Cassandra, but I see now that is no longer necessary. Do not delay your happiness. I will provide the promised dowry. And Willow will be my wedding present to you both.” She closed her eyes, exhaled deeply, and opened them again.
“But I cannot attend the ceremony. You understand.”
Cassie nodded. Then, on an impulse, she rushed forward and threw her arms around her aunt. “Thank you, Aunt Augusta. Thank you.”
“Well, now.” The lady patted Cassie’s back awkwardly. “I am sure Juliana would want to hear the happy news. Meanwhile, Mr. Reid,” she said, her eyes drifting across to the window, “perhaps you would be so kind as to stop your horse from eating my pansies.”