Chapter Thirty-Six #2
Leaning back against the sofa, he allowed himself to doze until the pink light of dawn tickled his eyelids. Footsteps scurried through the halls as servants prepared themselves for the day and a soft knock sounded at the door.
Seth turned his head to the side, cautious not to wake Cassandra. Silently, Earl Bolderwood padded up to them. He wore last night’s suit and shadows beneath his eyes. He glanced at Cassandra briefly and sat in the chair next to Seth.
“Laudanum?” he whispered.
“Brandy.”
“Hm.”
It appeared as though Lord Bolderwood had words to say, but not the language required to speak them. Seth didn’t know what to say at all. Or how to approach a conversation with the man in normal circumstances. And this… he sighed. Cassandra’s hair fell across her cheek and Seth brushed it back.
“You gave her a dagger to wear tonight, didn’t you?”
Lord Bolderwood’s brows sank with his shoulders.
“I have given her several.”
A drawer full of hairpins, all sharp, all requested to be worn publicly. Not a show of solidarity, but subtle gifts of self-defense. A few days ago, Seth may have been furious at the manipulation, at the lack of trust in him. This morning, he only felt gratitude.
“It saved her life last night,” Seth choked on his whisper.
Cassandra’s brow twitched, but she didn’t wake. Lord Bolderwood sighed, long and heavy. A maid poked her head into the room and closed the door soundlessly behind her.
After some time, Lord Bolderwood spoke so quietly that Seth strained to hear him. “I had hoped that it would not come to that.”
Seth took a breath and steeled himself for his next battle.
“I want to take her to the country.” Lord Bolderwood frowned and Seth raised his hand.
“Before you say anything, I’m not trying to get out of my contract.
I made a deal with you, and I’ll honor it.
I’ll draft whatever you ask, I’ll work twice as hard when I’m away.
It won’t be for long. You care for Cassandra, I’ve seen it.
We’ve been through so much. So please—” His voice cracked and damn it, he was shaking again.
“Please let me take my wife home so she can heal.”
Seth felt like a boy again as he prepared himself for the refusal. With an unreadable expression, Lord Bolderwood stood and faced away. His burly hand trembled when he placed it over Seth’s shoulder, and for the first time in his life, Seth leaned into the comforting gesture.
“Take as much time as you need, son.”
***
It had taken Seth three days to tie up loose ends with the factory and Lord Bolderwood, and to prepare for an extended stay in the country.
But where in the country, Seth hadn’t said, and Caroline hadn’t been able to discover in her snooping.
Aware of her tricks, Seth had kept any documents concerning their new home locked in his desk at Lord Bolderwood’s office.
Not knowing how long they would be gone, Cassandra said her goodbyes and enjoyed one last Saturday breakfast. Reluctant to see her go, Jasmine and Caroline waited with her in her sitting room while Seth finished readying the carriage.
“Has he told you where he’s taking you yet?” Caroline asked.
“No, but I’ve accepted it.” Cassandra smiled. “He wants to surprise me. It’s romantic, in a way, if not a tiny bit irritating to not be in control of a decision as big as where we will live, but Seth loves to spoil me. I’m sure wherever we’re going is perfect.”
“I wish that I could go too.” Caroline frowned. “I’ve never been away from you for this long, I’ll miss you terribly. It’ll be so quiet without you here.”
“It’s only for a short while,” Cassandra soothed. “We’ll be back in London before you know it, and I’ll see you at Hollingsworth Manor in Hampshire for Christmas. Matthew already promised the Earl that he would bring you.”
In exchange for allowing them to retreat into the country, Lord Bolderwood requested that Seth’s work continue, and that they to attend every holiday in Hampshire.
Cassandra thought the last request was heavy-handed, but after everything the Earl had done for them, the least they could do was give a genuine effort toward being a family.
Jasmine tugged at her gloves before speaking. “How is Matthew? He seems… distant.”
True to form, Adrian had ensured the investigation was thorough and clean.
The law wouldn’t charge Matthew with murder, but that didn’t change public opinion, nor did it sway Colonel Bishop’s demands for justice.
The ton had taken to calling Matthew the Lincolnshire Slayer, which didn’t seem to bother him—but then, nothing did.
Matthew simply went about his days, veiling his emotions.
He remained kind and offered sarcastic quips over the breakfast table, but she hadn’t heard him laugh.
While he hadn’t shut her out, he wouldn’t let her in, and she didn’t push.
“He’s been Full-Mask Matthew since the ball,” Cassandra said.
Jasmine gave a brief sigh. “I see. At least I’m not the only one he’s keeping at arm’s length.
After we waltzed, I thought maybe he... maybe we…
oh, nevermind.” Jasmine buried her face in her hands.
“Whenever I try to speak to him, I get tongue-tied. Everything feels so different. I want to be there for him, but what do I even say? I don’t know, Cassandra, I’m concerned. It feels like he’s lost his spark.”
“Seth says he needs time.” Cassandra patted Jasmine’s hand. “He might be fine, back to his old ways in a week, or he won’t, and we’ll have the pleasure of getting to know him anew. He’ll be changed, but he’ll still be Matthew, Jasmine.”
When Seth returned to Cooper House all those months ago, war had changed him from the boy she had known growing up into the man that he had become.
Rugged and scarred, but his spirit remained the same.
For Matthew to come out on the other side of this, he would need family and friends to shine a light to help him find his own.
Over time, he would heal, and perhaps even be open to romance.
“I hope you’re right. It’s all so”—Jasmine sighed—“complicated.”
“Remember what you told me in Hampshire? Love is quite simple. However you feel, don’t stand in your own way.” Cassandra smiled. “But be patient with him, I don’t think he knows what he needs. Whenever he’s ready, I’m sure he’ll let you know.”
“Right!” Caroline beamed. “Matthew doesn’t have it in him to wallow. He’ll be back to waltzing you off your feet in no time.”
Footsteps echoed in the halls with the muffled sounds of Seth and Matthew talking, becoming louder as they approached the sitting room.
“The carriage is ready,” Seth said to Cassandra. “Are you?”
Jasmine and Matthew glanced at each other over Seth’s shoulder. Her friend’s blush deepened, but Matthew was the first to look away.
“I’ll be off.” Jasmine used their joined hands to pull Cassandra into a suffocating embrace. “Oh, how I’ll miss you. You’ll write to me every day. And take care of yourself, do you hear me? I’ll be cross with you if you give me reasons to worry.”
“I’ll do my best,” Cassandra wheezed, returning her embrace with the same amount of force. Between lingering farewells, everyone escorted Seth and Cassandra to the front door.
On the cobblestone street, behind a sleek four-horse carriage, Cassandra’s eyes widened to see Trevor atop Sabre. With a rucksack on his back and a bedroll tied to the saddle, he wore a brown riding jacket, a broad-brimmed hat, and a grin to match.
Cassandra clapped her hands and returned his grin. “Well done! How did you convince him to let you ride him?”
“It’s just as you said! He has a sweet tooth!” Trevor opened his jacket with a flourish. Two green apples tumbled off the horse and onto the street. Recovering quickly, he pulled a carrot out of his pocket like a magician with a wand. “But these are his favorite.”
Cassandra laughed. “Yes, I know.”
“We’ll see what happens when he runs out of bribes.” Seth picked up the apples and handed them up to Trevor. “It’s a two day journey, and we’ll be going slowly. He gets ornery when he can’t sprint.”
“I think we’ll get along fine.” Trevor rubbed the horse’s neck, scratching behind his ears. Sabre made a pleased noise, and the boy laughed, a youthful and innocent sound. “See? We’re best friends already.”
From the front steps, Caroline launched herself at Cassandra, and then Seth. He lifted her with his hug and put her down gently on her toes. After lowering himself to her eye level, he pointed his pinky finger at her. “Promise me you’ll stay out of trouble, or…”
“… that I won’t get caught,” Caroline finished dutifully, and clasped her pinky with his.
“Good girl,” Seth said and ruffled her hair.
“Don’t encourage her,” Cassandra half-heartedly scolded them and brought Caroline in for a kiss on her cheek. “Stay out of trouble and remember that I love you.” She turned to Matthew, her voice softened. “Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
Matthew stepped forward and wrapped his arms around both of his sisters. Leaning his head against Cassandra’s, he said, “Don’t worry about me, or Caroline. Take care of yourself, for once. We’ll be fine.” He kissed her hair. “I will be fine.”
With one last squeeze, he released her and turned to Seth. He fished into his coat pocket, then handed Seth a large iron key.
“As promised. Some construction is still underway, it’ll be a mess.” He ran his hand through his hair sheepishly. “I hadn’t expected it would be moved into this soon.”
Seth stared down at the key in his palm in disbelief, tested its weight in his hands, and placed it in his own pocket. Blinking hard, his brows knit and he whispered, “Thank you.”
Matthew extended his hand. Seth grasped it in his and gave it a firm shake.
“I’ll be worthy of it,” Seth promised.
“I know.” Matthew smiled. “I trust you, Seth.”
“Are we close?” Cassandra groaned.
“I already told you—”
“—it’s a surprise,” they finished at the same time.
Cassandra tapped her toes rapidly on the floor.
Seth’s carriage was a smoother ride than her old family carriage, with satin cushions and a rich mahogany interior.
With him keeping her company—discovering many ways to keep her occupied—the trip should have been lovely, but he kept the curtains drawn.
The sheer purple fabric allowed lilac light in the cabin, but blocked out the view.
“It’s been two days, surely we’re getting close.”
“Are you bored again, sweetheart?” Seth leaned forward and whispered against her lips. “Would you like me to entertain you?”
She squirmed in his hold when he pressed his lips on her neck.
“I’m exhausted from your entertainment.” Cassandra laughed and pushed at him. “Seth, please tell me we’re almost there, I’m going mad.”
Holding her shoulder so she wouldn’t peek out of the window, Seth lifted the curtain.
“We’re close.” He dropped the cloth and pulled a pouting Cassandra into the curve of his body. “Sleep, and when you wake, we’ll be there.”
“A blindfold, Seth, really?”
The last thing she saw before Seth tied a silk sash around her eyes was the sight of him grinning from ear to ear. “Humor me.”
Carefully, Seth helped Cassandra from the carriage. With one arm around her shoulder and a hand over hers, he guided her forward. Soft grass blanketed her steps, and over the scent of trees and freshly turned soil, the crisp air carried the fragrance of a fire in a hearth and fresh-baked bread.
“Seth…” Cassandra reached for the blindfold. It was all so familiar.
“Not yet.” His smile was clear in his voice. “A few more steps. Watch it right here, I’m going to lift you.” Seth picked her up at the waist by inches and set her back down. “Again… all right. Stay like that. Now… open.”
The blindfold fell. Cassandra’s eyes adjusted, and her heart quickened.
Above her, the sun shone through the bare branches of a towering oak tree.
A gentle gust of wind sent a wooden swing knocking against its trunk and scattered brittle leaves into a kitchen garden with a patchwork fence and a creaking gate.
To her left was an old barn with brand new paneling.
Before her stood a two-story house with scaffolding, wooden boards, tables, and tools scattered around the yard.
The scene blended with the endless green fields behind it.
Best of all, next to her, Seth stood proud, with an irrepressible smile and love in his eyes.
“Seth, what is this?” Cassandra took in a shuddering breath. Her legs wobbled under her, and Seth held her steady.
“This is your dowry,” Seth said. “Matthew signed over the deed the day after we married. It did take some convincing, but he owed me a favor. It’s ours. Do you like it?”
Her voice caught. “Matthew gave you Cooper House?”
“He gave us Cooper House. I couldn’t think of anywhere else that I’d rather spend the rest of my life, nowhere you’d be happier than right here,” he explained. “I want our family to grow under this tree, to raise our children in a place that has only ever been home.”
“You’re fixing it up,” Cassandra marveled.
“I’m not, Matthew is. He insisted upon it, said that he made you a promise.”
Cassandra pressed a fingertip to the corner of her eye to wipe at a drop of moisture.
Matthew had kept all of his promises, after all.
He had taken care of her and Caroline, fixed the house.
He found her a husband that she loved, that loved her in equal measure.
Cassandra reached for Seth. Lifting on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck, she kissed his cheek. “It’s perfect.”
“I’ll be adding some things, a workshop, a glasshouse, a nursery,” he whispered in her ear.
“But before I show you inside the house, there’s something that I’ve been wanting to do to you for months.
” Seth placed his hand on the small of her back, and step by step, he guided her backward, lifting her over gnarled roots and sunken earth.
“And that is…?” Cassandra smiled wider than she thought she could when finally, finally, her back rested against the trunk of the oak. With his hands on her hips, Seth gently pressed Cassandra into the tree.
And he kissed her.