Sweet Release (26 page)

Alec stopped, unable to continue reading. He looked over at Cassie. She was asleep again, her eyes closed, her breathing deep and even. He looked back at the page and the next poem. “
Od, et amo…
I hate, and I love. You may ask why I do so.

I do not know, but I feel it and am in torment.’”

He closed the book and gazed at the sleeping woman beside him. Hate? No. But he
was
in torment. Dear God, when had he begun to love her?

Chapter Seventeen

“Are ye sure ye’re fit to make the trip, missy?” asked Nan, her round face beaded with perspiration.

It was horribly hot.

“Til be fine.” Cassie accepted Micah’s hand and climbed into the stuffy carriage.

In truth, Cassie wasn’t sure she should be going. Only two days had passed since her foolish mishap, and she was still afflicted with headaches and dizziness, though both were less severe. But if she sent word to Geoffrey that she had been injured and was not coming, he would come to call and start poking around again. She didn’t want that, not after what had happened last time. She had resolved not to allow herself to be caught alone with Geoffrey again. All that talk of marriage had alarmed her, as had his misguided attempt at seduction. She would be polite, she would smile, but she would not be alone with him. She would take no chances. She lifted a squirming Jamie onto the seat beside her, leaving room for Elly across from them. Cassie had relented and allowed Elly to come along. Only time would tell if she’d come to regret her change of heart. Elly would serve as her dressing maid, at least when it came to helping with her attire. Cassie would tend to her own hair, as brushing it without irritating the cut above her temple would not be easy. That was what she’d told Elly, anyway. In truth, she didn’t want all of her hair to be pulled out by the roots.

“We’ll make sure to save a few hornworms just for you, missy,” said Micah with a teasing grin. He helped Elly climb in and closed the door behind her.

Cassie laughed at his jest and waved good-bye.

The carriage lurched to a start, rocking over the cobblestones.

Elly, who’d never ridden in a carriage before, clapped with delight. Jamie waved good-bye to his friends, who’d gathered by the well to see him off on his first big adventure, while Daniel sobbed inconsolably at being left behind.

Cassie felt like crying herself. She’d much rather stay home than attend Geoffrey’s birthday celebration, even if it meant worming tobacco all day. There was so much to be done here that leasing for three days just to listen to the same old people prattling on about the same old things seemed a waste of time. The women would talk about the gowns they planned to wear the night of the ball. They’d talk about which young women were going to marry well, which were not, prompting one of them to ask her why she was not yet wed. Then, in smaller groups and quieter voices, they’d talk about each other. The men, on the other hand, would argue politics until tempers flared. They’d discuss horses, gamble, drink, and argue some more.

The outbuildings of Blakewell’s Neck faded from view, and Cassie’s heart sank. She wouldn’t see Cole for three days. When Takotah had pronounced her well enough to travel back from the island, he’d helped her mount and had ridden beside her all the way home, watching her as if he feared she’d faint and topple into the water at any moment.

But if she had expected the same easy banter she’d shared with him at the cabin to last once they’d reached home, .she’d been disappointed. Cole had become a closed book the moment the outbuildings came into view. He’d ridden with her to the stables, and helped her dismount without a word. When Nan and the others had rushed over to greet her, fussing and fretting, he’d vanished. She hadn’t even been able to thank him for saving her life. “Come back here, young man,” Cassie said. Jamie stood against the carriage door, his head stuck precariously out the window. “You don’t want to fall out, do you?”

Jamie frowned and would probably have stood his ground had a sudden rut in the road not tossed him into Elly’s lap, making Cassie’s point for her.

“Will there be calf’s head, missy?” Elly asked, handing the boy to Cassie.

“Aye, and joints of venison and beef. Perhaps a suckling pig.

Though I doubt Master Crichton will feed the servants such fare.” Cassie had already explained to Elly that redemptioners and slaves would have their own celebrations outside with their own meals. Though the food would be better than that normally prepared, it would not equal the table set in the great house.

“And cakes?”

“Aye, white cakes frosted with almond paste, plum cakes, pies, and puddings, too.”

Elly’s eyes grew round in amazement, her heart-shaped face glowing. Cassie was suddenly reminded of how young the girl was. Only seventeen and completely alone. It was Elly’s youth that had prompted Cassie to buy her indenture. With no parents to watch over her, she’d likely have ended up with a babe in her belly by some thoughtless rake before the first year of her service was out. Cassie hadn’t wanted to let that happen. “If you’d like, I will try to bring some food back to my chamber for you.”

“Oh, please, mistress! Thank you!”

Cassie returned her infectious smile. It was easy to see why Zach was so smitten with her. Petite, with long golden hair and delicately carved features, she looked like a porcelain doll. Cassie felt not the least bit dainty, being taller than most women, taller even than many men. Would that Cole looked at her the way Zach looked at Elly. Why Elly did not return the sawyer’s affection was a mystery to Cassie. Elly had barely acknowledged his presence when he’d come to see her off this morning.

Jamie had inched his way over to the door again and stood looking out at the passing scenery. Cassie was about to reprimand him when she heard the sound of an approaching rider. Jamie smiled and squealed.

“Debawon!”

Cassie’s heart leaped.

“Good day, young sir!” she heard Cole call.

Abruptly she pulled Jamie aside and reached out the window, tapping on the side of the carriage as a signal to the driver to stop.

“You seem to have a habit of following me,” she said as the carriage pulled to halt, irritation warring with the pleasure she felt at seeing Cole so unexpectedly.

He gave her a jaunty grin, his white teeth flashing, as Aldebaran pranced restlessly beneath him. “Did you forget that you asked me to ride Aldebaran in tomorrow’s race?”

“I never—”

“Must be that blow on the head. I was wondering why you’d left without me.”

Cassie glared at him, biting back a retort. She knew full well she’d never asked him to race in her father’s stead. What kind of game was he playing?

Cole urged Aldebaran closer to the coach and lowered his voice. “Fear not, my dear; my intentions are honest,” he whispered for her ears alone. “I mean to settle your father’s score with Crichton by proving this is the fastest stallion in the county once and for all. Unless you are prepared to shoot me in the back, nothing is going to stop me. I love a good horse race as much as the next man and this will be one to remember.”

“Are you mad? To them you’re a lowly convict, or had you forgotten?

You’ll insult them. They’d never allow it!”

“Leave that to me.”

“You are going to be the death of me, Cole Braden!”

“I certainly hope not.” His blue eyes twinkled with amusement. As uninterested in horse racing as she was, she knew she would enjoy watching Aldebaran win. Two years ago the stallion had beat every racehorse in the county, and the senior Master Crichton had been clamoring for a chance to even the score ever since, all but accusing her father of cheating. When her father failed to attend last year’s race, Master Crichton had viewed it as cowardice and told everyone within earshot that Abraham Blakewell was afraid of losing.

“Very well, but do nothing to cause my family embarrassment, or I will have you dragged home by your ears,” she whispered. Jamie pushed his way to the window and reached out to pat the stallion’s neck.

“Come here, tadpole.” Cole pulled Jamie headfirst through the window and into the saddle in front of him.

“What—”

“He’ll be fine.”

With a click of Cole’s tongue and a kick from his heels, Aldebaran sprang forward.

When they arrived at Crichton Hall an hour later, Jamie was ready for his nap, having had all the excitement he could manage for one morning. Cassie’s head was throbbing terribly, and Elly, unaccustomed to modern conveyances, was feeling queasy.

“Catherine!” Geoffrey called from the doorway.

But his smile vanished the moment he saw Cole, who had tethered Aldebaran to the carriage and was helping Cassie to the ground.

Cassie fought to quell a wave of dizziness. How she longed for a cool drink. “Geoffrey,” she replied, willing herself to stand without Cole’s support. She didn’t want to antagonize Geoffrey by arousing his jealousy.

“Are you well? You look terribly pale.”

“Aye. A bit dizzy perhaps.”

“She struck her head on a branch two days ago and fell from her horse,” Cole said.

Geoffrey glared at him. “What is this piece of filth doing here?”

“He—”

“I’ve come to prove once and for all that Aldebaran is the swiftest stallion in Lancaster County.”

“My father—”

“You, a convict, race against gentlemen?” Geoffrey’s laughter was devoid of warmth or humor.

“Geoffrey! Mr. Braden! Please—”

“I race in Blakewell’s stead at his request, unless, of course, you and your father don’t feel equal to the challenge, Crichton.” Geoffrey’s face became pinched, and a muscle in his cheek began to tic.

Cassie found herself holding her breath. “Ooh!” she moaned, allowing her knees to buckle and sagging toward the ground in a false swoon. She’d not let this come to blows.

It was Cole who caught her.

“Get your hands off her, convict!”

“She needs a quiet place to rest.” Cole lifted her gently into his arms.

For a moment neither man spoke.

“Very well. This way,” Geoffrey said at last.

Cassie heard Jamie begin to cry and call her name. He sounded so small and frightened, she at once regretted having begun this deception. She hadn’t considered its effect on him.

“She’s going to be fine, tadpole. She’s just asleep,” Cole said.

“Would you like to help me settle Aldebaran in his stall?”

She heard a sniff and a hesitant, “Uh-huh.”

“Then wait for me here. I’ll be but a minute.”

She felt Cole climb the front steps, and knew they had passed through the doors into the foyer when the warm sunlight left her face and was replaced by the smell of freshly cut roses and newly washed parquet floors. She knew Crichton Hall well, having played there since she was a small child, and was able to discern where Geoffrey was leading them. Up the central staircase they went, then to the right, toward the guest chambers.

She allowed her head to roll so that her cheek fell against Cole’s chest. The scent of leather and pine soap tickled her nose. She could hear his heartbeat, could feel the warmth of his skin through the linen of his shirt. Her stolen ride in his arms was nearly over. She heard Geoffrey open the door to one of the guest chambers, then felt Cole lay her gently on the bed.

“She’ll need something cool to drink when she awakens,” Cole said.

“You’re fortunate my concern for Miss Blakewell’s safety surpasses my desire to see you punished. Defy me again, convict, and you’ll know the meaning of regret!” Geoffrey whispered, his voice ragged with fury. “Now get out!”

“Take care of her, Crichton.”

Cassie tensed. Why did Cole insist on provoking Geoffrey? Did he not understand he could come to harm by such insolence?
Oh, curse men!
She had just fainted—in dramatic fashion, too—and the two of them were still vying to insult each other. How much longer could they keep this up?

When Cassie emerged from her bedchamber an hour later, she felt much better. Her headache was all but gone, and the lemonade that had been sent up from the kitchen had left her feeling refreshed. Even her irritation with Geoffrey and Cole had ebbed somewhat. She’d taken the time to change into her light green muslin gown and had tried in vain to hide the bruise that had spread to her forehead. Thank goodness the cut and stitches were hidden beneath her hair.

She followed the sound of chamber music and conversation downstairs and outside to the veranda, which, thanks to Master Crichton’s determination to expand Crichton Hall until it rivaled the governor’s mansion, now spanned the rear of the manor. There, bewigged guests—mostly Carters, Pages, and their relations—sat sheltered from the afternoon sun, sipping lemonade, awaiting the arrival of others.

“Catherine.” Geoffrey excused himself and strode forward to take her arm in his. “Are you sure you should be up and about, my dear?”

“I’m fine, Geoffrey. Thank you.”

“I don’t understand why you decided to travel so soon after your accident,” he said leading her out the wide casement doors onto the veranda. “Are you sure you’re quite ready?”

“She’s crazy as her father,” muttered a male voice in the background. Cassie suspected it was one of the Harrison brothers. It was not the first time someone had insulted her or her father in her presence. Her father had often been the butt of unkind remarks.