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The scandal would ruin her, cut off any hope of ever reentering society. Her parents would surely disown her. She’d forfeit any possibility of ever returning to Gateshead Manor.
And none of that mattered one bit.
She had nothing to offer Ethan except herself. But perhaps, if she was very, very lucky, that would be enough.
I can’t bear to say good-bye. Well, neither could she. At least not without a fight.
Filled with a sense of elated hope she couldn’t recall ever before experiencing, she crossed the room and pulled the bell cord. A moment later a knock sounded on the door, and Sophie entered the room.
“Yes, milady?”
Cassandra crossed to her, then said, “I know you and Mr. Watley are departing tomorrow to return to the Westmore estate, but-”
“Oh yes, milady,” Sophie broke in quickly. “I accept.”
“Accept?”
“I’d be honored to remain here with you instead.” A shy smile curved her lips. “Yer the kindest lady I’ve ever served. Truth be told, I wasn’t lookin’ forward to returnin’ to Westmore. The new earl’s wife ain’t half as nice as you. Nasty temper, she has.”
Cassandra’s hands clenched at the thought of Sophie being subjected to anyone’s nasty temper. “Thank you, Sophie. You’re the best lady’s maid I’ve ever had. But what I wanted to tell you is that I’m leaving Gateshead Manor. Today. And I’m not coming back.”
Sophie blinked. “Leavin’, milady? But ye’ve only just arrived. Where are ye goin’?”
“Back to the Blue Seas I
Sophie’s eyes widened. “Oh…I see,” she said, although it was clear she didn’t see at all. Indeed, the young woman looked…lost.
An idea hit Cassandra, and she said slowly, “If you would like to come with me, you are welcome to do so, Sophie, although I ca
“I’d be honored to accompany ye, milady,” the maid cut in, her voice filled with obvious relief. “I’d rather be with ye there than without ye at Westmore.” She offered Cassandra another shy smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Watley decided to inquire about work at the Blue Seas. Quite taken with the fine stables there he was. Westmore’s stable master is a nasty piece, and Mr. Watley weren’t lookin’ forward to being under his thumb again.”
Reaching out, Cassandra squeezed Sophie’s hands and returned her smile. “It’s all settled then. If you’ll see to the packing, I’ll go to the stables and inform Mr. Watley of our plans.”
And then she’d tell her parents she was leaving. And then she’d be on her way to Ethan. And hopefully he’d want her to stay.
Chapter Eight
After arranging with Mr. Watley to have the carriage brought around as quickly as possible, Cassandra entered the house through the French windows at the rear terrace. She’d just stepped into the black and white tiled marble foyer when she heard her father’s voice, laced with frigid anger, coming from the library door, which stood ajar.
“Get the bloody hell out of my house.”
“Not until I’ve spoken to Cassie.”
She froze in shocked disbelief at the sound of Ethan’s voice-filled with a cold determination she’d never before heard.
“When I booted you from Gateshead Manor ten years ago I told you to never return.”
“And I’ll gladly leave as soon as I’ve seen Cassie.”
“You’ll leave now or I’ll carve up your right cheek the way I did the left one.”
Everything in Cassandra froze-her blood, her breath, as if an unseen icy fist constricted her. Several long seconds of silence followed, and the awful truth of her father’s words sank in.
“I assure you, you’d have one hell of a time doing so,” came Ethan’s quiet reply, no less threatening due to its softness.
“Ten years ago you thought you could get away with kissing my daughter-you who are worth even less than what you mucked out of my stalls. I saw the way you looked at her. Given the chance you’d have lifted her skirts, and she was just stupid and useless enough to let you.”
“You won’t talk about her that way in my presence.”
Her father gave a bark of harsh laughter. “I’ll do exactly as I please, which includes not listening to any more from you. Get out. Now. Before I have you thrown out.”
“Again, I assure you you’d have one hell of a time doing so before I speak to Cassie.”
Another short silence followed, during which Cassandra snapped out of her stu
“Cassie,” he said, his gaze anxiously searching her face. “Are you all right?”
God help her, she didn’t know. The things her father had said, the ramifications of those words…but she’d have to think on that later. She jerked her head in a nod. “I’m fine. I ca
“I need to talk to you-”
“Take your hands off my daughter.”
She and Ethan turned. Her father was advancing on them, his eyes iced with fury. Ethan stepped in front of her, but she moved to stand next to him, feeling strong with him near and her anger further fueling her courage.
Her father stopped an arm’s length away. He didn’t even spare her a glance, instead fixing his glare on Ethan. “This is your final warning. Get out of my house.”
“No.” The word erupted from Cassandra. She was so angry she was shaking. “I heard what you said in the library, Father. That you ordered Ethan away ten years ago. That you caused the injury to his face.” Her voice vibrated with disgust. “You’re a cold, evil man, and I’m ashamed to be your daughter.”
He whipped up his hand, clearly intending to strike her, but in the blink of an eye Ethan deflected the blow, then lifted him up by the front of his shirt. In two long strides he thumped her father’s back against the wall. Her father gasped, but before he could utter a word, Ethan shoved his forearm against his throat.
“This is your final warning,” Ethan said, his voice low and deadly calm. “First, if I ever see you raise a hand to her again, I’ll break your damn arm. For starters. Second, I’m going to talk to Cassie, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. Not with a knife, not with a pistol, not with a battalion of your servants, or anything else you might think of. I’m not the same green youth I was ten years ago, and believe me, if you try to interfere again, I won’t hesitate to carve up your face to match mine.”
Her father’s face resembled a beet, and a combination of fury and fear blazed from his eyes. He tried to jerk out of Ethan’s grasp, but he might as well have been attempting to move a granite boulder.
“Someday you’ll rot in hell,” her father spewed in a strangled voice.
“Maybe. But if you attempt to hurt her in any way or interfere again, I’ll make certain you get there first.” Ethan released her father, so abruptly he crumpled to the floor, clutching his throat and breathing hard. Ethan moved to stand before her. “Are you all right?”
“Y-yes.” This time she grabbed his hand, anxious to get away. They exited the house, and when she hesitated, not sure which way to go, Ethan led her to a beautiful chestnut mare tethered to a gatepost. After he mounted, he reached down and plucked her off her feet as if she weighed no more than a daisy, and settled her across his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her. She leaned back against his chest, and his warmth and strength surrounded her. She didn’t ask where they were going as his heels set the horse in motion at a brisk pace. It didn’t matter. She was with him, and that was enough.