A Lady of Secret Devotion

by Tracie Peterson

  “You sound rather ashamed of that fact.”

  “No, not at all,” Cassie admitted. “I’m just not sure he’ll understand and return the feelings.”

  Mrs. Jameston laughed, and Cassie found her amusement somewhat startling. The older woman stopped and reached up to touch Cassie’s cheek. “My dear, the man is positively smitten with you. I’ve seen the way he watches you—the way he attends to you. The look in his eyes is just like that of my Worther so many years ago. Your young man adores you, Cassie. I’m certain a proposal is soon to come.”

  Cassie considered her words for a moment. She would love nothing more than for Mark to declare he’d moved past pretense, just as she had, but Cassie had no reason to believe he had. She sighed and took her place at the dinner table, hoping Mrs. Jameston would simply drop the subject.

  To Cassie’s relief, Miriam entered the room with a large bouquet of flowers. “I thought you might like to have these brought in,” she announced. “A sort of celebration that you are feeling better.”

  Mrs. Jameston smiled at the sight. “Oh, they are lovely. Put them on the table by the window. Tell me, has Wills yet hired additional workers for the yard? I’d like to speak to him on the matter before he does.”

  “He hasn’t yet seen to that, Mrs. Jameston.” Miriam came back to the table. “I’ll let him know to discuss the situation with you first.”

  “Very good. I want to make some rather large changes. We will surely entertain more in the future, and I’d like to make a place for such gatherings.”

  Miriam nodded. “I’m sure Wills can accommodate exactly what you have in mind.”

  Cassie was surprised at this news. “I didn’t know you were planning big changes to the gardens,” she said as Miriam took her leave.

  “Yes, well, I believe it would benefit us all to make changes.

  Besides, you never know when we might need to host a wedding party.” The older woman gave Cassie a wink. “I think the gardens would be perfect for a beautiful autumn wedding.

  Don’t you?”

  Cassie suppressed a moan and looked away. She did think the gardens would be an ideal setting. The only problem was, she didn’t have a groom.

  The next morning Cassie helped Mrs. Jameston into the carriage. It had been such a long time since they’d been out together, and Cassie couldn’t help but feel it was a good sign of things to come.

  “I told Wills to take us to my lawyer’s office first. I won’t need to be there long,” Mrs. Jameston told Cassie. “Afterward, we can go to the bank.”

  “If you start to feel overly tired,” Cassie began, “let me know, and we will return home immediately. There is no sense in overdoing matters on your first day out.”

  “I assure you, Cassie dear, I will be quite mindful of such things. You know, I have to tell you how sorry I am about being ill. We have missed some lovely parties, and I’m certain to be too tired to attend the Fourth of July celebrations. Still, I want you to enjoy yourself. Perhaps Mr. Langford will accompany you.”

  “We shall see. I will speak with him about it this afternoon. But you should know, I’ve never been one for parties. Our life after Father’s death has allowed little opportunity for such things. However, I find that I really don’t miss it. I prefer quiet evenings. I can hardly wait for the cold weather to return. I love a good fire in the hearth and an equally good book in my hand.”

  “You remind me of myself in so many ways. I was never one for going out much when my husband was alive. I preferred to sit by his side in the evening. I would often embroider while he read to me, just as you have read to me. I’m afraid I am otherwise not a strong reader. And now my eyes grow weary if I strain them on print for long periods of time.”

  “Well, that is why you have me,” Cassie said with a smile. The carriage came to a stop in front of a modest address. The sign by the door read J. Daniels, Solicitor.

  “Ah, we’re here. Come in with me. I want you to meet Mr. Daniels. He’s English by birth but completely American now. He came to this country in 1830 and fell madly in love with a beautiful young lady. He never desired to leave after that.” She smiled and gave Cassie a wink. “I’m certain the same is true of your Mr. Langford. I doubt he will stay long in Boston now that he has met you.”

  “We shall see.” Cassie knew her voice sounded rather wistful.

  They made their way to the lawyer’s office but were disappointed to learn that he was unavailable. Mrs. Jameston set an appointment for the following Monday, then handed the clerk a sealed letter.

  “I would like Mr. Daniels to read this before we meet.”

  “Very good, ma’am. I’ll see to it that he has it immediately upon his return. He should be back late this evening, but I know he will come here before retiring to home.”

  “Thank you.”

  The women made their way to the carriage and instructed Wills to head to the bank. Mrs. Jameston seemed to be growing tired, but Cassie said nothing. She wanted to leave the woman with some semblance of control.

  “It seems the town is all aflutter,” Mrs. Jameston said as they drove down Market Street.

  “Our Independence Day celebrations are always wonderful,” Cassie said. “Mother and Elida love to go to the parade.

  And, of course, the picnics. Many of the church parishioners gather to share the celebration together, which Mother truly enjoys. It’s the part she always looks forward to.”

  “Yes, I enjoy that as well. Being with people of like mind is always a blessing. There is no reason for deception.”

  The word hit Cassie hard. She thought again of telling Mrs. Jameston everything about Mark and the investigation.

  She hated keeping the truth from the older woman, but knew, as Mark had said, that it was to benefit her safety. The fewer people who knew of his situation, the better for everyone. But it didn’t feel better to Cassie.

  As they approached the bank, Mrs. Jameston patted Cassie’s gloved hand. “I have been so very remiss in seeing to all of you at the house. I do hope my delay in paying you has not caused you grief.”

  “No, I’ve been fine. I believe the others have managed, also, although I cannot speak for them.”

  “Well, I intend to rectify the problem today. I want to assign you an account from which you can draw your salary and the salary of the household staff should I be too ill to do so.”

  “Mrs. Jameston, I’m honored but also fearful of the responsibility.”

  “Do not be afraid. You are a good woman—a considerate and honest young lady.”

  The declaration only served to increase Cassie’s guilt. “Mrs. Jameston, truly, perhaps having Brumley see to it would be better.”

  Wills came to help them down. Mrs. Jameston shook her head. “No, I want you to oversee this matter. Now come, and we will make the arrangements. However, do not tell my son. Otherwise he will connive to get money out of you. I want no part in his harassing you because of this decision.”

  Cassie followed after the woman in frustrated silence. She felt overwhelmed with guilt and concern. How could she take on this responsibility and not tell Mrs. Jameston everything about the investigation?

  They entered the bank through large, stately brass doors. Immediately inside the lobby, Cassie caught sight of a large plaque that read “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. —Thomas Jefferson.”

  Cassie lowered her gaze lest guilt consume her. She had always held the truth dear. Lies were what evil people told. Appearing to be something you weren’t was the mark of a prideful person who didn’t care about those around him.

  The bank manager was immediately at their side. “Oh, Mrs. Jameston. We heard that you were ill. I do hope you are much better now. Was it the fever?”

  “Goodness no,” she replied. “Just old age.”

  The man chuckled nervously. “Hardly that, madam. Please come and have a seat. I’ll have my man bring refreshments while you tell me of your needs.”

  Cassie marveled at t
he attention the man lavished on Mrs. Jameston. She supposed a woman of means was the most important thing to a man of finance. By the time they finished an hour later, Cassie found herself treated with the same detailed interest.

  “If we can do anything to assist you, Miss Stover, please do not hesitate to let us know,” the stern-faced man declared as they headed toward the door to leave. “We will look forward to doing business with you.”

  “Thank you,” Cassie said. The transformation of attitude was quite amazing. She thought how sad it was that money should suddenly make her acceptable to society.

  “Louise?”

  A matronly woman of plump stature came forward. Her burgundy walking-out dress clung snugly to her form. “I thought that was you. Goodness, but we’ve not seen you in church for some time.”

  “I’ve been ill,” Mrs. Jameston said. “Annabelle Holiday, this is my dear friend Cassandra Stover.”

  Cassie curtsied and smiled. “Mrs. Holiday.”

  The woman looked down her nose at Cassie. “Miss Stover.”

  “I hope your family is well, Annabelle.”

  “They are fine. We’re heading to the mountains for the summer. What of you?”

  “Since I’ve been ill, Cassie and I will remain at home.”

  She looked disapprovingly at Cassie. “Pity.”

  “I’m sorry I cannot remain to chat. We need to make our way home,” Mrs. Jameston said with a smile. “It was good to see you, Annabelle.”

  “I hope you’re feeling better. I’ll expect to see you Sunday in church, unless of course something else happens to interfere.”

  Cassie thought the woman sounded snide but said nothing until she was seated in the carriage beside Mrs. Jameston. “She certainly sounded . . . well . . . rather obnoxious.”

  Mrs. Jameston laughed. “Oh, Cassie, you do cheer me. Annabelle Holiday is always obnoxious. She feels it her duty to keep track of the comings and goings of everyone. It feeds her hunger for gossip.”

  “Well, I didn’t believe her curiosity was born out of concern. I haven’t seen her appearing on your doorstep to see why you’ve been absent from church.” Cassie frowned. The sad fact was, she hadn’t seen anyone making an effort to see Mrs. Jameston or learn about her absence.

  “I used to have friends,” Mrs. Jameston said, as if reading Cassie’s thoughts. “Sebastian has done much to drive them away. His public behavior has caused many to shun me, while others feign interest only to know the details of what new fiasco Sebastian has caused. Henrietta cares and would visit, but she has been ill as well.”

  “I can’t believe true friends would desert you because of your son’s action.”

  “No one wants to be reminded that there but for the grace of God could be their own situation. I really do not mind. I have you now, and your mother and sister have been so sweet to check in on us.”

  “They have benefited greatly by our arrangement. I hope you know what that means to me,” Cassie told the older woman.

  “I believe I do. To know that someone you love so very much is safe and provided for . . . well, it does much to give a person peace of mind.”

  Cassie nodded. “It means a great deal.”

  Mark watched Cassie’s face as she sat atop Posie. She no longer held the same expression of terror that had once registered anytime a horse came in sight, but still she was pale and looked quite uncomfortable.

  “Relax,” he urged. “I promise you will enjoy this outing.”

  Cassie looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “I will be glad when it’s behind us. I’m still not certain that this was a good idea. What if Posie gets it in her mind to just take off and go her own way?”

  “Then hold on tight, and I will come after you both,” Mark said.

  “You’ll come after us? I’ve seen how fast this horse can run.

  We might be all the way to Ohio by the time you catch up.”

  “You have so little faith in me,” Mark said as he mounted Portland. “What must I do to win your good opinion?”

  “Lose your obsession with equine activities and teach me something far less dangerous.”

  He laughed. “I have a feeling that most everything involving you, Miss Stover, would include some element of danger.”

  “You’re doing very well, Miss Stover,” Wills announced as he stepped from the stable. “You’re a natural horsewoman.”

  “Indeed, she is.” Mark moved his horse ahead just a few paces and encouraged Cassie. “Come along, dearest. I thought I might teach you to jump fences today.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened, but she seemed to realize he was teasing and nodded. “I believe that would be just fine, Mr. Langford. So long as we can leave the horses home.”

  Roaring with laughter, Mark shook his head. “How you delight me.”

  After about ten minutes, Cassie seemed to relax a bit in the saddle. They kept their pace slow as they rode side by side through Mrs. Jameston’s neighborhood. While he could see Cassie tense when carriages passed them, the ride went off without any major complications. She looked so irresistibly charming in her dark blue riding habit. Mark thought her the picture of social perfection as she sat atop Posie.

  After half an hour, he guided them back to the Jameston mansion. Posie picked up the pace a bit, knowing the stable was in such close proximity. Mark took hold of the horse’s reins and warned Cassie, “She’ll try to make a run for it, knowing that home and food are so close, but you must keep a tight hold on her and show her who is boss.”

  “But she already knows she’s in charge.”

  “No, you are in charge,” Mark corrected. “Once she picks up a bad habit, it’ll be twenty times harder to break her of it.”

  Cassie nodded nervously. “I suppose we’re both anxious to be home.”

  “Why? You did wonderfully. You look like you were born for the saddle.”

  Her brows furrowed. “What exactly does that mean? Is that an insult or a compliment?”

  He laughed. “I would never have an insult for you, my dear girl. You get only my highest regard and praise.”

  Wills met them at the carriage house and held Mark’s horse as he dismounted, then took hold of Cassie’s, as well, while Mark went to help her down.

  “Should I unsaddle your mount, sir?” Wills asked.

  “No. I won’t be staying. I have to pack.” He turned to Cassie.

  “I have another trip to make. I wonder if I might impose upon you for a ride to the train station tomorrow? If it’s inconvenient, I can hire transportation.”

  “No, I’m sure Mrs. Jameston wouldn’t mind,” Cassie said, looking to Wills. “Do you know of any reason we couldn’t take Mr. Langford to the station tomorrow?”

  “None, miss. What time should we plan for?”

  “If you could pick me up at ten in the morning, that would be perfect.”

  “Ten it is,” Wills announced before handing Portland’s reins back to Mark. “I’ll see to your horse, Miss Stover.”

  He led the horse off as Cassie met Mark’s gaze. “Will you be gone for long?” she asked.

  “No. It’s my mother’s birthday. I plan only to be gone two days. She doesn’t even know I’m coming. Father has taken her to New York to celebrate, and I intend to join them there.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be pleased.”

  Mark couldn’t help but believe she sounded disappointed at his leaving. Perhaps it was only wishful thinking. She’d said and done nothing to indicate to him that his work to charm her had altered her affections beyond their agreed-upon arrangement.

  “In the morning, then,” he said, tipping his hat.

  Cassie nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  By the next morning, Cassie was in a dither. The day had started off well enough, but shortly after breakfast, Mrs. Jameston had once again showed signs of feeling ill. She had taken herself to bed under Ada’s care, insisting that Cassie see to Mark’s needs.

  Sebastian acted as though his mother’s illness wa
s nothing to be concerned about. “She’s an old woman, Miss Stover. Old people get sick and die all the time.”

  Cassie tried not to react. Sebastian was heading out for the day. His casual attitude and comments were only issued to rile her. The less she responded, the more it seemed to perplex him into silence. Cassie would just have to remain strong and say nothing.

  By a quarter of ten, Cassie allowed Wills to hand her up into the open carriage. It was a beautiful day, and the ride to the depot would prove the perfect time to make her declaration to Mark. Cassie had thought about it all night. She had to tell him of her feelings. He might think her completely silly, but at least she would be honest, and they could judge matters together from there. He might have a suggestion for putting things back on a neutral track. On the other hand, maybe he felt the same way.

  Cassie practiced what she would say over and over in her head. She didn’t want to sound like a babbling idiot or a schoolgirl with a crush. She thought of Mark and all of the things that she liked about him.

  If I start by telling him how wonderful I think he is, then per-haps he won’t be surprised when I declare my love, she reasoned. I certainly can’t just blurt it all out like I usually do. That would truly give her the appearance of being naïve and inexperienced.

  Wills stopped the carriage in front of the small two-story address that Mark had given Cassie. The boardinghouse looked quite clean and orderly—at least on the outside. Cassie smiled as Mark appeared on the doorstep with a small valise in hand.

  He handed the case over to Wills and climbed into the carriage to take the seat opposite Cassie. “Good morning.”

  She smiled. “It looks to be a beautiful day for travel. I hope you will have a safe journey.”

  “I’m sure it will be quite good.”

  Wills put the carriage in motion, and Cassie began to clear her throat. “There’s something I want to say to you.”

  “Has something happened? Is it Jameston?”

  Cassie frowned. “Well, no. I mean, Mrs. Jameston wasn’t feeling very well this morning, but that wasn’t what I had in mind.” She knew the distance to the station was not all that long and tried to refocus her thoughts on what she wanted to say.