An Exotic Heir

by Meredith Bond

  No, she resolved, nothing could be done to cover herself more decently, at least not without changing her whole dress, and her mother would not hear of that.

  Cassandra sighed and then gave Gita a little smile as the ayah twitched a bit of fabric into a better place.

  She wished Julian could be there, but it was extremely unlikely that he would be invited to this evening’s entertainment. It made the whole evening seem rather insipid. If she had had a choice, Cassandra would have much preferred to stay in her room rather than attend a dance without Julian.

  She knew why her mother had insisted on her wearing this dress. This was to be the last maneuver in her mother’s campaign to get Major Vernon to propose. Cassandra determined to avoid him as much as she could.

  The drawing room was as yet empty of guests when Cassandra joined her parents. Her mother gave her a little tight-lipped smile, but still nodded her head approvingly, while Sir Lionel beamed indulgently at his daughter.

  “I hope, Cassandra, that you will do your all to put Major Vernon at ease,” her mother said pointedly. What was implied was to make Major Vernon’s conquest easy, and Cassandra knew it.

  “Mother, I believe we discussed this earlier, and I have nothing more to add at this time,” Cassandra said very stiffly. Then, as the first of the guests began to arrive, she plastered a smile on to her face.

  Sir Lionel looked questioningly at Lady Renwick. She simply scowled in return, before putting on her social smile and moving to greet her guests.

  Cassandra was not at all surprised that Major Vernon was seated next to her at dinner. He was as charming as he could possibly be, while Cassandra was as cool as possible without being overtly offensive.

  “Cassandra, you will behave properly,” her mother whispered harshly in her ear as they greeted the guests who were invited to the dance only.

  With a sigh, Cassandra allowed her inner actress free reign, for she certainly did not have the heart to smile and be charming to all who approached her. Very quickly, her dances were spoken for, and she was pleased with herself for managing to keep Major Vernon from claiming more than one.

  Captain George led her out for the second country dance saying, “You are looking very pretty this evening, Miss Renwick.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “I believe I am quite lucky to have secured a dance with you.”

  Cassandra forced a laugh. “Indeed, most of my dances were bespoken before the musicians were even finished warming up. I must admit that it is quite thrilling to be so sought after,” she lied glibly.

  The captain nodded his head, but smiled a rather knowing smile. “Yet, I hear that very soon you may not be available to so many gentleman.”

  Cassandra narrowed her eyes, all thoughts of carrying on her pretense gone. “I am sorry, but I do not take your meaning.”

  The captain’s smiled broadened. “Why, I am referring to Major Vernon, of course.”

  Cassandra pinched together her lips to keep the sharp retort that sprung to her mind from stealing out of her mouth. “You are mistaken, sir, there is nothing between Major Vernon and I.”

  The captain lost his smile immediately. “I apologize if I’ve offended you. I was only repeating what everyone else has been saying.”

  “Well, then, I would appreciate it if you would correct anyone you hear utter such foolishness.”

  This was all part of her mother’s plan, she was sure. Spreading the rumor that she and Major Vernon were all but betrothed was just like Lady Renwick. But Cassandra would do all that she could to see her plan fail.

  Sighing, she pasted her smile back on her face. It would not do to let everyone see how upset she was. “Do let us talk of more pleasant things, Captain,” she said lightly.

  The captain was mollified and immediately engaged her in some light meaningless banter, in which Cassandra joined with aplomb.

  Three dances later, Cassandra felt she must get some fresh air. As she had hoped, her next dance partner was more than happy to take her for a stroll through the garden.

  They had not gone very far, however, when Major Vernon stepped up to them. “Lieutenant, Miss Scottsdale is looking for you, I believe.”

  The gentleman turned to Cassandra, while taking a step back toward the house. “You must forgive me, Miss Renwick…”

  Cassandra laughed at his eagerness. “Yes, of course, sir. Do not give me one moment’s thought.”

  “I shall carry on, Lieutenant,” Major Vernon offered.

  “Thank you, sir.” The young man bowed to them both and then walked quickly back to the house.

  “That was easy,” Major Vernon said as he took Cassandra’s arm.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Oh, nothing, Miss Renwick, nothing at all.”

  They continued walking slowly along the path, but Cassandra had a strong feeling that she and the Lieutenant had just been duped.

  With a sudden movement, Major Vernon pulled Cassandra off the path and dropped down onto one knee before her.

  “Miss Renwick,” he began, his voice filled with emotion. “No, Cassandra, if I may call you that, I would be most honored if you would consent to become my wife.”

  Then, before Cassandra could even open her mouth to deny him, he was back up again crushing her in his embrace and planting a wet kiss on her lips.

  Cassandra nearly screamed, but caught herself just in time. She didn’t want an audience, of that she was sure. Otherwise she would certainly be trapped into marrying this horrid man.

  Cassandra pushed away from Major Vernon. “Do not ever do that again!” she said vehemently.

  “But I love you!” he protested.

  “Fiddlesticks!”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I said, fiddlesticks. You don’t love me, all you are interested in is my dowry and…”

  “Miss Renwick, no! How could you possibly say such a thing?” Major Vernon feigned shock at her words.

  “Coming it on too strong, Major.”

  “Miss Renwick, whoever told you such lies?”

  “No one told me, only yourself. I had the misfortune of overhearing you speaking to some other officers last week at the Scottsdale’s musicale.” Cassandra was thrilled to finally have a chance to call a gentleman on his own words.

  Major Vernon opened his mouth in shock, but then, much to Cassandra’s surprise, he began laughing.

  “And what is so amusing, sir?”

  “You surely do not believe that I spoke the truth to those gentlemen? Oh, no, Miss Renwick, I assure you, what you must have overheard was some silly nonsense that I made up. Why, gentlemen do this all the time to hide their true feelings. Otherwise we would become a laughing stock, I assure you.”

  Cassandra narrowed her eyes. She did not believe one word of this and was about to say so when Major Vernon once more took possession of her hand.

  “Please, dear Cassandra, do not let that weigh with you at all. Honestly, I care very deeply for you and I would be honored if you would…”

  “No,” she said cutting him off.

  “I am sorry?”

  “I said no. Even if what you say is true, and I do not believe it for one moment, I still could not marry you.”

  “But, my dear, why?”

  “Because, quite simply, Major, I am in love with Another.” There she had said it. She had told him the truth, and it felt very good.

  “Another? And who, may I ask, is that?” the Major asked, taking a step back away from her.

  “I am sorry. I am not currently at liberty to say.”

  “I… well, I understand.” Major Vernon seemed confused. “Does your mother know of this?”

  “No, she doesn’t, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to her. I expect this gentleman to declare himself shortly, but until he does, I must ask that you maintain your discretion.”

  “Yes, yes, of course. I shall escort you back to the house.”

  “Thank you, but that will not
be necessary. If you don’t mind, I believe I will stay here a moment to compose myself, alone.”

  “Of course.” Major Vernon slowly and rather dejectedly walked away.

  Cassandra took a deep breath and let out a sigh, so glad that that was over with. She needn’t worry about Major Vernon anymore–that was certain. She felt bad for having to be so honest with him, but there had seemed to be no other way of convincing him of her true feelings.

  Before she was entirely aware of it, another gentleman was at her side.

  “Excuse me, Miss Renwick.”

  Cassandra jumped. She had not realized that anyone else was nearby. “Oh, Mr. White!”

  “I am sorry to startle you like that. I’m afraid I couldn’t help overhearing what you said just now.” Mr. White was speaking so softly she could barely hear him.

  “You did? Oh dear, I do hope that you will respect my wishes and not repeat this… this occurrence to my mother—or to my father, for that matter.”

  “No, of course, I would not do such a thing. But perhaps you will allow me to unburden myself of something that has for some time weighed heavily upon my conscience.”

  He took a deep breath as if to steady himself to an unwanted task.

  “My goodness, Mr. White, this sounds very serious. Whatever could it be? It does not have anything to do with me, I hope.”

  “I am afraid that it does. And I hold myself completely responsible for not speaking to you about it earlier, perhaps before so much damage was done. But I pray that you will be understanding and not too hurt by what I am about to tell you.”

  “I am afraid I do not understand you,” Cassandra said, as a slow chill began at the bottom of her spine.

  “Miss Renwick, I overheard you say to Major Vernon that you were in love with Another. I believe I know who that other is and I beg you to reconsider your feelings.”

  “You know? How… how do you know?”

  “I know because I was taken into his confidence when you first asked him to go out riding with you.”

  “You were? He told you?” Cassandra was quite surprised at his honesty.

  “Yes. We are very good friends, you know.”

  “I see.”

  “He knew I would never tell anyone about your liaison, and indeed, I have not done so. However, I must tell you one other thing that he told me when he first arranged to see you.” He stopped to take another deep breath.

  “I am not sure I want to hear this.” She did not know what it was, but there was something about Mr. White’s demeanor that truly scared her.

  “I must… I must tell you. And you must know that this is not easy for me. He said that… that it would all be a game to make you fall in love with him, no more.”

  Once Mr. White had started, the words poured out quickly. “Julian feels nothing for you, Miss Renwick. He only did all that he could to make you fall in love with him. He did it so that your mother would be hurt, just as he has been hurt every time she’s been rude to him or snubbed him because of his parentage.”

  As what he said sunk in, the chill sped up Cassandra’s spine until, finally, it exploded in her head.

  She covered her ears. No, she could not, would not hear what he was saying. It was not true!

  He loved her. Julian loved her, she knew it.

  Mr. White was lying. He was lying to her because, because… she didn’t know why, but he was, that much she knew.

  “Stop! Stop! You are lying. Julian loves me. I know he does!” Cassandra nearly shouted.

  Mr. White looked over his shoulder to see if anyone had heard her. “Please, Miss Renwick, lower your voice! I am sorry. I am so sorry. But you must hear the truth. It was a game to Julian, that is all. He feels nothing for you.”

  Cassandra could not help herself any longer. Hearing the soft, painful note of truth in his voice, she broke down. Her knees buckled from under her and she dropped to the ground, sobbing, crying out her pain.

  Mr. White caught her as best he could and lowered her onto the soft grass. He handed her his handkerchief, clearly at a loss of what else to do.

  “Please, Miss Renwick, you must not. He is not worthy of you. Do not be so upset.”

  “He is worthy of me, he is everything to me!” She sobbed harder.

  “I am so sorry,” he said again. “Can I get your mother for you?”

  “No!” Cassandra sat up and tried to stop the tears, but she could not. She managed to hiccough, “Please get Gisela… Mrs. Brown.”

  Cassandra did not remember being brought to her room. She vaguely remembered Promeela coming in and giving her some vile-tasting drought. It had put her to sleep, but did not, unfortunately, last the whole night.

  It was still dark when she awoke. There was little she could do to stop her tears when she remembered the events of the past night.

  Was it true? Was it all a game to Julian? But why would Mr. White lie to her?

  But he loves me! He said so!

  Cassandra thought back to the last time she saw Julian, on the boat. It had been the most special and romantic evening of her life! He’d kissed her. And he’d kissed her under the banyan tree by the temple.

  But had he ever said the words I love you?

  No. He hadn’t. He hadn’t said anything.

  But then, neither had she, but he knew. He knew that she loved him. They hadn’t needed words, they just knew.

  But did she truly know?

  That was when the tears started again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was a very somber and resolute young woman who greeted her parents at the breakfast table later that morning.

  “Good morning, Cassandra,” her mother said, as she entered the breakfast parlor. “I would have a word with you after you are done eating.”

  “Good morning, Mother, Father,” Cassandra replied, turning to each parent in turn. “I would like to have a word with you as well. With both of you, in fact.”

  Cassandra waited while a servant poured her a cup of tea. “I would like passage booked on the next ship leaving for England, immediately.

  “No, my mind is made up,” she said quietly as both her parents looked up at her with surprise. “I cannot stay here, and the only alternative I have is to return to England. I am sure that with a properly worded note concerning the ill effects the weather has had on my constitution, Aunt Bradmore will take me in again as she did all through my school years. Perhaps she will even allow me to share in Cousin Olivia’s next season–that is, if she hasn’t already found a husband.”

  Her parents sat stunned for a few moments.

  “Cassie, do you truly not wish to marry Major Vernon? If you don’t, you know I would never insist…” her father began.

  “Cassandra will marry Major Vernon, Sir Lionel. Her threats of running away will not alter my decision,” her mother said, as determined as ever.

  Cassandra gave her father a small smile and then turned to face her mother. “No, Mother, I will not marry Major Vernon, as I have told you many times already. But it is not only that which is forcing me to return to England, but… but something else of which I would rather not speak.” She quickly brushed away the tears welling in her eyes.

  “Cassie, there are many more men here in Calcutta if you truly cannot bear to marry Major Vernon,” her father said, ignoring her mother for once.

  Cassandra said nothing, but just shook her head.

  Harry came into the room at that moment with a note on a silver tray, which he proffered to Cassandra. She quickly scanned it, nodded to Harry and then turned to her father.

  “I sent Harry with a note to the docks this morning to find when the next ship is leaving for England. There is one sailing this evening, Papa. The captain says he can accommodate me, and there is a young widow returning to England alone, with whom I can share quarters and who is willing to chaperone me on the journey to London as well.”

  Her parents exchanged a shocked expression.

  “You are not serious!” her m
other finally remonstrated. “Cassandra! That is too soon. You cannot leave tonight.”

  “Yes, I can, Mother. In fact, it is perfect. Excuse me while I go inform Gita. Oh dear, I will miss her so. I have grown very fond of her.” Cassandra rushed off without having actually eaten any breakfast.

  In her room, Gita packed Cassandra’s trunks, dropping in a few unbidden tears along with the clothes. A few kind words from Cassandra was all that was necessary to make her begin to cry outright.

  “Oh, Miss. Are you sure that what you are doing is right?” she cried.

  “Yes, I am sorry to lose you, Gita, but it is for the best. I cannot stay,” Cassandra said, feeling her determination settle at the bottom of her stomach.

  Gita sniffed, wiping her eyes on the edge of her sari. “What of little Harry, Miss? It will be most upsetting to him.”

  Cassandra frowned. She was very sorry to leave little Harry behind, but there was no way that she could take him away from his home. He was just beginning to speak English more fluently and to become fully adjusted to his new life.

  “I will be very sorry to leave Harry, but there is no other alternative, Gita. I must do this. Please try to understand.”

  Gita nodded her head and went back to her packing.

  Julian rode into the courtyard of the Renwick’s house, and jumped down, leaving his horse with a groom. He carried a string of white tuberoses, the same kind he had presented to Cassandra the first time he’d met her after her ball. At the door, he asked for her directly.

  The butler had not even had time to speak when Lady Renwick emerged from the drawing room.

  “Sir Lionel is not here,” she said brusquely, frowning at sourly at him.

  “I have not come to see Sir Lionel, Lady Renwick. Well, at least not right away. I am here to see our daugter,” Julian answered, ignoring her rudeness.

  “She is not here, nor will she be returning. She has left for England. What do you want with her anyway?” she snapped.

  Julian ignored her last question. “Left for England? When? Why? No,” he paused for a moment, thinking furiously, “I may know why.”

  Julian looked down at the floor, his eyes only seeing what his heart suddenly felt like, cold marble stone. Without another word, he turned and slowly walked back to his horse.