A Lady of Secret Devotion (35 page)

“You could have been killed. I was so foolish to ever suggest this game,” Mark said, shaking his head. “I was blinded by my desires for revenge and justice. I knew there were dangers, but I didn’t account for Jameston’s irrational behavior. I expected him, for some reason, to conduct himself in a civil manner. It was foolish, I know. After all, the man had tried to poison his mother. He’d shot my friend. Why would he not threaten to kill you as well?”

Cassie patted his arm. “It’s over now.”

“But so much could have gone wrong.” He looked at her with tears in his eyes. “You could have died right in front of me, and all because you were trying to help me.”

She smiled. “But I didn’t die. Mark, you must account for the good as well as the bad. We are safe. Mrs. Jameston is resting upstairs, and Sebastian has been taken away where he can do no further harm. The game is over, and we have won the hand.”

Mark nodded and pulled her into his arms. “And we will never play again.”

She shook her head. “No. No more games for us.”

Chapter 29

T
he cooling temperatures of late September put everyone in a better spirit. Mrs. Jameston’s full health had returned, although she told Cassie her age caused her to tire more easily. Cassie couldn’t help but think it had much to do with all that the older woman had been through as well. Sebastian now awaited trial, and from the sounds of it, things did not look to bode well for him in any aspect.

Due to the work Mark and Mr. Westmoreland had accomplished, most of Sebastian’s men, including Robbie, had also been taken into custody and now faced their own comeuppance.

“I suppose I shall never fully understand what causes a person to go bad,” Mrs. Jameston said, gazing out across the garden. “Even knowing how angry he was at me, I cannot hope to know what makes a man take the life of another.”

“Greed seems to be at the root of this plot,” Cassie said, hoping she’d not spoken out of line.

“All of this might have been his one day,” Mrs. Jameston said, “but apparently, even that was not enough. Then when I saw what he’d become—when I heard the hatred in his voice— well, it was more than I could bear. All I ever wanted for him was a good life and to know God’s plan. Despite my efforts, I believe Sebastian hates God more than he hates me.”

“You cannot force a person to love God.”

Mrs. Jameston considered this for a moment. “You are right about that. My Worther and I raised Sebastian to fear the Lord, but apparently he decided this was unimportant. I wish I could go back in time and do things differently.”

“But perhaps if that were the case, we’d only make new mistakes and suffer other kinds of sorrow,” Cassie offered. “I think we’re probably better off putting our focus and efforts forward.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” She sighed. “I must fight against the regret that would see me defeated. I cannot change what has happened, but it needn’t separate me from a happy future.”

Mrs. Jameston motioned. “I see your mother has returned from her walk.”

Cassie smiled as her mother crossed the garden lawn to join them for tea. Dora Stover looked years younger, despite having lost her home and all of her belongings. A certain August Westmoreland no doubt had much to do with the joyful expression.

“What a beautiful day,” Cassie’s mother declared. “The heavy heat of summer is behind us, and autumn promises to be quite lovely. The leaves are already changing, and they’re oh so colorful.”

“Cassie and I were just mentioning the other day that we might like to travel during the summer next year.”

“What fun that would be,” her mother said, nodding.

Cassie didn’t want to talk about trips or the summer to come. She wanted very much to know more about her family’s future. “So while the men and Elida are still off riding in the park, come tell us what’s been happening between you and Mr. Westmoreland,” Cassie said, patting the settee seat beside her.

Mrs. Jameston smiled. “Would you care for tea, Dora?”

“Yes, please,” Cassie’s mother replied as she took a seat beside her daughter. “I have great news to share. At least, I hope you will believe it to be great news.” She looked at Cassie as if searching her face for some sign.

“Well, tell us,” Cassie urged as Mrs. Jameston poured tea. “Has this news to do with your new home?” For the last week, Mrs. Jameston had talked about little except the house she wanted to have built for Cassie’s mother and sister.

“In a sense, it does relate to where I will live.” Her mother blushed and took the tea. “August has asked me to marry him.”

“Marry him?” Cassie’s surprise was evident in her voice. “But you’ve only just renewed your friendship.”

Her mother sobered. “I know this must seem shocking, but you have to understand. We know each other’s past and have now caught up on most of the time spent apart. We care very much for each other.”

“But does he love you?”

Her mother smiled. “Yes. I believe he does.”

Cassie shifted uncomfortably as she tried to get used to the idea of August Westmoreland becoming her stepfather.

“And do you love him?”

Her mother laughed lightly. “I’ve always loved him. Just as I will always love your father.”

“You seem very happy, Dora,” Mrs. Jameston said between sips of tea. “When will you wed? I would love to have you marry here in the garden.”

Cassie’s mother put her cup and saucer aside and reached for her daughter’s hand. “We plan to have a simple ceremony at the boardinghouse. But first, I wanted to make sure that Cassie didn’t object.”

“I could hardly object to something that has made you so happy,” Cassie replied, knowing that she would do anything to see her mother able to rest and enjoy life.

Just then the men returned with Elida. Cassie could hear her sister babbling on and on and laughing.

“Does Elida know?” Cassie asked softly.

Her sister came bounding across the yard, running in a most unladylike manner. “I simply love to ride horses!” she declared.

Cassie’s mother laughed. “Why don’t you ask her?”

Elida came to where Cassie sat, Mark and Mr. Westmore-land following. The men were deep in conversation, and Cassie couldn’t help but look at Westmoreland as if seeing him for the first time. This man was about to become a part of her family. How strange it seemed!

“Oh, I simply had the best time. I’m completely overjoyed.” Elida plopped into the seat beside Mrs. Jameston and smoothed out her riding habit. The ladies laughed at her enthusiasm.

Mark chuckled as well. “Your daughters are becoming quite the horsewomen.”

“Thanks to you,” Cassie’s mother said with a smile.

“So what were you ladies so deep in discussion about when we arrived?” Mr. Westmoreland questioned. “You looked quite serious.”

Cassie looked away, rather embarrassed, while her mother answered. “Cassie was just asking how Elida felt about our marrying.”

Westmoreland let out a roar of laughter. “Did you tell her it was Elida who proposed?”

Cassie looked at her little sister and shook her head. “You proposed marriage for Mama and Mr. Westmoreland?”

Elida nodded, looking pleased with herself. “I decided it was time Mama found someone to love her. After all, you had plans to marry Mark. It seemed only fair that if we were to lose you, we might gain someone else.”

Mrs. Jameston reached over to pat Elida’s leg. “A wise thought indeed. But I hope you will remember that you always have me. I intend to be here for your wedding as well.”

Elida frowned. “Well, Daniel Radisson did ask me, but I told him we were too young and that I had too much to do before I settled down. Besides, he never takes a bath and smells like old boots.”

Cassie nearly choked on her tea at this.

“Those Stover women definitely know how to speak their minds,” Mark said with a wink at Cassie.

“Well, for your information,” Cassie began, pretending to be deeply offended, “I have learned to keep my mouth shut.”

“I can hardly believe that,” Mark countered.

Cassie got to her feet. “I can well prove it. Had I not learned to remain silent on many matters of interest, I might well have told you how unhappy I am that we have not already arranged our wedding day.”

Mark ribbed Westmoreland. “See what I told you? Pushy women. Always instigating things.”

“I . . . I . . . beg your pardon!” Cassie sputtered.

“Why, the first time I met her, she threw herself at me,”

Mark teased.

Cassie saw the amusement in his expression and countered his game. “He tried to kill me with that beast of an animal he calls Portland. I didn’t throw myself at him. I fell to the ground in fear of my life.”

Mark pulled her into his arms, laughing. “She pretended to faint.”

“I did no such thing!” Cassie tried to wiggle out of his hold, but Mark held her fast. “Your abominable beast attacked me, and you merely pretended not to notice. Then you forced me to meet the unruly monster and then—”

She was silenced as Mark kissed her boldly in front of everyone. Cassie could scarcely think as he pulled away, smiling.

“And then?” he asked softly.

Cassie put her arms around his neck and sighed. “And then I fell hopelessly in love with you, but you only wanted to pretend.”

“I’m not pretending anymore,” he said, kissing her again.

The others laughed, causing Cassie and Mark to turn and face their audience. Westmoreland came to slap Mark on the shoulder.

“It seems you have found at least one way to silence these bold Stover women.”

Cassie looked at the man and shook her head. “And you are to become my new father. I can see we are in for quite a time of it, Mother.”

“So long as you love each other,” Elida piped up, “the rest will work itself out. Mama told me that long ago.”

Cassie met her mother’s happy gaze and nodded. “And Mama was right.” She nestled her head against Mark’s shoulder. “The rest will work itself out just fine.”

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