Shackles of Honor (37 page)

“Of course, Mason,” Gabrielle accepted gracefully.

Cassidy watched with an aching heart as Mason led Gabrielle to the dance. She watched them intently, and when it was ended she saw that Mason led Gabrielle in the same direction in which he had led her only minutes before.

“No,” she gasped and quickly exited the ballroom through one of the side doors so she could both see and hear what was being said on the veranda through the library window. Quietly she listened
,
and she could indeed discern their voices.
Eavesdropping is deplorable
, she thought to herself
. B
ut their conversation began
,
and all notion of propriety was lost to her.

“You’ve taken to her at once, have you not, Mason?” Gabrielle asked as she gazed up into the intensely attractive face of the man with whom she had only just danced.

“One’s eyes can be deceiving, Gabrielle,” Mason told her, “in addition to which she is a sharp-tongued little chit who’ll not let me have a moment’s peace of mind.”

It was apparent that Gabrielle could not resist him longer and let her forehead brush his chin briefly. Just the touch of him was heaven, as well Cassidy knew. “What upset her before? She was quite upset, it was plainly obvious.”

Mason was quiet for a moment. “I suppose that would be me.”

“But you seem to have rectified that quite quickly in that secluded garden spot.”

Cassidy’s heart ached for him, for his love, which she knew would never be hers. Suddenly, to her horror, she felt a kinship to Gabrielle
,
who loved him too and could only dream of having him now.

“You kissed her then
,
and your kiss had the healing power needed?”

“Actually, I failed miserably in completing the task. You see, you and your companions arrived a moment too soon.” Mason smiled down affectionately at Gabrielle.

“I pity her then, Mason. For your kiss
—
and though I’ve had a taste of it…I know that never have I partaken of it fully
—
would no doubt heal any harm that could come to her.” Tears spilled from Cassidy’s eyes at the perfect truth spoken by the young woman.

“Your flattering ways have always become you, my dear,” Mason chuckled.

Gabrielle smiled
,
and Cassidy knew that Gabrielle thought Mason took her words far too lightly. “It’s the kiss that owns the woman, Mason. It takes far more for a man perhaps to feel completely loved, completely satisfied in one female personality, one female heart. But for a woman…the kiss is what owns her. It’s how she reads a man’s heart. How she knows if he truly means what he says to her. How she knows if he is in earnest…or a liar. And it’s how a man owns a woman, for the kiss of the man she wants, the man she loves, can be any woman’s complete undoing.”

Mason frowned slightly as he listened to Gabrielle’s words. As she continued, Cassidy marveled that truer words had never before kissed the air.

“Your kiss will keep her seams from breaking, Mason, when she thinks that she cannot tolerate another day without your love, without your acceptance…another day of this social pishposh. Promise me you’ll not torture the girl. Promise me.”

Cassidy was astonished. Could it be that Gabrielle was sincere in her pleading for Cassidy’s sake? Or, more believably, was she trying to gain Mason’s pity?

“You’re championing her now?” he asked, astonished. “When only a short while ago you were flinging curses at her head? And mine?”

“That was my heart breaking in the cold winter’s breeze, Mason. I would not wish what I’m feeling on anyone. And just now in the garden
,
you
—
”

“I was merely the champion of her pride. You and I both know what people are thinking this night. And it was all cruelty. I merely birthed a means of saving her pride.”

Cassidy’s hand went to her mouth to stifle her sobbing. He had told Gabrielle! The one person whom Cassidy wished to believe that what she had seen in the gardens was genuine.

“I know, dearest. I know what you say you did. That you might actually have succeeded in convincing yourself for the moment that it was all theatre out there, but you cannot deny yourself forever, Mason. Never did you hold me as such. Never did you shower such passionate beginnings onto the softness of my shoulders.”

“Gabrielle,” Mason argued, shaking his head and frowning. “Truly, Gabrielle. I only…” Mason sighed heavily
,
and Gabrielle quickly brushed a traitorous tear from her cheek.

“Promise me, Mason. As a friend who once held something of me in your heart, promise me that this night will not end without completing it for her.” Gabrielle swallowed hard and closed her eyes. “I must be mad to say this…to utter such things to you
. B
ut
,
Mason, promise me that you will kiss her once this night. Kiss her firm and square on those berry lips of hers so she’ll not feel so alone, so she knows she’s not abandoned in you.” Opening her eyes, she pleaded with him once more. “She’s not what I expected. Not what I, selfishly, had hoped for. She’s an angel, both physically and, I am glad for your sake, in spirit.” Gabrielle’s voice choked with emotion. “Kiss her the way you never kissed me, Mason.”

“This is nonsense, Gabrielle. I don’t want to trifle with
—
”

“I’m not asking you to fall to your knees and confess an undying love to her. Just kiss her. Kiss her with wanton passion so that she knows you’ll not be despising her each time you take her in your arms when you’ve wed.” Gabrielle’s smile was that of melancholy as the music within ceased once more.

Cassidy could see the warmth in Mason’s eyes as he gazed down at Gabrielle. What a champion she must seem to him
—a
sking him to sacrifice so much to kiss the woman he did not wish to. Mason raised Gabrielle’s hand to his lips and kissed it with admiration.

“I regret the harsh words that passed between us, Gabrielle. I hope you believe me when I tell you that you will always have a place in my memory. And my heart.”

Gabrielle smiled up at him, tears of heartbreak brimming in her eyes. “You’re an overpoweringly good man, Mason, and I want to assure you that your honorable ways and your goodness are what made me love you in the first place. I too regret so much that was said. Let us part with these kinder words. And promise me now that you’ll do what I ask. I must be insane to be sending you into her arms. But please, Mason…give her the knowledge that you accept her this night. It’s so plain in her countenance that she’s losing her own strength.” Reaching up to affectionately caress his cheek one last time, she turned and left, head held high and with determination to mend her broken heart.

Cassidy wiped madly at her tears, checking her face in a small mirror on the library mantel. She couldn’t be missed, especially by Gabrielle or Mason, and so she forced herself to enter the ballroom once more. An older gentleman approached and offered his greetings. Cassidy looked to the man, his teeth yellowing, his belly protruding far beyond the waistband of his breeches, and smiled her most gracious of smiles.

“Ah! My dear Miss Shea,” he greeted, taking her hand and raising it to his rather chapped-looking lips. “What a prize our young Mason has won for himself, eh?”

“You are too kind, Mr
.
…Mr
.
…” Cassidy prodded, for she had not the tiniest drop of knowledge of his name.

“Lionel Chatman, Miss Shea. Your servant, Lionel Chatman,” the man chuckled. “And would the young bride-to-be honor me with this dance then?”

Cassidy felt the lump in her throat swell to twice its previous size as she nodded politely and let the man lead her to the dance. Mr. Chatman’s breath was less than freshened, and Cassidy could feel the heavy perspiration from his hand at her waist even through the handkerchief that he held there.

“Well, and what do you think of our countryside here, Miss Shea? Have you been to the cliffs yet? They’re magnificent, are they not?”

“They are, sir. But I find them somewhat unnerving at the same time. So ominously dangerous somehow,” she chatted.

“No doubt our young Mr. Carlisle has escorted you on a lengthy and thorough tour of the intimate coves that line our beaches below the cliffs.” Mr. Chatman chuckled and winked amusedly at Cassidy.

“Mr. Carlisle is ever the gentleman, Mr. Chatman, I assure you.”

“I know, my dear. I know. I find it one of his most intolerable of faults.” His merry eyes laughed as his round belly jumped as well with his chuckling. Cassidy managed a sincere smile, for he was quite an amusing character in a way. She was, however, thankful that it was a shorter musical interlude and sighed relievedly when he escorted her back to her place of origin and left her with a gallant bow.

“May I?” Mason inquired as he approached, extending his hand to her as the musicians began to play again. Cassidy nodded and placed her hand in his, immediately beginning to tremble at his nearness as he took her in his arms midst the other dancing couples. “I see you’ve become acquainted with our Mr. Chatman,” he said, and she was somewhat astounded by the amusement apparent in his usually indifferent expression.

“Yes. He is…he is quite vocal,” she managed.

“And has the breath of a carp that has been lying in the sun for several days.” Cassidy’s eyes widened with his not-too-exaggerated description. “Still, he’s a good man, believe it or not. A good friend. The kind one could call upon in any time of need. His manner is a little too personal
,
and he’s not the most eloquently verbal man…but I count him a friend.” Cassidy nodded
,
and Mason continued, “However, I’m not a young enchantress and the unwilling recipient of his masculine attentions, now am I?”

Cassidy smiled, relieved at his unexpected understanding. Still, the awful jealousy that lurked within her was too close to the surface
,
and she snippily asked, “Did you enjoy your tête-à-tête with Miss Gabrielle a moment ago?”

“I did,” he answered simply. Cassidy felt the sharp knife of jealousy twist in her bosom. “Of course, the bulk of the conversation was about you. At least, on her part. She has taken to you for some strange reason.”

“You mean it would take some reason of strange origin for someone to find me interesting?” Her feelings were hurt
,
and her pride had still not recovered from the night’s previous feelings even for Mason’s earnest endeavors at championing it.

“Don’t aggress in defense, Miss Shea. I know that you’re aware of my past where Gabrielle is concerned…however you managed to come by the knowledge. I therefore know that you’re smart enough to fathom how truly amazing it is that she of all people has taken to you.”

“What wonderful
and flattering things did your…
your friend tell you about me, Mr. Carlisle?” Cassidy was irritated that Mason’s affection for Gabrielle had ever even existed.

“I didn’t s
ay she liked you, miss, o
r even thought you worthy of flattery. I said she had taken to you.”

“What, pray tell, is that supposed to mean, sir?” Cassidy was vexed with him. He toyed too extremely with her emotions.

“Shh. Prune back your pretty feathers,
p
udding. Or I’ll have to endeavor further to save your spoiled pride.” Cassidy looked up to him ready to do furious battle, but the teasing color of his eyes unnerved her, surprised her so utterly, that she was undone.

“You…you should not call me
p
udding,
”
she scolded, confused by his expression of mirth.

“Come now,
p
udding. You cannot expect me to call you by your full and proper name each time I address you, now can you?” he asked. “You would rather I say,
‘Excuse me, Miss Cassidy Bliss Shea, might I have the honor of this dance?’
I hardly think that would be prudent or convenient. I therefore settle on
‘p
udding
’
until I find something I deem more suitable. And I choose it for reasons that I will keep to myself.”