A Lady of Secret Devotion (21 page)

Silas nodded. “I have wondered as much myself, Sebbie.”

Sebastian reached out and patted the man’s shoulder. “You have been like a father to me. Better than my own, to be sure. I will not forget that point when I come into my inheritance.”

“No one could see the good in you but my Jeannette and me. You have suffered much.”

“Yes, but we all must suffer from time to time,” Sebastian said. “Now please get some sleep. Whether Mother will eat from your kitchen or not, I plan to, and to do so first thing. I have an important meeting in the morning.”

“I will have your breakfast ready and waiting.”

Sebastian slipped into his room without waiting to see whether Silas took himself upstairs to bed or back down to the kitchen. He put down the plate of cookies and shrugged out of his outer coat. Retrieving a map from behind his dresser, Sebastian spread it out on the table and picked up a cookie.

The layout of the dock seemed simple enough. It was an area Sebastian wasn’t that familiar with, but he’d been assured it could provide a good source of income. The police force in this particular town would be quite open to bribes—perhaps even more so than he’d found to be the case in Philadelphia.

“There is always someone of a corrupt nature who is willing to see things my way,” he said with a smile. “So long as the benefit exceeds the risk.”

It was no different for him there at home. There were challenges to be had at every turn. Obstacles that threatened his livelihood and happiness. Still, he was willing to press forward and do whatever was necessary to have things his way. In the long run, it was a benefit he could not ignore—no matter the price.

CHAPTER 17

M
ama!” Cassie declared in surprise. She had been so caught up in her care of Mrs. Jameston that she’d not even taken the opportunity to visit her family. It blessed Cassie more than she could say to see that her mother had taken the time to come to her.

“I was worried about you,” her mother said. She gave her bonnet to Brumley, who waited in anticipation. “I’ve also brought some more soup.” She held up the basket.

“Brumley, would you please retrieve Mother’s clean jars to take back with her?”

“Certainly, miss.” Brumley seemed only too happy to be involved in anything that might aid and assist his infirmed employer.

“How is Mrs. Jameston faring?” Mother asked.

“Better. Your soup has definitely done the trick. She’s not only able to keep it down, but her stomach pains have subsided, as well as the headaches. I believe she is on the mend.”

“That is good news. I’ll be sure and make some additional soup for her and bring it to church tomorrow. That way, you can take it home with you.”

Cassie shook her head. “I doubt I’ll be there. I feel that I should be here for Mrs. Jameston.” Cassie glanced around to see if anyone could overhear their conversation. “Why don’t we step into the garden?”

She headed through the French doors. “Mother, how did you know you were in love with Father?” Cassie asked, the words springing unexpectedly from her lips.

Her mother smiled in surprise. “I just knew. Everything about him was exactly what I had hoped for in a husband. He was industrious and yet knew the importance of family. He always made me feel as if I were the most important person in his world. His thoughtfulness touched my heart. He never forgot my birthday or yours. No matter what else was happening, he would see to it that we celebrated the occasion.”

“I remember,” Cassie said thoughtfully as they sat on the settee. “He was probably the most considerate man I knew.”

Her mother turned and raised a quizzical brow.“Why do you ask? Have things gotten serious with your Mr. Langford?”

Cassie shook her head. She wasn’t sure what to make of their relationship. It had started out to be more of a business deal than anything. Still, she felt her mother might offer insight, so Cassie began to whisper the entire story to her.

“I wanted to help. I suppose in part because Mr. Jameston caused me such grief and frustration. I’ve never met a man so cold and unfeeling. Mark assures me that once he is able to get proof that Mr. Jameston killed his friend, he’ll have the man arrested. I pray the truth is learned sooner than later, however. I fear for poor Mrs. Jameston.”

“I thought things seemed a bit awkward. Still, I think you did the right thing, Cassie. I cannot imagine what a burden Mrs. Jameston has had to bear. What she must suffer.”

“I worry that she won’t be safe here,” Cassie said. “I worry that Mr. Jameston will seek to do her harm.”

“Have you told this to Mr. Langford?”

“He’s not been around since the day he kissed me in the garden.” Cassie got up, wringing her hands. “Mama, I don’t know what to do. In the midst of all this intrigue, I’ve really begun to care for him.”

Her mother offered a gentle smile. “He’s a good man. I sense a great deal of respect and quality in his character. I do not think he would want to lead you on in matters of the heart. Perhaps if you explained things to him, you might be able to come to some agreement.”

“But what if that agreement is that my feelings are wrong and should be changed to fit our original purpose of merely pretending? I don’t know how I would be able to handle the situation if that was his comment.”

“Cassie, no one can force another person to love them, but if this man has won your heart, he should know that you are no longer playing a game. To do otherwise would show you to be false with him.”

“I know you’re right. I simply do not know how to tell him. I’ve had so much to occupy my mind with these past few days, yet his absence has been uppermost in my thoughts.”

Her mother got to her feet. “I will pray that God gives you wisdom in the matter, but for now I need to return home. The walk is long.”

“Nonsense. I’ll have Wills take you in the carriage. It’s the least we can do. I know Mrs. Jameston would want you to have that comfort. After all, it’s your good soup that has helped her to recover her strength.”

Cassie linked arms with her mother and headed toward the stables. “I can also show you the progress I’ve made with my horse. I’ll have you know I’ve actually sat atop her several times now. And I’ve ridden her slowly around the yard.”

“I’m proud of you for overcoming your fears. Your father would be proud too.”

“I hope so,” Cassie replied. “It has taken a great deal of courage.”

“So will dealing with your heart.”

Cassie nodded. “I know. I’m just not sure I can handle both horses and hearts.”

Cassie heard a commotion at the front door and realized that Sebastian had once again returned with a group of friends. She glanced up from her book to see half a dozen men following Sebastian into the formal sitting room.

The raucous group seemed highly entertained by something Sebastian was telling them. The men laughed heartily and made comments, but Cassie couldn’t quite make out what was being said.

She closed her book and rose from the chair as silently as possible. Tiptoeing to the foyer, Cassie clutched the book to her chest and tried to move close enough to the formal sitting room to overhear the conversation.

“The biggest problem I foresee is the means of getting business done in a timely manner without proper resources,” Sebastian said as the men sobered.

“And why has the payment been delayed?” one of the men questioned. “That’s never happened before.”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Jameston replied. “It probably has something to do with the death of their investigator, but they cannot bring that back on our company. For all they know, we’re just a small shipping firm that expects to be reimbursed for stolen cargo.”

“What about the plans for Baltimore? We’re going to have to put forth some investment in order to have any cooperation there,” another man declared.

“Baltimore is still on the table. Charleston too.”

“I have a friend in New York City,” someone else mentioned. “I believe he can be useful to us.”

Cassie nearly jumped out of her skin as someone came to close the pocket doors. She pressed back against the wall just in case the person looked out into the foyer. Her knuckles went white as she gripped the book even tighter.

“Now, as for the local river matters, the real issue is the warehouse on Arch Street” was the last thing she heard Sebastian declare. She didn’t have any idea what it all might mean but decided it would be best to go write everything down for Mark. There was no hope of reaching him until he sought her out, but Cassie wanted to be ready nevertheless.

It was several days later before Cassie saw Mark again. She had wondered if he’d been upset with her, but when he arrived and suggested they go for a long walk, he acted as if nothing were wrong.

The warmth of the day had caused Cassie to dress in a layered muslin gown of light blue. The short puffed sleeves and modestly rounded neckline helped to alleviate the heat. Ada had dressed her hair that morning in a wonderful new way that put it all high atop Cassie’s head. The style gave her great relief from the damp humidity of Philadelphia, and the wide-brimmed bonnet she tied on over it allowed her some shade from the sun.

“You look very pretty,” Mark said as he took hold of her arm.

Cassie forced her nerves to remain even and unaffected by his touch. She didn’t want to act like a complete ninny after not seeing him for so many days.

“I’ve wanted to see you,” Cassie admitted, “but didn’t know how to get ahold of you.”

“We should rectify that,” he said with a grin. “Mrs. Jameston has my address, but I will leave it with you as well. You can always send Wills after me with a message.” They strolled out along the street looking for all the world as any courting couple might.

Cassie cleared her throat rather nervously. She wanted to address the matter of their kiss, but she felt so self-conscious. Besides, there was the other information to share. Mark no doubt cared more about Sebastian’s dealings than the wanton way she had responded to his kiss.

But I can’t keep denying what my heart feels
, she told herself. There was an unrest in her soul where Mark was concerned, and she needed to set things right. Yet just as she worked up her nerve, Mark questioned her about Sebastian.

“Have you managed to overhear any of his conversations?”

Cassie sighed and nodded. So much for her decision. “As a matter of fact, things have not been good. He has been desperate for money. I don’t know what happened to cause this, but he even forced his mother to leave her sickbed for a trip to the bank. But poor Mrs. Jameston was too weak and collapsed at the carriage house. Meanwhile, there have been many people coming to see Mr. Jameston. I did manage to overhear him say something about a delay of payment and the men needing to get what was due them. He said something, too, about a warehouse on Arch Street, but I don’t know the address. It sounded like it might be close to the river, though.”

“That’s all very good information, my dear,” he said, smiling. “I couldn’t have done better. You are quite good at this spy game.”

The reminder of their situation came like a kick in the stomach to Cassie. She tried hard not to openly react to his comment. At her age, Cassie figured she ought to be able to handle just about anything, especially if it related to her emotions.

“I managed to dig up some information of my own,” he told her. “And the delay of payment you heard him mention is in regard to the insurance claim. My company has refused to pay out just yet. In the past, he’s received his money fairly quickly once the police verified the theft. This time, however, we are certain the police are cooperating with Sebastian and his cronies, and my company has refused to pay out on their verification alone.”

“I have to tell you that Mr. Jameston is getting more and more dangerous,” Cassie confided. “He . . . well . . . he threatened both his mother and me.”

Mark captured her gaze. “What kind of threat?”

“He came to interrupt us in the sitting room. He wanted his mother to go with him immediately to the bank. He said some investment of his had failed and he needed the money right away. I argued that she was still too weak and that the doctor wasn’t allowing her out of the house just yet. This enraged him. He said we would suffer in a most heinous way if we interfered. He even implied that he might burn the house down around us.”

“I don’t like this at all. I knew Jameston would get desperate, but I hadn’t seen it playing out this way. It would appear our little game has taken a deadly turn.”

“About our game . . .” Cassie said, feeling the need to declare her thoughts.

“I know what you’re going to say,” Mark said, pulling her along with him as they made their way back to the Jameston house.

Cassie looked at him as they walked. “You do?” She tripped and would have fallen if Mark hadn’t righted her.

“You’re going to tell me that the charade has become more than you bargained for.” She drew her breath in sharply and knew he hadn’t missed her reaction. “See, I knew the situation would become dangerous. I knew it had the potential to lend itself to tragedy anew. You didn’t. I should have made it clearer.”

Confusion coursed over Cassie’s mind. What was he talking about? “I don’t . . . I mean to say . . . that isn’t—”

He patted her arm as they walked up the expansive drive to the Jameston mansion. “It’s all right. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to put an end to this. I’ve benefited greatly by having a reason to come here and listen to what you’ve managed to learn. But I don’t want you to feel endangered.”

“That isn’t going to change—even if I stop trying to overhear what Sebastian Jameston is saying,” Cassie replied. “And that isn’t what I was going to say at all. I’m glad to help. I just feel it only fair to . . .” Her words trailed off as she spied Sebastian and Robbie as they walked on the westerly side of the lawn. “It’s him,” she whispered.

Mark pulled her into his arms, but while he bent his head to hers, he didn’t kiss her. Cassie had closed her eyes in anticipation of the moment, but she quickly reopened them when nothing happened. Mark smiled. “I’m sure Mr. Jameston can’t tell that we’re not actually kissing. I felt bad about forcing it on you last time. It was wrong of me. I feel as though I stole something very precious.”