“It’s like another world,” Cassandra said. “My father was foolish to oppose this progress. He wasted his energy—and his health—on something that could never be stopped.” She turned to her companion. “I see now why gentlemen invest in the railway. It isn’t even the future anymore. It has become the very fabric of our nation.”
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “Britain’s bootlaces.”
Yes, they had knotted themselves up nicely to sally forth and conquer the world. No one could stand in their way.
Wadebridge explained, “Folk are accustomed to getting what they want delivered quickly. They are accustomed to traveling whenever and wherever they wish. We shan’t confine our ambitions to land for much longer. I believe we shall turn our eyes to the sea.”
Oceanic journeys were dangerous, arduous, and unpleasant. Mankind was still at the mercy of the wind and the water, but if what His Grace predicted came true, steamships would soon be closing the distance from England to the Far East.
Perhaps a runaway couple might someday purchase passage to America as easily astheyhad purchased tickets to Cornwall.
It was as if Wadebridge could read her mind. He sat back against their cushioned bench and studied her with his inscrutable black eyes. “Your parents would be proud of you.”
“For becoming your mistress?” She laughed. “What a thought!”
He did not share her humor, but said, instead, “For having the courage to follow your heart. They ran away, as well, I recall. They must’ve felt a similar thrill once they realized their lives were their own, and happiness was within their grasp.”
She felt foolish for laughing. This arrangement was not a lark to him or something he undertook lightly.
“Is that howyoufeel, Your Grace?”
He paused, as if contemplating his answer very carefully. “Yes.”
The Duke of Wadebridge believed she had courage. He felt a thrill at taking this chance with her, and felt hope—possibly for the first time in his life—of their happinesstogether.
For a moment, they were alone in their first class carriage. The entire world bustled beneath their window, but Cassandra felt certain that no one out there paid them any mind.
She reached a gloved hand to touch his face. She cupped his freshly-shaven jaw and stroked her thumb across his cheek. There were such shadows beneath his dark eyes.
He needed rest. He needed comfort. He needed security.
She could give him that much, at least.
“I am so glad I left with you,” Cassandra confessed.
He smiled against her palm. Those rare up-turns of his lips never failed to send her heart singing.
“You ought to start calling me ‘Wade’. I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life hearing the woman I love speaking so deferentially.”
She grinned up at him. “Especially not when I am your ‘Darling buttercup.’ ”
“You don’t mind the endearment? It’s not…lowering, somehow?”
“Oh, no. ‘Cassandra’ is such a serious name, don’t you think? I liked ‘Cass’ and ‘Cassie’ when I was younger. ‘Buttercup’ sounds very dear and rather special.”
She pressed her forehead to his. He made her feel dear and special. Precious—not because she was beautiful or delicate, but because he found her unique, courageous, and wonderful in his eyes.
Suddenly, the door to their compartment opened. Hot air, smoke, and sunshine blasted their cozy carriage. Cassandra moved to pull away, but Wadebridge stopped her.
A stout, matronly figure coughed to announce their presence.“Ahem!”
The train had grown crowded as it made its way across the countryside. It seemed they would have to share their car with other passengers. The woman, her daughter, and two gentlemen climbed into the carriage and took seats on the bench across from them.
Cassandra flushed scarlet. Under their censure, she longed to pull her veil down and hide. She’d just been caught practically embracing her lover in public!
The duke was unfazed. He kissed her hand, smiled with some amusement at her maidenly blushes, and fibbed to the newcomers, “We’re on our honeymoon.”
As if that explained everything! She had no idea he could be so outrageous, yet his lie worked. The matron nodded approvingly, the daughter sighed wistfully, and the two men exchanged knowing glances.
