“Jealous—” she squawked. “—ofher? Bite your tongue.”
As Cassian made to reply, the town crier called out loudly, “Hear ye, hear ye, good people of Stanbury! By grace of providence andthe diligent labors of our fair townspeople, the harvest of this year has been glorious.
“We have barrels of wheat in the storehouses and granaries, the orchards have yielded fruit most plenteous, and the fields are resting, ready for producing another yield.
“Let us enjoy this evening, raise our cups, and may we all partake of bread and cheer. Let the young dance and the old recount tales of seasons past, for this, indeed, is a time of thanksgiving.
“To the bounty of our lands, the hard work of our people, and the prosperity of our village! Let us rejoice!”
Hearty cheers went up from the crowd, farmers, their hands and their wives were sharing pleased and relieved smiles when Cassian lifted his glass of cider.
“And to Thomas Carter’s cider,” he shouted. “Which I suspect is the real reason anyone showed up today. I know that is why I am here!”
Mortified, Cecilia’s cheeks pulsed as every pair of eyes turned in her direction. She could not even find the words to chastise him—but when she did, the cidermaker let out a loud guffaw and a shout, “Isecondthat!”
To her amazement, raucous cheers and whistles exploded in the air, and laughter chased the applause. Mollified—barely—she dropped her shoulders and looked around, daring herself to enjoy the bucolic celebration.
Surely, she could get to know some of the townspeople that night and make some friendships that would help her through the next seven weeks.
“Cecilia—”
“Yes?” she turned to Cassian, who held out a glass.
“Drink this, and try to enjoy the evening,” he offered.
Taking the glass, she asked, “Why do you think I am not enjoying the celebration?”
“This…” he murmured before reaching out and using the pads of two fingers to smooth out the knot in her brow. She jerked away as if his touch scorched her. Other than a flickering smirk, Cassian did not react to it, “…is why. Enjoy the evening, sweetheart.”
CHAPTER 14
Cassian was halfway across the green, speaking to three other men. His body and constant laughter showed his ease—while Cecilia felt oddly out of her depth.
The few people, mostly matrons and older women, she had met were lovely altogether; a creeping feeling inside her chest told her she still had a long way to go to be on even keel with these townspeople.
She turned and bumped into someone, a young girl in an understated blue dress, her hair a dusky blond, but there was something about her face that stopped Cecilia.
“I apologize, Miss,” said a hesitant voice. “I was not looking.”
“It's alright,” Cecilia replied, hastily trying to comfort her, while trying to tell herself that her eyes were not deceiving her. “…I am sorry, but are you, by happenstance, related to Lady Charity?”
With her face falling, the girl blanched while curtsying. “Did she say something untoward to you, Your Grace?”
In a manner of speaking.
“I had an interaction with her earlier,” Cecilia explained vaguely. “She was not… overly courteous.”
The girl winced, “I apologize on her behalf, Your Grace. My name is Prudence, or simply Pru. It’s easier. I am her sister, younger by three years. Would you…” She looked over her shoulder, “…would you mind some company?”
Cecilia’s brows rose, and the girl, who looked barely eighteen, turned tomato red. “Forgive me if I have overstepped, but you were standing alone, and I’m also alone, and with everyone else, I don’t think I—” she puffed out a breath, “dash it all, I’m making no sense, aren’t I?” she finished miserably.
“Never mind. I’m sorry for disturbing you. I’ll just be—”
Smiling, Cecilia reached out for her, while taking an instant liking to the girl. “Please stay. I would love your company, and honestly, you remind me of another friend I have. Her name is Emma, and she is about your age. I assume ten-and-nine?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” The way the girl’s smile lit her face reinforced the connection Cecilia made between her and Emma.
Looking at the men and women meandering over the green, Cecilia said, “This is my first harvest celebration. Is it usually like this?”
