She drew a sharp breath. She had no reason not to trust him, and she really did need advice. “Very well. I had a visit yesterday from a man by the name of Mr. Longham. Do you know him?”
Mr. North shrugged. “I do not.”
“He was—is—Robert Clark’s solicitor, and he confirmed that Mr. Clark was my father.”
“How extraordinary.” His face brightened. “Surely that must make you happy?”
She stilled the ribbons of her bonnet as a breeze brushed past them. “I’m not entirely sure how it makes me feel.”
“But this is an answer, is it not? If you are certain this Mr. Longham can be trusted, of course.”
She recalled Mr. Longham’s kind expression. “He was very knowledgeable about my situation. Besides, he had all the appropriate paperwork. He said he’s actually been searching for me. Apparently my father included me in his will.”
“A will. My dear Miss Hale, that is tremendous! Perhaps you will not have need of a position after all.”
“You’re more optimistic than I. My father may have included me, but Mr. Longham says that when he brings my claim forward, it will most certainly be challenged by Mr. Clark’s son—the very one youcontacted. He cautioned that it could take a long time, if it ever comes to fruition. So you see, regardless, I must give a care to my personal finances. But now, let’s talk no more about that. You said you had something to tell me.”
“Ah yes!” he exclaimed as he pulled a letter from inside his coat. “I have a surprise for you, and this surprise comes in the form of an invitation. I called on Mrs. Kent, a most generous patron of this church. She and her husband have their hand in a great many of the dealings and host a monthly gathering at their ancestral home for the leaders of the area. I’m always invited to attend, although I don’t know why. She is fond of me for some odd reason. But anyway, I mentioned you to her, in the vaguest of terms, and she has sent you this.”
He extended the missive to her.
Cassandra slid her finger beneath the wax seal, opened the letter, and read it. “It’s an invitation for this week.”
“Of course, this all took place before I learned of your news just now, but I think your prospects are brightening. I have it on good authority that Mr. Peter Clark will be in attendance.”
At this she sobered. “But there is still so much I do not know. Maybe it is too soon. Perhaps I should wait for Mr. Longham to make the arrangements.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. You said yourself this could take time, and it never hurts to have the local gentry on your side. Mrs. Martin always attends, along with a few of the other business owners on the high street. It’s a very eclectic gathering. We often share a carriage, and I assume this time will be no different.”
“I’ve never been invited to anything like this,” she confessed, slowing to study the fine penmanship on the invitation. “I’m not sure what I would do.”
“It’s quite simple. You’ll be yourself, and you’ll be completelycaptivating. Don’t look so perplexed! If you’re to spend much time in Anston, you need to be in with the right sort of society. One never knows how these things will develop.”
She sobered, attempting to comprehend. “It just doesn’t make sense. Why would she invite me? She doesn’t even know me.”
“But she knows me, and I daresay she quite fancies me. Come, do say you will join us. It would brighten the event for me, that is sure.”
A million thoughts darted through her mind. Perhaps it would do her good to meet some other people, as Mr. North suggested. She did, after all, need to look after her future and could take nothing for granted.
She folded the letter with her gloved fingers. “Again I must thank you for your thoughtfulness. You’ve really been most kind. I’m not sure what I have done to deserve it, but I am grateful nonetheless.”
He gave a little chuckle and stared down at the ground, then glanced up almost sheepishly. “Do not credit me too much. I assure you my motives are quite selfish. Now that you are here in Anston, I find I can’t imagine what it would be like without you.”
Chapter 20
“Why, this is wonderful!” Betsy cried as she read Cassandra’s invitation to the Kents’ soiree as they stood in the boardinghouse parlor. “You must be beyond thrilled.”
Cassandra accepted the invitation back and tucked it in her reticule. “I’m not even sure I should go.”
“Why not? I don’t know anyone who has been invited to one of Mrs. Kent’s gatherings. Certainly not someone who boards here.”
Cassandra stretched her hands out toward the dying fire to warm them from her recent walk outdoors. “I’ve never been to anything like that. I’m sure if it’s as fine as Mr. North indicated, I’d not fit in at all.”
Betsy sat on the sofa in the parlor and motioned for Cassandra to join her. “You worry for nothing. All you need do is smile and be polite. Besides, if Mr. North went to such trouble to secure you an invitation, he must have other thoughts on his mind.”
Betsy’s thoughts mirrored her own on that count. She could not plead ignorance. Mr. North’s attentions had crossed the line from concerned vicar to a man whose interest teetered on something more.
Perhaps her continued conversation with him encouraged it. Perhaps not. But she could not think on that now. She had to keepher focus firmly in front of her. Cassandra joined Betsy on the sofa. “But I have nothing suitable to wear, and it’s just under a week away. My best gown is the celadon muslin one I wore to church on Sunday. Mr. North said that Mrs. Martin would be in attendance. If I am using her as a guide, I’m far too shabby.”
