“What are you doing in here?” Petra asked.
Samantha stiffened. The question may be innocent, but the music in her tone was teasing and insinuated that more than music was occurring between her and Cassian.
“I stumbled across Samantha playing the piano and was riveted.”
He had not addressed her simply as Samantha before but she did not mind that he left off Lady. It added a layer of friendship that she truly hoped would deepen.
“Yes, yes, she plays well,” Petra dismissed. “Though, I have never known you to appreciate music before.”
Petra was now seeking to learn more and eyed Cassian with suspicion.
“Perhaps this was the first time I came across someone worth listening to,” he countered.
“Yes, I am certain that was it,” Petra offered dryly. “Dinner is soon to be served. Come along.”
She turned and practically skipped from the room as if she had a secret, which she did not, and whatever Petra thought, Samantha had to convince her that she was wrong.
Chapter 4
Cassian had always enjoyed the early morning hours the best. This was when he rose to the silence of the cottage, brewed tea, then settled outside to watch the sunrise. It was when the Sacred Grove started to awaken. It began with the trill of songbirds greeting the day, to the rustle of forest creatures in the brush, and the waves from St. George’s Channel below. While the front of the cottage faced west, it was on the back portico where he sat and through a break in the trees that he could watch the sunrise over the horizon and start blanketing the Sacred Grove with light.
Only then would he wander to the front where he often spied whales, dolphins, and sometimes even seals, depending on the time of year.
Such magnificence in this small corner of the world and he had the pleasure to enjoy every day.
The cottage was situated at the top of a hill in such a manner that all could be seen below from where he stood, but the trees were tall enough, and situated in a way to hide the house, designed and created by witches. Cassian often felt alone in the world when he sat outside and took in everything around him.
Occasionally ships passed and he imagined where they might be going, especially if they were traveling south.
Were any of them traveling to France?
With Napoleon now exiled on the island of Elba, it would be possible to return without fear of war.
Cassian hadn’t been back in nine years, and at that time, his mother’s family was still well. He had not been given the opportunity to locate his father’s family but had reason to believe that some of the more distant relatives had survived the Terror. He’d also been able to visit his father’s estate in the Loire Valley and it had been painful to see the orchard razed after being burned during the Revolution.
However, the chateau still stood, though many of the furnishings and valuables had been destroyed or taken. It had barely resembled the home he knew as a child, but at least it had not been claimed by another owner.
That had also been nine years ago and anything could have happened since. Though, if it had, he would have been told because his mother’s family promised to keep him apprised until Cassian could return.
However, now it was time to fight for what should be his.
Once the chateau and land were his again, he would be in a position to pursue Samantha.
Cassian shook his head and returned inside.
It would take him years to reclaim the estate and make it whole again. By then, Samantha would have likely married, had children of her own, and possibly grandchildren.
“Foolish dreams,” he grumbled as he rinsed the teacup. No matter how much he may aspire to reclaim the estate that had been in his family for generations, he knew that it was not likely to ever happen because he would never have the funds necessary to do so.
Samantha knew that she could not watch for Cassian to join them for breakfast, especially since her friends were watching her. They may not say anything directly, but with a shift of their eyes, a knowing smile, she could almost hear their teasing.
Except, she did occasionally glance at the set of doors that led to the terrace and she hoped that such appeared innocent. After all, it was the reason she had taken this very seat. From her vantage, she could see the terrace as she conversed with her friends seated across the table.
It was odd that while everyone else entered the dining room from the hall after coming down the stairs, Cassian always came from outside. She had wanted to ask if he enjoyed morning strolls, but then he would know that she noticed. She had also never seen him. She usually woke before the sun, and after she had dressed for the day she would make her way outside as the world awoke around her.
She only did so at her family estate, and at Nightshade Manor, but never in London because that would be too dangerous, even if she had a maid by her side.
Besides, London never slumbered in silence. Too many people lived there and someone was always awake.
