Chapter 5
Cassian had an appointment that he must keep. It was the same appointment that he had failed to keep yesterday, so he must make an appearance today.
“I can take you tomorrow,” he offered. “I know a perfect place that overlooks the water.”
“Where would that be?” Maia asked knowingly as if she expected him to take Samantha back to his cottage, which would be a very bad idea. Not only for her reputation but the temptation that he would need to resist.
“At the end of the path we used to play along as children. Beyond the evergreens is a cliff with enough room to sit. There is a bench there now.”
“Oh, directly above the grotto,” Petra stated with excitement.
“Where we were not allowed to go as children because everyone feared that we’d fall,” Maia added.
“We did go.” Chedworth laughed. “And we fell.”
“Is it dangerous to be there?” Samantha asked.
“Not for responsible adults,” Cassian answered while he shook his head at Chedworth. “Who would like to join us to watch the dolphins frolic?” Cassian asked those who were seated around the table breaking their fast.
Not a single person indicated an interest, which had not surprised him. They were at Nightshade Manor often enough that seeing whales, dolphins and seals was no longer special. Except, it always was to him. Perhaps it was because of the freedom they had to swim wherever they wished, just as the ships that passed could travel anywhere in the world.
Though, he did consider the wisdom of being alone with Samantha, especially in the morning when few people were about, if they were even awake. Yet, he wanted to be with her when she saw dolphins for the first time. “I look forward to meeting you on the terrace tomorrow morning, Samantha.”
“Thank you, Cassian.”
At the use of his given name, Petra arched an eyebrow and he nearly groaned. He did not need Petra nor Maia playing at matchmaker.
Nor Antonia for that matter. He kept forgetting that she could read his aura and no doubt something had been given away that he preferred to hide.
As the conversation turned to other topics, Cassian ate quietly and listened, as was his habit. More than a few times he snuck a glance at Samantha but was careful so that it was not so obvious.
He was very much looking forward to tomorrow morning, but he had much to do between now and then. First, his meeting with Viscount Lynwood, then he would return to his cottage and sleep since he would need to be in the caves beneath Lynwood’s estate, Hollybrook Park, by midnight where they would work to bring in the shipment that was due. He should have just enough time to get everything stored before the sun rose so that he could meet with Samantha.
He would just be very tired, but he often was after he had assisted Lynwood in the smuggling business that made much of Bocka Morrow wealthy. It was the secret kept from outsiders and the reason Cassian had been hired to be Lynwood’s man of business after the previous one retired.
Lynwood couldn’t disappear in the middle of the day to do inventory or balance the accounting and make certain everything was delivered and funds collected. However, few people would miss Cassian, and if they did, would likely not ask where he had been. It was a position that suited both him and Lynwood and the only person at Nightshade Manor who knew of his duties was Lynwood’s sister, Cordelia, who happened to be married to another son of Drakos blood, Damon Norcott, Viscount Bentford.
Samantha did not see Cassian again. After he had broken his fast, he had left the manor and did not return. Not that she watched for him.
Oh, who was she fooling? Of course she had watched for him, but he didn’t appear at tea or supper or at any time before she finally retired.
Now, she waited on the terrace. The sun had risen not long ago and had she not promised that she’d meet him, Samantha would be strolling through the Witches’ Garden, her second favorite place at Nightshade Manor. Her first was the Sacred Grove, where music was alive and filled her being with peace and joy.
She glanced back at the manor again, waiting for him to exit.
Had he changed his mind, or had he forgotten about taking her to see the dolphins?
It wasn’t as if he had offered, but it had been suggested that he take her, just as he had been encouraged to take her to the Sacred Grove.
Had he only agreed to be polite? Had he asked if others wanted to join them because he did not want to be alone with her or spend any time with her?
Such a thought was disheartening.
Oh, if only she could hear his music, then she would know for certain.
“Samantha, I hope that I did not keep you waiting for long.”
She turned to find Cassian coming from the side of the estate. Not from the area of the grove or Witches’ Garden, but the wall that bordered Nightshade Manor from the rest of Bocka Morrow. If she recalled correctly, on the other side of the wall was land that led to Hollybrook Park and the Romani camp.
