Except, she was here to see the dolphins and would try to ignore the Nereids. “When do the whales visit?” she asked.
Chapter 6
“Whales return in the summer,” Cassian answered. “Perhaps you can come back for a visit so you can see them.”
He should have considered the possibility that Galene, Maera and Eunice might be out this morning. He knew they enjoyed swimming and playing with the dolphins.
Their enjoyments were swimming around the docks in Bocka Morrow in the evening and keeping an eye out for a handsome sailor to seduce, sunning themselves in the afternoon just below where they stood, or frolicking with dolphins. They had little else to do for entertainment or any pressing matters that they must attend to. Their lives, while easy, must be very boring.
“Maybe I will be given the opportunity,” she answered absently as she watched the dolphins, a gentle smile about her coral lips. The sun had reached a height behind them enough to cloak her with rays that enhanced the darkness of her hair and highlighted strands of silver that he had not noticed before. Samantha was too young to have silver, white or grey hair, yet it was there.
When she turned and noticed what he was looking at she placed a hand upon her head and smoothed her hair. “The result of an old soul, or so I have been told.”
“Old soul?” Cassian asked.
“Yes. Apparently, I have lived before. Or my soul has.” She laughed.
He always believed in one soul and one life and in the end that soul went to heaven or hell. At least, that was the upbringing of his family, but he was raised by a woman who also gave thanks to a Greek Goddess, even though she believed in the Almighty God. Sometimes it was rather confusing and now to be told a soul can live more than once just added to the perplexity.
“Are you certain souls return?”
Samantha shrugged her shoulder. “It is what I was told. Or maybe the old woman only said so to make me feel better about my silver hair.” She laughed.
“I like it.” And he did. Cassian wasn’t just giving a compliment to make her feel better but loved how the silver almost sparkled against the darkness of the rest of her hair.
There weren’t many silver strands, but enough that they could be seen if one was looking.
“I gain more every year and will likely be silver before I reach the age of thirty.”
“That would be quite striking,” he offered with all honesty.
“Shocking,” she corrected. “And I would likely be mistaken for someone’s grandmother.”
“That is not possible,” Cassian assured her.
He would like to sit out here all day with Samantha, but she could develop a sunburn before long. It may be December but sitting this close to the water on a sunny day without a hat or parasol to protect her face, she’d likely end up with a red nose and cheeks.
Besides, he was bone tired from the night before. And, after he rested, he would need to return to Hollybrook Park to begin his inventory.
“Thank you for bringing me to see the dolphins,” she said again.
“It was my pleasure, Samantha.”
“I should return…”
He didn’t want her to go yet. In fact, he wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t dare.
“I will escort you back,” he offered, then led the way back down the path, holding tree branches out of the way and pointing out exposed roots so that she did not trip just as he had done when he escorted her to the edge of the cliff.
By the time they reached the dining room, many of the inhabitants of Nightshade Manor were already breaking their fast. A few raised eyebrows at their entry, and there were half smiles. He would need to make certain those who showed the most interest did not start meddling in his affairs or Samantha’s.
Samantha had hoped to see more of Cassian, but after breakfast, he left again. Not up the stairs but out the doors to the terrace. She had assumed that after not sleeping the night before he would want to go to bed. Instead, he left the manor and did not return.
For the rest of the day, she assisted Antonia, her mother and Lady St. Alban make plans for the wedding celebration. Not that Samantha had anything to offer. She simply took notes. However, that did not stop her from glancing at the door each time someone entered, hoping that it was Cassian, except it never was. And as much as she tried to suppress the disappointment, it would not go away.
Why did she want someone who clearly did not want her?
Why was she fascinated and drawn to Cassian when he had done nothing to encourage her affection?
