Samantha's face burned at the mention of Cassian and her entire being filled with humiliation.
“What else did he say?” she asked slowly.
“He was just concerned with how you were feeling given your state last night.” Petra smiled as she poured a cup of tea.
Samantha groaned. “What happened after I returned?”
“You do not recall?”
“Not really.”
“It was obvious you were dejected and when we asked what had happened, you said that he would never love you.”
Oh God, she can't believe she admitted having deeper feelings. “Then what happened?”
“You poured another glass of wine, drank the whole thing and then said you were going to bed.”
“That is all?” she asked with hesitation.
“That is all.”
“Did you tell Cassian what I said after I returned?”
“I can promise you that none of us did, not even his sister, Nina.”
Thank goodness for that but it still didn't lessen the pain and humiliation that she suffered this morning. “Do you think anyone would believe that I am too ill to attend the wedding?”
“Even if you were, it is not allowed. The mothers have warned us to be there, be cheerful and smile no matter how badly a head is pounding.”
Samantha fell back on her bed and pulled the blanket up over her head. “But I am not one of their children,” she reminded her friend.
Petra pulled the blanket away from her face “Your mother was one of those mothers so I suggest that you drink your tea, rest a little then begin preparing for the wedding.”
She may do what was expected of her, but that did not mean that she would fully participate and would hide away the best she could and hope that Cassian did not notice her, or worse, want to talk to her.
More than anything, Samantha wished that she could forget that last night ever happened and if it wouldn’t be for selfish purposes, she’d find a spell to erase his memory too.
Chapter 23
Cassian entered the drawing room to find all the chairs from the dining room had once again been moved in here and placed in rows, an aisle separating them similar to a church, that led to an arch filled with flowers nearly ready to bloom. The vicar from Christ Church was at the front and spoke quietly with Chedworth. Beside the groom was Chedworth’s brother, Simon. Near where the bride would eventually stand was Petra to also serve as witness.
Many of the relations for Chedworth were slowly entering the drawing room to take their seats for the wedding, but it was Samantha who he looked for, but she had not yet arrived. In fact, he waited to sit because he wanted to speak with her but as the chairs filled and the bride appeared just outside of the doors, he had no choice but to slide into a chair at the back, noting that one on the opposite side of the aisle remained empty.
Was she going to miss the wedding?
Was she so terribly ill from last night?
Yes, she had been drunk, but maybe he should have been more concerned about the fairy grog. If a human drank too much, supposedly they could die.
Except, if Samantha was deathly ill, there would not be a wedding right now.
On the other hand, Chedworth was so anxious to wed Antonia that he would not be put off another day.
Would Antonia wed while her friend may be in mortal danger?
He looked around the drawing room at everyone who had gathered. Several of the family did not look their best, and likely from a night of overindulgence, but nobody appeared worried. And Samantha’s parents and brother were here so he was making far more out of her absence than was necessary. Yet, Cassian could not help but worry.
Blast!
