She tried to pick up the fork but it was no use. She could not grasp anything.
Cassian simply grinned and speared a piece of chicken then held it up to her mouth so that she could eat.
It was very odd having Cassian feed her and in any other circumstance, she would be quite embarrassed about needing assistance, but in this instance, she would starve if not for him.
When Samantha had eaten her full, she waved away another bite.
“May I have more water please?”
He refilled the glass and let her drink.
With a sigh she leaned back against the settee. “Thank you, I feel much better now.”
“Whatever you need, just ask.”
She had wanted a kiss once and he told her no, so she knew he did not mean what he said.
Samantha shook the thought from her mind. Now was not the time to dwell on her other humiliation.
“How did you come to Nightshade Manor and why do you need to return to France?”
Chapter 28
The apples of her cheeks bloomed to a deep red as she glanced away and he was glad to see that she appeared healthier than when he first entered. Maybe it had simply been that she was hungry and thirsty. Likely tired as well.
“I was not going to be intrusive, and it had been my intention not to ask anything, but I also cannot help my curiosity.”
There really was no harm in telling her. Everyone knew and Cassian was a little surprised that Samantha did not. Then again, she had not known Nina was his sister until recently.
“My father was Comte de Rohan, which is of equal status to an English Earl. Before the Revolution, we were quite wealthy and my parents affluent; however, they were not part of court and my mother hated being forced to attend the king and queen at Versailles.” At least that is what he recalled. The only time his parents were unhappy was when they were called away. “We had a chateau, large estate and winery.” He smiled with memories of playing in a maze and stomping of the grapes. “Then the Terror began.” Cassian grew more sober. “Father took us to the coast so that we could flee to England. It did not matter that he did not support the King and Queen, he was still a lord, wealthy and landed…” Cassian blew out a sigh.
Samantha placed a hand on his arm. “If it is too difficult to speak of…you really do not need to tell me, especially if it is too personal.”
“It is not that,” he assured her. “It is not as if you are making me remember something forgotten. I remember every day.”
“Still, if it is too painful…”
He truly did not mind telling her and even though the events still brought sadness, it wasn’t the deep pain of loss he had suffered as a child. “Father went to a friend and booked us passage on a ship but he was arrested before we could leave. My mother was able to get us safely aboard. The ship was bound for a town north of here. I think it was my mother who had friends there, but I was not certain, nor was I told any names.”
“Your mother brought you here instead?” Samantha asked.
“No. A fierce storm blew up as we neared the coast around Bocka Morrow. The ship’s captain wanted to put in to port, at least that is what I recall, but the storm was too bad to allow him such control and it was tossed about and then broke up not far from here.”
“Oh, no.” Samantha placed a hand over her mouth as she realized what must have happened.
“My mother was lost to the sea but Nina and I were washed ashore, with the help of the Nereids and found by the family who was residing at Nightshade Manor at the time.” He shook his head then poured a cup of tea for himself. “As a child, I resided with the Cardwells until I was sent to Eton. After I returned from university, I took up residence in the Sacred Grove and I never believed that I would ever leave again.”
“Why is that?”
“Nina. I was responsible for her being there, so I returned to her so that she was not abandoned.”
“How was that your responsibility?”
“She was going to die,” he said quietly. “She should have died because her injuries were grievous. There was only one way to save her and that was if she became a Dryad. I was six. I did not understand that by making that choice for her that I was deciding her fate and future. I only thought I was saving her life.”
“Which you did. I have met Nina, and she seems perfectly happy.”
“Because she is no longer attached to the grove, but until a year and a half ago, she could not leave it. She grew up in the Sacred Grove, her only companions were ancient Dryads when I was at school. I was not going to leave her alone for the rest of my life after I was the one who was responsible for her not having a choice of what her future would be.”
