Master Clovis had taken his leave early that morning after the ball, as smug as a duke, and it wasn’t until the afternoon that Mistress Lywin came to gloat about the news of her daughter that their mother learned the whole of it. Cassia had ushered Gynelle upstairs after a sad half-hour and made sure no one besides Gynelle knew that Cidel was actually his second, albeit first successful, offer of the evening. Alyria would have had her head if she found out.
The woman spoke so loudly downstairs Cassia hardly missed a word. “I was sure he would offer to one of my daughters,” her mother exclaimed to Mistress Lywin. “We had even discussed it, you know, he and I. Good riddance to him, I say,” huffed Mistress Retton. “And of course, felicitations etc. etc. to you and yours, Mistress Lywin.” she finished off.
And so the days and weeks moved on through a cold, bitter February with Cassia tending Gynelle in her heartbreak. The militia did stay for a month longer, and Alyria made it her personal quest to dance with every single member, as though the dancing would make up for Master Clovis’ choice in marriage. Lieutenant Malum called on their family three times during the ensuing month and so genuine were his manners that Cassia could not believe what High Mage Darkwood had said.
One afternoon Alyria whisked into the parlor. “Tonight is the last dance before the militia moves from Meryton. Won’t you join me Cassia?”
“I don’t think I can. Mistress Laine will have to be your companion. Gynelle has caught another chill and I best stay and attend to her.”
“But you must come say good-bye to our favorites. Deston, Malum,” pleaded Alyria.
Cassia had attended last weeks’ assembly and the assembly two days earlier.
“Tell Malum we all shall miss him,” said Cassia to her sister. “But don’t fawn over him. He’ll not have you, Alyria. Did you not see him at the last assembly? He clearly pursues Mistress Reginia. I have no doubt they will be engaged within a month. You can’t go around flirting so openly with men. It’s not becoming.”
“Oh, stop preaching! And Mistress Reginia, that skinny little thing? I can’tstandher. They say she is an heiress. She came from Shropshire with some ability, though I can’t remember what exactly it is…”
“Well,” said Cassia, wishing to return to Gynelle upstairs, “too much has been stolen from the man on account of that horrid Darkwood. Let Malum seek his fortune as he pleases. Wish him luck in London, for he will surely chase her there.”
Alyria bit her lip and touched a dark curl. “Ugh, you’re probably right. It’s well known by everyone now that Darkwood truly mistreated poor Malum.” Cassia nodded sadly. The whole affair had been talked of in their circles after he had quit the country with Blythesome. One more strike against that despicable party.
“Remember to employ your best behavior,” said Cassia as Alyria turned out the door. Alyria huffed and bounced through the doorway.
* * *
Alyria was a mess after the regiment departed. Cassia tried to speak pleasantly with her sister and explain that more men of quality would eventually, someday, cross their paths, but Alyria didn’t seem to believe her. She was at a loss without Mistress Laine to entertain her.
At the end of March, Cassia and Gynelle left to visit the new Mistress Clovis. “Good-bye Father,” Cassia bid her father as their trunks were loaded. Gynelle had already said her adieus. They would take a carriage to Rosings and spend two weeks with their friend. If nothing else, Gynelle’s removal from Longbourn would hopefully improve her health and take her mind away from Mage Blythesome.
Her father’s embrace ended and he pulled back, looking Cassia in the eye. “Take care of Gynelle for me,” he said. “I don’t know what I’ll do around here without your and your sister’s influence on us all.”
Cassia winked at her father. “I wish you luck!”
Master Retton looked her in the eye. “I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” she replied as he handed her into the waiting carriage.
“Give my respects to Master Clovis and enjoy his truffles!” shouted their father, waving, as they pulled away. She was sure he thought Clovis as preposterous as she did.
Cassia clasped Gynelle’s hands and leaned close. “I’m glad you’ll be there to laugh with me,” she said. Gynelle nodded. Who knew what oddities they’d be exposed to at Rosings Park and its rectory.
Chapter Seven
“Mustwe really submit to our aunt’s antics?” Gaius bit off a piece of his apple and shook his head. “Every March we come to visit and her events and outings know no end!”
“Oh, come now, Dark,” said Caliazo, sinking so deep into an armchair in the Rosings sitting room that it nearly swallowed him whole. “We owe it to both of our mothers to come here every year. I know Aunt Hepsabah is eccentric, but it’s only a few weeks. Can’t you employ a sense of pleasant dignity for that long at least?”
Gaius tilted his head. “It’s harder than you think when one does not have your natural cheer.”
The whine of a door caused both men to stand as Magess Crazy herself entered.
“My esteemed aunt,” bowed Caliazo. Gaius cleared his throat and followed suit.
“Now gentlemen,” she said, and did not sit but outstretched her hands, “tomorrow a few acquaintances of our rector’s new wife will be visiting. They are sure to be very much beneath us all, but I hope you will overlook their lack of abilities and more than likely low manners, and still welcome them as gentlemen should.”
“Do you intend to introduce them to a more magical heritage?” questioned Gaius with shrewd eyes. The more time he spent with his aunt, the less he trusted her, though he couldn’t say exactly why.
“Indeed. I feel a great need to help provide experiences to those with little Merlinian blood.” Her lips curled into a grin that Gaius classified as unflattering.
