Except when she had rejected his proposal with such scathing sentiment. She pushed away the recollection of her awful, hateful words.
I flattered myself at the time that your sister did not have real affection for Blythesome. Her manners were so general and amiable, I could not presume that her feelings were anything more. Additionally, Blythesome has swooned too easily in the past, with women who, unlike your sister, have tried to prey on his power and abilities. Though these reasons may appear to you ridiculous, what I did, I did to help my friend.
Cassia looked up. So he admits he ruined their relationship! He claimed he had no idea of Gynelle’s true feelings. He couldn’t have been more wrong! She let out a disgusted huff of air and attempted to school her anger.
Lieutenant Malum, however, is an entirely different matter. I believed I warned you that your family ought not maintain a friendship with the man. I did not, however, explain the full extent of my knowledge of him. I do so now, trusting you will keep it in strictest confidence, and I only relay such details to help you understand my supposed malfeasance.
Tytus Malum was the son of my father’s steward, and we grew up together, oftentimes treated as equals and brothers. Malum has always possessed happy manners, and was well liked, as I know you have found him to be. My father had hoped he’d take the rectory upon its vacancy, but soon after my father’s death, Malum declared no intention toward the church upon my offering it to him and requested an alternate sum instead. Only after this did I offer the living to Caliazo when it next becomes vacant.
Within months, Malum had gambled away every shilling, with several other large debts incurred throughout England. He then had the audacity to appeal to me for more money, which request I refused. Business soon took me to London, and he travelled to Newcastle, where my sister Athelia was studying. Her chaperone allowed them to form an attachment (for Malum had always been very kind to her as a child), and she being only fifteen and so flattered, consented to elope with him.
At this Cassia glanced out the window and froze in her chair. Could Malum really do such a thing? Surely Darkwood exaggerated.
I feel it important to add that he was aware she would receive 30,000 pounds upon her marriage.
That, unfortunately, seemed to explain Malum’s notice. Had he not already tried to marry Mistress Reginia while in Meryton?
Unknown to either of them I came for a visit, and Athelia, trusting me as she does, could not keep a secret from a brother she looked up to. I immediately sent him away. Excepting this past winter in Meryton, I have not seen him since, but I must emphasize that he is not to be trusted.
This is a faithful retelling of these two gentlemen. I must reiterate however, that people, even as close to me as Blythesome, do not know Malum’s full story, so I pray you understand I tell it in confidence.
If you wish for a further witness, you may apply to Caliazo. He is aware of my sister’s misfortune, and I know that his witness can be implicitly trusted.
I also feel to apologize for my outburst in the woods. My abilities are quite strong, and I lost control that day. I fear you experienced the oppressive nature of unrestrained magic in those trees. I hope my magic did not affect you adversely and berate myself for not seeing you back to the house that day. Please forgive me.
For your health and happiness, I wish you all the best.
Respectfully,
High Mage Darkwood
Upon finishing the letter, Cassia felt too many feelings battling within herself to make sense of any of them. That he could ruin her sister’s happiness and prospects for marriage was inexcusable.
She lit the candle she had set out and closed the window. She read the letter again. The second time proved much less emotional and more factual. She still bristled with the account of his interference with Gynelle and Blythesome, but the retelling of Athelia Darkwood sent a chill through her spine. She had always defended Malum, but many of Darkwood’s points made sense. Darkwood had even vouched for the veracity by offering an appeal to Caliazo to corroborate. Had his story been false, he would not have volunteered a second witness.
Now that she reflected on him, Malum did always seem low on funds, hunting for a wealthy wife, andneverhad he seemed the clerical type.
It must be true. How wrong they had all been.
Then her eyes caught on the last part of his letter. “For your health and happiness, I wish you all the best.”
If she were in love with Caliazo, why had she barely thought of him these last weeks, and recalled Darkwood so often instead? And then Darkwood had given an apology for his outburst. He realized his lack of control and ungentlemanly behavior and apologized.
Suddenly Cassia found her mind searching for their moment together in the forest with Ember. The dragon had been memorable, but High Mage Darkwood’s countenance, his words, stood out even more as she reflected on it now.
Mage Colonel Caliazo was as amiable and pleasant as gentlemen came. But she realized, as she stared at Darkwood’s sure hand, that she did not care for Caliazo in a romantic sense. Now she was sure. She did not wish for their continued relationship.
She read the letter once more before crawling into bed. Thankfully her family had been leaving her alone in these past few evenings. Cassia could not yet forgive Darkwood, but he did not seem as bad as she once thought him. He hadn’t tried to use his magic in the woods to persuade her to marry him. He knew he had lost control and acknowledged it. He did not have easy, inviting manners, but his character was good. There was more to him than met the eye.
Of that she was sure.
Chapter Twelve
The Retton sistersendured the doldrums for the next few weeks, dragging into the middle of May. Though Cassiadidfind herself thinking of a certain dragon, a certain letter, and a certain High Mage with increasing frequency.
“Why must our aunt take just you to the north?” whined Alyria during one of the most boring days. “It isn’t fair.”
“I am sorry, Alyria,” said Cassia, exhaling quickly and then trying for compassion, though knowing this was the fifth re-explanation this week. “It would be discourteous to ask for more.”
