“What sapphires?” he said, looking right at her. He didn’t even hide the fact he was lying to her.
Her fingers curled into talons. She could claw the smug smile off his face.
Soren’s hold on her tightened as if he could read her mind. “He is not worth it.”
“I’m not,” MP Holwell agreed. “And you have other matters to worry over, such as where you and your penniless husband will live.”
“I must insist these papers are signed, my lady,” the bailiff said. He sounded regretful. “The court has ordered that His Lordship’s estate be signed over to Mr. Huggett.”
“Happy marriage, Cassandra,” MP Holwell said. “Enjoy the bed you’ve made for yourselfas a York.” He turned and started back to his study, his step wobbly. “Throw them all out, Bevil.”
To his credit, the butler did not move. He appeared as stricken as Cassandra with the news. “I’m sorry, my lady. I did not know.”
“How could you?” she answered. Her gaze dropped to the gray marble floor. Her mind still struggled to make sense of everything.
Soren turned her around to face him. “We’ll manage,” he promised. “We will. Huggett isn’t a bad sort. He only wants his money. The day may come when I can purchase Pentreath back from him. Believe in me, Cassandra. We’ll come back from this.” He moved to take the ink and pen from Bevil. “I will sign the documents here.” He indicated a side table in the hall.
However, something he said struck her. Mr. Huggett didn’t want the castle. He wanted money. He wanted payment—
“Wait,” Cassandra said. “Will Mr. Huggett accept payment for the debt?”
“That is what he wants, my lady,” Mr. Brock answered.
“Then give him these.” Cassandra lifted the Bingham pearls from around her neck.
“No, Cass—”
“Yes, my lord.” She offered them to her husband. The pearls weighed heavy in her hand. Certainly they could cover whatever debt he owed. They were known for their perfection. “Pay the debt with them, please.”
He didn’t move. “They are yours. They are your mother’s legacy to you.”
“Do you have another way of payingourdebt?” she asked.
Of course he didn’t. His silence was the answer.
“The man who claimed to be my father has wasted everything that was mine on his vanity and pride. At least I know that by giving you these, you will secure the future for our children. Save ourson’sbirthright, Soren. Do what must be done.”
Her words did not reassure him. He appeared stricken, as if he’d failed her in ways that she could not fathom. He did not move toward her, and she thought she understood. There would be a cost to his pride. He had nothing to offer in return, except he had already given her so much. He had been here when she needed him.
Now, she wanted to be a buttress in his life as well.
Mr. Lloyd spoke up, “My lord? Do you wish to discuss this with Mr. Huggett? He might be very interested in the exchange. Those pearls are quite extraordinary. They could clear the debt and then some.”
Still, Soren did not move.
“Forourson,” Cassandra urged. “So that he has something to inherit.”
At last, he nodded, as if forcing himself to face what must be done. “I should see my wife to the Pulteney before I speak to Huggett.”
“I can make my own way, Soren,” Cassandra said. They still didn’t have a coin for a hack. “Take care of this matter. Let’s be done with it.”
“I’ll go with her, my lord,” Abby said from the stairs behind her.
Cassandra smiled up at the maid, thankful for her loyalty. “See, all is well. Right and proper,” she assured Soren. “You call on Mr. Huggett and I’ll be waiting for you at the hotel. Don’t let Holwell win.”
It was her last words that moved him. She could see the change. He went from being conflicted to willing to fight with all he had. He kissed her. It was a hasty kiss, one performed in front of others, but it was also a promise.
“I will make this up to you, my lady.”
