“Actually, I…” She couldn’t accept, even if it meant her father would be upset at her for weeks. And her mother’s hopefulexpression didn’t help, either. Cassandra would be letting down her parents, but right now, she couldn’t worry about that.
She cleared her throat and met the earl’s stare. She wondered if he could really see her. “Lord Wheatly, I appreciate your offer, but I need to rest a spell. My head has been pounding with a headache, and I fear I wouldn’t be good company.”
The man blinked as surprise washed over his face. She wondered if he had ever been turned down before, because he obviously didn’t know how to react.
“Uh, I suppose I can allow you to rest.” He grinned crookedly. “I shall find you in another hour and we will go then.”
Her first instinct was correct. He couldn’t take no for an answer.
“An hour?” Her father’s voice lifted. “I’m sure my daughter will be feeling well in thirty minutes.”
He made it difficult to respect him, especially right now. “If you will excuse me, I shall be resting in the powder room.”
Cassandra turned and hurried away from them before hearing the man’s answer. She wasn’t looking forward to hearing her father’s tirade when they got home. If only he had consumed as much spirits as Lord Wheatly, then maybe she would be all right.
The closer she came to the powder room, the faster her legs carried her. Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it. Closing her eyes, she took in deep breaths, trying to calm her ire.
How was she expected to take this kind of treatment? It didn’t matter if most girls her age were betrothed to men they didn’t know and would never love—she couldn’t do it. She would rather be a spinster. Then again, living with her father would drive her insane. The only other thing she could do was find employment as a maid or seamstress. Getting away from her parents was the only way.
Cassandra snapped open her eyes and scanned the room, looking for a way out. She moved into the adjoining room and stopped, catching her breath. Her means of escape shone like a beacon through the fog. The window would be easily accessible for those ladies thinking about fleeing unwanted proposals.
Without a second thought, she rushed to the window and opened it. Thankfully, a chair was nearby, which helped her reach the level needed. She sat on the edge and daintily swung her legs toward freedom. Although this was still the nicest gown she owned, it could be repaired if ripped.
The distance between the window and ground would not be an issue. Then again, she hadn’t grown up proper, so climbing trees—and jumping out of them—was easy. Both she and her sister had gotten away with so many stunts during their adolescence that most girls would have been reprimanded for. Perhaps having no money had helped the Featherstone sisters explore more unladylike situations.
Holding her breath, she sprang from the window and landed on her feet when she hit the ground. She brushed her palms over her gown before reaching up and untying the annoying mask from her face.
She glanced around, looking to see if anyone was nearby. Thankfully, nobody gathered on this side of the manor. She prayed good fortune would stay on her side as she made her way home. The family had traveled back and forth from the manor to their humble cottage many times, and she could walk the distance in her sleep. However, because she was alone, she didn’t want trouble.
Cassandra searched the ground for a large stick and picked it up. This would be her protection. If it didn’t work, she had wrestled—and won—with her brothers, and knew where to punch them to have them crying like babies.
As she made her way toward the main road, she took different trails to keep her out of sight, especially as she passed the carriages. Thankfully, Stuart was driving Collin and Lord Kentwood, because if the family’s former servant saw her, he would certainly try to rescue her. Stuart had always been that kind of man.
It took her another several minutes of walking before she was finally off her aunt’s land. Cassandra sighed with relief. The first obstacle had been tackled. Now, if she could arrive home in one piece, she would feel like good fortune was indeed smiling upon her.
The moon was high in the sky, lighting her way. The brightness also helped her to see rodents who scurried past her on the road. They didn’t bother her. Much. It was the two-legged rodents with wandering hands, a foul mouth, and who drank too much that upset her. Hopefully, Lord Wheatly wouldn’t remember their introduction when he awoke tomorrow. She certainly would put him from her thoughts.
The steps she took toward home were slower now as she swung the stick back and forth. The light wind gradually turned stronger, but she would be fine. However, it was the clouds that hid the moon every so often that had her worried, especially as the air grew chilly. A storm was coming. She would be home before it started raining, she was sure.
Her mind returned to the moments in the alcove with Collin, and she sighed heavily. A smile stretched across her face, making her cheeks ache.
If she never saw him again, she would have a cherished memory to hold close to her heart. But she really hoped he would do as he told her and send her a missive tomorrow. She prayed his wayward friend wouldn’t change Collin’s mind about meeting up with the farmer’s daughter.
These past few days seemed like a dream, and just like any dream, they would end soon. She didn’t believe in happy endings, but she wanted to meet a man whom she liked and could easily talk with. She wanted that type of man to want to marry her, regardless of her family’s situation. It didn’t matter if that man was rich—she just wanted to be happy. Of course, she really wished that man was Collin.
The first drops of rain hit her face, and she groaned. So perhaps she wouldn’t quite make it home before the rain came.
The pounding of hooves on the road ahead made her pause. All she could see was a shadow of the single rider. Even though she was nearly home, she must not let the rider see her. As if her family name wasn’t ruined enough, her walking alone in the dark would be reason enough to ruin her own name. She couldn’t have that.
She searched for a tree to dart behind, and at first, she couldn’t find one. But if she hurried, she would reach the thick trunk and hide before the rider was upon her.
Cassandra lifted her gown and ran. When she reached the trees, she flattened her back against the trunk. Breathing heavily, she tried listening for the horse’s hooves on the road, letting her know when the rider passed. But after several seconds she hadn’t heard the rider, and panic settled in her chest. Had they noticed her and stopped?
The rain drizzled from the tree, faster now. Tightening her fingers around the stick, she held it against her, ready for anything. She closed her eyes, straining to hear where the rider could have gone. There were no roads he could have turned on before reaching this point, so he must be somewhere close.
The hammering of her heartbeat was too loud, so she tried holding her breath to see if it made a difference. It didn’t. The seconds were passing by and still she hadn’t heard anything.
Finally, a horse’s snort echoed on the breeze. The rider was close. He must have spotted her.
