Penelope clapped her hands together and did a few twirls, reminding Cassandra that she was still just a child, no matter the insight she’d just delivered as if she had decades of experience behind her.
A handkerchief materialized in front of Cassandra.
Offering Devlin a grateful smile, she snatched it up and dabbed her eyes. “I must apologize to you for my behavior. It was unjust of me to criticize you as I did without good reason.”
“On the contrary,” he murmured, “I believe you had every reason, Cass.” A startled gasp escaped her, and she instinctively looked up into his dark brown gaze. “Perhaps, when you’re ready, you’ll explain it to me so I might understand?”
“It’s terribly difficult.”
“And very important, I reckon.” He held out his elbow and she placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Perhaps a small reprieve is what’s called for. Penny! Turn right up ahead.” He lowered his voice to a more conversational tone and told Cassandra, “There’s a restaurant I’d like to show you.”
Set in a rustic courtyard where tables and chairs stood between a series of orange and lemon trees, La Primavera created a leisurely atmosphere where time appeared to stand still. It was exotic and romantic, appealing to all the senses with the intoxicating perfume of citrus and spice, of unevenly plastered walls and smoothly worn cobblestones, and a fountain gurgling at the center.
They dined on sardines, mussels, and a flavorful combination of rice, meat, vegetables and shrimp. Cassandra and Devlin shared a small jug of fruity red wine, the grapes of which were reputedly harvested by the establishment’s owner, while Penelope enjoyed a glass of freshly pressed apple juice.
“Dev,” Penelope spoke beneath her breath while eyeing the neighboring table. “Are those people eating snails?”
Devlin discreetly glanced sideways while sipping his wine. “It appears so.”
“That’s disgusting,” Penelope muttered, scrunching her nose. “They might as well be eating worms.”
“Some people do eat worms,” Devlin said, earning a horrified look of revulsion from Penelope and causing Cassandra to snort as she did her best to swallow her laughter. “They’re actually considered a delicacy by the indigenous people of New Zealand.”
“Really?” As revolted as Penelope looked, she must have been slightly intrigued as well for she quickly followed her question with another. “What other strange things do people eat?”
“Snakes, frogs, insects…though I’m not sure they themselves find it strange. And neither would you if it were your usual fare.” Devlin helped himself to a few more mussels. “In South Africa there are often vendors with baskets full of big, fat, juicy caterpil—”
“Ew!”
“Penelope,” Cassandra chastised, even though she understood her daughter’s outburst perfectly and almost felt compelled to reprimand Devlin as well for inappropriate conversation during a meal, “That’s enough. Remember your manners and concentrate on eating the rest of your food.”
Penelope stared down at her plate where her half-eaten fish lay waiting. “I think I’ve lost my appetite.”
“You ate several mussels though,” Devlin pointed out. “They’re not so different from snails in terms of—”
“Can we please discuss something else?” Cassandra asked, her patience with both of them wearing thin.
Instead of looking sorry, Penelope and Devlin just grinned like a pair of scoundrels who’d secretly conspired to tease her all along. It brought into sharp focus the bond they’d forged not only during the last ten days, but over the course of their six year acquaintance. There was more between them than friendship alone – a fondness that promised to turn into love.
Swallowing against the knot forming in her throat, Cassandra forced a smile. She envied what they had, hated the acuteness with which it reminded her of what she’d lost, regretted not having the courage to try and secure something similar for herself, and loathed the fact that she was so petty she actually wished Penelope wouldn’t enjoy Devlin’s company quite so much.
“All right,” Devlin said. If he noticed her tight expression, he chose not to comment. “How does a visit to some of the town’s historical monuments sound? The Romans built a theatre and several temples as well as a bath. Then there’s the Muslim influence if that has your interest, several churches, some castles and…well, we probably can’t see it all in one day, so if you’re amicable to the idea, I’ll take you to the places I like the best.”
Cassandra found that to be an excellent plan. Emotionally drained from the sentimental attack on her soul, she needed something besides sad memories and heartache to blot out the pain. Penelope wanted to see her happy. It was in fact her greatest wish, so it was time for Cassandra to do what she could in order to make that happen. Exploring Lisbon more closely seemed like a good beginning. It would offer a wonderful distraction and maybe, hopefully, help create new memories with Penelope and Devlin for her to look back on later with pleasure.
Chapter 10
“I was wonderingif I might be able to tempt you with an evening walk on the deck,” Devlin said to Cassandra two days later. They’d sailed from Lisbon that morning and were just finishing their evening meal. Devlin knew it was probably underhanded of him to make the suggestion with Monty, Bronswick, and Penelope present since it would make it harder for Cassandra to decline. But devil take it, he wanted her company. In private, for a change. Without her lying in bed, tormenting him with lusty thoughts.
“I, um…” She cleared her throat, sipped her port, glanced at Penelope, and took another sip of her port. Was her hand trembling? “I should probably help Penny prepare for bed.”
“I can do so myself, Mama,” Penelope said.
Devlin hid a smile.
“But what about the story we’re reading together?” Cassandra asked.
“You can read for me after your walk, if you like.”
