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“The youngest children spend much of their time in the nursery and the bedrooms on the top floor, where they make a great deal of noise and are occasionally forced by their patient tutors to learn things like reading, writing, and history,” Naomi said with a grin.

“Several of the older Tremaynes are pursuing their interests elsewhere,” Tamsyn added. “For example, Giles is studying medicine in Edinburgh and Alan is an ensign in the navy. It’s very rare for all of us to be home at the same time, but we try to have a family gathering in the summer when travel is easier.”

Naomi said shyly, “I want to become a modiste with my own shop. Next month I’ll start working as an assistant to a very successful modiste so I can learn the business.”

“You certainly have the fashion sense,” Tamsyn said. “Putting up with the customers will be the difficult part!”

Naomi rolled her eyes. “I’ve had plenty of experience putting up with Tremaynes, so I should be very successful.”

They all laughed.

Later, it was time for Casey’s dancing lesson. She enjoyed it more than she expected. There was an amiable dance instructor, and for partners she had Cade, Rhys, and also Bran Tremayne, who had just arrived from Cornwall with his wife, Merryn. Tamsyn, Merryn, and Gwyn joined in, and they all had a fine time.

Casey could sense the bond between Cade and Bran, who were clearly brothers of the heart. Tamsyn had told her how as very small children, the two boys had escaped together from a horrible childhood. At the end of a dangerous journey from Cornwall, they’d found Rhys and Gwyn. The senior Tremaynes had done so much good with their warmth and generosity!

By the end of the lesson, Casey was stepping on fewer toes and she wasn’t tripping on her skirts. And as Tamsyn had said, dancing was fun!

That night Cameron stayed at an inn close to the Chatham dockyard. He could have stayed at Casey’s cottage, but it would have felt strange to be there without her. Yet even at the comfortable inn, she was in his mind.

He recognized how deeply she was rooted in his heart. He’d always been very fond of people of the female persuasion, but something about Casey touched his soul. He’d liked having her under the same roof. Even more, he wanted her in his bed.

But what was it about her that was so special? Her combination of strength and vulnerability? That was part of his attraction, but even more was her essence, which was unique and enchanting. With sudden shock, he realized that this was love: the essence of Casey that resonated with his own essence. He’d seen this with others, but now felt it himself. So strange. So wonderful.

He knew he mustn’t rush her when she was experiencing so many dramatic changes. He’d never even seen her in female clothing, yet he knew beyond doubt now that she was the woman for him, now and forever more.

As he rolled into his bed, he reached out to her mentally, trying to touch her essence. To his delight, he succeeded, feeling first her surprise, then her pleasure. The feeling was extraordinary. There were no words between them. Only warmth, and that carried him into sleep. Together …

CHAPTER 14

After breakfast the next morning, Casey headed to Rhys’s office to work on the Tremayne accounts. She was smiling since she still felt the warmth that had flowed between her and Cameron in the night. Was this a common thing between gifted people who were close? She’d have to ask Cameron when he returned.

As she and Rhys finished the morning accounts, he said, “If you’re looking for a permanent job at Tremayne House, I’d be happy to take you on for this kind of work.”

Startled and pleased, she raised her gaze to his. “I’d like that. I’m receiving so much from the Tremaynes that I’d like to give something back.”

“The benefit is mutual.” He gazed out the window at a leaden gray sky. “A winter storm is coming. A severe one, I think.”

Casey frowned. “Will it prevent Cameron from making it home before the ball?”

“It could,” Rhys said seriously. “We’ll have to wait and see. But I know he’ll do his best to be here. Luckily most of the Tremaynes and other friends who planned to attend the ball have already arrived in London.”

Casey had really been looking forward to dancing with Cameron at the ball, but if the roads were too treacherous, better he be delayed than risk himself. Sending him good travel wishes, she headed downstairs and lunched on a hot bowl of potato leek soup, fresh bread and cheese.

Then she warily presented herself to Naomi. “What will you be inflicting on me today?”

“We’ll start by going down to the kitchens to wash the brown color out of your hair,” Naomi said. “Once you’ve returned to your true color, we can choose the ball gown fabrics that best suit it.”

“Your seamstresses will have to work very fast to have the gown ready for the ball. Perhaps I can skip the ball and spend the evening reading in my room instead,” Casey said as she followed Naomi down to the basement kitchen. She was wearing the shawl and morning gown Naomi had had made for her and was becoming more used to the skirts. But wearing men’s clothing was easier and warmer.

Naomi made her remove the shawl and morning gown and swathed her in a vast piece of oilskin to protect her shift. “I’m going to smell like a pickled onion!” Casey muttered under her breath during the first vinegar rinse.

“Luckily most men love pickled onions!” Naomi said cheerfully. “It’s going to take several rinses to get your hair to its original color.”

Since Casey was curious what her hair would look like after all of these years of drab false coloring, she endured Naomi’s ministrations patiently through several rinses. After two final rinses with warm clear water and thorough towel drying, Naomi held up a hand mirror so Casey could see the results. “Your hair is a really lovely color,” she said admiringly.

Casey looked into the mirror, and gasped. Her hair had darkened a bit over the years, but now it was an even richer golden blond. It was not the hair of an unmemorable clerk. “Now I really don’t recognize myself!”

“There are wealthy women who would pay a fortune to have hair like yours,” Naomi said. “But no matter how much they spend, it won’t look as good as your natural color.”