“Are you so certain that St. John stood idly by?”
I looked at him with disbelief. “I was there! I heard no exclamation from Griffin. I saw no attempt by him to stop his brother. I heard no protestations against the slander, no defense of my innocence!”
“Perhaps, my dear, that is because you took us all by surprise in leaving so precipitously. I admit I was just as stunned by Sherringham’s rudeness as anyone in that room, but you did not give me time to gather my wits before you left.”
“I did not feel strong enough to take another blow,” I said dryly. “I thought it an opportune moment to make my escape.”
“No one would deny you the right to leave the room after having been so insulted,” he agreed. “Because of that, you were not present to witness what happened after you had done so.”
Well, that made me curious. “What happened after I left?”
“Your young man was an admirable sight to behold. It made me feel young again, watching him. There was a time when I was courting Caroline that she decided to test my devotion by amusing herself with a baronet…but I won’t bore you with that ancient history now. No, my dear, your young man did you proud.”
“What did he do, exactly?”
The white eyebrows beetled at me for a moment. “He made himself clear, in language that should not have been used in the presence of ladies, as to his opinion of his brother. Once that matter was finished, he turned his attention to Robert Hunter. I’m a little confused as to why he was under the impression that Hunter was engaged to you—he’s not is he?”
I shook my head.
“I thought not. It was fairly apparent who the object of Hunter’s attention was, to everyone but her brother, I should say. Regardless,” he said, eying me speculatively, “St. John grabbed Hunter by the back of his collar and said something about finding you. He left the room with him in tow.”
I said nothing, but chewed my bottom lip in thought.
“When they could not find you on the street, St. John almost knocked Hargreaves down trying to get the information from him that he had seen you run upstairs. The rest you probably know. All in all, I was most impressed with the behavior of your young man.”
“I don’t think he is my young man anymore,” I said sadly.
“Really? I believe that will come as news to the gentleman. My dear,” he leaned forward and put a hand on my knee, “a word from one who is much older and wiser than you: do not test the love of a man by games and deceit. All too often such plans end in sorrow.”
I left shortly after that. Rather than go home and face my family, I cravenly chose to spend the morning at the hall devoted to my favorite charity. There I helped assemble clothing, books, and other donated items in boxes to be sent to needy women. It was a soothing task, and mindless enough to allow me to continue the interesting thoughts that had been generated by my conversation with Uncle Henry.
“Off home, are you?” one of the women asked as I was leaving the hall.
“I’m not sure…” I hesitated as I stood on the front steps, trying to decide what I should do next. “There is a meeting to discuss the leadership and future of the Union scheduled for noon. I suppose I should attend that, although…oh, I’m just being silly. I’ll go.”
There were a large number of women in the meeting hall when I arrived. Since I am tall, I sit in the back so as not to obstruct the view from behind me, although the current fashion in hats makes it difficult to see no matter where one sits. I found a few empty seats in the last row and took one behind a woman who was wearing a simple straw boater, and was congratulating myself on my choice of seats and looking through my pockets for my notebook, when a hand gripped my arm.
“Cassandra! My dearest friend—”
“Shhhhh!” the woman in the straw boater silenced Helena.
She looked at me pleadingly, and I rose and slipped out of the hall with her. Outside of the meeting room she turned and grasped me in a fierce hug. “Oh, my dearest Cassandra! Can you ever forgive us? Can you ever forgive me for having such a beast of a brother? What must you think of us?”
Fearful that she was working herself up to an embarrassing dramatic display, I walked her outside. A half-block away was a tiny square. I led her there and deposited her on a bench. She held a handkerchief to her eyes as she gazed at me with remorse.
“For heaven’s sake, Helena!” I said in an exasperated tone, sure any kindness would result in more tears. “Collect yourself. I am fine.”
“But—what you must think—”
“I think nothing unkind about you, I can assure you,” I said fondly. “I don’t blame you for your brother’s rudeness.”
“If you only knew how I feel about you. How we feel about you.”
“Thank you, I know how your elder brother feels about me,” I said with a smile. “I would rather not be forced to listen to any further expressions of his opinion.”
She looked down at the gloves she had twisted off her hands. “I am thoroughly ashamed of Harold’s behavior last night. I can only apologize to you for his rudeness. He is a proud man and sometimes seems a little irrational, unwilling to listen to reason. But Griffin and I—” She stopped, choked with emotion.
Despite my irritation with her dramatics, I felt tears gather in my eyes. She flung her arms around me and sobbed, “Oh, Cassandra, you are like a sister to me!”
I was touched by her sentiment, but embarrassed by the scene. I knew if she continued, I’d be in tears as well. I patted her in a comforting manner, and urged her to control herself.
“Is it true that you climbed down the ivy?” she asked when she had done so.
“Yes. It’s not as difficult as you might think. I used to climb out my bedroom window as a child. I was quite good at it, as a matter of fact.”
“But why did you run? That is, I understand why you ran from the drawing room—I cannot think of anyone who would want to stay in the same room after they had been so insulted—but why did you run from Griffin?”
I glanced at her, then looked away to watch a haughty elderly woman slowly promenade by with an equally elderly Scottish Terrier. I was torn between telling Helena the entire situation, and a reticence to embarrass myself further. “I had no other thought than to make my way home as quickly as possible. I was not running away from any one individual.”
“But Griffin said you refused to see anyone last night. He and Robert spoke with your brother-in-law, and they all went to your house to see if you had gone there.”
“I wasn’t aware of that. It was kind of your brother to be so concerned on my behalf.”
Helena stared at me with a variety of expressions, surprise and pity plainly visible, followed by a gentle, sympathetic look. “Cassandra, be kind to Griffin. I…he…I know you’ve only known each other for a short time, but he really cares for you very much. I don’t worry that I am breaking a confidence. I’m sure you must know how he feels; it is very apparent when he looks at you. Please, I ask you as a sister who loves him, do not be too hasty in judging his faults.”
Indignation filled me at her initial words, but soon gave way to a deep sadness. I watched her twist her gloves, and wondered how much money she spent each month in replacements. “I’m afraid whatever affectionate feelings Griffin held for me have been destroyed, due in part to his stubbornness and my inability to explain the situation.”
“What do you mean?”
I looked around us. We were alone in a corner of the square, with no one but the elderly Scotty and owner. I felt I could speak freely. “Griffin heard me tell Robert that I loved him.”
“Oh?”
I felt, rather than saw, Helena withdraw, and hastened to explain. “That is what he thought he heard, what he did not hear was me telling Robert in what manner I loved him. I have known Robert since I was a little girl, and have always loved him like a brother. In fact, he is dearer to me than any brother could be, because—well, someday he will make someone so very happy.”
/> Helena let go of her breath suddenly, and beamed at me. “You love him as a brother. Yes, of course. A brother. That makes perfect sense.”
“Griffin, being an adorable but extremely pigheaded man, heard only the first part of my speech, and left so quickly I could not explain the situation to him. Now he thinks he’s being noble by not standing in the way of my happiness, when really—really—”
I couldn’t help the tears from filling my eyes. Convinced that contact with Helena was making me prone to emotional scenes, I looked at her pitifully.
“—you are terribly unhappy,” she finished with a sob. “Oh, my dear, can you ever forgive me for lecturing you! How could I tell you to be kind to Griffin when he has been so unkind to you?”
She sniffled into her useless lace handkerchief. I searched through my bag and pulled out two sensible linen ones. Dabbing at my own eyes, I handed her one. “I’ve taken to carrying an extra since I met you. Did Griffin tell you about the two men last night?”
“Two men?” A frown formed. “Why, no, he didn’t. What two men?”
“A man attacked me as I left my aunt’s house. I don’t think they meant to attack me, you understand. I was just in the way. I suspect they were lying in wait for Griffin.”
“No,” she said faintly, her hand to her throat.
I thought what a shame it was that Helena would never be on the stage, and continued. “Later, when we were in the park—”
“You were in a park?”
“Yes. Helena, I am afraid someone is behind these accidents your brother has been having lately.”
The color drained from her lovely face.
“Furthermore, I believe Griffin suspects that as well. It was my impression that the two thugs who followed him last night were the same two who attacked him in your house.”
“Who could want to hurt Griffin?”
“I couldn’t say. I suggest you ask him about it.”
“Oh, yes, I will. He must take precautions. He must leave for his trip immediately!” She saw my face fall and tried to comfort me. “If he is out of the country, he will be out of harm’s way.”
“I hardly call travelling to far away, uncivilized locations out of harm’s way. Besides, do you not agree that it would be safer for him to stay here, where he has the assistance of his family and friends, not to mention that of the police?”
“That’s true. I hadn’t thought of that—he must stay home. You must make him see that. But Cassandra! He’s gone to see you this morning to apologize for Harold’s unkind comments. You haven’t seen him?”
“No. I left early to go to my aunt’s house. He probably arrived after I left.”
We stared at each other for a moment.
“Romantic misunderstandings, mysterious attackers, flights in the night…honestly, Helena, sometimes I think I’m caught up in one of those old gothic novels my grandmother used to read,” I said, unable to keep from laughing.
She giggled with me, and after we collected ourselves, I rose. “As long as we are here, we shouldn’t miss the meeting. They will be deciding about the future of the Union.”
We did miss a good portion of the meeting, but managed to be present for Maggie’s debate. A brilliant orator, she once again swept the audience up with her vision of women’s suffrage, playing on our sense of duty, adventure, and outrage. I did my best to keep Helena’s feet planted firmly on the ground, but I could not do the same for the other women in attendance.
The meeting ended in confusion, nothing having been decided although sides were clearly being drawn. The future of our protest at the upcoming election speeches at Exeter House was in question, with both sides claiming proprietorship.
We left the meeting hall still debating the merits of each side. As we arrived at my sister’s house, Helena suddenly stopped her argument, and placed a hand on mine. “You will explain the misunderstanding to Griffin when he comes to you?”
“If he comes to see me, and if he gives me the opportunity, I shall certainly set him straight on the subject, have no fear.”
“And you will talk him into staying home, where he can be safe?”
“I will try, but I doubt if my opinions carry much weight with him.”
She waved good-bye, and I entered the house with some foreboding. Mabel pounced on me as soon as I took off my hat and coat. “Cassandra! Where have you been? I have been frantic with worry!” She frowned as we walked upstairs to the sitting room. “Mr. St. John came to see you. We were alarmed when we could not find you. And Cousin Freddy is here to see you. He is in the library with Joshua.”
“I’m sorry, I had no idea anyone would be looking for me. I was at a meeting with Helena.”
“Really, Cassandra, I think you might have a little more concern for us. We were worried about you ever since that horrible episode last night.”
“I felt the need to apologize to Aunt Caroline.”
She sat in a comfortable chair and picked up her needlework, a pinafore she was embroidering for one of the girls. “You might have left word that you were leaving. What Mr. St. John thought—he looked most hurt and distressed.”
I hardly thought hurt and distressed would describe Griffin’s feelings, but I endeavored to retain a charitable thought towards him.
“He came especially to see you. That brother of his! I’ve never seen such abominable behavior. Whatever you and Helena St. John might have done, I don’t believe there was any cause for such an outburst, and in the middle of a dinner—”
This was a slight exaggeration, however, since I wanted to avoid seeing Freddy, I let Mabel chatter on.
“—I really do not know what he could have been thinking. But, Cassandra!” She put down the pinafore and looked at me steadily. “Whatever else you may say about him, Mr. St. John was very unhappy.”
I listened to her lecture hoping that while it lasted Freddy would leave, but as luck would have it, he found me at last. Mabel gave me a pitying look and excused herself. I stood with my arms crossed and a stern, unyielding look on my face, hoping to intimidate my would-be swain.
“Dearest cousin,” he said, taking my hands to kiss them. He was his usual handsome self, his eyes filled with warmth and concern that I suddenly found suspicious. “I heard about last night. Are you all right? Uncle Henry said something about you being escorted home by St. John, but I could not rest until I had seen for myself that you were not harmed.”
“I’m fine, Freddy, thank you. It really was nothing, just a little contretemps, and then I took a silly notion to leave without anyone seeing me.” His fingers tucked a loose curl behind my ear. I suppressed a grimace at the touch, and moved over to the couch. “I appreciate your visit, but I’m afraid it’s must be a brief one. I have an engagement that I have to dress for—”
Freddy dropped to his knees. I sighed.
“Beloved Cassandra, most precious of all women, this time you cannot refuse me, not after last night.”
“Freddy, please, not again.”
He took my hand in his, his eyes glowing brightly. “You must see that you have no other choice. Without me at your side, you will continue to be vulnerable. I can offer you much, beloved one, not just my protection, but my heart, my devotion, my life if you wished it.”
“I’m sorry, Freddy, I can’t think of how to say no in a manner that you will accept, so I will simply say this: I have given my heart to another. I will never marry you.”
His fingers tightened painfully around mine. I tried to pull my hand back, but his grip was too strong. “You would be wise to think twice about refusing me.”
“Are you threatening me?” I asked, shocked.
“Of course not. I would never do such a thing,” he said smoothly, his face earnest, but his eyes calculating.
“No, but you would talk to a man in a rabbit suit shortly before I was attacked,” I said slowly.
“Rabbit suit?” He did a very good job of looking surprised. “Attacked?”
“Yes. At the St.
Alban’s ball the other night. I saw you speaking with the man who later attacked a friend and me. I heard you mention my costume to him before that.”
“My dearest cousin, you do me grave injury,” he protested. “As if I could do anything to harm you. I mentioned you to several people at the ball that night. Many of my friends had very complimentary things to say about your outfit. That is no doubt what you overheard.”
It wasn’t, and we both knew it, but I didn’t feel in possession of enough facts to challenge him on the subject.
“I am appalled that you were attacked, but this does prove the validity of my concerns about you. You must see that to deny me any longer is the sheerest folly.”
“I see nothing of the kind. I won’t have you, Freddy, and that’s final.”
There was a curious flat expression in his eyes that sent a sudden chill of horror skimming down my back. I had seen that look before, usually just before my father inflicted some new form of punishment. “I have it in my power to make you a very happy woman—or one who will think back to your days with your father with longing. Heed me, Cassandra. You will be mine.”
“Not in this or any other lifetime.” I went to the door, threw it open, then marched out of the room and up the stairs. To my great relief, he did not follow, but gathered up his coat and hat and departed.
I hurried back down the stairs and poked my head into the library to inform Joshua and Mabel that it was safe to come out.
“Did he ask you?” Mabel inquired.
“For the umpteenth time, yes. And I refused him. Please don’t let him wait for me again,” I said, trying to calm my wildly beating heart. “He did not take my refusal well. I would rather not be alone with him.”
The air in the house felt tainted by Freddy’s anger, so I rounded up the two dogs and took them to the square across the street for a walk. We played in the park, chasing squirrels, leaves, and each other. Out of breath from the romp, I had to call them to me when a half-dozen indignant pugs invaded the square. After a brief scuffle with one of the more objectionable little pugs, I leashed the hounds and returned home.