Page 15 of Enchanted By the Lyon
“Who is she and why is she here and not at her own residence?” Josephine asked with another frown.
Cassandra took a sip of her tea as she decided how best to answer her friend and hoping she wouldn’t have to explain much more. “The lady in question is Mrs. Emily Yates.”
“Ahh. Now I understand,” Josephine declared, clearly knowing the woman’s reputation. “Doesn’t she live on the other side of town?”
Cassandra nodded. “Yes, and it’s not the best of locations but as you surely know, we do what we must to survive.” She explained what had occurred earlier in the day, and then said, “Given her situation of being accosted on the street and what she was unwilling to tell us of her assailant’s identity, we thought it best if she stayed here. I don’t believe it would be safe for her to return home. At least not yet. And honestly, I don’t think it’s safe, either.”
“I pray she wasn’t too injured,” Josephine said softly, reaching for her teacup.
Patience nodded. “She’ll be fine in a few days. A few bruises and scratches. However, the memory of what almost happened to her could linger for years.”
“That poor woman’s situation could have been so much worse,” Cassandra agreed. “It was a good thing Moriah and I came along when we did. I was shocked that no one else was bothered to come to Emily’s aid.”
Moriah leaned forward in her chair. “It makes me grateful that none of us suffered from abusive benefactors when we had to resort to making our arrangement with our past lovers. Anyone of us could have been poor Mrs. Yates.”
Cassandra remained silent while her past nightmares flashed briefly in her mind. She knew what Emily had gone through, having been through the same horrible treatment a time or two in her own past. Now she shook herself. Those were just memories now and she had moved forward. She was unmarried, true, but she was also safe and independently wealthy. She could help Emily feel safe, too, at least. “What’s important is that she will heal. In the meantime, I have offered to allow her to stayhere as long as she likes. I’ve asked Higgins to look for suitable staff to see to her needs along with a nurse to look after her.”
Patience smiled. “That’s very gracious of you, Cassie.”
Cassandra shrugged off the comment. She couldn’t allow Emily to return to her own place and possibly come to harm again. “Maybe she’ll consider buying the place when she’s feeling better. Heaven knows I need to sell it so I can continue on with Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s plans.”
Josephine laughed. “I’m so happy it’s finally your turn, Cassie, after all you’ve done for us. What can we do to help your cause and who is the lucky gentleman with whom she is pairing you?”
Moriah chuckled before giving Cassandra a wink. “You’d better refill their tea before you inform both Josephine and Patience as to the name of the lucky gentleman on whom you’ve set your cap.”
Cassandra heaved a heavy sigh before pouring more tea for her friends. “I don’t understand why you’re so dead set against Lucius Ford as a possible husband for me, Moriah,” she said while Josephine and Patience’s teacups rattled on top of their saucers.
“Lord Blackthorn?” they asked in unison.
Moriah raised a knowing brow toward Cassandra, her silentI told you sonever leaving her lips.
Cassandra decided then and there that she would put an end to whatever scenarios were flitting through her friend’s heads. “I honestly don’t know why any of you would object to Lord Blackthorn becoming my possible husband. Is he, or is he not, a most beloved friend of each of your husbands?”
Moriah gave a huff of indignation. “Men always stick together, Cassie. You know that.”
Josephine nodded. “Of course, they’ve been friends for years, but that doesn’t mean I want you marrying a man who wouldnever remain faithful. You deserve better than to come in second when he decides to one day take another mistress.”
Patience turned worried eyes toward Cassandra before reaching for her hand. “You know I’m here for you whatever you decide but you can’t blame us for being worried and concerned.”
Moriah set her cup down. “I have to confide in you… Vincent told me a little of Lord Blackthorn’s past when I voiced my concerns about him. Apparently in his youth he had an unfaithful fiancée. He was madly in love with her and she threw his love back at him full of stab wounds. It’s the reason he has very little trust in women.”
Cassandra pushed aside her teacup while she contemplated her friend’s words. “That certainly explains a lot and we can all understand our ability to not trust a person. Still… You may not think he has any redeemable qualities, but I will have to disagree. Besides, if we can change our appearance and return to being regarded as respectable women within theton, why can’t Lucius change too?”
Moriah cursed beneath her breath. “Sure… make us feel like we’re one of those uppity Society women who turned their noses up at us in the past.”
Cassandra shook her head. “I’m not trying to make you out to be some horrible person, Moriah, I’m only pointing out that if we can change, perhaps he can as well. Besides, each and every one of your husbands were much in the same situation until each of you entered their lives. I am certain all of you would declare your husbands will always be faithful to the vows took with you.”
Josephine gave a light laugh. “Well, if I were a betting woman, and sometimes I am, I’d bet that if anyone can bring Lord Blackthorn around, it will be our dear Cassandra.”
Patience joined in with a giggle. “I’m willing to wager my new hat on it,” she teased.
Cassandra waved her hand. “No sense on making any wagers, ladies. But what I do need is your support. I know none of you have been going to the Lyon’s Den lately but there is a masquerade planned for next week and—”
Josephine nodded. “I received an invitation just this morning.”
Cassandra watched as each of her friends nodded because they also had received an invite to the ball. A happy coincidence? Perhaps, but it was possible Mrs. Dove-Lyon was up to some kind of matchmaking and the ball was a part of it. Whatever the reason, they would all be able to attend and hide behind a mask. And be anonymous.
As she began to tell her friends of her plans to return back into Society, Cassandra’s hope grew that maybe, just maybe, she would finally be able to let her heart heal enough from past hurts and abuse and allow trust—and maybe even love—fully back into it. Now, if only Lucius could do the same…
