Page 100 of An Unwitting Alliance
“Why did we stop here? Are we not almost to your home?”
“Yes, but I wanted you to have the best view for your first impression.” He held back a branch and led her through the gap. There it was. Rivenwood, in all its glory.
Cassie gasped. “Tom, you should have told me.”
“Do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it! If you would have shown me your house first, it would have saved you a lot of trouble. I wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to get rid of you.”
Tom laughed and pulled her to him with an arm over her shoulder. “If I ever court you again, I will do so.”
She wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned in to his side. “You say the most ridiculous things.”
“Indeed, but once I show you the rest of Brookeside, I fear you will adore it so greatly that you will find yourself tolerating more and more of me. And after we meet my parents and tour the house, I want to show you the Dome, where the Rebels meet. Think of it as a glorified gardener’s shed. It will have to do as a place of reprieve until I can have something built for you here. And trust me, it will be beautiful and surrounded by bellflowers—with me as a constant fixture, of course.”
“Tom, you live in an enormous manor house. I shall not lack for rooms to escape to here.”
He laughed. “Well then, I shall impress you with something else.”
“I am simply happy I will have you as my husband.” She rested her head against him. “And I look forward to making friends with the Rebels. While I am glad Patricia returned the items she took and is attempting to make recompense and things will be better with my friends in Airewell, a fresh start here will do me good.”
“I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you desire to know my friends better. If they ever displease you, though, you must tell me so I can avenge you. I still regret not being by your side when you confronted Miss Pollard, and I will not let you down again.”
“I shall depend upon it.” Cassie had barely finished her sentence when a small force rammed into his leg. He looked down to see Alan. “Where did you come from?”
“Mother Vail sent me to find you. She said you were taking too long and I was to fetch you.” Alan had adopted Tom’s term of endearment for Mrs. Vail.
“Why is it that she does not want us to be alone now?” Cassie shook her head. “She would have been all too happy to hear of you stealing a quiet moment with me before.”
Tom leaned over and stole a kiss, its briefness only teasing him for more.
Cassie grinned. “What was that for?”
“You reminded me that we will not have time with just the two of us until after the wedding.”
“Mother Vail said I was not to let you do anything improper.” Alan looked up at them with his innocent brown eyes. “Should I not tell her about the kissing?”
“No, Alan,” Cassie said, reaching down and clasping his little hand. “That will be our own family secret.”
Their own family.
Tom could not get enough of the sound of that. His fears still crept up on him and made him overthink his decision, but all it took was a moment with Cassie and Alan, and he was reminded of his mother’s words. Some things were worth the risk. Cassie and Alan were precisely that.
“Can we go see my new room now?” Alan asked, tugging on Cassie’s hand.
Tom grinned. “Of course we can.”
Together they returned to the carriage to ride the remaining way to the house. It took only another five minutes for them to pull in front of the sprawling manor. After descending from the conveyance, Tom captured Cassie’s arm in his own and led her up the path to Rivenwood with her parents, Nancy, and Alan following behind them.
The door flew open, and his parents hurried down the steps, first embracing him and then turning to greet Cassie.
“You are most welcome, Miss Vail.” Papa bowed deeply. “It is so good to finally meet again. Tom is fortunate to have you for his wife-to-be.”
Mama clasped Cassie’s hands, her entire countenance alight with joy. “We cannot tell you how happy we are to have you here. You must make Rivenwood your own, for our home is yours now.” She threw her arms around Cassie, not in any hurry to let go. How lonely she must’ve been living in a house with only two men all these years.
“Thank you both.” Cassie’s smile radiated over his mother’s shoulder, and everything in his world felt right.
Unfortunately, his mother was not done speaking. “And if Tom should drive you mad, which he will, come directly to me. I know a thing or two about how to deal with him.”
