Page 38 of An Unwitting Alliance
Another letter? “I hardly want to know what updates you have sent her already.”
“Just the highlights.” Mama grinned, her enthusiasm effectively hiding her fatigue. “I mentioned how excited Mr. Harwood became during your introduction.”
Cassandra grimaced, remembering that day all too well. “He called me by the wrong name.”
“But he was flustered, darling—that is what is important. And I had to write about the kittens. Darling things.”
“They were not given with any romantic inclination, I assure you.” Mama was determined to believe things just as she wished.
“My resolve has only grown after knowing him better. Your father said Mr. Harwood paid Mr. Adams for his time and refused to be reimbursed. And I heard he entertained the boys all evening to distract them from worrying about me. Such a service should make you swoon.” Mama raised an expectant brow.
Cassandra could not deny it; she was impressed. But drat that man! He was not doing his part to end their engagement. He was confusing her and everyone else.
“He is a good man,” Mama continued. “One you should be proud to be tied to.”
She was beginning to agree, but her feelings and resolution mattered too. She wanted to find her own way—to prove to herself, her family, Patricia, and everyone else that she did not need her parents to find her a husband. Mr. Harwood had been forced into her life, and nothing about their association was at all natural. Even if they were starting to form a friendship, she didn’t want just attraction and amiability but trust and a promise of love. Perhaps it was her fatigue from the long night, but her frustration mounted. “I know it’s ungrateful of me, but I assumed my marriage would bemydecision.”
“You attitude is always your decision, which is why I know you will come around.”
Cassandra groaned and stood. She knew an argument on this topic could last for days if she started one, but Mama’s health and the baby’s were more important than her strong feelings about marriage.
“Just give him a chance, dear. You will see what we see. I promise.”
“I’ll try,” she forced herself to say, more to appease her mother than out of any actual personal commitment. She excused herself and made her move to the door. The pressure was suddenly too constricting to handle in her own fatigued state.
“And let me know the minute there is a positive development!” Mama called.
Not in the mood to talk anymore, she waved her hand behind her before slipping into the corridor. Once in her own bedchamber again, she went and got straight into bed. She did not even remember her head hitting the pillow.
Sometime later, she awoke to the girls squealing and running down the stairs. They had likely escaped Nancy and were heading straight for Mama. Leaping from her bed, Cassandra tore out of her room and into the corridor. Empty. But Mama’s door was wide open. She raced toward it and skidded to a stop on the threshold. The girls were already on the bed and climbing over Mama.
“Girls!” Cassandra cried, but they hardly listened to her or her Mama’s pleading for them to stop. Their incessant giggles only heightened, drowning out any voice of reason. Cassandra hurried forward and pried Jane from Mama’s side. Her sister wriggled in her arms, but Cassandra held tight.
“Bethany, you must be more careful,” Cassandra said as her sister wrestled herself under the covers next to Mama.
“Is everything all right?” Mr. Harwood stood in the doorway, looking serious for once.
Cassandra sighed. He might be earnest in his concern, but she knew he would be absolutely no help. Where was Nancy?
“I hate to ask it of you,” Mama said to Mr. Harwood, “but would you take Bethany back to the nursery?”
“I don’t want to go to the nursery!” Bethany whined. “Jane tipped over the tea things, and Nancy will make us help clean it up.”
“As you should,” Cassandra said.
Mr. Harwood came up beside Bethany and extended his arms to her, his fingers curling and beckoning her to take them. His face, however, was most reluctant. Cassandra felt a little sorry for him. He’d not come here willingly, and now, along with an unwanted betrothal, her chaotic family was being thrust upon him.
Bethany took one look at Mr. Harwood and hid herself deeper under the covers.
“Shall I fetch Papa?” Cassandra asked.
“He had a quick errand to run this morning.” Mama’s hand went to her chest, revealing the stress not present in her words.
“No need,” Mr. Harwood said. “Bethy will not want to miss visiting the kittens in the stable. Will you, Bethy-Tall?”
Bethany’s head popped out of the blanket. “You mean Tiger?”
“I mean Tiger’s brothers and sisters.”
