Page 95 of An Unwitting Alliance
Auntie Evans suddenly stopped walking. “Go on ahead, Mr. Harwood. I have something I must say to my niece.”
Tom hesitated, not wanting to leave Cassie’s side again. He met her gaze, hoping his eyes communicated what his mouth would finish later. He nodded his agreement to Auntie Evans and took a few steps ahead.
He was not far when he heard her say, “Cassandra, dear, your father told me about the broken engagement.” His footsteps slowed so he could hear what followed. “Since circumstances have changed for you and your family, I see no reason you cannot come live with me and be my companion. I would be most happy to have you.”
Tom forced his feet forward again. Cassie would have a choice this time. She deserved it.
Chapter 30
Aunt Evans waited in thecarriage while Cassandra stepped into the inn in search of Tom and the others. She found Tom in the small drawing room with his arms around Alan. A dry sob escaped Tom’s lips. His hold was fierce and tender, and it choked her with emotion. She held back at the door, not wanting to interrupt.
Tom pulled back and took the boy’s face in his hands. “Next time you want to see your mother’s grave, ask me. I will take you there myself.”
Alan’s large eyes welled with tears, but a small smile climbed up his face. “Yes, sir.”
“Not sir. Call me Tom.”
“Tom... can I live with you now? Please? I like you, and we get along well enough. I don’t want to go back to the workhouse.”
“I’ll find you a good home; I promise. What matters now is that you’re safe.” He pulled Alan into his arms.
Cassandra retreated slowly, feelings of intrusion pushing her away. She’d been ready to barge back into Tom’s life and demand he recognize his feelings for her. But their tentative love was not what mattered now. This precious, grieving boy had no one, and he needed Tom more than she did. And Tom, who had been hiding behind his wide smile and carefree ways, was broken too. He needed Alan in order to be whole. They were the missing pieces for each other.
She turned and stepped outside, her eyes lifting to the sky for answers. The colors of the sunset merged together like the crush of emotions overwhelming her, some beautiful and bright, others bleak and self-defeating. The slice of light at the bottom drew her attention as it faded from view. The sun was gone for now, but it would rise again. Her heart would ache for now, but there was hope for tomorrow.
Tom had a completely different life—one in which Cassandra did not exist. The tender scene behind her was the real reason he had needed to come to Airewell. And she could return home with the memory of the warmth of his touch and the light his smile had offered her. She glanced one last time at the sky, and the heavenly view gave her new perspective. Tom had not been talking to himself that day, she realized. He had been talking to his brother.
“Charley,” she whispered. “Tom’s going to be all right now. He has found his purpose.”
She climbed back inside the carriage, and she and Aunt Evans returned home. Cassandra went straight to her bed and lay down. She hugged her pillow and squeezed her eyes shut, praying for sleep to overtake her and make her forget.
Megan came in and set a note on the pillow beside her. “It’s from the inn.”
“Thank you.” Cassandra knew without opening it who it was from. Nothing had prepared her for falling in love, but heartbreak was just as intense of an emotion. She ignored the letter and went to speak to her father. She stepped into the corridor, and her eyes went to the room where Tom had slept for so many weeks. For a split second, she had imagined Tom to still be there. How long would it take her delusional heart to heal and move on?
Papa was in his study when she slipped inside.
He quickly stood. “You are in a lot of trouble, young lady. It is a good thing your aunt had the foresight to tell us you were leaving, or we would have been worried sick.”
“Forgive me.” She stumbled for the right words. “I had some unresolved business. In fact, you might be able to tie the rest of it up for me. Tell me clearly so I might not be mistaken. Mr. Harwood broke off our engagement, did he not?” She knew the answer, but she needed to hear it for herself.
Papa’s demeanor fell. “Your mother mentioned your repeated plea to be freed from the arrangement. Your desire coupled with Mr. Harwood’s made me reconsider. He is a good man, the very best, and you are the best of women. We never wanted either of you to be unhappy.”
What a fool she had been. Cassandrahadbegged for the end of her betrothal. Hindsight could be the cruelest form of torture. Her only solace was hoping Tom would be happier now. Despite their connection, he needed to marry in his own time—and hopefully someone far more suited for the role of a baroness—someone who did not write silly letters full of lies or collect blue cats named Tiger.
She gave a stiff nod. “Thank you, Papa. For putting aside your own desires. And my apologies. It was selfish of me to ask for you to break the engagement when I should have trusted you and Mama.”
Papa gave a slow nod. “We had hoped you would return from the inn with everything resolved between you, but that was foolish on our part. We even allowed your aunt to offer to have you as her companion to see if it would shake some sense into the both of you.”
Her brows shot up. “Papa!”
He held up his hands. “It was your mother’s idea. Women are the true romantics. I never would have thought of it myself.” He sighed. “But perhaps I should not have allowed her to meddle. We asked a great deal, didn’t we? Maybe too much.”
Cassandra said nothing. There was no point. It was truly over.
* * *
Tom stood on the doorstep of Fairview. While he’d assured himself of Alan’s well-being, he’d sent a letter ahead to Cassie, begging to speak with her and begging for her not to give up on them. He’d come back as quickly as he could. He straightened his clothes and pressed down the back of his hair. Lands, he was nervous. Would Cassie even want to see him? Walking away from their engagement was the greatest gift he could think to have given her. But would she let him return and try to court her properly? Did he even have anything to offer her with all the reservations and fears he was working through?
