Shackles of Honor by McClure Marcia Lynn

Author:McClure, Marcia Lynn [McClure, Marcia Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Distractions Ink
Published: 2012-04-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Cassidy! Oh, Miss Cassidy! What a grand sight to see last night!” It was Katie’s voice. As Cassidy struggled to open her eyes, so greatly did they still crave unconsciousness, Katie rambled on. “Your gown was by far the most elegant, the most beautiful there! And you looked no less perfect than a mysterious princess out of some fairy tale!” At last Cassidy’s eyes were able to force themselves slightly open, and she saw Katie busily straightening her chamber with Cassidy’s ball gown draped carefully over one arm as she bent to pick up her slippers.

“Oh, don’t do that, Katie. Please,” Cassidy mumbled as she sat up in bed.

“It’s my job, miss. Friends or not, I’m employed here, and I intend to stay that way. Still, Thomas says that Mr. Mason’s generosity may ensure that I won’t have to work for someone else forever.”

Gasping, Cassidy threw aside her quilts and leapt from her bed. “Oh my, no!” she exclaimed as she went to the basin and pitcher to freshen herself. Katie’s words had come like an earthshaking noise to her ears. In all the excitement, in all her anxiety of the day before, she had neglected the one important thing she had meant to do. She had not thanked Mason for his gift to her—his gift of Katie’s and her Tom’s happiness.

“What is it, Miss Cassidy?” Katie asked, alarmed at her mistress’s sudden haste.

“Nothing. I…I’ve just forgotten to do something very important. I…” Cassidy stammered as she rushed about her room readying herself.

“Your family is not yet awake, nor the master’s family either. You’ve no need to hurry. There’ll be a late breakfast for all, including the guests who have stayed over,” Katie informed her. “But, selfish as I am…I couldn’t wait to wake you and discuss last evening!”

“Mr. Mason? Has he been about this morning?” Cassidy asked, blotting carefully at her freshly washed face with a towel Katie handed her.

“He’s off and gone already, Miss Cassidy.”

“Gone?” Cassidy exclaimed, perfectly disappointed. “Gone where?”

“Business, miss. He left word that he would not return until just before dinner.”

“Oh.” She would have to wait to give him her thanks. There was no alternative.



The day was pleasant enough. There seemed to be a great and heavy burden lifted from Cassidy’s mind now that it had been announced to the world that she and Mason would wed. Somehow it helped to calm her to know that he did indeed seem intent on fulfilling his duty. Further, the remembrance of their intimate moments in her chamber following the ball lingered heavily in her mind, giving her heart moments of an odd fluttering and rather breathless sensation.

All talk between Cassidy and the others at Carlisle Manor seemed frivolous and uninteresting as she waited throughout the day—waited and waited impatiently for Mason’s return. How ungrateful he must think her! To grant her extreme request, so rapidly, but not to have received a word in thanks. Surely he would understand that the day had been chaotic! There were many people and things to attend to.

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