The Beast of Lindenhall Estate: A Historical Regency Romance Book (Deals of Marriage 5) by Martha Barwood

Author:Martha Barwood [Barwood, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

In the next few days following the fiasco of the dinner with Terrence, who, she noticed, had departed early the next day, Cassandra felt even more miserable and alone than before. A general sense of depression weighed upon her spirits, combined with a slow burning anger deep inside her that she could not seem to shake, directed both at the men as well as herself.

Terrence’s easy conversation at the dinner had cheered her, but the feeling that something was going on between the two men above her head had spoiled any pleasure she might have otherwise found in his continuing friendship. It felt like yet another loss. In addition, it had squashed all her resolution to approach Malcom about having the music room opened up, and she despised herself for being so cowardly. Plus, inexplicably, his jibe about hating the Ton for forcing him to wed her, still stung.

She was so discouraged, she had begged off dinner for the next two evenings, pleading a megrim, unable to face sitting in silence in the dining room for over an hour with Malcom. She had no doubt he would be pleased.

But later on, it had suddenly occurred to her that that might have been his goal all along. Becoming certain of it on reflection, she resolved to attend dinner henceforth, however down she felt, out of sheer spite.

“Oh, milady, you look so pale,” Anna told her one morning when she came into Cassandra’s chambers with the tea tray, her young face etched with concern. She placed the tray on the nightstand and scrutinized her mistress more intently. “I am worried about you, milady.” She pressed her small palm to Cassandra’s forehead and held it there for a few moments before removing it. “Hmm, you do not seem to have a fever. But you have hardly left your room these past three days except to ride, and I know you have you not been sleeping well. Should I call the physician? Do you need a tonic or a powder?”

“No, thank you, Anna, I do not need any of those things, I assure you,” Cassandra replied, pushing herself up against the pillows and stifling a sigh for the maid’s benefit. “I am just a little indisposed, that is all. Please do not fuss. You know how I dislike it. Now, please pour me a cup of tea, and you shall see how quickly I am revived.”

The steaming amber liquid did have its usual restorative effect on her body, though it could not cure the ache in the region of her heart that was plaguing her so much. She missed her family and her home, she missed Diana, and she pined for London’s bustling atmosphere. She longed for simple human affection. Most of all, she yearned for music, sweet music to soothe her troubled soul.

She glanced out of the window at the weather. It was drizzling, and although the sky was already clearing and the sun growing in strength, she decided to postpone her ride for a while until the rain stopped.

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