Shackles of Honor (12 page)

“It inf
uriates me! It makes me nauseated
,” Cassidy mumbled, glancing past her mother and out the back carriage window to where Mason rode severely behind them.

“To think of him with another woman held in the power of his arms?” her mother whispered, leaning forward.

Cassidy immediately turned her attention once more to her mother indignantly. Quickly she countered, “No! Of course not! But to think that he deems himself so noble and honorable when he has such dalliances with women.”

“Come now, darling. The truth,” her mother coaxed, smiling mischievously.

“I speak the truth, Mother!” Cassidy exclaimed, feeling her face turn crimson with a blush. “Please. Please, let us not speak of it further, Mother. I didn’t sleep well for one moment last night in that horrid inn. I would like to rest.”

“Of course, darling,” Cylia agreed as Cassidy let her head lean back against the seat of the carriage. She closed her eyes and tried to banish the vision of a featureless woman held passionately against the powerful form of Mason Carlisle—the powerful, unclothed torso that she, Cassidy Shea, had witnessed firsthand in the late hours of the night before.

The remaining trip from the inn to Carlisle Manor was less miserable than the travel the day before, since the weather was cooperative. Near to three o’clock in the afternoon, they arrived. Cassidy Shea arrived at what would soon be her home.

It is rather grand
, she couldn’t help thinking as they approached through a long tunnel of large, ancient trees that ran the length of the road to the manor. The manor was elegant yet radiated strength and power at the same time. Much of the stone wall at its front was covered in ivy vine, and bright early spring flowers bloomed everywhere.

“It’s far lovelier even than I remembered,” Cylia commented.

“I expected something else,” Cassidy admitted aloud.

Soon the carriage stopped before the large front doors of Carlisle Manor. Fieves quickly assisted Cassidy and her mother from the carriage. Looking about, Cassidy could see no sign of Mason’s whereabouts.

At once the large doors before them swung open
,
and through them fairly floated the loveliest of women. “
You have arrived, a
t last!” the woman exclaimed. “Come in! Oh, come in! We have been beside ourselves with anticipation!” Cassidy knew that the woman must be Mason’s mother
,
for she had the air of a grand lady and was beautiful beyond description.

Tentatively, Cassidy followed her mother into the house and was immediately struck by the fragrance of vanilla
—t
he same fragrance adored by her own mother and used to scent the air at Terrill.

Upon entering, Cassidy’s attention fell to a tall, youthful man standing near them. The man bowed low and slowly to Cassidy before standing erect to meet her gaze with oddly disturbing eyes. “Havroneck,” the man introduced himself. “Blythe Havroneck. But you may call me simply Havroneck.”

He was very handsome
,
Cassidy noted. And quite young to be holding such an important position as first man in the household. He stood tall, nearly as tall as Mason, broad shouldered, but thin and lanky. His eyes were the deepest of blues, his hair black as jet. There was something superior in his demeanor, as was the case in most menservants of his high position.

“I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Havroneck,” Cassidy managed
,
and the man nodded slowly in acceptance.

“Havroneck has been with us since Zeus was a babe,” Lady Carlisle mentioned, smiling at the young man.

“Not nearly so long as that,” Havroneck corrected jokingly but without breaking a smile.

“Any messages, Havroneck?” Mason grumbled as he burst through the doors and into the room.

“Yes, sir. Numerous. In the study, sir,” the man answered.

“And Father? Does he fare well, Mother?” Mason asked, going to his mother and surprising Cassidy by sweeping the woman into a firm embrace and planting an affectionate kiss atop her head.

“Well enough, I suppose. No worse than when you left. Still…no better either,” the beauty of a woman answered. Then, releasing her son, she turned to Cassidy’s mother. “Cylia, I cannot get over how well you defend yourself of any sign of aging.”

Cylia smiled, yet Cassidy sensed something uneasy in her mother’s countenance. Uncertainty perhaps. Still, Cylia answered in a friendly manner, “Flattery was always one of your greatest gifts, Devonna.”

“Only when it is sincere, darling. You know that.” Cassidy was amazed as the women embraced, and the feeling of uneasiness dissipated instantly.

Devonna then returned her attention to Cassidy
,
who could not help her nervous fidgeting with the cuff of her glove under the woman’s well-pleased scrutiny. Devonna sighed and took Cassidy’s hands in her own, standing back from her as she studied the girl. “Oh, my,” the lovely woman sighed, a smile adorning her beauty all the more. “How she does remind me of you, Cylia. You are indeed a lucky boy, my son.”

“Yes,” Mason mumbled. “Lucky.”

“Don’t tell me he’s still bantering with you, my dear,” Devonna sighed, glancing to her son.

“They’ve been near to tearing into each others’ throats all the time,” Cylia added. Cassidy did not miss the look of guilt on her mother’s face. And she was comforted by it, for at least someone of these people who had so connived to control her life was perhaps feeling remorse.

Devonna sighed once more with an odd expression of understanding. “It was no easy revelation for you to hear, my darling. I understand more than you know.”

“Thank you, milady,” Cassidy accepted.

“
And Mason!
” Devonna exclaimed
.
“Mason can be the most aggravating of young men.”

“Thank you, Mother. Another feather in my cap in the girl’s eyes,” Mason grumbled. Cassidy watched as her own mother took Mason’s arm, patting it soothingly and smiling up at him. She had the overwhelming and undeniable sense that she was the only one who was ignorant of something.

“Well, enough of this,” Devonna announced. “Go on, Mason. Kiss her. It will work wonders on her will against you!”

“What?” Cassidy heard Mason’s voice exclaim the question simultaneously with her own as they both looked at Lady Carlisle in utter astonishment at the suggestion.

“Look there,” Devonna giggled. “I’ve shocked her into submission for you! No doubt she is too astounded to move, my darling. Quickly! While the moment is still upon you.”

“Your teasing manner will be the end of you one day, Mother,” Mason warned, though Cassidy noticed the light that suddenly flickered in his eyes as he smiled at his mother.

“But, darling,” Devonna sighed
,
“I was not at all teasing.”

“Careful, Mother. The chit doesn’t know you as I do. You’ll scare her into heart failure,” Mason chuckled, bending to kiss his mother once more. He took Cylia’s hand and kissed the back of it quickly before nodding at Cassidy and saying, “Come along, Havroneck. We must get to the unattended business that has no doubt been piling up in my absence.”

But before he could take leave of them, there came from a nearby hallway the sound of large padded feet approaching at great speed. Suddenly, a large black
Labrador
, tongue hanging from its mouth in excitement, bounded into the room. The animal balanced on his hind legs as he pawed with delight at Mason’s chest.

“Mathias!” Mason exclaimed. Cassidy was instantly mesmerized by the change that came over Mason’s feature of face as he smiled elatedly at the animal. “Mathias, my boy! Did you miss me then?” Mason asked.

It was utter astonishment that overtook Cassidy next as she watched the great, angry man sit down promptly where he had stood and begin wrestling somewhat boyishly with the dog. The dog lapped lovingly at Mason’s cheek
,
and the man merely mumbled affectionate words to the thing.

Devonna frowned
,
saying, “Mason, darling. Your bride-to-be will never want of your kiss if you let that slobbering hound at your face any longer.”

“I can guarantee you, Mother, that the girl will never want of my kiss, regardless,” Mason stated, chuckling at the dog as he lapped at his master all the more. “She has her own ideas of what a lover should be.”

Instantly Cassidy was both humiliated that Mason should speak so of her in front of his mother and angry that he would be so pompous in his estimations of her.

“I see what you mean, Cylia,” Devonna Carlisle admitted, sighing heavily as she linked her arm with Cassidy’s. “Has he been thus since you first saw him, my dear?” she asked Cassidy. Cassidy did not answer
,
and her silence told the woman all she needed to know. “Then let us vex him thoroughly, shall we? He deserves no less.” Cassidy frowned, completely puzzled by the woman’s suggestion. “Come now, love,” she whispered to Cassidy. “Call the dog to you. You’ll be glad to have Mathias as a friend. Go on now,” Devonna urged.

“Mathias…come,” Cassidy commanded rather uncertainly. Instantly the dog ceased in his play with Mason and stood still, his attention directed to Cassidy.

“What are you about, Mother?” Mason asked.

At the prodding of Devonna’s elbow in her ribs, Cassidy again said, “Mathias, come here.”

Suddenly the dog began panting happily again and bounded toward Cassidy. In a moment his front paws pushed heavily against her legs.

Cassidy could not stop the delighted smile that spread across her face as the dog wagged his tail and panted excitedly as he looked up at her.

“Go on now
.
H
e’ll not hurt you, for he knows why you have come,” Devonna said quietly.

Tentatively, Cassidy reached out and stroked Mathias’
s
head firmly over and over again.

“He’s spoiled for a woman’s touch,” Devonna added, petting the animal herself several times.

“He’s a traitor is all,” Mason grumbled, getting to his feet once more. But Cassidy noted that the ever-present anger was nearly gone from his expression. “Come now, Mathias. Havroneck,” Mason commanded. Cassidy had all but forgotten the manservant standing obediently nearby until he fell into step beside Mason. “There is work to attend to.”

Mathias took no pause to consider and happily left Cassidy to follow his beloved master. Mason and Havroneck strode swiftly away, Mathias running circles about them as they went.

Devonna’s laughter was like the tinkling of tiny crystal bells as it erupted almost immediately. Cassidy’s eyes widened as her own mother seemed unable to restrain herself and burst into giggling of her own.

“You’re incorrigible, Dev,” Cylia gasped between laughter.

“I-I-I am sorry, darling,” Devonna sighed.
Then, turning to Cassidy, she said, “I’m a terrible tease
,
and I just couldn’t stand that thick soup of tension between the two of you any longer.”

Cassidy, however, was amused only momentarily and for several reasons. First, she did not like being made to feel so uncomfortable almost immediately upon entering a stranger’s home, especially when her own mother seemed to feel completely at ease. Second, she was astounded that Mason was not more defensive at his mother’s heckling. And third, and most disturbing of all, was the fact that when his mother suggested Mason kiss her, something within her thrilled into hope that he would actually act upon the suggestion!

“She has lost every bit of her color,” Devonna commented, bringing Cassidy back from her thoughts and to the conversation at hand once more.

“She has had a rough time of it, Dev,” Cylia said, placing a protective arm about her daughter’s shoulders and kissing her lovingly on the cheek. “It came as such a shock. She had seen Mason all of two minutes when the revelation was made.”