Shackles of Honor (43 page)

Though there were other times of great sorrow shared with Lady Carlisle, much of Cassidy’s time was spent in pleasant and intimate conversation with her. Oh, how much she learned about the woman who would be part of her family one day. With each moment spent with Devonna, Cassidy admired and loved her more.

During her remaining waking hours, she rode or walked with Mathias ever at her side. She was beginning to truly adore the animal
,
and he made her feel safe even for the odd things that were about her. He had quite the obvious personality
—
playful, protective
,
and rather carefree. He was so very comforting and often brought a smile to her face simply by sitting down on his haunches and tipping his head to one side as though he were asking her a question. What an adorable beast he was. Not unlike his master.

And the days wore on and on…comfortable in some regards for Cassidy, but ever Masonless and lonely.

Chapter Twelve

The incidences of disappearing objects or feelings of being watched began to occur several weeks after the engagement was announced. Letters Cassidy received from her mother would simply disappear from her vanity. She was certain of where she had placed them. But when she returned to read a comforting passage, she would find several missing, only to discover them later in some odd place where she did not remember leaving them. Objects in her room were in one position when she searched for slumber at night, only to appear in another when she awoke the next morning.

No doubt Katie was overly excited about arranging the items in her own new home and felt the need to try new things in Cassidy’s room as well. At least that was the explanation Cassidy gave herself. However, she could not fully convince herself that these occurrences were her weary and insecure mind playing tricks on her. Yet were they really anything of substance about which to worry? She decided
not
and went about her business.

Once or twice, when dear Mathias was not about, Cassidy was able to ride one of the
Carlisle
horses out to the cliffs and sit quietly on the grassy meadow that overlooked the sea. There she let her mind dream on Mason as the horse nibbled contentedly on the meadow grasses. She never stayed long, for she often fancied she was being watched by some invisible presence. She concluded finally that this was her overwhelming guilt at visiting the cliffs when she knew it would disturb Mason so greatly. Still, they were so alluring somehow—forbidden attractions. The time came, however, when her discomfort and guilt were so overwhelming that she did not linger. Thereafter, for the most part, when she was not with Lord or Lady Carlisle, Cassidy preferred to walk to the lake, enjoy the sweet smell of spring flowers
and
the cooling breezes playing with her hair, and sit on its banks to watch the swans that frequented the place.

There were six swans
,
she finally determined—beautiful white swans floating gracefully on the water’s surface here and there. They gave the landscape an air of majesty and anyone watching an inclination of having just stepped into a charming magical painting, more beautiful than reality. Almost daily Cassidy watched the magnificent birds, ever awed at their grace and beauty. She even named them, though it was impossible to tell which was which. She liked to imagine they were enchanted beings that knew her and counted her a friend as well.

Once she fell asleep under the large oak near the lake only to awaken and find two of the swans nestled nearby as if protecting her somehow. When she moved toward them, they stood and
,
making their way back to the lake, floated away like some enchanted vessels born of the water.

One afternoon, after visiting with Lord Carlisle and noting his worsening condition, Cassidy’s tears of impending loss stung her eyes
,
and she craved fresh air and a cool breeze to dry her face. If there was one thing she truly loved about Carlisle Manor, other than its heir, it was that the gardens were so beautifully kept. They gave her hope somehow
,
and she sought them now. Walking along the paths here and there, she reached the last row of beautifully sculpted hedges
that
trimmed the lake. She wondered if the swans would be there today to reassure her of the hope and beauty of life.

Stepping from behind the long row of hedges, Cassidy was astonished at what she saw. There, on the banks of the lake, were not six swans but rather two young boys. Recognizing one boy as Gabrielle’s younger brother, Martin, she surmised the age of the other to be approximately eight years. They had constructed several rough toy sailboats from pieces of wood, twigs
,
and fabric. They were so engrossed in their play as to be completely unaware of her. Even more astounding than the boys
,
wading in the water well up to their knees and shrieking and imitating canon fire, was Mason
,
with trousers rolled above his knees, shirt gaping open
,
and hair mussed, involved wholeheartedly in their game.

“I’ll get yours, you blasted posh!” Mason shouted, tossing a small pebble at one of the toy ships. “
I, Rogue Blood the Pirate,
take no pity on the
q
ueen’s men!”

“Aye! Your flesh will feed the fish of the sea this day, Rogue Blood!” one boy called out, tossing a pebble in the direction of Mason’s ship. Only at that moment did Cassidy notice the ship closest to Mason had a very rough drawing of a skull and crossbones on its tiny flag. “Turn the fleet!” the young lad shouted.

“Aye, Captain!” Martin called out with an effort to deepen the intonation of his youthful voice. Back and forth the boys and Mason tossed pebbles at each other’s ships. Always they made the sounds of battle with their voices.

“Pppwwwqqqquuu!” Mason growled low in his throat.

“You rat, Blood!” Martin shouted as his ship began to list to one side. Again Cassidy heard the sounds of boys imitating battle in their throats. Martin’s ship listed heavily, finally going keel up. Cassidy smiled as the lad put his hand to his heart and dramatically recited, “To her grave, the grand ship sailed. Her crew all dead, their faces paled.” Cassidy wrinkled her nose in distaste, however, as the boy continued the verse,
obviously of his own authoring.
“Bathed in blood and eyes poked out…the sailors died without a doubt.”

“Bravo, Martin!” Mason exclaimed, applauding the boy. “Well done. Indeed, well done!”

“It’s your best verse yet, Martin,” the other boy added as the toy ship remained floating keel up in the water.

“Avenge me, lads!” Martin shouted after bowing in acceptance of his praise. “Avenge me…Captain Martin Ashmore…and my ship, the Hendrickson! Death to the pirate Rogue Blood!”

“Death to Rogue Blood!” the remaining boy shouted.

Cassidy was enthralled
,
d
elighted
, and amused.
As she watched Mason continue his play with the boys, she wondered
—
had she seen him smile so continu
ous
ly before? She determined she had not. It was a delightful scene to behold.

“Prepare to be boarded, Blood!” shouted the boy whose ship still sailed.

“Never!” Mason bellowed. “Never! Attempt it, ye scum of the sea, and I will slit your throat clean through!”

The lad tossed a particularly large pebble
,
and Mason’s ship listed to one side.

“They have opened the hold, men!” Mason shouted in agony. “The dirty dogs! Farewell to ye
,
Cap’n Rogue Blood! Farewell, brave pirates of the good ship Swash ‘n Blood. Sail on…sail on…on the bottom of the sea!” A shout of triumph erupted from the two young boys as Mason watched his ship go keel up in the water.

“Set sail triumphant…oh, sailors true
,
” Martin began, “
for Blood is dead. H
e’s seafood stew.”

There was more shouting of prevailing glory. Cassidy covered her mouth to stifle the giggle wanting release at the boy’s verse. Her mirth was cut short, however, when she heard the boy unknown to her ask, “Who is that woman, sir?”

Quickly she looked to Mason
,
who turned in the direction to which the boy pointed. Immediately his joyous smile lessened. It did not disappear altogether, but it did lessen.

“That, my boy
,
” he stammered, “is Miss Cassidy Shea.”

“Well, what’s she doing spying on our battle?” the boy indignantly shouted.

“She’s Mr. Mason’s betrothed, Gregory,” Martin answered.

“Well, what’s she doing spying on us?” the boy named Gregory asked again, obviously irritated with Cassidy’s presence.

Mason paused for a moment before answering. “Well,” he began finally, “Rogue Blood did not go down with his ship, for pirates are all selfish and are often not as loyal to their crews as a true sailor would be. No. Rogue Blood swam the distance to Captain Gregory Watt’s ship.”

“Mine?” Gregory asked.

“The very same,” Mason said, putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “And sneaking aboard
,
like the rat that he is…he came upon the captain’s very chambers. And what think you he found there?” The boys shook their heads and shrugged in silence. “Why…the captain’s true love…Lady Cassidy Shea! That be what he found there. And do you know what he did then, lads?” Again the boys shook their heads
,
and Cassidy watched as Mason began striding slowly toward her. His expression was that of intense mischief and gave Cassidy cause to step from him. “Why, my boys…he took her captive, he did!” Cassidy gave a shriek as he lunged forward and took hold of both her wrists in his strong hands.

“Blast!” Martin exclaimed. “Did he? Did he really?”

“Of course he did,” Mason chuckled. “And the good lady
—
for she was ever so afraid of being taken by the dastardly Rogue Blood
—
the good Lady Shea struggled and struggled.” Cassidy was altogether enchanted by the light and mirth evident in Mason’s eyes. Suddenly she was delighted and exhilarated that she should join in their game.

“Unhand me, you blackguard! How dare you touch the captain’s maid?” she exclaimed breathlessly. “Help me, Gregory! Oh, help me! I’ve fallen prey to Rogue Blood!”

Mason raised his eyebrows in startled approval. “Ha
,
ha!” Mason laughed maniacally. “I have you in my clutches, Lady Shea! And there you will stay!” he mumbled with an alluring grin.

The next thing Cassidy knew, the ground had jumped up solidly to hit her squarely in the back.

“Oof,” Mason groaned and Cassidy felt his heavy weight land on top of her. Opening her eyes, for she had closed them as she began to fall, she saw both boys throwing fists at Mason as they sat on his back and legs. Mason was lying on Cassidy, holding her wrists to the ground at either side of her head.

“Release the maid, fiend Rogue Blood!” Gregory shouted.

Mason’s gaze captured Cassidy’s for a moment
,
and she was instantly mesmerized as his eyes glowed with warmth and delight in her direction. “Never!” he shouted suddenly and rolled onto his back, throwing the boys this way and that. “She is pirate booty now!” he shouted.

With the screams of men in battle, the boys pounced on Mason. He gave them a rough wrestling before, groaning, closing his eyes,
and
hanging his tongue from his mouth, he feigned death sprawled out on the grass. Cassidy smiled and resumed her role as Gregory walked to her, offering his hand to help her stand.

“Oh! Oh, bless you, Captain,” she sighed dramatically.