The Visitor (29 page)

“I don’t know,” Cassandra admitted, wishing she hadn’t even asked if he’d read the book. “Suddenly I doubt everything I do.”

Tate couldn’t help but wonder if her doubts would disappear if only he would declare himself. But he couldn’t do that without a better measure of her feelings, and to date, that hadn’t happened.

“May I tell you something?” Tate asked, deciding to try for the next best thing.

“Of course.”

“There is one thing you don’t need to doubt. You need never doubt my enjoying your visits. I’m sorry I’ve done such a poor job of expressing how much I want you to come. On days when you don’t, I find myself quite lonely.”

“I miss you too,” Cassandra admitted before she thought about it. Her face full of extra color, she asked, “Shall I go ahead and read?”

“Please.”

Keeping strictly to business, Cassandra did just that. She’d read the story before and only half attended. Tate didn’t listen at all, except to the sound of her husky voice, the way she pronounced words, and the proximity of her voice, telling him she was close by. He prayed for patience and for Cassandra as well. Somewhere in his heart he was certain he would be healed.

Help her, Father. Help her to be ready. If the time comes when I can see again, she’ll need to be prepared, because nothing short of Your hand will hold me back.

Collingbourne

“Hello, Morland.” Cassandra greeted him with a huge smile. They had happened down the same aisle at Benwick’s. She hadn’t been expecting it, but Cassandra was always glad to see him. Lizzy was behind her, and Cassandra was very impressed that Morland finished his greeting to her before shifting his gaze to her sister.

“Hello, Lizzy.”

“Hello, Morland. How are you?”

“I’m very well. Would you and Cassandra be available to join me for tea? I’m going to Gray’s.”

For a moment, Lizzy was caught by his eyes. She had a full list to shop for yet, but right now all she could see was this man.

“What time?”

“In an hour. Does that work for you?”

“Yes.”

Morland smiled at her, his eyes warm as he studied her. “I’ll see you there.”

Lizzy only nodded, her face having taken on a dreamy expression. She wasn’t even aware of the way Morland had gone on his way. When she came back to earth, it was to find Cassandra staring at her.

“Are you all right?” Cassie asked softly.

“Yes. How long has it been? How much longer do I have to wait?”

“Only about 59 minutes.”

Lizzy’s hand went to her mouth to smother laughter. Cassandra’s did the same. With unspoken agreement, they split up. If they stayed together they would only laugh and carry on, and that wouldn’t do at all.

When Henry came looking for them close to 40 minutes later, they had calmed down long enough to tell him of their plans for tea. Even he managed a smile at the older of his two sisters. Lizzy thought that by the time she left town, everyone would know of her feelings for Morland, but then she decided it was all right. As long as the man himself knew, nothing else mattered.

Pembroke

Tate woke early on the second day of June, earlier than usual. He could tell the day was already warm, but something more was happening. His head felt amazingly clear, his eyes utterly normal. He hadn’t experienced headaches or throbbing for some time, but today was different. Today was better.

Dr Tilney was not scheduled to check his eyes for another month, but Tate needed him today. Something had happened in the night; he was certain of it. He didn’t hurry to rouse Hastings or the household but lay quiet, praying.

I’ve been foolish and worried about a lot of things recently, Lord, and I’m sorry. Help me to keep leaving things in Your hand and not run ahead of You. And if I’m wrong, Father, and my sight is not there, please help me to keep trusting You.

Cassandra traveled home in a state of shock. Of all places to learn about Tate’s returned eyesight, she never dreamed it would be at the manse. It wasn’t that she wasn’t pleased for him; she was. But how did word travel so swiftly that Pastor and Judith would hear ahead of her?

“And to think I was headed there to read,” she said to the empty coach, so glad that she had learned in time and could tell the driver to take her home.

Newcomb Park

“Is there nothing I can say, Cassie?” Lizzy begged, tears in her eyes.

“Please don’t cry, Lizzy. It’s not forever. I just need to get away to think.”

“Just wait for Henry to return. Just wait for that.”

Cassandra looked at her sternly.

“You’re hoping he’ll talk me out of it, Elizabeth, or tell me I’m not to leave at all!” Cassandra stopped and tried to calm down, pushing Tate’s ever-present face from her mind. “Send word to me as soon as he’s gone to London. He’ll return to his life, Lizzy, and I’ll come home. Everything will be as it was.”

Lizzy held on for dear life when they hugged, and Cassandra allowed her. The look on the younger girl’s face was so crushed and hurt when she let go that Lizzy almost snatched her back.

Lizzy waited only until the coach was out of sight before returning to the house, her tears coming in a torrent. Her pain would have been double had she known that Cassandra was doing the same thing in the coach headed for Bath and Fairfax Hall.

Pembroke

Tate looked down at the note he’d just penned to Cassandra, amazed at how clearly he could see the words. He explained everything to her concerning the doctor’s wishes and his own desire to do as much as he could.

Much as it pained him to do it, he sent the letter and did not deliver it himself. For all the time he’d waited, a few more days shouldn’t seem like much, but Tate had a feeling they would be the longest two days of his life.

Newcomb Park

“Oh, Henry, you’re home!”

“What is it, Lizzy?” He gripped her arm. “Are you hurt?”

“No, it’s Cassie. She’s left.”

Henry had seen Morland on his ride and brought him home. That man stood by while Lizzy told Cassandra’s story. She worked not to cry but wasn’t able to manage it.

“I’ll go,” Morland said at one point, and both Steeles turned to dissuade him. “No,” he clarified. “I’ll go after Cassandra.”

“She won’t listen to you,” Lizzy said.

“I won’t try to bring her home. I’ll just make sure she arrives safely at your sister’s. As soon as she’s settled, I’ll return.”

“Thank you, Morland,” Henry said. “I wish to send a letter with you. I’ll put it together right now.”

Henry strode from the room, leaving Morland and Lizzy alone. Lizzy tried to conceal her blotchy face, but Morland would have none of it. He approached without hesitation and took her hands in his.

“I thought if I came back to England, it would all be so easy.”

“Did you?” Lizzy asked, a little sniff escaping.

“Yes, and now I find that the lady herself is terrified of me, and never once did I imagine our sweet, stable Cassandra capable of running from any problem.”

Tears filled Lizzy’s eyes.

“She doesn’t think she’s beautiful. She doesn’t believe Tate would ever want her.”

“Well, at least I know that it runs in the family.”

“What does?”

“The beautiful Steele sisters are all quite bad at letting a man know when he can get close.”

Lizzy could only nod, forced to agree.

“I know you’re heart is hurting right now, Lizzy, but I’m headed to check on Cassandra. I won’t come back unless I know she’s all right.” Morland stopped talking and bent very close before going on. “But hear me well, Elizabeth Steele. When I return I’ll be getting close—very close indeed.”