The Visitor (32 page)
Taking him to the exact door her sister had used as an exit, Charlotte stepped out.
“I don’t see her right now,” she said, keeping her voice low, “but I would go toward the arbor. There’s a seat on the other side, and she enjoys the view from there.”
“Thank you, Mrs Barrington.”
“I’m making the assumption that you’ll be staying for lunch and dinner, Mr Tate.”
“Thank you for the invitation. May I let you know in a short time?”
To Charlotte’s answering smile, he moved on his way. He heard a voice, Cassandra’s voice, talking to herself as he approached, so he stopped on the other side of the arbor, out of sight.
“Did your sister not tell you that you had a visitor?” he called.
“She did,” Cassandra returned, speaking right up. “But I’m very busy right now. I can’t see anyone.”
“That’s too bad,” Tate said gently, keeping himself well hidden. “I can see everything.”
“Tate?” Cassandra said softly after a moment.
“Yes?”
“I’m very glad for you.”
“Thank you.”
The two fell silent. Tate was desperate to see her but more desperate to be the man she needed. Wanting that more than anything aided his patience.
“I just learned that your family calls you Cassie. It fits you.”
“When did you learn that?”
“When I stopped to see you in Collingbourne and found you’d left.”
“Tate, you do understand that I am pleased for you; truly I am.”
“I know you are, but are you not happy for yourself as well?”
“I don’t know what I am.”
“What is it you want me to know about you? What is it that you think I won’t love?”
“My looks.”
“And you think those are a mystery to me?”
“Yes.”
“Cassie, I asked my aunt ages ago what you looked like.”
“But that doesn’t mean you really know.”
Cassandra held her breath when she heard him move. She didn’t look in his direction but sat very still when he came around the arbor and joined her on the bench.
Watching from the house, Charlotte began to cry. That he would speak to her from around the arbor was one of the sweetest, most romantic things she’d ever seen.
With Tate around the corner there was nothing more to see, so she went in search of Barrington. Suddenly she needed him to kiss her and hold her very tight.
Cassandra could not look at Tate. She could feel his study of her profile and wanted so much to see his eyes, but the disappointment she’d imagined a thousand times kept her gaze forward, her eyes on the lovely garden beyond.
“What are you afraid of, Cassie? I know it’s not me.”
“No, it’s not you. You’re the dearest man I’ve ever known, but every woman wants her husband to find her lovely, and I don’t think you will.”
“Do I get to have a say, or has this all been decided?”
“You decided it, Tate.” Cassandra’s voice was sad.
“When did I do that?”
“One of our first days together. You said you were being read to by one of the beautiful Steele sisters.”
“And you don’t think I was?”
Cassandra looked at him, too perplexed not to.
“You know what I mean. You’ve now seen Lizzy and Charlotte, and I can assure you that when people refer to the beautiful Steele sisters, they are thinking only of those two.”
Cassandra would have looked away, but her eyes finally found his.
“Oh, my,” she whispered. “Your eyes are blue. I never dreamed they’d be blue.”
Tate only smiled at her.
“Can you really see?”
“Very clearly.”
“What happened?”
“Just full healing, I think. I woke on Tuesday morning and knew something had changed in the night. We sent for Dr Tilney, even though it was a month early. He removed the patches, and I could see.”
Cassandra smiled at him; she couldn’t help herself.
“I’m so pleased for you, Tate. I know how much praise you’ll give to God for this, but I also admire you and the way you handled all of it. It was a huge example to me.”
“But now you’re done with me?”
Cassandra looked back over the garden, her heart feeling helpless and exposed. She loved this man. She would love him if he never owned his sight, but now that he did, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was terribly disappointed.
“I have red hair,” she said, stating the obvious.
“I can see that.”
“It’s curly and unruly most of the time.”
“Um hm.”
His tone, blatantly flirtatious, almost made her smile.
“What about my freckles?” she asked at last, turning to him in frustration.
Tate leaned close, his eyes caressing her face.
“I guess I’ll have to spend a lifetime kissing every one.”
Cassandra’s heart stopped and then thundered on.
“Did you just ask me to marry you?”
Tate moved until his forehead touched her.
“No, I did not. I would love nothing more, but I will restrain myself.”
Cassandra continued to watch him.
“From this point, we will return to Collingbourne and have a proper courtship. I will come to your parlor and gaze across at you. I will get to know your family. I will work to show you what is in my heart.”
Cassandra looked as pleased and surprised as she felt.
“You don’t find me repulsive?”
Tate laughed before saying, “It might be easier if I did.”
“Why is that?”
Tate asked himself if she could be that innocent.
“Why, Tate?” she tried again.
“It would help me with my thoughts about you,” Tate said carefully.
Cassandra continued to pay attention, but no comprehension dawned on her face.
“Private thoughts, Cassie.”
Nothing. She still didn’t know. Tate saw no help for it.
“Thoughts that need to be reserved for marriage.”
Color swept to her hairline, and Tate smiled at the sight. Irresistibly drawn, two of Tate’s fingers moved up to stroke her cheek.
“Well, that certainly answers that question,” Tate commented.
“What question?”
“Your skin
is
amazingly soft.”
Cassandra could only smile up at him.
When Tate stood and held out his hand, she took it. He led her to the house, to the very door from which she’d fled.
“Come inside, Cassie,” he said gently. “I must tell your sister that I accept her offer for lunch and dinner.”
Collingbourne
The Church
“Are you alone, Mrs Thorpe?” Pastor Hurst asked, thinking to see Tate with her.
“I’m afraid I am, Pastor. Tate had to visit someone on short notice. I’m sure he’ll be back this week.”
“He’s still feeling well?”
Harriet smiled, thinking about the last time she’d seen him. It had given her such pleasure to watch his zeal and excitement as he followed after Cassandra.
“Yes, he’s very well. Thank you for asking.”
Harriet moved on her way then, still finding pleasure in the memory of Tate’s face but not able to stop herself from wondering if things were all right.
Please believe him, Cassandra. Please believe Tate when he tells you how much he loves you.
Newcomb Park
Henry was just headed out on his ride when a messenger arrived with word. Jasper tipped the man as Henry opened the letter and read. It was from Barrington.
I’m bringing Cassie home. Should be with you late Monday. Tate coming in his own carriage. Cassie is well and will explain all when she arrives.
Barrington
Henry went on his ride, but not before he found Lizzy and gave her the letter. He tried to stay and comfort her when she grew weepy again, but when she urged him to go, he gladly fled.
Brown Manor
“I hope you know I’m using you as a diversion,” Lizzy admitted to Anne. She’d explained the whole story and was now spent.
“Nonsense, Lizzy. Of course you must come and tell me about Cassie. You know I would wish to hear.”
Lizzy came to her feet and moved around a bit.
“I thank you, Anne. If I had been forced to sit at home all day and wait for her to arrive, I think I would have gone mad.”
“Is there not more to tell me, Lizzy?” Anne gently urged. She was out of bed but still taking things slowly.
“About Cassie?”
“No, about yourself. Word has it that Thomas Morland has come home and is spending a good deal of time at Newcomb.”
Lizzy smiled and took her seat again.
“Ah, Lizzy,” Anne went on, “you don’t need to explain a thing. I can see it’s all true.”
“I never dreamed he would come,” she said with a sigh. “I had given up hoping he would ever notice me, and all along he knew I was here.”
Anne wanted to know every detail. Lizzy was only too glad to tell her. Her heart felt lighter for just talking about it. When she was finished, Anne’s maid came and told her the time.