“What a family,” Cooper said, and finished the last of his brandy.
Hours later, after the initial shock wore off, Cassandra fell asleep in Seth’s lap. Having caught up with his sister in his own cups, Cooper excused himself, stating the need toreflect. Seth ordered Trevor to find a bed and sleep in it. Drunk and snoring, Cassandra anchored Seth to the sofa. His legs had long since fallen asleep, and she couldn’t have been comfortable in that dress or curled in a ball as she was, but he didn’t want to move her.
Not when she slept so soundly.
What would the next week bring? Would he wake to her screams in the middle of the night? Hold her while she battled with demons he couldn’t see? And what of him? Would this haunt him, adding another nightmare to his rotation?
Would either of them get a good night’s sleep again?
Not knowing the answers, Seth covered Cassandra with a borrowed blanket and let her rest. After they spoke with the magistrate in the morning, Seth didn’t want to bring Cassandra back to their townhouse, to whatever fallout was to occur. He could see it now—endless gossip, constant knocking on his door, newspapers profiting from their pain.
He wanted to leave London entirely.
During the night, Seth thought of how difficult it would be for Cassandra to come to terms with what happened to them. After an experience like that, they would both need fresh air, clear nights, andpeace. Lord Bolderwood had him over a barrel with his contract, so they couldn’t leave.
But they couldn’tstay.
Leaning back against the sofa, he allowed himself to doze until the pink light of dawn tickled his eyelids. Footsteps scurried through the halls as servants prepared themselves for the day and a soft knock sounded at the door.
Seth turned his head to the side, cautious not to wake Cassandra. Silently, Earl Bolderwood padded up to them. He wore last night’s suit and shadows beneath his eyes. He glanced at Cassandra briefly and sat in the chair next to Seth.
“Laudanum?” he whispered.
“Brandy.”
“Hm.”
It appeared as though Lord Bolderwood had words to say, but not the language required to speak them. Seth didn’t know what to say atall. Or how to approach a conversation with the man in normal circumstances. Andthis…he sighed. Cassandra’s hair fell across her cheek and Seth brushed it back.
“You gave her a dagger to wear tonight, didn’t you?”
Lord Bolderwood’s brows sank with his shoulders.
“I have given her several.”
A drawer full of hairpins, allsharp,all requested to be worn publicly. Not a show of solidarity, but subtle gifts of self-defense. A few days ago, Seth may have been furious at the manipulation, at the lack of trust in him. This morning, he only felt gratitude.
“It saved her life last night,” Seth choked on his whisper.
Cassandra’s brow twitched, but she didn’t wake. Lord Bolderwood sighed, long and heavy. A maid poked her head into the room and closed the door soundlessly behind her.
After some time, Lord Bolderwood spoke so quietly that Seth strained to hear him. “I had hoped that it would not come to that.”
Seth took a breath and steeled himself for his next battle.
“I want to take her to the country.” Lord Bolderwood frowned and Seth raised his hand. “Before you say anything, I’m not trying to get out of my contract. I made a deal with you, and I’ll honor it. I’ll draft whatever you ask, I’ll work twice as hard when I’m away. It won’t be for long. You care for Cassandra, I’ve seen it. We’ve been through so much. So please—” His voice cracked and damn it, he was shaking again. “Please let me take my wife home so she can heal.”
Seth felt like a boy again as he prepared himself for the refusal. With an unreadable expression, Lord Bolderwood stood and faced away. His burly hand trembled when he placed it over Seth’s shoulder, and for the first time in his life, Seth leaned into the comforting gesture.
“Take as much time as you need, son.”
***
It had taken Seth three days to tie up loose ends with the factory andLord Bolderwood, and to prepare for an extended stay in the country. Butwherein the country, Seth hadn’t said, and Caroline hadn’t been able to discover in her snooping. Aware of her tricks, Seth had kept any documents concerning their new home locked in his desk at Lord Bolderwood’s office.
Not knowing how long they would be gone, Cassandra said her goodbyes and enjoyed one last Saturday breakfast. Reluctant to see her go, Jasmine and Caroline waited with her in her sitting room while Seth finished readying the carriage.
“Has he told you where he’s taking you yet?” Caroline asked.