“As promised. Some construction is still underway, it’ll be a mess.” He ran his hand through his hair sheepishly. “I hadn’t expected it would be moved into this soon.”
Seth stared down at the key in his palm in disbelief, tested its weight in his hands, and placed it in his own pocket. Blinking hard, his brows knit and he whispered, “Thank you.”
Matthew extended his hand. Seth grasped it in his and gave it a firm shake.
“I’ll be worthy of it,” Seth promised.
“I know.” Matthew smiled. “I trust you, Seth.”
“Are weclose?” Cassandra groaned.
“I already told you—”
“—it’s asurprise,” they finished at the same time. Cassandra tapped her toes rapidly on the floor. Seth’s carriage was a smoother ride thanher old family carriage, with satin cushions and a rich mahogany interior. With him keeping her company—discoveringmanyways to keep her occupied—the trip should have been lovely, but he kept the curtains drawn. The sheer purple fabric allowed lilac light in the cabin, but blocked out the view.
“It’s been two days, surely we’re getting close.”
“Are you bored again, sweetheart?” Seth leaned forward and whispered against her lips. “Would you like me to entertain you?”
She squirmed in his hold when he pressed his lips on her neck.
“I’m exhausted from yourentertainment.” Cassandra laughed and pushed at him. “Seth, please tell me we’re almost there, I’m going mad.”
Holding her shoulder so she wouldn’t peek out of the window, Seth lifted the curtain.
“We’re close.” He dropped the cloth and pulled a pouting Cassandra into the curve of his body. “Sleep, and when you wake, we’ll be there.”
“A blindfold, Seth, really?”
The last thing she saw before Seth tied a silk sash around her eyes was the sight of him grinning from ear to ear. “Humor me.”
Carefully, Seth helped Cassandra from the carriage. With one arm around her shoulder and a hand over hers, he guided her forward. Soft grass blanketed her steps, and over the scent of trees and freshly turned soil, the crisp air carried the fragrance of a fire in a hearth and fresh-baked bread.
“Seth…” Cassandra reached for the blindfold. It was all sofamiliar.
“Not yet.” His smile was clear in his voice. “A few more steps. Watch it right here, I’m going to lift you.” Seth picked her up at the waist by inches and set her back down. “Again… all right. Stay like that. Now… open.”
The blindfold fell. Cassandra’s eyes adjusted, and her heartquickened. Above her, the sun shone through the bare branches of a towering oak tree. A gentle gust of wind sent a wooden swing knocking against its trunk and scattered brittle leaves into a kitchen garden with a patchwork fence and a creaking gate. To her left was an old barn with brand new paneling. Before her stood a two-story house with scaffolding, wooden boards, tables, and tools scattered around the yard. The scene blended with the endless green fields behind it.
Best of all, next to her, Seth stood proud, with an irrepressible smile and love in his eyes.
“Seth, what is this?” Cassandra took in a shuddering breath. Her legs wobbled under her, and Seth held her steady.
“This is your dowry,” Seth said. “Matthew signed over the deed the day after we married. It did take some convincing, but he owed me a favor. It’s ours. Do you like it?”
Her voice caught. “Matthew gave you Cooper House?”
“He gaveusCooper House. I couldn’t think of anywhere else that I’d rather spend the rest of my life, nowhere you’d be happier than right here,” he explained. “I want our family to grow under this tree, to raise our children in a place that has only ever beenhome.”
“You’re fixing it up,” Cassandra marveled.
“I’m not, Matthew is. He insisted upon it, said that he made you a promise.”
Cassandra pressed a fingertip to the corner of her eye to wipe at a drop of moisture. Matthew had kept all of his promises, after all. He had taken care of her and Caroline, fixed the house. He found her a husband that sheloved,that loved her in equal measure. Cassandra reached for Seth. Lifting on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck, she kissed his cheek. “It’s perfect.”
“I’ll be adding some things, a workshop, a glasshouse, anursery,” he whispered in her ear. “But before I show you inside the house, there’s something that I’ve been wanting to do to you for months.”Seth placed his hand on the small of her back, and step by step, he guided her backward, lifting her over gnarled roots and sunken earth.
“And that is…?” Cassandra smiled wider than she thought she could when finally,finally, her back rested against the trunk of the oak. With his hands on her hips, Seth gently pressed Cassandra into the tree.