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Somewhere in the house, a sorrowful piano tune began playing. He jerked his head up and took a step back. “If anything happens to you, Anton shall never forgive me.” He turned on his heel then paused briefly. “But worse, I shall never forgive myself.” He thrust a finger in her direction. “Do not get yourself into trouble, Little Cassie Fallon. For my sake.”
Chapter Ten
“Have you heard?”
Cassie peered at Mrs. Sutton’s reddened cheeks and assumed the news must be exciting indeed. There was hardly a day when the baron’s wife did not partake in gossip and only the most salacious could drive her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed.
The woman had dashed across Regent’s park toward them with all the speed of a special messenger, her short legs carrying her at an astonishing pace across the grass toward where they promenaded. Cassie enjoyed fine weather and a stroll about the park usually, but she found it hard to take pleasure in or care about silly gossip when she had the matter of her investigation to ponder.
Her sisters had insisted the fresh air would help her think but thus far, she was still stumped as to what to do about this supposed shipping company. How did a company exist and yet not exist and why was a house given to them? Was she simply too ignorant to the world of men? Perhaps she should have spent less time practicing observations and writing in code and more time following her brother’s business dealings. This whole mess had her vexed indeed.
It did not help that Luke had her muddled too. Why would someone be watching her? And why oh why did she rather like it when he acted all high and mighty, declaring he would never forgive himself if something happened to her.
She wrinkled her nose and turned her attention back to Mrs. Sutton as Chastity engaged the flustered woman. Luke acted on Anton’s behalf—she would do well to remember that.
Mrs. Sutton gulped down a large breath. “I heard this just this very moment, and as I know you are all close friends with dear Jane, I simply knew you would want to be informed immediately.”
Cassie straightened. “Miss Jane Parsons?”
“The very same.” Mrs. Sutton drew a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her upper lip. “I heard it from Lady Sharp herself.”
“What news would you have us hear, Mrs. Sutton?” Demeter prompted, barely disguising her desire to continue their walk unheeded.
Her sister always insisted they march rather than promenade on their walks, determined that they should take their exercise seriously. While Cassie enjoyed seeing other people and quite understood the benefits of the fresh air, she did not understand why her sister insisted on making it practically a religious experience, ensuring they walked daily.
“She is to marry,” Mrs. Sutton blurted.
Cassie scowled. How could this be? She only saw Jane the other day and she spoke of no prospects. “But she is still in mourning!”
Mrs. Sutton nodded, pressing a hand to her still heaving bosom. “Indeed!”
“To whom is she to be married?” Cassie demanded.
“Mr. Fawcett of Leicester Square.” Mrs. Sutton eyed the four of them, apparently satisfied with Cassie’s gasped response.
“But she does not even like him.” A chill spread through Cassie, making her shudder.
Mr. Fawcett was a vile creature of a man who was known for wandering hands. There was scarcely a woman in London who had not been victim of his unappealing attentions. It had been known he was looking for a wife—goodness he had even asked for her own hand last Season—but why on earth would Jane accept him?
“I do not think it a love match.” Mrs. Sutton leaned in. “Her situation is precarious, depending on the charity of Mr. Harding. I hear tell he is keen to rid himself of the burden of her care and offered an enticing dowry.”
“Poor Jane,” Demeter murmured.
Poor Jane, indeed. How could her cousin do such a thing to a grieving woman? The man had no sense of dignity or compassion.
“I think she will be married off by the end of the Season,” Mrs. Sutton said confidently.
“This is terrible,” said Cassie. She looked to Eleanor. “I must go,” she mouthed to her sister.
Eleanor inclined her head and tugged Cassie closer, out of Mrs. Sutton’s earshot. “Do you need help?”
Cassie shook her head. “I am not helpless.”
A small smile formed on her sister’s generous lips. “I never said you were. No one thinks that of you, you know.”
She scanned Eleanor’s expression and gave a begrudging smile. However, her hard work would be for naught if Jane ended up married off and miserable. She had to find out what happened to her brother and put a stop to this wedding. If she could prove Theodore was not dead, her cousin would have to forfeit his inheritance and thus his hold over Jane. And her sisters would continue to respect her as something other than their annoying little sister.
“What do you intend to do?”
