Page 27 of Ruthless, But for Her

The sun had not yet risen. But already, the day belonged to her.

CHAPTER 16

Cassia

She slept surprisingly well...for a captive. A serving girl had arrived at daybreak to help her tend to her needs. Then she’d left instructions—Cassia was to wait for Ashton, who should be along “soon.”

She had no clothing to speak of, since the gown she'd arrived in had been taken for laundering. After breaking her fast, with no book to speak of, she had naught to do but sit on the bed and think.

It was as if yesterday's events had happened to someone else. Could she really be here, in a stew house, in a port town Cassia had never heard of before, along the border? A place so dangerous that her husband had been warned before taking the station that his life could be forfeit for it. But it had come with too much prestige, and that was all Roland ever desired. She'd been grateful when he’d left her behind and saddened when he’d sent for her.

Suddenly, there was another knock on the door, this one louder than the other. Startled from her position at the edge of the bed, Cassia hurried to the door and waited.

“Lady Cassia?”

Once again, her heart raced at the sound of his voice. She was no longer afraid—she was certain Ashton wouldn't hurt her. And yet, as she opened the door, an unsettledness started to plague her, something that happened often when he was near.

The reason for it...she would not examine.

“Good morn,” he said, more pleasantly than a member of the black sails crew should greet her. “I trust you slept well?”

“An astonishing assumption, given my state of captivity.”

She couldn’t believe she felt free enough to speak to him this way. She hadn’t dared be so outrageous with her father, or Roland. Her father would have chided her and Roland… Well, she didn’t want to think about him. Yet Ashton’s lack of reaction emboldened her.

“I've slept in this bedchamber many times and know the mattress is of fine quality.” And for the first time since they'd met, he smiled broadly. Not just a hint of a smile, but a real one. Complete and disarming.

“I ask again. Did you sleep well?”

Admitting she had seemed at odds with the narrative of her kidnapping, so she chose to remain silent.

“Your trunks have arrived and will be sent up any moment. Once you have them, I would ask how you wish to spend the morning?”

She did not understand what he was asking.

Ashton moved toward the doorway, leaning against it and crossing his arms. He was dressed as before, though more simply, wearing only a loose linen shirt, with laces open at the throat and sleeves pushed back to his elbows. He had no weapon that she could see.

“While we wait for word from your husband. Do you wish to remain inside your chamber? Or spend some time below-stairs? I would prefer we avoid the village, but if you wish to go for a walk, I can arrange for your safety.”

Arrange for her safety.

So that meant he wouldn't be joining her?

Of course, Cassia didn't want him to join her. But neither was she certain she wished to be accompanied by another.

“I would very much like to escape this chamber, but I'm not certain...” How could she say it without offering offense?

Mingling among the women she'd seen in the hall below would be the most uncomfortable ordeal. What could she say to them? And then there was the Daisy's mistress.

Margot.

Though she had been welcoming, there was something unsettling about her Cassia could not name.

“Who would accompany me on such a walk?” she finally asked, as none of the activities he offered appealed.

“I would.”

“Oh.”