Page 85 of Ruthless, But for Her

“I do not know. If I return to Grantchester, my father will see me married again. And I don’t want that. But I cannot stay here.” That much was obvious. “I plan to speak with Ashton about it this eve. He’s been occupied with other matters. Namely, the coin on the black sails' heads, and by equal measure, information of my whereabouts. And the Reach, of course.”

When Margot didn't respond, she looked to her, unable to decipher her expression. It was as if Cassia had lost her to another time and place.

“If you do not wish for another husband,” Margot said finally. “Do all that you can to avoid such a fate. Trust in Ashton. He cares for you, and will not lead you astray.”

Before she could ask her anything else, Margot stood.

“If you ever need me, send word.” She spread her hand toward the men working the wharf. “Any one of them will find me reliably. I will help, in any way I can.”

Cassia stood as well. Margot continued to surprise her at every turn. The moment she thought she understood the woman, Margot said or did something that upended Cassia’s impression of her entirely.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “You have been very kind.”

Margot smiled genuinely, lines reaching the corner of her eyes, revealing years of difficult decisions.

“Strength is rarely given to a woman, Cassia. Most of us have had to take it.”

CHAPTER 48

Ashton

He was exhausted.

Unable to head back to the Ropewalk earlier, he had sent one of the dock boys to check on Cassia's needs. Hearing she was well, that she was in want of nothing and had spoken with Margot, made him able to focus on the Reach.

He and Sorren spent the day walking the boundary itself, pacing off where a garrison could sit without being seen from the ridge, hiring two men out of Mere's End who knew the ground and asked no questions about the coin. One of de Grey's hired men lingered too long near the boundary stakes that afternoon, watching more than working. Sorren wanted to send him off with a warning. Ashton simply walked to where the man stood, close enough to speak low, and by the time he'd finished, the man had gathered his things and left without a backward glance—and without a weapon being drawn.

Ryker and Leif took The Einar out again, up the coast this time, scouting landing points de Grey's men might use. Ryker was at the helm more often than not these days. Leif was grooming him for the helm, though neither had said so outright.

Ashton suspected Ryker didn't yet know it himself.

He'd also made headway putting everything in place for Cassia. As he climbed the ladder in Tam’s, he did so silently, knowing she would be asleep but wishing otherwise.

Since Tam slept in his own quarters, off past the Ropewalk, and not in his workshop, they were alone, which made the nighttime more difficult.

Ashton replayed their night at the Wild Boar over and over in his head. He hadn't forgotten any of the delighted sounds she made, nor any of her exquisite expressions. He could almost see every strand of hair, every curve of her perfect body, which made it all the more difficult to creep by her now as she curled up in sleep.

Cassia deserved so much more than a pallet in a loft above Tam's workshop, and not just because she had been born a lady. Every woman who worked at the Daisy deserved more. Unfortunately, the world was no kinder to women than it was to three baseborn boys born to a border no one claimed.

Prepared for sleep, he was just about to lie down when he heard her move. With no moonlight illuminating the room, his movements were purely from instinct.

“Will you sleep with me?”

He froze.

He was more powerless against her than he was de Grey's men, armed and outnumbering him three to one.

Closing his eyes, he considered her request. Every part of him wanted to say aye. To lie with her. To hold her.

To make Lady Cassia of Grantchester his for all eternity.

It was that last thought that kept him still.

“Please?”

He was beside her more quickly than Ryker reaching for a blade.

He lay at her back, not daring to look her in the eyes. For if he did, Ashton would be lost.