chapter two

Cassandra wanted to lie on her bed and cry herself to sleep, but she was made of sterner stuff than that.

 Instead she visited the cook to discuss the evening's dinner menu. She found herself suggesting dishes she remembered Kofi liked.

"Are you sure, miss?" the cook asked when Cassandra suggested replacing buttered peas with cabbage and bacon. "Lord Adderly likes peas, and the cabbage can be...uncomfortable for him."

Cassandra hesitated, realizing her mistake.

Cassandra might be a helpless pawn of the old tyrant in many ways, but she had her own subtle ways of rebelling. 

Today, she refused to do her needlework in the parlor, where her guardian would likely engage her in a heated debate about politics. Instead, she retreated to her room to read a novel in peace. She instructed her maid to tell anyone who asked for her that she was indisposed with the vapors.

Cassandra never had the vapors, and the old man knew it. As for Kofi, despite his defiant words, Cassandra doubted he would resist the pressure to marry her. The thought of being married to him was unbearable. While he had improved physically, losing weight and clearing up his skin, beneath the surface, he was still the same timid and weak-willed person she had always disliked.

The man Cassandra wanted to marry would be handsome, charming, and confident. He would adore her and treat her with great respect. He would take her to social events like balls and concerts, and they would spend springs in London for the social season. She would have a beautiful wardrobe made by the best designers in London. Other women would admire and envy her, unlike now when they pitied her for wearing outdated clothes made by a local seamstress.

But, no. 

Kofi was back, and she was stuck with him. His grandfather would insist that the two of them continue to live in this house, under his strict control, until the day he died. The old man had already outlived his wife, children, and siblings, except for one sister who lived comfortably in London.

Seething with resentment, Cassandra hesitated outside Kofi's closed door. She pressed her ear against the wood and heard rustling noises coming from inside. Was he sleeping, or was he restless and uneasy, disturbed by the fate that awaited him?

Cassandra knocked on Kofi's door, but there was no answer. She wondered if he might still be hungry. Or maybe he was ill, as sometimes happened to people released from prison. She recalled how he had carefully checked the sweet biscuits for weevils, and her heart went out to him. It was clear that his experiences had left their mark.

Cassandra decided to assign a footman to keep an eye on Kofi for now and ask his grandfather to hire a valet for him, as was fitting for the heir.

 Even Lord Adderly would agree to that. With a sigh, she opened the door. Since no one else was available, it seemed she would be responsible for looking after Kofi, at least for the time being. And, in all likelihood, for the rest of her life.

Cassandra's surprise turned to shock when she saw that Kofi was not in the bed. Instead, a housemaid, Betty, let out a faint scream and clutched her heart.

"Your pardon, miss," Betty said, eyes wide. "I didn't mean to squeak so."

"That's all right, Betty," Cassandra replied. "Where is Mr. Kofi?"

"Gone, miss," Betty said. "To London, he says. I saw him leaving."

"To...London?" Cassandra repeated, stunned.

"Yes, miss," Betty confirmed. "He left a letter for his lordship on the mantelpiece."

Cassandra's gaze followed Betty's pointing finger to the folded white paper propped against the white marble.

Cassandra's face creased with concern. "He told me not to tell anyone he was gone, miss," Betty said. "He hoped to be in London before his lordship missed him."

Cassandra sat down hard on the bed, trying to wrap her head around Kofi's bold move. The maid stared as Cassandra's first giggle erupted. Cassandra never giggled, but she couldn't help it. She remembered Kofi's earnest face, framed by shaggy brown hair, saying he would go to London to check out the eligible women before making his choice. The image sent her into uncontrollable laughter.

The maid looked anxious. "Miss, I couldn't disobey him," she said, her face coloring. Cassandra realized that Kofi had made an impression on the young woman.

"Don't worry, you won't lose your position," Cassandra reassured her when she could speak again. She picked up the letter from the mantel.

"I'll take this," she said. "And let's keep this between us for now. We'll give Mr. Kofi plenty of time to get to London before his absence is discovered."

Cassandra took the letter to her own room, but her solitude was short-lived. A loud, enraged bellow echoed from the hallway, making her jump. She rushed back to Kofi's room, where she found Lord Adderly berating the poor maid.

"Why did you not come to me at once, girl?" he thundered.

Cassandra stepped forward, inserting herself between her guardian and the tearful maid. "My lord, if you want to shout at someone, shout at me," she said firmly.

"That I'll do, missy, if you had anything to do with this," Lord Adderly said, his voice menacing. He glared past Cassandra, pointing a stern finger at the maid. "You! Get out! And keep your tongue between your teeth below stairs, mind!"

The maid fled the room, sobbing. Cassandra sighed inwardly. She suspected her guardian felt empowered by reducing the maids to tears, but she was the one who had to deal with the consequences of finding new staff willing to work in such an intimidating environment.

"That girl is to be dismissed without a reference," Lord Adderly said, his teeth clenched in anger.

"I will take care of it," Cassandra replied calmly, having no intention of carrying out his order. She knew her guardian wouldn't notice if Betty continued to work at the estate.

"What do you know about this?" he demanded, pacing the room.

Cassandra handed him the letter. "I was going to give this to you," she said.

Lord Adderly snatched the letter from her hand, his eyes scanning the page.

As Lord Adderly read the letter, Cassandra watched with growing concern as his face turned a deep, alarming shade of purple. She had no love for her guardian, but she didn't want him to collapse from apoplexy either.

"He's gone to London!" the old man bellowed, waving the letter in the air. "Read it for yourself! This is all because of your stubborn refusal to marry him, you ungrateful girl!"

Cassandra took the letter, squinting at Kofi's bold, unconventional handwriting. His penmanship had never been his strong suit as a boy, and it seemed his years in captivity hadn't improved it much.

"Dear Grandfather,

I am leaving for London. I have decided not to marry Cassandra, as neither of us desires it. However, I am mindful of my duty to continue the family line, and I will seek out a suitable bride. This may take some time, so do not expect my return to Devonshire for several months.

Once I have secured lodgings, I will inform you of my address. In the meantime, I will have all my bills sent to you for payment.

Yours, Kofi "

Postscript: "I took the large black stallion, assuming him to be yours. I promise to take good care of him and return him to you once I have purchased a horse of my own.

Lord Adderly's face turned purple once more. "That impudent boy! How dare he?" he thundered, storming out of the room towards the stables. Cassandra followed close behind, finding him standing over two terrified stable boys, bellowing at them with clenched fists.

The boys cowered against the wall, eyes wide with fear. Cassandra intervened, her voice calm and soothing. "Here, get up," she said gently to the boys. "His lordship won't hurt you."

Lord Adderly shot Cassandra a venomous glare, but she met it with a calm, bland smile. She knew he wasn't prone to physical violence, despite his thunderous outbursts. However, the two stable boys didn't share her confidence, their eyes wide with fear.

"Don't worry, Lord Adderly won't hurt you," Cassandra reassured them gently. "Just tell us what happened."

The older boy spoke up, "Mr. Kofi said he was going to London. He saddled the stallion himself because...because his lordship warned us never to go near him."

The viscount's face turned redder. "And you let him go?" he bellowed. "Without a word to me?"

The youngest boy trembled, tears welling up in his eyes. "Mr. Kofi told us not to tell anyone, milord."

"Very proper," said Cassandra, meeting her guardian's gaze directly. "You couldn't disobey Mr. Kofi's instructions, could you? You may continue with your work now."

The boys nodded hastily and gave Lord Adderly a wide berth as they scurried away.

"Come along, my lord," Cassandra said, taking the old man's arm and steering him back towards the house. "There's nothing to be done about it. The fox has escaped."

Lord Adderly's face turned puce with rage. "The devil he has, my girl! I'm not licked yet, by Jove! If my grandson has gone to London, we're going to London too, to make sure none of those scheming, fortune-hunting hussies get their hooks into him!"

Cassandra's heart skipped a beat as excitement surged through her. London! Finally!

The old man's glare brought her back to reality. "And wipe that look off your face, Cassandra," he growled, pointing a shaking finger at her. "You're not going to London to catch the eye of some fortune-hunting rogue. You'll be a model of propriety, sweet and demure, and you'll make sure Kofi comes home to Devonshire where he belongs – and marries you, by God!"

"Yes, my lord," Cassandra replied, casting her eyes downward to conceal the triumph sparkling within. For now, she could afford to be agreeable. Anything to get to London.

Once in London, Cassandra had no intention of squandering this golden opportunity to find her ideal match by fawning over her guardian's wishes. "I'll instruct my maid to pack my belongings," she said demurely.

Meanwhile, Kofi rode down St. James's Street, turning heads as he passed. In his haste to escape his grandfather's estate, he hadn't considered that men's fashion had undergone significant changes in eleven years. The coats he had worn at eighteen were cut differently from those of the gentlemen he now saw, and they would have looked out of place even if they hadn't been tailored for a sturdy young man with a waist twice Kofi's current size. Nevertheless, Kofi wore one of those outdated coats, refusing to don the one he had worn from France, despite it being a better fit.

His boots were scuffed and had been damaged by damp. He couldn't find a hat among his old belongings, and the one he wore from France was so encrusted with mold he couldn't stand to put it on his

head, so his head was bare.

 At least he needn't blush for the excellence of his mount. It was the only thing, unfortunately. The sooner he hied himself to a decent haberdasher, the

better.

He was slowły progressing down the street looking for a likely lodging place and gathering insults for his pains from the carriage drivers with his plodding

progress, when he saw a very pretty brunette being shouted at by a well-dressed male-Kofi hesitated to call any man a gentleman who would use such language in a lady's presence-who lost his head

Completely and knotted his fist toward her in a threatening gesture.

The woman, far from being afraid, drew herself up to her full height and shouted back. Passersby stood all around them, enjoying the spectacle.

 None of my business, kofi thought. It was plain the lady had matters well in hand.

But then the lady's adversary made the grievous error of putting his hand on her arm and giving her a shake that caused her hat to list to one side, and before he knew it kofi had sprung from his horse and wrapped his fingers around the fellow'

throat.

 "You damnable cur!" Kofi's victim gasped.

"Unhand me at once."

Kofi gave him a wolfish grin.

 "That is for the lady to say," he said in a low, threatening tone.

"My champion! How marvelous," a low, melodic voice said from behind Kofi. The lady's voice was as lovely as her appearance and scent.

"Please release him if he's learned his lesson," she added.

Kofi turned to the struggling man, raising an eyebrow. "Have you?" he asked.

The man nodded shakily, and Kofi released him. The dandy stumbled, nearly falling to his knees.

 "Go away, now, do," the lady said when he looked at her as if he would enew their argument. A threatening step forward from kofi sent him scurrying away.

The pretty brunette lifted one eyebrow to the bystanders 

"You had better be on your way, as well, or I'll set him upon you next," she said humorously. 

Apparently taking her words at face value, the crowd dispersed, muttering.

She smiled at kofi, and his first favorable impression impression of the lady's looks were confirmed. Her figure was all ripe perfection and sheathed in a sapphire blue walking gown and short, fitted jacket. Her dark hair was crowned by a charming hat decorated with dramatic red silk flowers upon the brim. Her sensuous lips were red, and there was the tiniest of moles

at the corner of her ush mouth.

Her perfume was something dark and wicked that made his head swim.

"Sir, are you all right?" the lady asked. Her lovely face grew blurry, and the next thing kofi knew, he was seated on the ground with the lady holding his shoulders.

 "It is nothing, " he protested when two burly men helped him to his feet.

"Thank you. I will take care of him now," the lady said as she handed each of the men a coin. "My carriage is right here," she added as she put her arm around kofi's waist to support his steps. She probably thought he was going to go off in a half Swoon again, kofi thought in self-loathing, like a delicate flower. "Come along, now."

"Ma'am, I am perfectly all right, I assure you," he said in a vain attempt to assert his manhood. There is no need to____"

The lady instructed her footman to retrieve Kofi's horse, and together they helped him into her carriage. Kofi sank onto the cushioned seat, letting his head drop forward into his hands.

The lady settled into the forward seat, her eyes fixed on him. "My man tied your horse to the carriage, so it will be alright until we reach my house."

She leaned forward, her gloved hand on Kofi's shoulder. "Are you feeling better now?" she asked, concern etched in her voice. "I apologize for any inconvenience."

"Enough of that!" she said with a wave of her hand. "It's been a long time since anyone stood up for me like that. Totally unnecessary, of course. I can take care of myself. But much appreciated, I assure you."

She let out a deep sigh. "The worst part of having lovers is that when it's over, they don't always move on nicely as one would wish."

Kofi's head spun again, and he buried his face in his hands. "I... will remember that," he muttered.

The lady's voice cut through his dizziness. "Please, don't be offended, sir, but when was the last time you ate?"

Kofi had to think back. He'd spent the previous night in a stable, where the stablemaster gave him a bowl of porridge and milk in exchange for currying some horses. But that was the night before. He'd gone longer without food before, especially during his time in French prisons.

"Never mind," she said, interrupting his thoughts. "We'll rectify the situation soon."

Her house was located on a quiet, tree-lined avenue in a respectable neighborhood. The grounds were well-manicured, and the windows sparkled with cleanliness.

"Come along," she said, taking his arm and towing him inside.

"My guest requires a meal immediately," she instructed her surprised butler. "Bread, cheese, and soup will suffice, if the cook has some ready."

The butler nodded and hurried off.

The lady led Kofi to the dining room. As soon as he sat down, a maid emerged from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of soup and a spoon.

"Begin eating," the lady said. "The rest of the meal will arrive shortly. You don't need to wait."

Kofi dipped the spoon into the soup and enjoyed the smell for a moment before he brought it to his lips. It scalded his tongue a bit, but he did not care. It was a heavenly comnbination of carrots, potatoes, bits of meat, and onions.

"Better now?" his hostess asked when he had eaten all the soup and almost half a loaf of bread with cheese besides.

 "Much," he said, smiling at her. "And I do apologize for gobbling it all down like a starving swineherd."

 "I have not been acquainted with many swineherds," she replied with an answering smile. "But I assure you my sensibilities are not in the least of fended by a man indulging in a perfectly healthy appetite.

"I'll trouble you no longer, ma'am," Kofi said, preparing to leave. "Unless, of course, there's some service I can offer in return."

The lady smiled. "On the contrary, I'm considering how I can repay you for your gallant rescue."

Kofi's eyes widened in surprise. Suddenly, his foggy brain pieced together the clues he'd overlooked. The lady seemed independent, with no husband or chaperone in sight. Her public spat with a former lover and elaborate attire hinted at a more unconventional lifestyle. And, if he wasn't mistaken, she appeared to be at least five years his senior.

As Kofi drew closer, he noticed the subtle lines around her big brown eyes and suspected the rosy glow on her cheeks was due to skillfully applied cosmetics. He realized, with a hint of embarrassment, that he had jumped to conclusions about her profession.

"Oh, no, thank you," he said hastily, standing up and taking a step back. "I require nothing more, I assure you. Even if I did, I have no money to offer."

The lady burst into laughter at his expression. "My dear man, please don't consider a career as a gambler," she said, still chuckling. "Your thoughts are written plainly on your face. I assure you, I am not a member of the profession you seem to think I am."

"No, of course not" he said-a little too quicky.

 "Since there is no one available at he moment to make the proper introductions, I suppose we must do it ourselves. 

I am Caroline Benningham, a widow, and l assure you that no jealous lover is goingg to materialize and beat you into-a pulp for encroaching upon his property."

 "No, of course not," he said again, shamefaced.

"The thought did not enter my head."

Mercifully, she seemed more amused than insulted.

"Liar. Well, the evidence is quite convincing, I will admit," she said. "And your name, sir?"

"Kofi Owusu at your service." To his consternation, he felt his face burst into flame. "I didn't mean it that way," he added.

Caroline gave that musical laugh again. "Mr. Owusu, you are a breath of fresh air for my jaded soul."

"Thank you, Mrs. Benningham," Kofi replied, still unsure how to respond.

"I am a widow, after all," she reminded him with a smile. "And while my morals may not be spotless, I assure you that you're safe from my wicked intentions. Now, how can I assist you? Do you need employment?"

Kofi shook his head. "No, thank you. I may look a bit disheveled, but I'm capable of providing for myself. I just need to find suitable lodgings."

Caroline scrutinized his attire, raising an eyebrow. "May I hope that one of the things you're capable of providing for yourself is the services of a good tailor?" she asked, amusement dancing in her voice.

Kofi chuckled, holding out the voluminous folds of his brown coat. "Yes, and the sooner, the better, lest I be mistaken for a scarecrow."

Caroline's brow furrowed. "Owusu... Where have I heard that name? Ah, yes! You're Lord Adderly's grandson, aren't you? There can't be many Owusu about."

Kofi's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"

"The release of the detenus was all over the newspapers," she explained. "Your name was mentioned."

She took his arm again, her voice soothing. "Don't worry, Mr. Owusu. I won't bite you."

"Where are you taking me?" he asked in alarm when she moved purposefully to the door, caling for her carriage to be brought around again.

"To Bond Street," she replied gaily. "Do not look worried. I will take care of everything!"