Read Online A Lady of Secret Devotion by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online

Boston.”
    “I see. And are you planning to move your business to Philadelphia as well?”
    A knock on the door saved Mark from having to reply. They all looked up and Mrs. Jameston cocked her head. “What is it, Mrs. Dixon?”
    “Your son would like to see you. He’s . . . asked . . . for you to come immediately.”
    Mark saw the older woman clench her jaw as her brows drew together. She rose and so he quickly got to his feet. Seeing him do so, she turned to Cassie. “Why don’t you two go into the garden? I’ve arranged for us to have a light refreshment there. Hopefully I will not be gone long.”
    Cassie got up and nodded. Mrs. Dixon turned to lead the way as Mrs. Jameston crossed the room. Cassie turned to Mark. “If you follow me, I’ll show you to the garden.”
    He quickly drew alongside her and offered his arm. “I’d much rather escort you.”
    Cassie smiled and took hold of him. “You are very kind, fair knight. I accept.”
    He laughed and walked with her through the house. “So you truly are without injury?”
    “Yes, I am fine. I did, however, have nightmares last night. I cannot say my experience was a pleasant one, but I have survived physically unharmed.”
    “How old were you when your father died, if I might “How ask?”
    Cassie seemed not to mind the question at all. “I was fifteen. It was ten years ago this June. My sister, Elida, was but a few weeks old.” Cassie led the way into the garden and smiled as the sun’s warmth touched her face. “It is so very pleasant here. I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
    “How could I not?” He smiled at her and noted that Cassie’s face flushed.
    “This is Mrs. Jameston’s favorite place, and it’s rapidly becoming mine as well. The air seems so sweet here.”
    She led him to an iron settee and chairs. Beside this, a cloth-covered table stood with glasses of something that looked quite refreshing.
    “Would you care for lemonade? Mrs. Jameston had it made special for your visit.”
    “Thank you.” He took a glass from Cassie and followed her to the chairs. She sat and he followed suit by taking the chair directly across from her.
    “Mrs. Jameston comes here every day the weather permits,” Cassie offered. “She says it won’t be long before the honeysuckle and hyacinths will be in full bloom. Already there are beautiful tulips. I don’t pretend to know much about it all, but Mrs. Jameston promises to teach me.”
    “And what do you know much about?” Mark asked in a teasing tone.
    Cassie thought for a moment. “Honestly, not a great deal.” She frowned. “I had to stop going to school when my father died. My mother found herself rather destitute. She sold off the extra property we had, as well as my father’s mercantile, but there were expenses to pay. Eventually we had the house and a small bit of money, but no hope of more income in the future. My mother turned to the one thing she knew she could do—laundry and mending.” Cassie offered him a bittersweet smile.
    “And this saw you through?”
    Cassie nodded and took a sip of the lemonade. “We worked together. Elida was just a baby. My mother and I took turns working with the laundry and caring for her. Little by little, we had enough business to support our needs.”
    “Your mother sounds very brave. Many women would give up—or turn to male relatives to provide.”
    “There were no other male relatives. I think my mother might have given up, except for Elida. With a baby so dependent upon her for everything, Mother had no choice but to go on.”
    “Would she not also have wanted to continue for your sake?” he asked, watching her closely.
    “Oh, to be certain. I do not mean to suggest she cared for me any less than my sister. However, because of my age and temperament, I believe she thought I could handle anything. Truth be told, I was still suffering greatly from what I’d seen, but I knew she needed me.”
    “It must have been terrible to witness your father’s