Read Online A Lady of Secret Devotion by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tracie Peterson
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walk and enjoy the day.”“ day.”
“ I offered her the carriage, but she declined,” Mrs. Jameston remarked. “I’m sure I’ve never known a young lady who liked to walk more than Cassie, unless it’s me.”
Mark nodded. “Miss Stover mentioned that your son is quite ill. I hope he is recovering.”
“As best as can be expected,” she said with a frown. “My son—forgive me for my boldness—is a scallywag. He is the product of overindulgent parents who learned much too late in life the dangers of giving in to the demands of an out-of-control child. I’m afraid my son fears neither God nor man.”
“I have known men such as this. Is this his residence? I thought Miss Stover mentioned something about his being newly arrived.”
“He travels a great deal and, unfortunately, has a residence with his mistress. Unless, of course, he’s on the bad side of her, and then he makes his way home.”
Mark made a mental note to figure out where Jameston’s mistress resided. He started to comment, but Mrs. Jameston quickly continued.
“I do not mean to be shocking or vulgar, Mr. Langford. It is common knowledge that my son acts in an abominable manner. I see no need to pretend it is otherwise.”
“Sometimes,” Mark said, “it is best to deal with a matter in a straightforward fashion.”
“I completely agree. Which brings me to another topic, Mr. Langford. Since you are new to our city, have you yet found a place to worship? If not, I would like to invite you to join us tomorrow at Christ Church.”
He hadn’t been prepared for that. He looked at his glass of lemonade and realized that getting close to Cassie and Mrs. Jameston would further his efforts more than any other plan he had at the moment.
“I haven’t yet explored my options; however, I would be happy to join you. That is the church where Mr. Benjamin Franklin attended, is it not?”
Mrs. Jameston smiled approvingly. “Indeed. George Washington and many others attended there as well. A great deal of praying went on in that church for the independence of our country.”
“I have read as much. It would be my honor to join you
“I have there.”
Cassie smiled and got to her feet. “I hate to be rude, but I really must be on my way.”
“But Essie is just now bringing a little more substantial fare,” Mrs. Jameston said as the young woman approached with a tray.
“Perhaps Mr. Langford would remain and keep you company,” Cassie said. “I promised my mother that I would luncheon with her and my sister. I hope you understand.”
Mark had already gotten to his feet. “I completely understand. Thank you so much for the time you’ve already given me. I would be happy to walk you home.”
“Didn’t you bring the beast?” Cassie asked with a hint of a grin.
“I did ride Portland, but if Mrs. Jameston were not to mind, I could leave him here and come back for him after I saw you safely delivered.”
Cassie shook her head. “No. I couldn’t ask you to do that. It’s nearly two miles away. I assure you, I’ll be just fine.” She went to Mrs. Jameston and gave her shoulder a light squeeze. “I shall be back soon.”
Mark didn’t want to appear too forward. He waited until Cassie had made her way back inside the house before looking to Mrs. Jameston. “I suppose I should go.”
“Nonsense. Enjoy some refreshments with me. Silas is a wondrous cook and always manages to make something quite pleasing.”
Mark looked at the table where the serving girl had already laid out the sumptuous fare. His mouth watered at the thought. “I suppose I could stay for a short time.” suppose I could stay for a short time.”
“I’m certain I won’t be as pleasing to you as Cassie might have been, but I would like to know you better.”
“Really? Why is that?” Mark asked, retaking his seat.
Mrs. Jameston smiled. “Because you are obviously interested in my Cassie.”
Cassie sat at her mother’s table and listened to Elida go
“ I offered her the carriage, but she declined,” Mrs. Jameston remarked. “I’m sure I’ve never known a young lady who liked to walk more than Cassie, unless it’s me.”
Mark nodded. “Miss Stover mentioned that your son is quite ill. I hope he is recovering.”
“As best as can be expected,” she said with a frown. “My son—forgive me for my boldness—is a scallywag. He is the product of overindulgent parents who learned much too late in life the dangers of giving in to the demands of an out-of-control child. I’m afraid my son fears neither God nor man.”
“I have known men such as this. Is this his residence? I thought Miss Stover mentioned something about his being newly arrived.”
“He travels a great deal and, unfortunately, has a residence with his mistress. Unless, of course, he’s on the bad side of her, and then he makes his way home.”
Mark made a mental note to figure out where Jameston’s mistress resided. He started to comment, but Mrs. Jameston quickly continued.
“I do not mean to be shocking or vulgar, Mr. Langford. It is common knowledge that my son acts in an abominable manner. I see no need to pretend it is otherwise.”
“Sometimes,” Mark said, “it is best to deal with a matter in a straightforward fashion.”
“I completely agree. Which brings me to another topic, Mr. Langford. Since you are new to our city, have you yet found a place to worship? If not, I would like to invite you to join us tomorrow at Christ Church.”
He hadn’t been prepared for that. He looked at his glass of lemonade and realized that getting close to Cassie and Mrs. Jameston would further his efforts more than any other plan he had at the moment.
“I haven’t yet explored my options; however, I would be happy to join you. That is the church where Mr. Benjamin Franklin attended, is it not?”
Mrs. Jameston smiled approvingly. “Indeed. George Washington and many others attended there as well. A great deal of praying went on in that church for the independence of our country.”
“I have read as much. It would be my honor to join you
“I have there.”
Cassie smiled and got to her feet. “I hate to be rude, but I really must be on my way.”
“But Essie is just now bringing a little more substantial fare,” Mrs. Jameston said as the young woman approached with a tray.
“Perhaps Mr. Langford would remain and keep you company,” Cassie said. “I promised my mother that I would luncheon with her and my sister. I hope you understand.”
Mark had already gotten to his feet. “I completely understand. Thank you so much for the time you’ve already given me. I would be happy to walk you home.”
“Didn’t you bring the beast?” Cassie asked with a hint of a grin.
“I did ride Portland, but if Mrs. Jameston were not to mind, I could leave him here and come back for him after I saw you safely delivered.”
Cassie shook her head. “No. I couldn’t ask you to do that. It’s nearly two miles away. I assure you, I’ll be just fine.” She went to Mrs. Jameston and gave her shoulder a light squeeze. “I shall be back soon.”
Mark didn’t want to appear too forward. He waited until Cassie had made her way back inside the house before looking to Mrs. Jameston. “I suppose I should go.”
“Nonsense. Enjoy some refreshments with me. Silas is a wondrous cook and always manages to make something quite pleasing.”
Mark looked at the table where the serving girl had already laid out the sumptuous fare. His mouth watered at the thought. “I suppose I could stay for a short time.” suppose I could stay for a short time.”
“I’m certain I won’t be as pleasing to you as Cassie might have been, but I would like to know you better.”
“Really? Why is that?” Mark asked, retaking his seat.
Mrs. Jameston smiled. “Because you are obviously interested in my Cassie.”
Cassie sat at her mother’s table and listened to Elida go
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