“This is your home now,” he said. “You are one of us.”
He might as well have told her she was beautiful. But he looked away again, as if he’d forgotten her existence.
“Cassidy,” Rowena said. “Such a very… American name. Or is it Irish?”
“I was named after my father’s friend.”
“I see. And your dress—it’s quite American also, isn’t it? Very quaint. Very… appropriate for life on a ranch, I should think.”
“I didn’t wear this on the ranch. It would have been ruined in two days. The cattle—” She bit her lip and looked at her plate. She couldn’t admit she had never owned a decent dress on the ranch.
Rowena leaned forward. “How fascinating. You drove cattle on the ranch? I’m afraid our pastimes are somewhat different here in England. But I’m certain we can find some entertainment that will suit you.” She took a sip of her tea. “And clothing appropriate to a Greyburn Forster—since you are ‘one of us.’ ”
Chair legs scraped the floor as Greyburn rose. “I’m glad you are so concerned about Cassidy’s well-being, Rowena. She has come to us with very little, and has need of a woman’s help in selecting suitable clothing. I’m putting you in charge of helping her purchase the first items for her wardrobe—this afternoon.”
Not by look or word did Rowena react, but Cassidy knew that in some way Greyburn had won a round in the hidden battle with his sister—using Cassidy as a weapon.
“Thank you, Greyburn,” Cassidy said, getting to her feet, “but Isabelle can help me. I still have some money—”
“You shall have all you require to assemble a proper wardrobe—including adequate funds and my sister’s help.” He turned to Rowena. “You will consider Miss Holt’s best interests—no expense to be spared.”
“Of course,” Rowena said. “She will need a great deal if she is to be presented this Season—”
“You know very well that she won’t be presented. We’re leaving for Greyburn in a matter of days.”
Rowena stood, almost jerky in her motions, and looked directly at Cassidy. “Perhaps it is fortuitous for you, my dear. I’m afraid you might have found the Season a little bewildering when you’re accustomed to the society of cattle drovers and men in bearskin overcoats.”
Cassidy lifted her chin and smiled. “I never knew anyone with a bearskin overcoat—”
“I believe,” Isabelle said, “that Cassidy and I are finished. May we go examine the piano I noticed in your drawing room?” She took Cassidy’s arm and urged her away from the table. Cassidy went willingly, glad she wouldn’t witness whatever was to happen between brother and sister. It felt a lot like a stampede coming just around the bend.
Sooner or later she’d figure out what was going on, and how she could help. She very much wanted to help, as the Holts had never let her.
This was her family.
But she gave up that mission for the moment and followed Isabelle to the room with the cabinet grand piano. Isabelle sat down to play some pretty tune, and Cassidy set herself to wait. She’d always been good at waiting, but something was changing inside her, and she felt as if a lot more than the tension in the morning room was going to fire off soon. She planned to be ready when it happened.
“Did you enjoy yourself, Rowena?”
Braden stood over her, no longer hiding his anger. “I had thought you prided yourself on your refinement, yet you baited the child when she clearly didn’t even understand your insults. When did you become so cruel?”
“Cruel?” Rowena laughed, a harsh sound reserved only for him. “If I have been cruel, I certainly learned it from an excellent teacher.”
Braden brought his hand down hard on the table. “Whatever quarrel you have with me, it has nothing to do with our cousin. She is a member of our family, and you will treat her as such. You will also guide her in adapting to our ways.
“And when did you ever care about the comfort of others… Braden?” She used his name as if it were a weapon designed to cause pain. “You don’t usually trouble yourself about your family. Or is it because our newly discovered cousin is important to the Cause?” She breathed a laugh. “Yes, of course. The long-lost Forster blood. Does she have any idea of her role in your fine breeding program?”