"Cassius? I have heard your name a few times. A lot of the women are curious about you. I am thrilled to have the pleasure of meeting you," Harper said with a curtsy.
Harper was even more pleased to hear that he thought she was beautiful. Perhaps instead of Zane, who seemed to have run off, Cassius might be the one for her.
’This is why they shouldn’t make fun of me,’ Harper thought.
Octavia and the others shouldn’t have counted Harper out because she could also marry a good man, and by the looks of Cassius, he had wealth. If she were careful, Harper was certain she could marry him.
"Are you new to Lockwood? I don’t recall seeing you around the town before," said Harper.
"I have lived in Lockwood before, but moved away when I was only a boy. Now I have returned since it is my true home. No other town has impressed me like Lockwood. There’s so much to do here," Cassius replied, watching the other townspeople walking by.
"I agree," Harper said, nodding her head. "I find this town to be fun. I cannot imagine ever leaving Lockwood, even when I marry."
Harper hoped Cassius was catching on to what she said. She threw it out there that she would be more than willing to stay with Cassius.
"That is good to know," Cassius replied. "I hope I don’t need to walk around town to see you. Will you be at any balls in the future? I have been invited to many, but since I have been away for so long, I could use a friendly face."
Harper’s eyes lit up with joy. "I am invited to most balls. If you need, I can stand with you as long as my mother is present to watch us."
"That will be most kind of you. Not only are you a beauty, but you have a good heart. It is rare to find in this town. Now, I have another friend. I have only been so fortunate as to speak with Lady Penelope. Or should I call her a princess now?" Cassius wondered.
Why was it that out of all the women in town, Cassius had spoken to Penelope? It was upsetting because Harper thought of how her last talk with Penelope had gone.
What if Penelope spoke poorly of her to Cassius?
Harper smiled before Cassius noticed her frown. "Are you good friends with Lady Penelope?"
"I like to think that I am, but you cannot tell this to her husband," Cassius answered in a hushed tone.
Harper didn’t know how to take Cassius’s words. Was he just a friend of Penelope’s, or was he trying to say there was something more between them which needed to be kept from the prince?
Cassius walked ahead to look at what Harper wanted to buy.
When Cassius noticed that Harper wasn’t following, he asked, "Are you not friends with her? Does it upset you that I am?"
"No, not at all. I have been around Lady Penelope many times, so I would not find an issue with your friendship. I am happy to hear you have at least one friend," said Harper.
Harper noticed Cassius’s interest in the shoes displayed and asked, "Is there something you need to buy for a lady? I can help you if you need to."
"I was wondering what might suit you," Cassius said, searching for the right shoe.
"M-Me," Harper stuttered, surprised she was the one he wished to gift.
Did Cassius know that she had very little money?
Harper dug her nails into her skin. "Why would you give me a pair of shoes? We have not known each other long enough for you to give me shoes. I won’t be able to return a gift to you now."
"I thought it was common for the men in town to flood the women they wanted to court with many gifts. Should I not do so?" Cassius asked, his words calculated.
Harper was once again surprised by Cassius. The only gifts she had received from men visiting her home to sit with her were flowers. She envied the other ladies for receiving grand gifts.
There were rumours that even Penelope received a carriage as a gift before she married Tyrion.
"Oh, I. I don’t know what to say," said Harper. "I have never received such a gift from anyone courting me."
"Well, I think it’s time that you are showered with gifts. Would you like to go in with me to pick out a pair? You will need to try it on," said Cassius.
Harper looked where her mother had gone inside to shop. She was without an escort, so her father wouldn’t be pleased to know she was alone with a man, but it was her parents who pushed the importance of her marrying a good man.
"I will join you," Harper replied.
Harper happily followed Cassius inside to pick out a pair of shoes. She was once again surprised inside when Cassius bought her two other pairs.
Harper wished to know more about Cassius. He was able to point at what he wanted without worrying about the cost, and the workers rushed to serve him.
Harper was lost in her imagination as she thought about being his wife and having the pleasure of buying what she wanted or having the attention of the workers.
Cassius carried the boxes for Harper.
"You are too kind," Harper said, falling in love with Cassius.
Harper hoped she could hold onto his attention a little bit more so he could propose to her before the season ended. Not only would she have a man who would solve her family’s current troubles, but she had also stumbled upon a man who was kind.
"My kindness extends to only those I care for. I hope you will carry this day with a smile to the end. You are most beautiful when you smile," Cassius said, watching as such simple words made her cheeks flush.
Cassius wondered why it wasn’t so simple for Penelope. Aside from the royal title, he had everything the prince did, yet she was so in love with Tyrion.
Cassius couldn’t understand Penelope, and that was what made bothering her so fun. The prince, being upset, was the cherry on top for Cassius.
"I hope the next ball I attend, and you are there, I will see you wearing one of the shoes. And Harper, if you ever need anything, remember that I am always willing to help you," Cassius offered. "It doesn’t matter what it is."
"Thank you. Oh! There seems to be someone waiting for you. Is he a friend or perhaps your little brother?" Harper asked, staring at the man who bore little resemblance to Cassius. ’Perhaps a cousin?’
"Little brother?" Cassius repeated, turning to see who she meant. He chuckled when he saw Quinn waiting for him. "Right, that’s my little brother Quinn."