Away from the palace, Cassius arrived at Harper’s home with a flower bouquet in his hand and a carriage filled with gifts to win her father over.
Cassius stepped out of his carriage and stared at the small home. The house was larger than the homes that average people in town had, but not big enough to be called a mansion.
Cassius was already bored, but to make up for his mistake, he had to go through with this.
It was either Cassius or Harper to die at Quinn’s hands, and Cassius was all about keeping himself alive.
Cassius walked up to the front door and knocked.
After what felt like an eternity, the door was opened by a woman whose eyes widened when she saw Cassius.
"Hello. Are you lost?" Beryl Fenwick, Harper’s mother, asked the stranger.
"I don’t believe so. Isn’t this the home of Miss Harper?" Cassius inquired.
"It is. Harper is my daughter. And you are?" Beryl asked, staring at the flowers.
Could this be a suitor?
"I am Cassius Monroe. I’ve come to court your daughter if you would allow me. I have come with gifts to prove my interest in her. Forgive me if the time for suitors has ended," Cassius said, offering the flowers to Beryl.
Beryl accepted the flowers, but she was still puzzled as to when her daughter had found such a suitor.
’Is this the man who gave her shoes?’ Beryl wondered.
There was no doubt that the man before her came from a good family. One with money.
"No, that time has not ended," Beryl said, making way for Cassius to enter.
If Harper could get her hands on a man , then their troubles might be solved.
"The flowers are lovely. You should give them to my daughter," Beryl said, giving the flowers back to Cassius.
Beryl led Cassius to the drawing room.
Harper was not yet dressed up to meet with any suitors since they weren’t expecting to have any today.
Beryl not only had to go to Harper, but to her husband as well, so he would speak to the gentleman sitting here.
"I shall have some tea prepared for you," said Beryl.
"Oh, I don’t want to trouble you," Cassius replied.
Cassius was certain they wouldn’t have what he liked, so there was no use wasting anyone’s time.
"It is no trouble at all. I won’t be a good host if I don’t prepare you a drink. Let me get my daughter and husband," Beryl said, wiping her hands on her dress.
Cassius smiled. "My coachman will start to bring in the gifts I have prepared."
Beryl was excited to see what gifts Harper would receive. So far, the men who stopped by only came with flowers or with nothing, as if they were so special.
Beryl walked calmly where Cassius could see her, but once she thought she was out of sight, Beryl ran.
There was so little time to get Harper dressed for Cassius.
"Darling!" Beryl called her husband when she came across him. "There is a gentleman in the drawing room who has come to court Harper. He comes with gifts. You must go stall him while I get Harper dressed."
Robert Fenwick wasn’t interested in a new suitor.
"We already agreed on her future husband," Robert reminded Beryl.
"Nothing was announced. This gentleman appears to be her age, and he is clad in expensive clothes. This would be far better for Harper. We mustn’t let this chance miss us, so do not send him away. She should marry someone around her age," Beryl pleaded.
Robert didn’t want to, but it couldn’t hurt to see who had come.
"Go get her dressed and do something with yourself. Your hair isn’t well kept," Robert pointed out.
Robert didn’t mind Beryl helping the maids with the chores, but the least she could do was look presentable.
Robert left Beryl’s side and went down to the drawing room to see who had come.
Cassius stood up when he saw Robert. "You must be Mr. Fenwick."
Robert stared at the hand offered to him. His wife was right that the stranger had come dressed in fine clothes.
Robert smiled and shook Cassius’s hand. "Yes, I am. I have seen your face once before, but I never had the pleasure of being introduced."
"I am Cassius Monroe," Cassius introduced himself. "I should have introduced myself sooner, so the first time we met wouldn’t be me coming to court your daughter."
"It is fine. Sit, sit," Robert said, pointing at the chair. "It is a bit of a surprise to see you here. My daughter spoke of a gentleman she met recently, but you know how young ladies are. I thought she was jesting."
"I met Harper by chance and bought her shoes. I thought it was time to court her the right way. I was hoping I didn’t make the mistake of coming today when it is said most of the ladies are in the palace," said Cassius.
Robert’s smile fell. He remembered Harper’s disappointment that she did not receive an invitation.
Robert picked a husband for Harper, so rather than have her worrying about a new dress to wear before the queen, he wanted the money to go toward her dowry.
"Harper wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed in today. It must have been all planned since you came today," said Robert.
Cassius wanted to laugh. He was well aware that Harper didn’t receive an invitation, which was why he came today.
"Since it is only us men here, we can have an honest talk. Are you serious about my daughter? By now, you should have heard the state of our home. I cannot have you walk in here to give Harper hope only to let her down. Tell me the truth," said Robert.
A man like Cassius could get the attention of a young lady from a good house, so why was he here with Harper?
"I understand why you might be worried, but as I told your daughter, she has a good heart. Rather than wealth, I look at how a lady acts. Harper is kind, thoughtful, and unlike any other lady in town. I would be the happiest man in town if we wed," Cassius said.
Robert liked the response, but he was still uncertain.
It might be sweet now, but years later, Cassius could regret this.
"I am pleased you noticed the good qualities of my daughter, but I don’t have anything to offer you," said Robert.
"Then, how about I make an offer which will help both of us?" Cassius proposed an idea.