Harper’s walk with Cassius went well in her eyes. He was reluctant to open up about some parts of his life, but Harper knew that in time, she would become closer to him now that Cassius was openly courting her.
Harper and Cassius returned inside with Beryl right behind them.
Robert was waiting for the group with a special bottle of wine he had been saving for the right occasion.
"For you," Robert said, offering a glass of wine to Cassius.
Cassius accepted the wine and took a sip of it.
Robert might be a fool, but he had good taste in wine.
"I think I have overstayed my welcome, and there is business I must tend to. It has been lovely meeting you both and talking with you," Cassius said, lifting Harper’s hand to kiss as a parting gesture. "Until we see each other again."
Harper curtsied as she sent Cassius off. She was certain that in no time, Cassius would return to her home.
Robert walked Cassius to the door as his wife and daughter rushed to open the gifts.
Beryl’s eyes widened at the sight of necklaces. They were marvellous and unlike anything her husband ever gifted her.
Beryl placed the necklace against her neck, wanting to keep it for herself. She twirled, showing her husband the gift.
Harper was too busy opening other boxes to care about what her mother picked out.
"Harper dear, he must have spent a fortune on you," Beryl said, amazed by what was present. "Where is your father going?" She asked, puzzled by Robert running outside.
Outside, Robert ran toward the carriage, which started to move off. Hearing what his wife said was enough to make him consider the deal with Cassius.
Any man who could spend money on gifts which he wouldn’t expect to get back if Harper didn’t marry him had to be wealthy.
Cassius was the man needed to save this family.
"Wait!" Robert called as he ran behind the carriage. "Mr. Monroe!"
It was impossible that the coachman didn’t hear him since outside was quiet, with all that could be heard was the carriage moving ever so slightly.
Inside the carriage, Cassius laughed at the sound of Robert chasing the carriage. Robert needed the run.
Cassius tapped the carriage to make it stop.
While it would be fun to see how far Robert would chase the carriage to, Cassius needed the deal to be made with Robert today. Cassius needed some good news to take back to Quinn.
Cassius stopped laughing and stepped out of the carriage with a worried expression. He reached for Robert to help him stand up.
’He would make a could pet,’ Cassius thought, entertained by how Robert panted.
Robert hunched over, catching his breath.
"I didn’t hear you. I’m sorry," Cassius apologised.
"No, no," Robert waved it off. "I was the one running after the carriage. I’ve decided to do business with you. When can an agreement be made and the money given to me?"
"When you are ready. My brother and I have a business in town near the wishing well. You can go there anytime and I will have the money ready for you. Or, I could come a day when your wife and Harper aren’t here. Harper might become uncomfortable if she knew," said Cassius.
Robert nodded his head, agreeing with Cassius. "It would be best to keep this from them for now. It would be a good story for the future. I will come to you, so none of the servants can with my wife."
Robert could think of many things his wife and daughter would want once they realised he had money again. Those things weren’t important right now, so he had to keep the money to himself.
"I am sorry for troubling you when you are on your way out. Have a safe trip back," Robert said, patting Cassius’s arm.
"Don’t apologise. I look forward to doing business with you," Cassius replied, fixing where Robert touched him. "You should also not tell others about this. They would take it upon themselves to come asking me for money. I don’t want to help others, only you."
"I won’t speak of this," Robert promised.
Robert didn’t want others to know that he was so desperate that he was borrowing money from one of his daughter’s suitors, as it would bring unnecessary gossip, which Harper wouldn’t need now.
Robert stepped back as Cassius got in the carriage. He waved goodbye and anticipated the time he would get his money.
Cassius closed the door and looked out at Robert, who smiled more than Harper did.
"What a fool," Cassius muttered, loosening the buttons on his shirt.
Once Robert signed his name and accepted the money, his life as well as his family’s lives would be in Quinn’s hands.
In the palace, Selina eyed Penelope’s group of friends.
The talk with the queen weighed on Selina’s mind.
What was going to happen when her father learned of how she behaved?
Or worse, what if it reached the duchess?
For the first time in her life, Selina picked at her nails.
Amelia noticed the awful habit and touched Selina’s hand. "It is going to be fine. I do not think you are wrong for feeling as you do, but knowing that she is a respected guest of the Castros, you should have been more careful."
"You didn’t speak up enough," said Selina.
Selina knew it would have all gone better had Amelia spoken up more. Amelia was usually the outspoken one who let her displeasure be known, so why wasn’t she speaking today?
"I know that you do not like seeing Rue sit with us," Selina said.
"No, I do not, but I know now is not the time to speak of how I feel when the queen is present. You must think of the old war and what troubling the queen’s guest can mean for you. I am learning that there is a time and a place for certain conversations. You must learn it," Amelia recommended.
Selina didn’t believe Amelia was suddenly mature. Amelia was up to something, but Selina couldn’t place what it was yet.
"You are learning? Does this have something to do with you wanting to start over with Penelope, or was that all an act for the queen? Or, could it be that you have set your eyes on Elijah?" Selina asked, upset that there was one other lady to keep her eyes on.
Amelia laughed at Selina’s assumption. "I am not interested in Elijah Collins. My future husband shall have a title far higher. If you want revenge, then here it is," Amelia said, pushing a plant plot toward Selina. "They sit below us."