Chapter 5
Cassian opened his eyes and sat up. Sunlight poured into the room. A maid knocked on the door. Cassian grabbed the wig and put it on his head.
He got out of bed and put a robe on. He cleared his throat. Another day of this hell, he thought as he allowed entrance to the maid.
"Miss Cassidy, will you be dining with Miss Mary Weather this morning?"
"Yes, I think I shall. I'll be down in a moment, thank you."
The maid left and Cassian grabbed one of the dresses that the Hargreaves provided. A violet one.
The doctor is crazier than I think everyone believes. Why in the world would he want to torture me like this? What did I do, God?
Cassian sighed and once dressed, he headed downstairs to the dining room.
"Get out!"
Cassian stopped. He wasn't even in the room yet. What was Mary screeching at?
The door opened and a man exited. "Mary, Love, what's wrong?"
"Oscar, I mean it! I can bear with you when Cain's here, but he isn't, so get out!"
"Okay, okay, I'll come back when Cain's home. Okay, Mary? See? I'm going."
The man left. Cassian poked his head into the room. "Mary?"
"Hi, Cassidy," Mary said, smiling forcefully. "Don't mind that. That was Oscar, my…er…suitor, you could say."
"Suitor?" What the hell?! "But you're still a little young for that right? We're the same age, aren't we?"
"We are," Mary said, frowning. "Oscar's ten years older than us, but he is determined to marry me even though my brother is dead set against it. I'm not keen on marrying him either. He's so pathetic, it's beyond depressing."
And I thought White Owl was a creep. That guy is persistent. Cassian sat down and they began to eat. "So you refuse to see him unless Lord Hargreaves' is home?"
"If Cain's home, he can get rid of Oscar without having to resort to violence. We have Riff take care of that when need be."
Scary…
"Cassidy, do you want to go to the park?"
"Eh? Without Cain?"
"He won't mind. We'll bring Abigail. I'm rather fond of her."
Cassian shrugged. "Okay." He glanced at Mary. Well, maybe she is a little cute…and she'll definitely be quite beautiful when she's older—no! Stop there!
Cassian shook his head, berating himself.
"Cassidy, is something wrong?"
"Oh! I got a little light headed. It's fine. Nothing life threatening," Cassian said. Mary smiled.
"Good to know. I wouldn't want you to pass out when we go to the park."
"No," Cassian agreed, "that'd be quite embarrassing."
Mary laughed. They finished eating and left. As they entered the park, Cassian sighed. I'd really much rather get back to work on that list…
"Look at that, Cassidy!" Mary said pointing at a balloon stand. Cassian almost blanched at White Owl, disguised as a balloon seller.
"Good morning, little ones," White Owl said. Cassian curled his hands into fists. White Owl's voice really grated his nerves. "Such cute little girls."
I'm gonna rip him to shreds…
"Here you are, free of charge." White Owl handed Mary a pink balloon and Cassian a yellow one. He lowered his voice. "Have fun on your date."
"Shut. Up. I am going to kick you in the nads when this is all over."
White Owl sweat dropped. Cassian and Mary walked away.
Not long after they had lost sight of White Owl and his balloon stand, Cassian began to notice that they were being followed.
White Owl? No. I'm sure he's being targeted by a bunch of kids right now (Cassian was right: "Oi! Don't push!" "I wanna blue one!" "Give me red!" and so on…), and I know what it feels like to be stalked by anyone from Delilah—they wouldn't be this sloppy. Must be some hooligans. Cassian sighed. Just great. On top of everything, I might have to fight. That'll be a dead give away to Mary and Abigail. Unless I end it quickly. I have some knives with me, so it shouldn't be too bad.
"Hey, cuties!"
So they decide to show themselves.
Mary, Cassian, and Abigail turned to look at the intruders.
Only three and not even full grown men?! Crying out loud! This is easier than I thought it'd be. Maybe my luck is finally changing.
"You ladies look bored," the first said, coming toward us. "Perhaps we could treat you to lunch," he said, looking straight at Mary. Mary backed away, her blue eyes hardening.
"Leave us alone," Mary growled, grabbing Cassian's hand. "Come on, Cassidy."
Crap! I forgot that "Cassidy" isn't the kind of girl that'd fight back. Otherwise, why the heck would "she" have to go to that punk Earl for help against "stalkers"?
One of the boys grabbed Cassian's other wrist. "Don't be so cold, ladies," he said, leaning toward them. Mary fumed.
"Let go of her you cretin!"
The boy's expression hardened and he glared at Mary. His hand shot up and shoved Mary aside. Mary screamed and fell onto the ground.
"Miss Mary!" Abigail shouted, helping her up.
With his spare hand, Cassian pulled out a dagger attached beneath the dress to his back. The boy blinked. Cassian slashed at him. The boy released her, dodging Cassian's blow by moments.
Perplexed for a moment, the boys stared at Cassian. Then their faces hardened into grimaces.
"You little—"
"Get her!"
The boys charged at Cassian. Cassian briefly stared at Mary and Abigail. They were watching.
Damn! Got to get out of here…
Cassian turned and ran. The boys pursued him. Cassian skidded to a halt. He couldn't see Mary or Abigail. Good, he thought. The boys circled him.
Cassian pulled out another dagger. It'll be interesting fighting in a dress…
Cassian turned to the boy who grabbed his wrist and beckoned him with a finger.
"You're going to regret that brat!" He shouted rushing toward Cassian. Cassian dodged and elbowed the boy in the back. The boy's mouth opened in a silent scream.
The other two ran at him. Both were easily dodged.
These kids aren't even worth killing…geez.
"Get out of here," Cassian growled, using his normal voice. "Before I change my mind and cut down every one of you."
The first boy got back to his feet, glaring at Cassian. He ran at Cassian again. Cassian ducked and the boy grabbed his wig.
Shit!
"It's a boy?"
The boys sneered. "That just makes it easier, doesn't it?"
"Get him!"
Cassian sighed. Well, I did warn them…
Cassian picked up the wig again and looked at it. "Crap," he muttered, staring at the blood staining it. "How am I going to talk my way out of this?"
Resigned, Cassian put the wig back on and turned around. Mary and Abigail stared back at him. Shit! How long has she been standing there?
"Cassidy isn't your name," Mary stated.
Long enough…
"You work for that mad doctor. The one that's after my brother…don't you?"
Cassian didn't answer.
Mary sighed. "Did you quit and run away? Is that why you disguised yourself as a girl? That's why you told my brother you were being stalked, isn't it? Because those people were looking for you and were going to make you go back to him and keep doing his dirty work, right? Right?"
Cassian swallowed. "Yes," he lied. It's gone remarkably in my favor even though she's figured out who I am. But why do I feel so bad now that she knows who I am? "I ran away from Dr. Disraeli, disguising myself as a girl, because I thought they wouldn't recognize me if I did. I was afraid to tell you and the Earl who I really was because I was afraid of what you'd do if you knew who I am. I'm sorry. Maybe I just go."
"Wait," Mary called. Cassian smirked.
Finally! I can get out of this dress!
"You really misjudged me and my brother. If you want out, we'll help you. I can promise you at least that."
Hehe, silly little girl.
Cassian turned back to her. "Are you sure?"
Mary nodded. "What's your real name?"
Cassian walked back to her and Abigail. "Cassian."