Ordained

Chapter Twenty

Cassius had barely slept, his mind a buzzing hive of displeased bees whose constant humming prevented any real rest. Shooting yesterday had helped for a couple hours, but the nagging worry was still ever present in the back of his mind.

Pushing his hair out of his face and rubbing his eyes he threw himself down the stairs in the direction of his mother's salon. The pink painted sun room was where his mother spent most mornings, taking her tea and breakfast in the peaceful comfort of the overly feminine room.

"Mother." He demanded as he swung the doors open. Carmen started at his sudden intrusion. Her tea cup rattled on its saucer as she cursed him with a gasp.

"You'll be the death of me. " She scolded with a grin.

Cassius normally would play along and make a sarcastic comment but he was too preoccupied today.

"Mother, I have to speak to you."

...

When Emmeline awoke the next morning it was with renewed energy. She had made a decision, now all she had to do was stick to it.

Easy enough in theory, harder in reality.

There was nothing to lose, so she might as well try and make her ordained like her. She could at least give him an opportunity to get to know her.

Sitting at her dressing table Emmeline tried to draw Clementine into conversation about Cassius. If the staff knew all, then surely her young maid would be able to help her with her mission.

"Clementine." She began gingerly.

Her maid smiled expectantly, her hands busy with the brush she was using to untangle her hair.

"If one wanted to bump into Master Cassius, where would one go?"

Clementine's face changed at once, her innocent expression twisting into one of wicked excitement. "Do you wish to bump into the young master mistress?" She asked, her voice betraying her.

Emmeline rolled her eyes, smiling. She had seen that face, heard that voice before. Her friend Lavender was exactly the same when she had gossip about a new couple. Emily was even worse, but there was something about the way Clementine was trying, and failing, to hide her interest that reminded her distinctly of Lavender.

Letting out a small breath she continued. "Suppose that I did, where would be the best place to find him. The estate is very large and-"

Clementine cut her off, it was improper for a maid to do but Emmeline didn't mind. There was no rudeness behind her actions, more just a desire to be helpful. "He eats breakfast with her grace in the Duchess's Salon at 8am. The stables from 9 till 10, then the young master will either head to the training hall or will head to the range. Same place really..." She chatted animatedly. Emmeline watched her in the mirror, grinning.

"-Then he'll either have lunch in the salon with her grace, or he'll eat in the downstairs drawing room with a book. Then he usually retires to his chambers. He has an office off his living quarters and likes to spend a portion of the day up there working. Then he eats in the informal dining room alone, unless the duke and duchess wish to eat with him. Then he goes for a walk for a few hours then-"

Emmeline held up her hands in surrender. "Is he really so predictable that you know his routine so precisely?"

Clementine smirked, nodding. "His grace likes to stick to a respectable routine when he is here."

There was something in the way Clementine said 'here' that piqued her interest, but she pushed it aside for now. She needed to focus on her task at hand and Clementine's information overload could easily distract her if she let it.