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toe.
    “You are, at least, a comely girl,” he said rather indifferently.
    She was infuriated at his brazen and worldly response. How dare he imply that her physical appearance would make the situation endurable for him? But she would not let him have the upper hand , and she quickly retorted, “And you are, at least, uniquely handsome.” Then, unable to hold her tongue any further, she added, “Though…I must tell you now that it would make no difference to me were you elderly, obese , and heinous to look upon.”
    “Humph,” he sneered rather mockingly. “You’ll come to know the intense untruth of that remark.” Rising from his chair and pushing past her, he strode angrily from the room.

Chapter Two
     
    There would come no respite through sleep for Cassidy Shea that night —o nly brief periods of fitful dozing when her mind would imagine the angry face of Mason Carlisle before her, disapproving and resentful. Therefore, she awoke ill-tempered, puffy-eyed , and more fatigued somehow than when she had retired.
    “Good morning, Miss Cassidy,” Lynette said, entering the chamber with a basin of fresh water. “ ’ Tis well past nine o’clock, you realize. The birds have been twittering for hours. I cannot believe you didn’t wake for them.”
    “Nine!” Cassidy exclaimed, leaping from her bed. “How could it be that I slept so long? How could it be that Mother allowed me to sleep until now?”
    “I would think it is because she has been otherwise occupied in your father’s study with their guest for the entirety of the morning.”
    Cassidy felt as if a large lump of something was caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and smiled kindly at Lynette, grateful for the girl’s wonderful way of letting her know all the news in Terrill without actually telling her all the news.
    “He’s still about then? That bullying brute of a man, Carlisle ?” Cassidy asked, half hoping the morning would have found him taking his leave, certain she met with disgust in his eyes. Still, the other half — the more silent half of her soul, the half that only manifest itself in her mind — somehow delighted to learn that he remained under her father’s roof.
    “Yes, miss. He’s about. That sinfully attractive, dark-haired man that is to be your husband, I hear.” Lynette’s eyes twinkled mischievously , and Cassidy was irritated by the sudden blush that heated her own cheeks. “I’ve never seen the like of him before. Not in all my days, I haven’t.”
    “He is a heartless beast,” Cassidy mumbled, going to study her weary face in the looking glass.
    “And you’re the beauty then, miss, to charm the savage in him?”
    Lynette giggled , and Cassidy could not help smiling at her playful way. “You bring me such delightsome mirth and…and…”
    “Common comfort?” Lynette finished.
    “For lack of better words, yes. You help me see that life isn’t so all serious and dreary as I maybe perceived it.”
    “How could life be dreary in the arms of such a man?”
    “Lynette. Hush now. You go too far,” Cassidy scolded. Yet she was uncomfortably disturbed by the odd thrilling sensation that traveled over her flesh at Lynette’s comment. “Well, then,” she continued as Lynette only stood grinning all too knowingly, “come. Help me to look presentable as I face Monsieur Guillotine.”
    
    “Good morning, my darling,” Cassidy’s mother greeted her, standing and kissing her lovingly on the cheek as Cassidy entered the morning room. Cassidy noted that her mother’s eyes were swollen and reddened and knew that she too had not slept during the night.
    “Yes, Cass. Good morning,” her father mumbled, nodding at her. “How lovely you look in that yellow dress. It is truly one of my favorites.”
    “Yes, Father. Paste a stem to her , and she would look just like a fresh, ripe little daffodil plucked from a new bride’s bouquet. Would you not agree?” Ellis’ s voice still resounded with anger, but a