The Fire Lord's Lover - 1 Read Online Free PDF

it."
       Cassandra smiled. Thomas did not return it this time. Instead he leaned forward, his gray eyes hard as steel. "Make sure of your opportunity before you seize it. If nothing else, remember that, my girl."
    "I will. I promise."
       The bell rang, signaling the end of prayer, and made both of them jump. Thomas smiled at her rather sheepishly, and Cassandra feared the smile she gave him in turn held too much sadness in it.
       He walked her to the door, bowed low over her hand. "If you ever need me, leave a message for Father Thomas. I will come… if it's safe."
       She understood. From this moment forward, she should depend only upon herself. She turned to leave, but he would not let go of her hand.
       "Are you sure?" he murmured.
       "Yes." Oh, how confident she sounded! Was it false or true? She supposed the next few days would tell.
       His grip loosened and she felt her entire body grow cold. Would she ever be truly warm again?
       "Farewell, then, Lady Cassandra. You have been a most excellent student."
       She might never see him again, at least in this guise. She wondered what he would be like in the full role of Viscount Althorp. "Good-bye, Father Thomas."
       Cass slipped out the door almost as quietly as she'd entered. Some of her training had become pure habit. The hall flowed with the colorful skirts of the ladies of quality, and she insinuated herself within the crowd of students with barely a notice. She knew she should go to her rooms, that her father had sent his servants along with her wedding gown so she would be prepared for tomorrow.
       But the entire encounter with Thomas had shaken her belief in the path she had chosen to take. Her widowed father had no idea of her involvement with the Rebellion; he would have disowned her, since he stood to gain status and funds with her union to the champion.
       She'd missed her mother over the years, but never as much as she did at this moment.
       So when Cass passed by the chapel, she slipped inside and closed the door behind her. She'd always had God to talk to. For a moment she enjoyed the silence, the chatter of the girls muffled behind the walls. Prayer time had ended, and so she had the entire place to herself.
       She passed the pews and went straight to the altar, then sank to her knees on the bare stone, as close to the cross as propriety would allow. She bowed her head, pressed her palms together, and continued her interrupted prayer, her words barely above a whisper.
       "Almighty God, please let my new husband be happy with me tomorrow so I can murder his father."
    * * *
    Cassandra sat within the carriage, trying not to rumple the silk of her wedding dress. The sunshine streamed through the windows and struck the silver edging decorating the cream fabric and shot tiny sparks of light around her. Father had insisted on the silk, had chosen the pleated gown
    himself. He wanted his daughter to shine.
    Cass wanted only to disappear.
       She glanced across the coach at her father. The press of traffic to Westminster Abbey impeded their progress, and the Duke of Chandos grumbled again.
       "Devilishly foolish of the lot. They're all here to see the wedding, and they can't have one without the bride. We shall be late because of all the gawkers."
       He checked his gold watch for the hundredth time. Age had not diminished her father's handsome looks. His silver-white wig made his hazel eyes appear lighter, and they made a striking contrast against his tan face. He loved to hunt, spent a great deal of time outdoors, which had kept up his youthful physique. He had not mourned Cassandra's mother for long, although she supposed she couldn't blame him, when women kept throwing themselves at his feet.
       He'd inherited only a pretty face from his elven blood.
       "Please, Father, don't be concerned. They will wait for us."
       "Eh?" He glanced up, as if he'd forgotten her presence. "Yes, quite