"I don’t suppose you have other family members or friends that live nearby who could help you get back home."
Cassandra glanced down at her empty bowl, a familiar forlorn feeling rising from its depths even as she shook her head in response.
"No, I’m afraid I don’t." She had no family or friends who could be of help in this situation. All the years she had spent in the queen’s good graces had made her influential, but she realized it was all for naught, for when she was in her hour of need, there was no one to help her.
She could pen a letter to Sebastian Reaver and ask for his help, but it would take a good two days for it to reach him, and she didn’t have the time to simply wait around for his response. Besides, she couldn’t trust that he wouldn’t inform his mother of her predicament, and through her, Nathaniel might ascertain where she was hiding.
Cassandra couldn’t risk it. She couldn’t let any of them find her here. If they did, it might put Miriam and Martha directly in Whitmore’s line of sight.
Martha must have been able to see through Cassandra’s riotous thoughts, because she rushed to chime in.
"My brother-in-law is a traveling merchant, you see, and he frequently travels to Elmsby to sell his wares. It’s not too far from the capital, and he can take you if you want."
Cassandra could not help the way her face lit up with tentative hope. Could this be the answer to her problem?
"I don’t want to be a bother..."
But Martha simply waved away her worry as though it was nothing.
"Please, think nothing of it. Giles has the kindest heart. He would be glad to help you however he can."
"Thank you." She gave them both a grateful smile. "Had it not been for you, I wouldn’t know what would have become of me. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me."
Miriam returned her smile with one of her own. She was indeed very beautiful, with rich brown eyes and a dimple in each of her cheeks.
"After dinner, I will go to my uncle’s house to inform him. He should be off to Elmsby in a day or so." Miriam stood from her chair and moved to pat Cassandra reassuringly on the shoulder. "Do not fret, Ms Leighton. You will be in safe hands."
Giles needed more convincing than they had anticipated, especially after they had informed him of Cassandra’s horrifying encounter with ruffians.
He never traveled with strange women he couldn’t trust, and certainly not one who might end up bringing him trouble.
He had spent years making his living on the road and knew better than most that trouble could follow a person long after the original danger had passed.
Still, Martha and Miriam were determined to persuade him. Cassandra’s plight had stirred something protective in both women, and neither seemed willing to abandon her to fend for herself.
But he had eventually relented, and it did not take long for the day of his departure to finally arrive.
To prepare her for the journey ahead, Miriam lent Cassandra some of her clothes, explaining that it was best for her not to stand out or draw unwanted attention along the way.
Cassandra stared at her in disbelief, her lips parted as she prepared to protest, but Miriam was having none of it.
"I am giving you the clothes, and that is final. Isn’t it considered offensive to reject something freely given?" Miriam argued.
The thought of taking even more from the family after everything they had already done for her did not sit quite right with Cassandra.
Still, she could see the wisdom in Miriam’s reasoning. If she was going to travel with a merchant and avoid being recognized, she needed to shed anything that might draw attention to her. Her old dress, fine as it was, would certainly make her stand out among ordinary travelers.
So she left it behind with Miriam.
Cassandra had examined the dress she wore and found that it was not torn too badly. All it needed was some careful stitching and a thorough washing before it could be worn again.
Miriam could barely hide the happy gleamer in her eyes as they traded clothes, most likely already imagining the occasions on which she might wear a dress as fine as Cassandra’s.
The sight brought a small smile to Cassandra’s lips.
They were set to depart before dawn, and the Hale women were there to see her off.
While Giles took his time checking the horses’ harnesses and fastenings, making certain that everything was secure enough for the journey, Cassandra stood a short distance away with Miriam and Martha.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I am blessed to have met the two of you." Her eyes glistened as she poured out her gratitude, speaking from the deepest part of her heart.
Overcome with emotion, Miriam stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace. To Cassandra’s surprise, she allowed herself to be held.
When they finally pulled apart, Cassandra subtly wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand before giving them another smile. She did not want her tears to make their farewell any harder than it already was.
At last, Giles climbed onto the front of the dray and took the reins in his hands. Cassandra carefully climbed onto the back of the loaded wagon and made herself comfortable among the merchant’s wares, finding a secure place where she could sit without disturbing the carefully arranged cargo.
With a flick of the reins, Giles urged the horses forward.
The wheels began to roll over the road, carrying Cassandra away from the people who had shown her kindness when she had needed it most.
With every passing second, the distance between them widened, and the familiar figures of Miriam and Martha grew smaller behind her.
Unable to help herself, Cassandra raised one hand high and waved goodbye.
Miriam was the first to wave back, her hand moving vigorously through the cold morning air, before her mother followed suit. Neither woman stopped waving until Cassandra had finally disappeared from view.
Cassandra lowered her hand only after she could no longer see them and silently, she vowed to repay their kindness.