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She gestured at her torso. “I’m no longer binding my breasts.”
“True, but it’s more than that,” he said thoughtfully. “Before, you were easier to overlook. Perhaps it wasn’t conscious, but you have been trying not to attract attention. Now your expression is more definite. More individual. Perhaps you’re just relieved not to have to keep so big a secret anymore.”
Casey blinked. “You may be right. Mr. Harris, the quiet clerk, is gone. Perhaps I’m relaxing into myself for the first time since I was ten years old.”
“Do you like the feeling?”
She had to think about it before giving him a slow nod. “Yes, it’s a release of tension. Now I am whatever I am. I’m no longer trying to be pretend to be someone different.”
He smiled encouragingly. “You’re becoming increasingly intriguing. On a more mundane note, the cook shop had fresh gingerbread as well as meat pies and the like. Would you like a piece to go with the tea?”
“Please.” She concentrated on keeping her hands steady as she poured the tea and set out the pot of honey. “Do you really plan to whisk me off to London and inflict me on your family? Do I have a choice?”
“You always have a choice, but it isn’t a matter of ‘inflicting’ you on the Tremaynes. Lord and Lady Tremayne prefer that family members call them Rhys and Gwyn so that we’ll feel equal with everyone else, no matter our origins. We call ourselves the Tribe of Tremayne.”
He pulled the chunk of gingerbread from his carry bag and used one of her knives to slice it into smaller pieces. Gentleman Jack appeared and sniffed the bag with interest.
Casey’s tension eased as they settled at the table for their tea and gingerbread. After her first warming sips, she said, “Now tell me about the Tribe of Tremayne.”
“You’ll never find a warmer or more welcoming family.” Cameron had included a chunk of cheddar in his food shop purchases, so he cut off a slice and offered it to Gentleman Jack, who accepted with pleasure. Then he described each member of the family, what they were like and how they had come to be part of the Tribe of Tremayne. They sounded like people she would enjoy knowing.
They were on their second cups of tea and all the gingerbread was gone when a firm knock sounded on the door. Casey froze, unable to think who might be calling, but thinking it couldn’t be good.
Expression calm, Cameron stood and opened the door. Standing on the front steps were Sir Samuel Bentham, Mr. Norman, and a burly man she didn’t recognize.
Sir Samuel said, “This is the residence of Miss Casey Harris?”
“It is.” Cameron glanced at Casey, silently asking her if she wanted to greet her visitors.
She would have preferred diving under the table to hide. Instead, she took a deep breath, mustered all her strength, then rose and moved to the door. “Sir Samuel. Mr. Norman. Is there a problem?”
Cameron opened the door wider and the three men entered, Sir Samuel limping and using a cane. Mr. Norman removed his hat and turned it restlessly in his hands. “What’s wrong is that I can no longer employ you, Miss Harris. I did talk to my superiors, but they said it would be quite unacceptable to employ a female clerk.”
“It’s the Royal Navy’s loss,” Cameron said dryly.
“I agree with Mr. Tremayne,” Casey said, suppressing the anger she felt at having her work yanked away from her. But neither she nor Mr. Norman had a choice. “I enjoyed working for you, sir. You were always fair and I learned a great deal.”
Mr. Norman’s expression eased. “You were the best employee I had for figures and accounting. I don’t know how I’ll replace you.”
She thought a moment. “You might consider Mr. Jones. He’s young but he was always interested in what I was doing and he has an aptitude for numbers.”
“Thank you. I’ll talk to him.”
Casey turned to Sir Samuel. “I’ve not seen you with a cane before, sir. You were injured in the explosion and fire?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Nothing to signify. If not for you, I’d be dead.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag that jingled. As he handed it to her, he continued, “You’ve lost your employment and the life you’ve been living. Let me do this for you.”
She blinked at the weight of the bag. “This really isn’t necessary, Sir Samuel!”
“It is to me.” He glanced at Cameron. “You’re one of the Tribe of Tremayne? If so, Miss Harris will be in good hands.”
Cameron nodded. “We’ll help her find a new path.”
The burly man stepped forward. “I’m Tom Burton and I work in the smithy, Miss Harris.” He swallowed hard. “You pulled my boy Tommy to safety. He would have died today. I can’t offer anything but the thanks of me and my wife.”
Casey smiled at him. “I’m very glad that I saw him despite the smoke, and that I was able to bring him to safety. I hope he wasn’t seriously injured?”
“He’s more than a bit bruised.” Burton gave a sudden smile. “He says an angel rescued him, and I reckon he was right.”
